The Winter Bird Survey is running through winter 2025/26, collecting important information on the numbers and distribution of the UK’s wintering birds. This information will help us to inform land management approaches so they better benefit birds.
The Winter Bird Survey is being run over just one season and with just one visit left, the survey is now closed for new participants. However, there are plenty of others projects to consider as we head into the breeding season. Please have a look at our full list of projects.
Time, skill and support
Up to four visits to your survey square of around two hours each, between mid September 2025 and the end of February 2026. Where time is limited, two visits can be accommodated, one in September/October and one in December/January.
You need to be able to identify the birds that are likely to be encountered in autumn and winter at your survey square, and complete some simple habitat recording.
Support for bird and habitat recording is available in the form of written guides and instructions. Video tutorials and manuals are also available for help with data entry.
About the survey
The Winter Bird Survey is a UK-wide repeat of the 2018/19 English Winter Bird Survey. Like its forerunner, the Winter Bird Survey covers a single season, collecting important information on the numbers and distribution of the UK’s wintering birds. However, it will cover survey squares across the UK and a wider range of habitats.
Aside from winter bird atlases, we have comparatively little data on the UK’s birds outside the breeding season. The Winter Bird Survey will provide important insights into winter bird abundance and distribution, and how these are related to land management practices, especially Agri-Environment Schemes and Agri-Environment and Climate Schemes.
- Learn more about the survey’s development and aims
Guidance and resources
The survey has now closed for new participants. However, if you would like to learn more about how it works or winter bird surveying in general you are welcome to email the Winter Bird Survey team at winterbirds@bto.org. Anyone conducting their own winter surveys might want to review our resources, as well as read our guidance on bird monitoring at local scales.
Project team
Leads
Contact
- winterbirds@bto.org
Project timeline
2025
- 15 August: Site selection opens for Breeding Bird Survey volunteers.
- 2 September: Site selection opens to all volunteers (existing and new) for any remaining sites not covered by Breeding Bird Survey volunteers. To request a square (after you have signed up via MyBTO), please see the WINBS request map.
- 15 September: Fieldwork and data entry start.
- 15 Sep–31 Oct: Visit 1.
- 1–31 Dec: Visit 2.
2026
- 1–31 Jan: Visit 3.
- 1–28 Feb: Visit 4.
- 28 February: Fieldwork ends.
- 30 April: Data entry deadline.
Volunteer for this survey
Find out how you can take part in this vital survey and help us to learn more about our winter birds.
English Winter Bird Survey
Results, methodology and resources relating to the previous iteration of the Winter Bird Survey.