Join us for a full day of inspiring talks from BTO staff and volunteers! Our 2026 Annual Conference will take place on Saturday 28 February in Northampton.
Key information
Date / Time: 09:00 - 17:30 on 28 Feb 2026
Location: Mercure Hotel, Silver Street, Northampton, NN1 2TA
Type: Conference
Led by: BTO
Standard cost: £55
Youth (25 and under)
:
£10.00
Places: 102
What's on at the conference?
From enigmatic Nightjars and disappearing Blackbirds, to adventures with seabirds, our conference programme is packed with inspiring talks from BTO staff and special guest speakers. Plus, there’ll be plenty of time to chat to fellow birders and browse exhibition stalls showcasing the work of BTO and our supporters.
View the full conference programme >
Lunch will be provided (including options for attendees with specific dietary requirements), as well as refreshments throughout the day.
We hope to see you there!
- Conference booking deadline: 18 January 2026
Ticket price
- Adult: £55
Youth (25 and under): £10 - Youth ticket price is refundable on attendance (limited number of tickets available)
If you would like to book multiple places, please book your place then log out of your MyBTO account and book each additional place as a separate transaction. We aren't able to process multiple bookings through a single transaction at the moment.
Travel
Mercure Northampton is centrally located, within walking distance of the train and bus station. There is also ample parking on site which is free for delegates (although we cannot guarantee spaces will be available on the day). There are also plenty of pay-and-display parking options nearby.
Accommodation
A limited number of bedrooms have been made available for delegates at the Mercure Hotel at a discounted rate. To book, call the hotel directly on 01604 739 988 (pressing 1 for reservations) and quote British Trust for Ornithology to secure the discounted rate.
- Room price: £86.00 per night, including breakfast
- Accommodation booking deadline: 18 January 2026
Equipment Donation Scheme
We'll be encouraging delegates to make donations to our Equipment Donation Scheme at the conference. Managed by BTO Youth, this scheme aims to inspire the next generation of birders by supporting young people who cannot afford birdwatching equipment or guides. Find out more about the scheme >
Location
Mercure Hotel, Silver Street, Northampton, NN1 2TA, UK
Feedback from the 2025 conference
“It was a really wonderful and inspiring day, I loved every minute of it, and I left more fired up than ever to be involved in the work of the BTO!”
“My first conference, and I absolutely loved it! I thought the quality of the entire event was fantastic.”
“It was inspiring … [I] left feeling a sense of community, hopeful for the future conservation of our UK bird species.”