Welcome to BTO

Looking out for birds? Share your interest in birds with others by being part of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Volunteer surveyors, members and staff work in partnership to provide unbiased information about birds and their habitats. Join or volunteer today and make birds count.

Northern Ireland Seabird Report 2018

Puffin numbers remain stable, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull both increase and Mediterranean Gull breeds in its highest number in 2018. You can read about the fortunes of 20 seabird species in the latest Northern Ireland Seabird Report.

Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder, 2019

Spurn Bird Observatory Trust and the BTO are welcoming all young birders to take part in something special, the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder event. This Spurn Migration Festival tradition is named after the late Martin Garner, a knowledgable, inspiring and encouraging birder who shared his expertise and passion for birds with so many, something this event aspires to do.

Our Cuckoos are on their way back

Six of our satellite tagged Cuckoos have made it to West Africa, from where they will prepare to cross the Sahara desert in the next few weeks and make their way back to their breeding grounds in Britain. You can follow them here as they undertake this amazing journey.

National Nest Box Week 2019

February 14 sees the start of the 22^nd National Nest Box Week. To encourage people to put up a nest box the BTO has produced a new 'essential guide' full of useful information on what to look for when buying, siting and looking after a nest box. The free 24-page guide is available from gbw [at] bto.org or can be downloaded here.

Other recent news

Take part in the Tawny Owl Calling Survey

BTO Spring Raffle 2019

Year in Review - 2018