Welcome to the British Trust for Ornithology | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology

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A world inspired by birds and informed by science.

Making birdwatching count

We empower 60,000 bird-enthusiasts to gather vital data, develop their skills and be part of a vibrant community.

Championing impartial science

We answer the most pressing questions about birds, through our thorough and impartial scientific research.

Sharing our bird knowledge

We communicate our knowledge and expertise to increase the value of birds and other wildlife for all.

Bird Atlas 2007-11 cover

Open access atlases

BTO has been working with volunteer-sourced atlas data for many decades. Now we are taking the bold step of making the full archive of distribution data freely available for anyone to use.

Pheasant. Jill Pakenham.

Associations between gamebird releases and general predators

Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges for commercial shoots may be boosting numbers of the avian predators and scavengers.

red sixty seven banner

Support the Red Sixty Seven

Red Sixty Seven is a collaboration between 67 authors and 67 artists with a single goal: to raise funds to support conservation work aiming to reverse the declines of our most at-risk birds.

WeBS counting. Photograph by Teresa Frost

Find a project

POPULAR: Wetland Bird Survey BirdTrack Heronries Census Bird Ringing Scheme Cuckoo Tracking Project

Use our project finder to find the project that matches your level of bird expertise and the time you have available.

Blue Tit on garden feeder

Garden BirdWatch

Help track the changing fortunes of our garden birds alongside 12,000 other Garden BirdWatchers

Short-eared Owl by Tom Streeter

Scottish owl tracked to Morocco

A Short-eared Owl, fitted with a satellite tag whilst breeding in Scotland, has been tracked to Morocco.

The long term trends of woodland, farmland and upland birds in Scotland

Scottish Breeding Bird Indicator updated

The latest Scottish terrestrial breeding bird indicator reveals mixed fortunes and short-term impacts of the Beast from the East.

Young Leaders Course at Spurn. Jonnie Fisk

Gen Z and the BTO

Amy Hall discusses how BTO can better provide opportunities for the next generation of ornithologists.

Bird surveyors. Photograph by Jamie Murray-Grant

Develop your skills

Let us help you to improve your birding, fieldcraft and surveying skills. Browse our range of helpful guides and programme of training courses.

Join BTO today

Support BTO by becoming a member, and receive a wonderful welcome gift -

our great BTO guide to Common British Birds

Gift memberships are also available.