We are protecting vulnerable winter birds in the midst of a deadly Avian Influenza outbreak. Please help us today.

Learn more

The BTO Regional Network

Volunteers sit at the very heart of the BTO and some of our most skilled and committed volunteers contribute to our work as part of the BTO Regional Network. We have 125 BTO regions, and within each region we are keen to develop a local passionate BTO community.

A Regional Representative (RR) is our local leader for the BTO in the region and key point of contact for other local members and volunteers. 

If you are would like to get involved in surveys in your area then please take a look at our list of BTO regions and their respective Regional Representative to make contact with. Alternatively, you are welcome dawn.balmer [at] bto.org (to contact the BTO directly) (dawn.balmer [at] bto.org).

Find a Regional Representative

Use the map below to see the details for the rep in your region.

Join our Regional Network teams

Many of our regions would welcome additional help, so if you’re interested in organising surveys, or promoting BTO more widely, please contact dawn.balmer [at] bto.org (Dawn Balmer by email) (dawn.balmer [at] bto.org) or by phoning 01842 750050.

How regional teams work

While all the outcomes we’d want in a region can be achieved by the RR on their own, in some cases, a team approach works really well. For instance, helping us achieve great regional coverage for individual surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Wetland Bird Survey and Heronries Census can be taken on by a Regional Organiser (RO).

There can be a different RO for each of the key surveys, each working closely with the RR. Meanwhile a Regional Ambassador (RA) could focus on engagement and promotional work to help raise the profile of BTO locally and provide opportunities for people to get together.  The Regional Representative will take overall responsibility for co-ordination and leadership of the team in their region.

The key outcomes are listed below, though there are a number of additional benefits for BTO that could be delivered by the RR, or by the recruitment of additional team members.

Key outcomes

  • Good coverage for our surveys in the region through recruitment and support of volunteers
  • A welcoming environment for new supporters
  • A vibrant community engaged and kept up to date with news and feedback of the results of their collective effort
  • A community integrated into the local bird scene, with links to local birds clubs or similar groups and with other neighbouring BTO communities.

Additional outcomes

  • An increase in BTO members in the region
  • Periodic conferences and other opportunities for people to meet
  • Local training/mentoring opportunities
  • A greater awareness of our work through talks, a presence at events or on social media

Regional Representative Vacancies

We have vacant RR posts in Aberdeen, Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire (North), Derbyshire (South), Devon, Essex (Northwest), Essex (South), Huntingdon & Peterborough, Lancashire (Northwest), Lancashire (South), Lincolnshire (South), Merseyside, Montgomery, Norfolk (Northwest), Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire (south), Sutherland, Wigtown, Yorkshire (Central), Yorkshire (Leeds & Wakefield) and Yorkshire (Richmond).

  • For more information or to apply for this role, please contact dawn.balmer [at] bto.org (Dawn Balmer by email) (dawn.balmer [at] bto.org) or by phoning 01842 750050.

Related content