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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 our seasonal migration blog posts. Don't forget to visit the Demography Blog (Demog Blog) for Ringing and Nest Recording stories, and follow our Cuckoo Blogs (part of our Cuckoo Tracking Project).

Blogs on specific topics

Demography Blog

BirdTrack Migration Blog

Young Birder Blog

Scott Mayson

Featured blog post

BirdTrack migration blog (23rd-29th September)

21 Sep 2022

Given the seemingly unfavourable conditions over the past week, it has been a pleasant surprise to see such a diverse range of species on the move.

Blog Series

BirdTrack migration blog (16th-22nd September)

As we reach mid-September, the pace of migration has certainly intensified: summer visitors, passage migrants, and winter visitors have been seen far and wide across Britain and Ireland.

14 Sep 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (9th-15th September)

A week dominated by easterlies certainly had an exciting effect on migration with a good mix of species seen up and down the country.

07 Sep 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (2nd-8th September)

With Swallows gathering on the wires and the nights drawing in, summer has come to an end - but the delights of autumn still await.

01 Sep 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (26th August - 1st September)

With the start of September almost upon us, the pace of migration will increase as more of our summer visitors head off to their wintering areas.

25 Aug 2022

Golden Plover. Paul Hillion / BTO

Identifying, understanding and solving conservation issues: BTO data in action

BTO's CEO Juliet explains how we use our data to drive positive change for the UK's birds.

24 Aug 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (19th-25th August)

You don’t need us to tell you that August has been very hot and dry with drought conditions across many parts of Britain and Ireland.

16 Aug 2022

Large Red and Azure Damselflies. Tony / stock.adobe.com

How and why to record dragonflies in August

Many dragonflies and damselflies are on the wing in mid and late summer. BTO’s Rob Jaques writes about watching, recording, and supporting these beautiful insects.

12 Aug 2022

Mountain walk. Andy Wilson / BTO

Not all career paths are paved equally

Why is BTO certified Disability Confident Committed? Jenna Woodford, BTO's Social Media Officer, reflects on their experience as an applicant and as an employee.

28 Jul 2022

A colony of breeding Guillemots.

Tackling the challenge of avian influenza

Director of Science James Pearce-Higgins discusses Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and BTO's role in the response to the current outbreak.

13 Jul 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (mid-July - mid-August)

As we progress through the summer towards early autumn we are still a few weeks away from any large-scale migration. However, the next month will give us a hint of what is to come later in the year.

12 Jul 2022

Tree Pipit. Graham Catley / BTO

Songbird migration across the Sahara

Mark Wilson, BTO Research Ecologist, reflects on his work tagging songbirds to collect data about their migration routes and their breeding grounds in the UK.

11 Jul 2022

Goosander. Canva

Inspired by birds, informed by science: providing the evidence-base for policy decisions

BTO Cymru’s Rachel Taylor and Callum Macgregor reflect on working at the interface between science and policy for their research on Cormorant and Goosander populations in Wales.

08 Jul 2022

Bee-eater. David Tipling / birdphoto.co.uk

A future with EDI in mind: a note from Juliet

BTO's CEO Juliet reflects on the responsibility to improve our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

30 Jun 2022

Rock Dove image from a trail camera. Will Smith

Wild Rock Doves: solving a genetic enigma

BTO ringer and DPhil student Will Smith writes about his latest research into the distinctions between wild Rock Doves and the Feral Pigeon.

30 Jun 2022

Nunnery Lakes Nature Reserve. Sophie Bennett

Avoiding tunnel vision during a PhD

Sophie Bennett reflects on her recent three month placement at the BTO and the value of taking a step back from a PhD.

28 Jun 2022

Eider. Tom Cadwallender / BTO

Belfast's Unsung Seabird

Despite the human hustle and bustle, Belfast Lough is at the heart of Eider conservation in Ireland. BTO's Senior Research Ecologist Kat Booth-Jones dives into research focused on this charismatic seabird.

20 Jun 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (mid-June- mid-July)

As we reach the halfway point of the year, migration has slowed dramatically but the breeding season continues apace.

15 Jun 2022

Cuckoo. Canva Pro

What have the Cuckoos taught us?

Prior to 2011, we knew very little about what the UK's breeding Cuckoos did once they left the UK for the winter months. Over a decade since the BTO Cuckoo Tracking Project was born, we reflect on the discoveries we've made.

13 Jun 2022

Birding 101

Both sides of the camera

BTO Youth's Birding 101 events are part of a free training programme for young people, by young people. Lizzie, BTO Youth Representative and Birding 101 host, writes about their experience.

06 Jun 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (27th May - mid-June)

As summer approaches, the pace of migration slows; most species will be on their breeding grounds and raising their young.

26 May 2022

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BirdTrack migration blog (23rd-29th September)

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