Take part in a project

Make your birding count - volunteer and support BTO surveys, schemes and projects

From expert ringers and ecologists, to patch birders, garden enthusiasts and Cuckoo sponsors - we have a range of projects to suit your skills and time available.

View all current projects or view the list of completed projects.

Garden BirdWatch

Help with research into garden wildlife by joining our Garden BirdWatch community

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Time / skill needed:

As much as you like, but a minimum of 20 minutes per week recommended.
Can identify common garden birds by sight.

BirdTrack is a free and convenient way of storing your bird records online. BirdTrack lets you keep up to date with what others are seeing, view the latest trends, and contribute your data to BTO science.

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Time / skill needed:

There is no minimum time commitment.
Ideally you will have fairly good bird identification skills.

WeBS counting. Photograph by Teresa Frost

Wetland Bird Survey

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the UK.

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Time / skill needed:

One visit per month, preferably on the Sunday Core Count priority date.
Identify waterbirds that regularly occur at your allocated WeBS site.

Cuckoo Tracking Project

Help us follow Cuckoos on migration and discover why they are in decline.

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Time / skill needed:

Follow our Cuckoos on the map below - use the controls to animate or step through their movements.

Greenfinch in the hand having its wing measured, by Dawn Balmer

Bird Ringing Scheme

Bird ringing generates information on the survival, productivity and movements of birds, helping us to understand why populations are changing.

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Time / skill needed:

It usually takes a year or more, ringing regularly with qualified ringers, to obtain a ringing permit.
Basic bird identification skills and reasonable dexterity are required.

Breeding Bird Survey

BBS monitors the population changes of 117 breeding bird species across the UK thanks to the dedication of almost 3,000 volunteers who survey their randomly selected 1-km square each spring.

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Time / skill needed:

Undertake three site visits between April and June - a recce and two morning visits, along with data entry.
Able to identify UK breeding birds by sight, song and call.

Heronries Census

Annual survey of all Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Cormorants and scarcer herons nesting in the UK

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Time / skill needed:

Each visit requires 10 minutes to 1 hour excluding travelling time.
Suitable for beginners - identify herons/cormorants and count occupied nests.

Waterways Breeding Bird Survey

The Waterways Breeding Bird Survey is an annual survey of breeding birds along rivers and canals.

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Time / skill needed:

Undertake three site visits between April and June - a recce and two morning visits, along with data entry.
Able to identify UK breeding birds by sight, song and call.

Long-tailed Tit nest. Photograph by Elspeth Rowe

Nest Record Scheme

Nest Record Scheme participants gather vital information on the breeding success of Britain's birds by following the progress of individual nests.

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Time / skill needed:

A few minutes on a nest in a garden to a full time project in the field.
Count eggs and chicks in nests by following the Code of Conduct.

Woodcock Survey

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Time / skill needed:

Four visits at dusk between April and end of June each year.
Confident identifying Woodcock.

Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows

Help us monitor the long-term population changes of our lowland breeding waders in England and Wales.

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Time / skill needed:

Between 20 minutes and a few hours per visit, depending on the size of the site. Three visits required between mid-April and late June. An additional evening visit to sites which contain Snipe.
Can identify common wader species (Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe and Redshank) by sight/sound and recognise display/territorial behaviour. Be able to identify simple habitat management features and record basic ground conditions within your site.

Nesting Neighbours

Do you think you might have birds nesting in your garden? Could you take a closer look and find out? By monitoring nests through the breeding season you could gather hugely valuable information.

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Time / skill needed:

A few minutes each week to monitor the nests in your garden.
Able to access nests to count eggs and young, following the Code of Conduct.

Wader Calendar

The Wader Calendar is a quick and easy way for farmers to record waders on their farm and contribute to a national monitoring scheme.

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Time / skill needed:

Keeping notes as you go should only take a few minutes each week, but dedicated counts at set times in the week may take longer. The survey runs April to July.
Recognise and identify the five target species: Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Snipe.

Volunteer Mountain Hare Survey

This project aims to gather much-needed information about Mountain Hares in Scotland. Volunteers record hares and (optionally) upland birds via the Mammal Mapper app.

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Time / skill needed:

Flexible – either record during your existing upland walks, or sign up to cover higher priority 1 km squares. You can take part year-round at any time of day.
No pre-existing wildlife survey experience needed. Smartphone required.

Garden Wildlife Health

Tell us about sick and diseased wildlife found in your garden. Garden BirdWatch participants can also add observations when entering their usual GBW counts.

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Time / skill needed:

No minimum requirement - although GBW participants spend 20 minutes a week observing their garden birds.
Able to identify and document unusual behaviour and physical symptoms in garden birds.