BTO Bird Camp super-blog: stories from Scotland, England, and Wales

• Scotland (in partnership with the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club)
• England
• Wales

Scotland 

Sophie, 14

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When I applied for Bird Camp, I honestly had no practical experience in ornithology whatsoever – I only really read about birds, because we don’t get many different types of birds in the garden since we live in the city, and the amount of different types has only decreased over the years. But arriving at Bird Camp, I was immediately overjoyed to see birds there that I hadn’t seen near home in ages.

I count going on the boat trip out to Bass Rock as my real introduction to ornithology now, and I still vividly remember the incredible sight of the hundreds, probably thousands of seabirds there, and trying to focus on individuals with my tiny monocular while I was bouncing around on the back of the boat. I was thrown straight into the metaphorical deep end, though the waves chucking us around made it seem somewhat more than metaphorical!

Though perhaps just as important as the seabirds, and watching the ringers, and all the practical experience that I sorely needed besides just reading about birds on Wikipedia, were the people, who I’ll never forget, both for introducing me properly to ornithology and just for being at Bird Camp with me.

Heather, 11

I had the most amazing experience at Bird Camp. I loved doing the ringing. It was thrilling to hold the little Dunnock. I also loved the boat trip where we got to see all the Gannets at Bass Rock. One thing we all did notice on the boat trip was the amount of plastic and litter in the birds’ nests.

I made some friends at Bird Camp that will last a lifetime (we are all still in touch) and the adults there were all so kind and friendly too. I loved Bird Camp, it was the very best thing ever!

Josh, 11

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We woke up early and went outside to a lovely, warm, sunny morning. On the bench to our right was a very interesting contraption, which Katty Baird (moth trapper extraordinaire!) told us about. After an interesting explanation of how the moth trap works we lifted the lid. There were absolutely tons of moths of all shapes, sizes, colours and patterns.

Some of my favourites included the big and fluffy Poplar Hawk-moth, the amazingly camouflaged Buff-tip and the beautifully patterned and exquisitely named Peach Blossom. Up until that point, I had never paid too much attention to moths but I now wanted to learn more about them!

This experience then inspired me to create my own DIY moth trap at home using the thorough but easy-to-follow instructions from the Butterfly Conservation website. As of the time of writing, I have put out my moth trap four times. I have caught 12 species which, admittedly, isn’t the most impressive but the fun I’ve had learning about these incredible creatures has more than made up for it.

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The 2024 Scottish Bird Camp was a partnership event by the British Trust for Ornithology and the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club.

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It was made possible by the generous support of the Cameron Bespolka Trust and the British Birds Charitable Trust.

Support was also given by the Aberbrothock Skea Charitable Trust, the Gillman Trusts and the Hugh Fraser Foundation.

England

Millie, 16

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Bird Camp was special to me as it was an opportunity to meet like-minded young people from across England who have the same passion as me. I was extremely nervous about going to camp as I had never done any kind of residential before but the campers and Youth Volunteers made me feel welcome from the start and made it a fun experience.

The day trips were brilliant and we learnt a lot from the nature reserve volunteers. I also learnt from the other campers too who I am still in contact with today, who I would’ve never have met if it wasn’t for Bird Camp. I had an amazing time with some lovely people.

If you’re thinking of applying for Bird Camp, I would say absolutely go for it! 

Henry, 12

Bird Camp was incredible, and a really valuable experience. Meeting like-minded young birders and learning about the crucial work of BTO was brilliant.

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However, one moment stood out, atop a wind-buffeted tower. Two special reedbed raptors, one a smooth chocolate brown, the other a rust-bellied phantom, came gliding in over the nature network that is RSPB Leighton Moss. They vanished behind a stunted beech, its trailing twiggy fingers caressing the tops of the reeds. A second male ghosted in, wings spread in readiness, and out burst the resident of the tree it had arrived at, to see off the challenger. As maliciously intended as it might have been, it didn’t last long, and the intruder soon glided off, its pride dented by such a rapid defeat.

Victorious, that first phantom plunged into the reeds, returning burdened with an unfortunate small mammal. As if summoned telepathically, the female silently popped up, her gaze of intent grazing her counterpart. The male leapt into action, bounding above her and relinquishing its prize, falling straight into the outstretched talons of the female! Breathtaking, heartstopping, phenomenal and compelling; a Marsh Harrier food pass. That’s the power of nature for you.

Oscar, 13

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For many, if not all, birdwatching is a lonely hobby. Especially in young people finding another with the same interests is nigh on impossible. But this trip was an absolute lifeline, and I had the privilege of meeting people who share and love this fantastic hobby. I owe great thanks to the devoted volunteers who ran the expedition, and I’m certain my peers feel the same. I’ve selected one of my favourite moments from the trip to describe, and hopefully immortalise, to remember the wonder of it.

Before dinner, we took a vote on what to do prior to food, and most of us decided to pop down to Derwent Water for an evening birdwatch. As I trotted down the gravel track to the lake, which was very close to our activity centre, I soon met the first members of the area’s fauna. The front members of our group were greeted with drawn-out, guttural bleating, the source of which was a very grumpy male sheep. It guarded a flock of females for a while, protectively making this quintessentially British noise all the while. The others, however, did not seem to mind us, and to the soundtrack of the (mostly) happy flock, we continued.

We weaved through an alder carr woodland and soon the water came into view through the shadowed tree trunks. As soon as the dense vegetation opened up it was time again to search for birds. The habitat soon faded into pasture dotted with hawthorn scrub, an excellent habitat for a myriad of migrant bird species. And within a couple of minutes, we encountered one of our most spectacular; the Redstart.

This forest gem perched at the edge of a hawthorn bush, silently peering at the gaggle of gaping admirers. This was a very special moment of connection with nature, as nearly all of the group had never seen one before. And what luck that my first was a pristine adult male! Chest glowing the colour of rich burning embers; face plunged into a sea of midnight black; tail a quivering bolt of crimson. Its elegant form terminated in a slender silver bill, perfectly adapted for a wholly insectivorous diet. Its eyes looked like little black coals, and the refracted setting sunlight cast within them as precious slivers of diamond.

The Redstart looked so very at home, surrounded by a blanket of temperate rainforest. This was its great palace; of endless trees, endless leaves, endless rolling valleys and dales. 

We stayed with the bird for the best part of an hour, the whole group in absolute awe of it. When we’d all taken our fair share of photos, we had to leave for dinner. But I think everyone there would have happily stayed, watching for hours on end. I certainly would, and it was a very special moment of connection with this slice of wildlife.

Wales 

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Grace, 16 

My favourite aspect of bird camp was being able to improve our observance skills by listening to others on our birding walks. Rather than just being told where to look, everyone at Bird Camp shared their little ‘fun facts’ and tips on equipment use and watching technique which made seeing lifers even more rewarding! 

Rebekah, 12  

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I thought it was fabulous! Meeting new people who have the same interests as me was amazing, as I don’t have the opportunity in my everyday life.

From the Wales Camp, I have made many sensational memories. My favourite ones have to be the ringing of the birds. Learning how and why they do it, how to hold them and letting them go free again was exhilarating. It is something I know that I would love to do again!

Along with... the wind blowing, tummy turning, wild boat trip. The lapping waves licking the boat’s edge with the sounds of the birds bouncing up and down on the blue waters were magnificent. Seeing my first Gannet and the tiny Puffins was a joyous experience that has been a dream come true. It was fantastic to watch new birds that I can’t see at home.

To end the episode of my overwhelming, eye-opening journey, I have to say that having a friendly Herring Gull land on your head is not something you experience every single day.