There are lots of ways to get involved with BTO Youth and support birds and the work we do, all while gaining valuable experience and developing your skills.
Citizen science volunteering
BTO runs lots of different surveys to help us monitor the UK’s bird populations. You don’t need to be an expert to take part!
If you’re a beginner without much survey experience, check out BirdTrack, Garden BirdWatch and Nesting Neighbours – they’re a good place to start while you build up skills, experience and confidence.
If you’re already more experienced with surveys, check out The Wetland Bird Survey, Breeding Bird Survey and Ringing – they require more advanced identification skills.


Nesting Neighbours
Keep track of a bird nest in your garden or local green space.


Breeding Bird Survey
Identify and record all the breeding birds on a site near you.

Bird Ringing Scheme
Learn to ring and help us better understand birds’ movements.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
BTO is now an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award! This means that you can complete your volunteering part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by taking part in our BirdTrack or Garden BirdWatch surveys.
Subscribe to BTO Youth News
Want to join the flock and stay up to date with everything BTO Youth? Subscribe to our email newsletter to hear all our news, upcoming events and exciting opportunities.
University societies, schools and groups
Do you work with young people? You can share our opportunities with them!
We have promotional materials available to help you spread the word about the opportunities we provide for young people.
Youth membership
We are currently revising our Youth Membership and will be launching this soon.
We look forward to sharing our exciting new offer with you!
Other opportunities
BTO Youth events
We run free events every year for young people, organised by BTO Youth for BTO Youth.

BTO Youth blog
Read about how other young people experience and access nature on our BTO Youth blog.

Work experience
We offer a one-week programme each year, for young people aged 12 and up.

Contact us
Email us
If you’d like to find out more about what we do and how to get involved, drop us a line: youth@bto.org
Find us on social media
Subscribe to BTO Youth news
Stay up to date with everything BTO Youth: subscribe to our email newsletter.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Get in touch to find out more about completing your DoE’s Award volunteering with BTO.
- Drop us a line at youth@bto.org