The bedrock of effective conservation

“In my 30 years at BTO, the single biggest thing I’ve come to appreciate is how fortunate we are to have robust and long-running data from our bird surveys. They are the bedrock of effective conservation, the North Star guiding our work to help the UK’s bird populations recover.”

Dawn Balmer
Head of Surveys

BTO Surveys
The surveys we lead on cover two-thirds of the UK’s breeding birds and underpin conservation in the UK.
This monitoring work is not quick or easy – it requires long-term data and long-term support.
But there are fewer funding resources, and wild birds need us now more than ever.

Groundbreaking work for Nightingales in the UK

In just 50 years we’ve lost over 90% of this iconic species.

Thousands of BTO survey hours have identified the most important sites for this well-loved species. This critical evidence helped protect the important habitat at Lodge Hill from development, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that is home to the UK’s largest remaining Nightingale population.

What we learnt from the survey data may have been a turning point for this special little bird and its legendary song – this is the difference your support can make.


Nightingale | Liz Cutting

The difference we make

“BTO continues to lead the way in modernising how we understand what is happening to our wildlife. Crucially, BTO excels in bringing information to life for both the public and decision-makers.”


“In short, nature needs BTO.”

Martin Harper
RSPB’s former Conservation Director

Cuckoo

Because of our surveys we know that ...

The surveys we lead on cover two-thirds of the UK’s breeding birds and underpin conservation in the UK.
This monitoring work is not quick or easy – it requires long-term data and long-term support.
But there are fewer funding resources, and wild birds need us now more than ever.
Dawn Balmer

“Surveys and monitoring are at the very heart of BTO. Please help us keep that heart pumping.”

Dawn Balmer, Head of Surveys

Dawn Balmer

“Surveys and monitoring are at the very heart of BTO. Please help us keep that heart pumping.”

Dawn Balmer, Head of Surveys

Support our surveys – set up a regular gift today