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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

BTO Youth Blog

Pintail, by Sarah Kelman / BTO

Scott Mayson

Featured blog post

BirdTrack migration blog (29 September–5 October)

29 Sep 2023

The volume and variety of American birds found up and down the west coast over the past week have been nothing short of mind-blowing.

Blog Series

Young Leaders Course ‘leaders pose’ group photo.

Learning to lead: stories from the Young Leaders Course 2023

BTO Youth speak to attendees of the 2023 Young Leaders Course about their experiences.

26 Sep 2023

Blackburnian Warbler, Getty images

BirdTrack migration blog (22–28 September)

The speed of migration has picked up as the end of September draws near, with a mix of extremely rare species and more common migrants being seen in recent days. There are still a few weeks until autumn migration starts to slow down; who knows what they will bring?

22 Sep 2023

Snipe, by David Scott / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (15–21 September)

Now we are moving into mid September, BirdTrack reporting rates have increased for many passage migrants and winter visitors. This is especially true for several duck and wader species, which come to estuaries and wetlands across Britain and Ireland to feed up in large numbers.

15 Sep 2023

Pink-footed Goose, by Chris Knights / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (8–14 September)

As the high pressure that began the previous week continued to build and remain in charge, the weather stayed fine, dry, and hot for most parts of Britain and Ireland. These settled conditions seemingly resulted in a slowing of migration. However, the reality is probably the opposite.

08 Sep 2023

Leaving a legacy: how you can support BTO in your Will

BTO’s Sam Rider talks about her journey into legacy work with BTO, and about the power of leaving the organisation a gift in your Will.

11 Sep 2023

Sanderling, by Allan Drewitt / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (1–7 September)

With September rapidly approaching, migration has picked up speed as the nights begin to shorten and the mornings take on an autumnal air.

01 Sep 2023

A female Redstart perching on a small branch.

BirdTrack migration blog (25–31 August)

The previous week undoubtedly showed that autumn migration is well underway, and that you don’t necessarily need to travel to a prime migration site to experience it.

25 Aug 2023

Participants of the SOC/BTO Scottish Bird Camp 2023 on a boat trip to Bass Rock.

A BTO Bird Camp bonanza

Following a great summer of Bird Camps, our campers, Youth volunteers and BTO staff share their experiences and thanks with the wider public.

24 Aug 2023

Regional Network miniseries Part 3. Photo by David Tipling

Connecting birding communities through our Regional Network

In the third and final Regional Network miniseries blog , we spoke to three of our volunteers who have formed strong connections with other birdwatching groups and communities.

22 Aug 2023

Greenshank by Philip Croft

BirdTrack migration blog (18–24 August)

With relatively settled conditions for many parts of the country last week, the focus for many birdwatchers remained on the sea off the south-west coast.

18 Aug 2023

Regional Network miniseries Part 2. Photo by David Tipling

Fledgling volunteers and wise owls

In the second of our Regional Network blog miniseries, we spoke to two volunteers from across the generation divide: Neil, who has been a Regional Representative since 1995, and Naomi, who took on their Regional Representative role in their twenties, just four years ago.

16 Aug 2023

Regional Network miniseries Part 1. Photo by David Tipling

Why become a BTO Regional Network volunteer?

In the first of our Regional Network blog miniseries, we speak to Nick, David and Stephen about why they started volunteering and the changes they’ve seen since then.

14 Aug 2023

BirdTrack migration blog (11–17 August)

The pace of migration in late summer is greatly reduced compared to the spring, but that doesn’t mean birds aren’t on the move. Late summer has a habit of producing some very rare species, and this year has been no different.

11 Aug 2023

Mediterranean Long-eared Bats in the Abbots room of the monastery on Lokrum Island, Croatia.

How the BTO Acoustic Pipeline is helping to identify some of Europe’s most poorly-known bat species

A trip to a former Benedictine monastery provided our bat acoustics specialist with a unique opportunity to gather recordings of two cryptic bat species.

10 Aug 2023

Kate on Bardsey Island.

My BTO journey

Kate Fox started her journey with BTO as a bird ringing trainee in her teens. Now a BTO Training Officer, she explains how her role helps her inspire the next generation of naturalists.

04 Aug 2023

BTO Science

Science and our new strategy: why BTO is (and always has been) about more than counting birds

What does our new strategy mean for science at BTO? Director of Science James Pearce-Higgins explains why our data continue to play a crucial role in tackling the twin biodiversity and climate crises.

28 Jul 2023

Common Carder Bee. Edmund Fellowes / BTO

How and why to record bumblebees

Several bumblebee species are very active at this time of year, collecting food for the next generation or busy mating. BTO’s Rob Jaques writes about watching, recording, and supporting these charming insects.

21 Jul 2023

Red-necked Phalarope. Liz Cutting / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (mid July–mid August)

Over the summer months, migration is almost at a standstill – at this time of year, breeding is the main focus with parent birds busily raising their offspring.

14 Jul 2023

Isle of May Bird Observatory. Gary Clewley / BTO

Young Bird Observatory Volunteering: the first step towards a career in conservation

BTO Youth spoke to recipients of the YBOV grant, to hear how the programme has helped them take their first steps in their careers.

13 Jul 2023

Common Swift.

Flight Paths: the story of bird migration science

Science writer Rebecca Heisman tells us how she came to write her first book, Flight Paths, and why it’s vital that we tell the stories of the birds around us.

07 Jul 2023

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