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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.

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

Adam Faiers / BTO

Featured blog post

BirdTrack migration blog (13–20 September)

13 Sep 2024

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.

Blog Series

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

Wild Weekend 2023.

Finding the wild side in Northern Ireland

Jemma Davies is the new Engagement Coordinator for BTO in Northern Ireland. How better to kick off her role than the Wild Weekend at Oxford Island?

30 Jun 2023

Cuckoo. Edmund Fellowes / BTO

Cuckoos’ clocks can’t adjust to climate change – now we know why

Why aren’t Cuckoos returning any earlier as spring advances, and why is this important?

21 Jun 2023

BirdTrack migration blog (mid June–mid July)

As Midsummer’s Day approaches, the breeding season continues apace with the first broods of summer migrants now leaving the nest.

16 Jun 2023

Feature image for the People's Plan for Nature blog showing moss and lichens in a woodland setting. Mike Toms / BTO

BTO’s role in the People’s Plan for Nature

BTO’s CEO Juliet Vickery explains how our new strategy will contribute to this ambitious call to action.

06 Jun 2023

Equity vs Equality

Equality vs equity: a crucial distinction in BTO’s work around diversity and inclusion

BTO's CEO Juliet Vickery discusses a shift in our focus.

01 Jun 2023

BirdTrack migration blog (late May–mid June)

As spring progresses towards summer, migration continues to slow. Most breeding species will be either in the full throws of breeding or close to their breeding grounds.

26 May 2023

BirdTrack migration blog (19–25 May)

A week of relatively settled conditions enabled a steady stream of late migrants to arrive, and allowed an occasional scarce species to make landfall.

19 May 2023

BTO Youth Engagement Strategy

Launching the new BTO Youth Engagement Strategy

Youth Advisory Panel member Katie Monk discusses developing BTO Youth’s new strategy, and why an inclusive environment for young people is vital for nature’s future.

15 May 2023

Swift. Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (12–18 May)

As we reach the height of spring migration, the variety of species to be found is almost at its peak, and the spell of warmer weather over the coronation bank holiday weekend brought with it a steady stream of birds.

12 May 2023

Hobby.

BirdTrack migration blog (5–11 May)

The changeable weather over the past week meant migrating birds continued to arrive in fits and starts, although some notable rarities were found.

05 May 2023

BirdTrack migration blog (14–20 April)

The mixed bag of weather over the last week brought a few nice surprises and a steady trickle of migrants.

12 Apr 2023

Pages

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