Taking part

What is required?

The survey involves two spring visits to a local 1-km square, to count all the birds you see or hear while walking along two 1-km transects within the square. Each visit should take less than two hours, and we recommend that you make a reconnaissance visit to set up or check your transect route and access, and complete a habitat recording form. We are also interested in mammal records from your square, and you can even visit your square later in the season to survey for butterflies.

Read some background information about the BBS

Download the full survey instructions

How do I get involved?

To register for BBS, contact your Regional Organiser (RO). Your RO will give you more information, and will allocate you a 1-km BBS square.

What skills are required?

You don’t need to be a world-class birder to take part, but you should be able to identify common birds by sight and sound. If required, a CD of the songs and calls of over 70 British species is available FREE to BBS volunteers - ask your Regional Organiser.

The BTO runs a number of 1-day and weekend training courses, mainly centered on teaching bird survey techniques.

How is the survey organised?

The survey is organised via a network of voluntary Regional Organisers (ROs). Your RO will provide the grid reference of your 1-km BBS square (e.g. TL1234), a map of the square, and a full set of BBS recording forms.

Download BBS forms and instructions

Where are the survey sites?

Survey sites are randomly-chosen 1-km squares of the National Grid. Your Regional Organiser will allocate you a survey site as near as possible to where you live.

How do I find my survey site on a map?

Visit the website Ordnance Survey 'Get-a-Map' website, click on ‘Get-a-map’ and enter your 4-figure Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference (e.g. TL1234). The grid reference will be the top right of the four squares shown in the window.

Alternatively, look at a pink (scale 1:50,000) or orange (scale 1:25,000) OS map. For more information on grid references, see Know Your Place.

How do I return my data?

You can send back your completed forms to your RO, or submit your data on BBS-Online. (More information about BBS-Online).