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Our blog offers specialist insight and unique perspective from a wide range of BTO staff, volunteers and guest writers, giving context and inviting discussion on various aspects of our work. It includes:

A series of important posts by BTO Youth.
Updates on how the latest tagged cuckoos are faring as they migrate to and from Africa.
How our latest strategy plays a crucial role in tackling the twin biodiversity and climate crises.
Reflections on our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity.

Blogs on specific topics

Demography Blog

The Demog blog covers all things realting to the study of the characteristics of populations, such as size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics.

BirdTrack Migration Blog

During the months when migration is at its peak, the migblog will predict which species you may see in the coming week and where best to look for migrant birds.

BTO Youth Blog

The Youth blog gives a voice to the young people we work and engage with across the UK, covering programmes of work, events, opinion pieces and interviews.

Eric Simms display at the Nunnery, by Cressida Hay

Cressida Hay

Featured blog post

Getting to know Eric Simms at the BTO Archives

29 Nov 2024

BTO volunteer Cressida Hay recounts her time gaining work experience in the BTO Archives.

Blog Series

Whiskered Tern, by Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (27 September)

The weather forecasts for the end of last week were correct and easterly winds did arrive.

27 Sep 2024

Pink-footed Geese by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (20–27 September)

Last weekend it was the westerly winds that affected the northern half of the UK, and brought in the star bird of the week with a Tennessee Warbler on Fair Isle, Shetland on 15 September. Other rare migrants recorded on BirdTrack from across the Atlantic included Long-billed Dowitcher, which was seen on North Ronaldsay, Orkney and at Dawlish Warren, Devon from 13 September.

20 Sep 2024

Red-backed Shrike at Spurn Migration Festival 2024, by Peter Wilson

BirdTrack migration blog (13–20 September)

Well the weather forecasts I had checked for last week weren’t too far off, although there was more rain around during the mid part of the week. By the end of the week the wind was indeed from the north-east and the birds arrived along the east coast in quite spectacular fashion.

13 Sep 2024

Little Stint, by Paul Hillion / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog – autumn migration is underway!

Although meteorological autumn begins on 1 September, some autumn bird migration has been well underway for weeks.

04 Sep 2024

Portrait of Alicia Hayden, by Alicia Hayden

A Girl & Birds

Birds saved my life. There’s nothing unusual about that. Increasingly, many people find solace, peace, and hope in birds and the natural world. What’s more unusual about my situation, is that it was birding that caused my life to need saving in the first place.

27 Aug 2024

Razorbills, by Edmund Fellowes/BTO

Prideful Paths

Pride Month is celebrated each year in June, but BTO is working year round to become more LGBTQ+ inclusive.

05 Aug 2024

BTO staff at Restore Nature Now, by Freya Knott

If not now, when?

Our CEO Juliet discusses the outpouring of love for the natural world, grief at its current state, and hope for turning it around at the Restore Nature Now march.

04 Jul 2024

Osprey, by Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog – spring 2024 round up

What a spring it has been! Warm southerlies in mid March got the spring migration ball rolling but there has been excitement most weeks since then.

07 Jun 2024

Quail, by Graham Catley / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (31 May–7 June)

It might be beginning to feel like spring migration is over, but there are still birds on the move.

31 May 2024

Reed Warbler, by Liz Cutting / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (24–31 May)

It has been a very interesting week here in central Portugal. The temperatures, hovering around 20 degrees, have been low for the time of the year and the winds have been strong and from the north.

24 May 2024

Guillemots, Shags and Kittiwakes at a breeding colony, by Katherine Hampton

The next generation of seabird champions

Recipients of our seabird ringing grant volunteered with the Grampian Ringing Group last summer and shared their amazing experiences with us.

17 May 2024

Dotterel, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (17–23 May)

The long-range forecast for the next week predicts a northerly airflow, so it will be a challenging time for any birds heading into it, and for migration enthusiasts too as it will be much quieter.

17 May 2024

Gull-billed Tern, by Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (10–16 May)

Spring migration in the Northern Isles really did step up a gear last week and it is difficult to imagine it getting any better but they, and the east coast, could be in for more of the same this week. The long-range forecast is predicting an easterly airflow throughout the week, from as far away as Moscow at times.

10 May 2024

Cuckoo, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

Our Cuckoo tracking journey

Senior Research Ecologist Chris Hewson reflects on 13 years of catching and tagging Cuckoos, and why it’s vital that the project continues.

09 May 2024

Sanderling, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (3–9 May)

During the last week, the weather across the Iberian Peninsula has been pretty tumultuous at times. Strong winds, relatively cold temperatures and heavy rain have all featured, and bird migration has slowed to a trickle.

03 May 2024

Swifts, by Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (26 April–2 May)

Last week’s blog predicted the possible early arrival of Bee-eaters in the UK. Sadly, the only individual recorded was a bird found dead in a Dorset garden. Continuing the theme, Bee-eaters are still moving in strength through southern Europe. The weather forecast for the next week promises favourable conditions for the arrival of birds from the south and south-east, and Bee-eaters are likely to be among them.

26 Apr 2024

Global Intergenerational Week at BTO

BTO Youth Rep Socks reflects on the importance of intergenerational relationships for creating connections with nature.

24 Apr 2024

Hoopoe, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (19–26 April)

Mid April to mid May sees spring migration hit its peak, but the exact timing is very much dependent on the weather.

19 Apr 2024

International Women’s Day at BTO

Celebrating International Women’s Day

BTO Youth discuss the theme for IWD 20204, ‘Inspire Inclusion’, and the findings from a BTO workshop they held about women in ornithology.

08 Mar 2024

Song Thrush, by Scott Mayson / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog – early spring

It may still feel like winter but for some species, the increasing temperatures and lengthening days have already kick-started spring migration, with birds starting to arrive and depart across Britain and Ireland.

01 Mar 2024

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BirdTrack migration blog – early spring

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