Publications

Publications

BTO create and publish a variety of important articles, papers, journals and other publications, independently and with our partners, for organisations, government and the private sector. Some of our publications (books, guides and atlases) are also available to buy in our online shop.

Annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme

Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023

This report presents the latest seabird population trends in breeding abundance and productivity using data from the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP). 

The report documents changes in the abundance and productivity of breeding seabird species in Britain and Ireland from 1986 to 2023, and provides a detailed account of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons.

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Annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme

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A framework for monitoring ecosystem restoration at landscape scale

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Published: 2025

Ecological restoration projects tend to be large, involve multiple stakeholders and include a range of ambitions including a move towards more natural ecological processes. This paper evaluates the monitoring framework developed for the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) by BTO and the ELSP team, based on six years of experience with14 funded projects.

18.12.25

Papers

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Assessment of non-breeding Hen Harrier records in relation to Special Protection Areas in England: insights from the Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey and BirdTrack

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Published: Winter 2025

This study uses Hen Harrier records from the Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey and BirdTrack to explore the distribution of wintering Hen Harriers in relation to the distribution of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). There is a particular need to enhance survey effort in and around SPAs, to improve our understanding of the distribution and habitat use of non-breeding Hen Harriers in England, and to evaluate whether there is a need for site protection to be extended to more areas.

10.12.25

BTO Research Reports

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Power source, data retrieval method, and attachment type affect success of dorsally mounted tracking tag deployments in 37 species of shorebirds

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Published: 2025

Tracking studies, where individual devices are fitted to birds to follow their movements, are becoming increasingly common in ornithology. This paper uses previous research tracking waders to evalutate how various factors, including tag attachment type and power source, affect the likelihood that a study will meet its goals, and provides guidelines for selecting a tracking technique to optimise the chances of success.

04.12.25

Papers

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