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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Desk-based revision of seabird foraging ranges used for HRA screening

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Published: 2019

A key step in understanding the possible impacts of a proposed windfarm development is to identify potential interactions between seabird breeding colonies and the proposed development areas. Such interactions are typically assessed using generic information on foraging ranges, derived from academic studies. This report uses the latest data to provide updated estimates of foraging range, which will help to ensure that the best available information is available when new developments are being considered.

01.12.19

BTO Research Reports

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Bats in urbanising landscapes: habitat selection and recommendations for a sustainable future

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Published: 2019

A new study by BTO and the University of Turin explores how to minimise impacts of urban growth on bats at a time when urban areas are increasing in size and number, nationally and internationally. Urbanisation is amongst the most ecologically damaging changes in land use, posing significant threats to global biodiversity. Most bat species are threatened by urbanisation, although urban areas can also offer important roosting and foraging opportunities. Could developers consider how bats are likely to respond to urbanisation, and take steps to minimise negative impacts? In a new study, scientists used bat calls collected by volunteer citizen scientists taking part in the Norfolk Bat Survey to address this question. The huge acoustic dataset, consisting of more than one million records of 12 species gathered between 2013 and 2016, was used to show the importance of habitat features, including buildings and roads, waterbodies and trees, to bats in urban areas. This is especially important given that parts of the study region have been identified as target areas to create new, affordable housing. The researchers also considered possible future scenarios of urban development, assuming an increase in either urban habitat or woodland. Barbastelle, Brown Long-eared Bat and Myotis species emerged as the species most vulnerable to urbanisation. Overall, lakes and woodland patches were the most important habitat types for bats, while urban areas were often avoided. The results suggest that to build for bats, urban growth should expand on existing urban blocks, rather than create new urban patches. This would minimise impacts on areas that bats use for commuting or foraging. The study also showed that creating bat-friendly habitats of an area at least equal to any new urban settlement could provide mitigation for the negative effects of urbanisation. New patches of woodland should also be encouraged, while preserving unmanaged areas within large commercial coniferous plantations would support their use by bats. This study not only highlights the contribution of citizen scientists to research projects, but also provides practical suggestions for urban development and woodland management, minimising impacts on bats when new housing developments are planned, with wider benefits to society through the creation of bat-friendly green space.

18.11.19

Papers

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