Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)

Very nice Dave! They are always a nice addtion to a garden list.

With spring migrants starting to arrive, our first migration blog of the spring looks at what's been reported so far and what to look out for in the rest of March #ukbirding

www.bto.org/our-work/new...

Photo: Sand Martin by Liz Cutting / BTO

Some advice on looking for displaying Goshawks YouTube video by Rare Breeding Birds Panel

Early spring is by far the best time to record breeding Goshawks as they display over territories, particularly on calm and sunny days - here’s some encouragement from RBBP Secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social #ukbirding #ornithology

youtu.be/hVgl6jYOX6A?...

Graphic Displays: A guide to monitoring Black Guillemots, including an image of likely habitat, and images of Black Guillemots. There are numerous headings and a checklist which capture the survey methods and timings. Caption reads: The peak time to monitor Black Guillemots is fast approaching... Have a look at our quick guide below, and let us know if you're ready! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The peak time to monitor Black Guillemots is fast approaching...
Have a look at our quick guide below, and let us know if you're ready! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

(3/) This species has continued to increase, with the 10 year trends showing a 41% increase between 2013 and 2023. You can find out more about this species on our BirdFacts pages:

(2/) The BBS trend for this species shows a 51% increase across the UK between 1995 and 2023.

An image of a Stock Dove. It has a grey head, a black eye and an iridescent green sheen on its neck. It's body is grey and it has a pink breast.

(1/) Although Stock Dove is also associated with woodland, it can often be found feeding on arable farmland. This sometimes overlooked species has increased across the UK in recent years. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology #CitizenScience

Cuckoo. Edmund Fellowes/ BTO

Short-eared Owl (with a satellite tag). John Calladine/ BTO

If you're in or around Dumfries and Galloway next week we'll be speaking to the SOC Dumfries branch on Wednesday evening and then at the Stewartry branch on Thursday. We'll be talking migration and tracking of some amazing birds!

Underneath the headline 'WeBS Site Insight: River Don - Rheidol GP, Ceredigion’ is an image of a Little Grebe swimming, with a map of the site boundary and location within the UK. The WeBS logo is beneath with the text ‘ Join WeBS - Can you help count waterbirds here?’

Are you a beginner birder near Aberystwyth? We are looking for a volunteer to count waterbirds at Rheidol GP! If you think you can help, please contact us via the "Contact the Local Organiser" button at app.bto.org/websonline/s...

#BirdingWales

#Ornithology

#UKBirding

BirdWatch Ireland CEO Andrew Kelly & BTO CEO Juliet Vickery are sitting at a table outside smiling as they get ready to sign a partnership agreement for the Bird Atlas 2027–31.

RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight & BTO CEO Juliet Vickery are sitting together at a table in the David Attenborough Building in Cambridge holding pens ready to sign a partnership agreement for the Bird Atlas 2027–31.

BTO CEO Juliet Vickery & Scottish Ornithologists Club President Ruth Briggs are sitting at a table smiling and holding pens ready to sign a partnership agreement for the Bird Atlas 2027–31.

BTO CEO Juliet Vickery & Welsh Ornithological Society Chair Anne Brenchley are sitting at a table together looking down and holding pens as they get ready to sign a partnership agreement for the Bird Atlas 2027–31. Wildlife and nature themed artwork hangs on the wall behind them.

1/ Five leading charities forge partnership for bird conservation for the Bird Atlas 2027–31! 🐦 But what is the Bird Atlas? ⬇️🧵 #Ornithology

@btobirds.bsky.social @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social

(5/) If you would like to find out where there are vacant BBS squares near you, wherever you live in the UK, please either follow this link: app.bto.org/bbs/publ... If you have any questions about the survey, please email us on: bbs@bto.org.

(4/) Your local BBS Regional Organiser or a member of the BBS Team at BTO Headquarters will do their best to match you with a square that is not only close to where you live, but is also appropriate for your birdwatching ability.

(3/) In order to survey a BBS square, you will need to be able to identify the birds that are typically recorded in the square by sight, song and call. This varies considerably from square to square.

(2/) Secondly, a square that is near Cranborne. It has 29 years of data behind it and a total of 78 bird species have been recorded in it over the years. This includes Cuckoo, Turtle Dove and Barn Owl, just to name a few! There are similar vacant squares available across the UK. #Ornithology

A map of vacant BBS squares in Dorset, including one in Gillingham and one on Cranborne Chase.

(1/) This week, we feature two vacant BBS squares for the price of one! Firstly, a square that is at the edge of the town of Gillingham. It has 17 years of data behind it. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science Dorset Bird Club #Ornithology #DorsetBirds

That is great to hear Andrew. It definitely looks like Gethin (@btocymru.bsky.social) was very lucky with the weather for the session. Glad tp hear that it went well. David W, BBS Team

That is an encouraging sign Paul, thanks for lettng us know. David W, BBS Team

Trichomonosis in Garden Birds - Garden Wildlife Health

(2/) Greenfinch has declined markedly across the UK in recent years. The BBS trend shows that this species declined by 66% between 1995 and 2023. The disease Trichomonosis is likely to be significant contributor to this decline: www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/portfolio/tr...

An image of a male Greenfinch. It has an olive green body, some yellow on its wings and a sturdy, flesh coloured beak.

(1/) The twittering, wheezy song of Greenfinch can now be heard in many areas. It is sometimes combined with a display flight, where males fly around in circles whilst they deliver their song. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience

A BTO stand at an event showing three BTO banners in the background and in the foreground a table with BTO magazines, leaflets and information about BTO's surveys and projects.

Today and tomorrow we're joining the Scotland's Nature Student Conference @scotnsconf.bsky.social at Stirling University @stir.ac.uk. It's a great chance to meet students from across Scotland and chat with them about BTO's work and opportunities to get involved. #SNSC2026

An image of a Scottish mountain, partially covered in snow.

An image of a Scottish mountain, partially covered in snow.

An image of a triangulation point at the top of a Scottish mountain, partially covered in snow.

Thank you to Pete Moore for sharing these stunning images from his final Winter Bird Survey visit to two of his squares over the weekend. Although he only recorded three Red Grouse over both squares combined, it looks like it was worth the hike! @btobirds.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social

Spring has begun... over the last week we have received 35 reports of Sand Martins, seven of Swallow, four each of Wheatear and House Martin, and two Red-rumped Swallows! #ukbirding

Promotional tile for Northern Ireland Seabird Report Launch. Text reads: Join BTO NI to celebrate the launch of the 2025 Seabird Report at Coffee Cure, Bangor on Thursday 26th March at 6 pm to 8 pm. Booking is essential! Book your tickets here: bit.ly/NI-SeabirdReport2025. Logos featured: BTO Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Ards and North Down Borough Council and Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP). Background photo is of a Little Tern by Philip Croft / BTO.

Join us for a FREE evening of talks and refreshments to celebrate the launch of the 2025 Northern Ireland Seabird Report!

Get your tickets here 👇
bit.ly/NI-SeabirdReport2025

🗓️ 26th of March
📍Coffee Cure, Bangor

Registration deadline: Thursday 19th March

The graphic displays an image of the SMP Online home page, which displays a map of SMP sites with the new updates, including a 'Species Type' search function to find sites. You can now also search by postcode and the map legend has been updated. Caption reads: Some SMP Online updates have arrived! You can now search for sites by 'Species Type' or find sites local to you using the new postcode search. The SMP monitoring period starts soon; now's the perfect time to find a site to cover! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Some SMP Online updates have arrived!
You can now search for sites by 'Species Type' or find sites local to you using the new postcode search.

The SMP monitoring period starts soon; now's the perfect time to find a site to cover! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Collage featuring two images of birds and text. In one image there are two Puffins on a rocky surface, one with a bill of fish. The second features a Wren with its bill open as it sings while perched in a bush full of blossom flowers. A quote features reads: “Quite simply the best investment you can make into researching and conserving birdlife.” Fabienne, BTO Member. Wording in a separate box reads: Join us today.

Discover the power to make a difference. For just £3 a month you can help support our work to build a brighter future for birds and people – all while enjoying exclusive member benefits and content!

Join today ➡️ www.bto.org/support-...

(3/) Red-legged Partridge numbers across the UK vary according to the numbers that are released each year. If you would like to find out more about this species, please visit our BirdFacts page:

(2/) The BBS trend for Red-legged Partridge shows a 3% decline between 1995 and 2023.

An image of a Red-legged Partridge with the caption: Farmland Birds Friday. It has a grey body, a red belly and a red eye ring. It is perched on the ground.

(1/) The population of the colourful Red-legged Partridge has fluctuated since it was introduced to the UK. It first became established as a breeding bird during the late 1700s. It declined by 37% between 1967 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

(4/) If you would like to find out where there are vacant BBS squares near you, wherever you live in the UK, please either follow this link: app.bto.org/bbs/publ... If you have any questions about the survey, please email us on: bbs@bto.org.

(3/) Your local BBS Regional Organiser or a member of the BBS Team at BTO Headquarters will do their best to match you with a square that is not only close to where you live, but is also appropriate for your birdwatching ability.