About the HPAI Ringing Framework

The HPAI Ringing Framework provides mandatory guidance for bird ringers about operating during the current outbreak of avian influenza (2021–present).

• HPAI Ringing Framework

Buying rings and other ringing equipment

• Please visit our ringing sales shop to purchase all rings and other ringing equipment. 

Data collection and biometrics

Information relating to collecting data and taking biometrics, including downloadable guides to help in the field, can be found on the data collection and biometrics pages.

 If you are giving a ringing related talk or organising a ringing demonstration or display, you will find helpful Powerpoint presentations as well as downloadable posters and leaflets in the demonstrations, displays and talks section.

DemOn

Submit ringing and nest recording data directly into Demography Online (DemOn). Users are able to input, view and edit their data as well as export information for analyses and report production.

Health and safety

BTO has produced general guidance relating to health safety for all BTO fieldworkers. This page includes information on access permissions, visiting nests, diseases and working in remote areas.

• Please note: all participants are expected to abide by the BTO Code of Conduct.
• Access information on high pathogencity avian influenza and bird ringing
• Safeguarding in ringing policy and guidance

Nest box designs

We have several free nest box designs available from our Make a nest box page. We also have a Dipper nest box cutting diagram (courtesy of Alex Copeland and Michael Whelan) which is free to download.

Opportunities for ringers

If you are looking for additional ringing opportunities, when any are available, these will be posted on the Opportunities for ringers page.

Ringers' forum

BTO provides a discussion forum for volunteers to discuss topics informally, ask for help or advice from the wider ringing and nest recording community, provide updates on how the season is going and to advertise ringing opportunities and so on. Official BTO updates or communications are not posted on this forum.

• Ringers' forum

Ringing & NRS Info app

BTO has created a free app especailly designed for ringers and nest recorders containing species data including ring sizes, warnings of any species alerts, specially protected status, biometric and nesting information as well as the five- and two-letter BTO species codes.

• Ringing & NRS Info app

Ringing Hub

The Ringing Hub is only available to ringers who hold a current BTO ringing permit. It contains information relating to the HPAI Ringing Framework, the offical Ringing Guidance, organisational licences, ringing forms, insurance, species fact sheets, Ringing Committee, publications, the Trapping Guide, additional resources and the Ringers' Manual.

• Ringing Hub
   

Signage

The following documents contain suggested wording for signs to warn members of the public that bird ringing is taking place in the area. The wording can be amended to suit your needs and there is space for you to add your name and ringing group details (and logo if appropriate).

• Bird ringing in progress sign (A4 landscape) (DOCX, 764.21 KB)
• Bird ringing in progress sign two (A5 portrait) (DOCX, 765.72 KB)

Site access

The following is some suggested wording to use in an introductory letter to a potential landowner to request access to ring on site. This wording is intended as a guide, to be altered as appropriate to each individual situation, and does not guarantee access to a site.

• Site access request letter (DOCX, 22.87 KB)

Social media guidance

Social media is a useful way to increase engagement with ringing and nest monitoring activities, promoting the valuable contribution that these studies make to our understanding of why bird populations change. It can, however, be a volatile environment, so we have developed some guidance, which we hope you will find useful.

• Access guidance on using social media to promote ringing and nest recording (PDF)