BTO Blog

The BTO blog offers comment and perspective from a wide range of BTO staff and supporters, giving context and inviting discussion on various aspects of BTO's work. Read our series of posts by Young Birders and find links to other BTO-related blogs below - the Migration Blog, Demography Blog (Demog Blog) and our Cuckoo Blogs (following our Cuckoo Tracking Project).

Andy Clements birding. Bruce Miller
Andy Clements
Featured blog post

Widening BTO's appeal

20 Dec 2019

Andy Clements, BTO's Chief Executive, looks at how BTO can engage new audiences.

Blog Series

Meadow. Luke Hawkins
BLOG

The British Patch

Luke Hawkins introduces us to his patch and explains why he loves patch birding.

11 Dec 2019

Redwings. Jonathan Heath
BLOG

Nocmig: A beginner's guide

Jonathan Heath explains how nocmigging is changing the way he views the birds around him.

08 Nov 2019

Whinchats at Kilnsea. Arjun Dutta
BLOG

BTO's Young Leaders Course

The attendees of BTO's Young Leaders Course reflect on what they learned at Spurn.

05 Aug 2019

Young Leaders Course at Spurn. Jonnie Fisk
BLOG

Gen Z and the BTO

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

22 Nov 2019

Nightingale. Edmund Fellowes
BLOG

Unlocking the science to reveal the state of nature

David Noble takes a sober look at the latest State of Nature Report.

02 Oct 2019

Blue Tit. Peter@ stock.adobe.com
BLOG

Garden birds: to feed or not to feed?

Almost half of the households in the UK feed their garden birds. But should we? Dr Kate Plummer explores the effects of feeding on bird populations.

20 Sep 2019

Kentish Plover (by vinx83 / Adobe Stock)
BLOG

A new president, a renewed purpose?

As BTO's new president, Frank talks about his birding background and what he values about BTO

12 Aug 2019

Buzzard. Dave M Hunt (adobe stock)
BLOG

What effect might annual releases of non-native gamebirds be having on native biodiversity?

Henrietta Pringle reveals the work behind a recent paper on gamebirds and predation.

02 Jul 2019

Jay. Sarah Kelman
BLOG

General licences and BTO

Andy Clements, BTO Chief Executive, sets out BTO’s position regarding the current debate about wildlife licensing.

03 May 2019

BBS volunteers. David Tipling
BLOG

Promoting BTO science — walking the line

Can we move and inspire people with passionate, powerful communications without compromising our impartiality and scientific credentials?

01 May 2019

Other BTO blogs

Tagged Lesser Black-backed Gull. Gary Clewley
Article

Bird tracking - a masterclass

Phil Atkinson explains the technology behind tracking.
Long-eared Bat, photograph by Jez Blackburn
Science - Latest research

BTO research harnesses citizen science to make breakthroughs in bat monitoring

Bat monitoring has traditionally been challenging, because most species are nocturnal, wide-ranging and difficult to identify. Whilst the National Bat Monitoring Programme run by the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)...
Black Kite. Jill Pakenham
Case Study

Climate change in a warming world

BTO science contributes to our understanding of future scenarios, and informing policies and conservation management strategies to help species adapt.