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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.

Portrait of Alicia Hayden, by Alicia Hayden

Portrait of Alicia Hayden

Featured blog post

A Girl & Birds

27 Aug 2024

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.

Blog Series

Snow Bunting. Paul Hillion / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (7th - 13th October)

Migration continues at a pace with some exciting rarities on our shores alongside our commoner species moving en masse to their wintering grounds.

06 Oct 2022

Into the Red. BTO

The Making of Into the Red

When 140 artists and writers come together, united by a common goal: to raise funds for the UK’s most vulnerable birds.

04 Oct 2022

Redwing, Edmund Fellowes

BirdTrack migration blog (30th September - 6th October)

As we reach the peak of Autumn migration many millions of birds are on the move across the globe.

30 Sep 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (23rd-29th September)

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.

21 Sep 2022

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

Juliet Vickery.

How BTO data are driving positive change for UK birds

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

Pink-footed Goose. Chris Knights

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

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