Press releases
Going for Gold: Garden BirdWatch Results Published
March 2012
The Annual Results for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch survey have just been published, revealing nearly five times as many gardens with Goldfinch but half the number of gardens with Song Thrush...
Bird feeding proves recession-proof
February 2012
While people are tightening their belts, it seems that garden birds are not having to do the same, with sales of bird food expanding amidst the cold conditions...
Blizzard of birds hits frozen gardens
February 2012
Huge numbers of birds have swept into gardens over the last few days, latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch reveal...
100,000 homes needed this spring
February 2012
This spring, an estimated 100,000 pairs of Swifts will return from their winter holidays in Africa to once again grace the skies of Britain, and they will need somewhere to raise a brood of youngsters...
Britain's birds need runners
January 2012
It is well known that some of our favourite birds are in trouble...
Brush up on thrushes
January 2012
With the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch just around the corner, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is helping householders to brush up on their ID skills...
Why do some Blackbirds have white feathers?
January 2012
When is a Blackbird not a Blackbird? When it has leucism, an umbrella term for conditions that cause usually pigmented feathers to lack their dark colouration...
Scotland's new garden bird exhibits north-south divide
October 2011
Southern Scotland has gained a new garden bird over recent years and numbers of this species are on the up...
Garden feeders support more birds than ever
October 2011
More birds are using food supplements provided in gardens than ever before...
Top environmental journalist honoured
October 2011
Environmental journalist and author, Michael McCarthy was last night honoured at the British Trust for Ornithology’s annual awards ceremony in the Mall Galleries, London...
Calling all East Anglian runners
January 2012
Want to run? Want to help Britain’s birds? Want to support one of the country’s biggest bird charities? Then the Brighton marathon could be just the right event for you...
Small bird goes large in East Sussex gardens
October 2011
As autumn draws in, the tiny Goldcrest is winging its way to East Sussex gardens...
Welsh birds get a new office
November 2011
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) recently celebrated the opening of its new Welsh Office in Bangor University, from which it will keep a close eye on the ups and downs of birds in Wales...
Deer are bad news for birds
November 2011
Deer may be affecting some bird species on far larger scales than previously appreciated, new research has found...
An App to aid Ringers
October 2011
If you're a bird ringer or nest recorder, you've probably had a bird in the hand or been watching behaviour at a nest, and tried to remember the correct ring sizes or codes to use – followed by a frantic hunt for your Ringers' Manual; hunt no more! This new App for iPhone and Android smartphones is the answer...
British garden bird disease spreads to Europe
September 2011
A deadly disease, responsible for a sudden decline in two familiar British garden birds, has now spread to Europe...
Owls make local garden birdwatching a ‘hoot’!
September 2011
North Yorkshire gardens hold record numbers of Tawny Owls, latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch reveal...
Woodpigeons top the pecking order in local gardens
August 2011
The dumpy Woodpigeon visits a greater percentage of gardens in the West Midlands than in any other county, latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch reveal...
Houses with gardens are good news for sparrows
August 2011
New research has underlined the importance of gardens for the declining House Sparrow...
Snow and ice not so nice
August 2011
Wintering population trends, covering a ten-year period since1997/98, show that numbers of Avocet have risen by 95% and Black-tailed Godwit by 54%; both species are using our estuaries in greater numbers than ever before...
Welsh birds get a boost
July 2011
Welsh birds received a boost last week, when the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) launched its Welsh Office at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells...
Welsh Redstarts start up
July 2011
Issued by BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB Redstarts, characteristic birds of Welsh woodlands, enjoyed a successful year in 2010...
Volunteer birdwatchers help monitor tiny migrant in Northern Ireland
July 2011
Issued by BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB Chiffchaffs are small yellow-green warblers, named after their song, which fly south for the winter but weigh just 9 grams...
Half of Scotland’s Wrens lost in recent cold winters
July 2011
Issued by BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB Harsh winters have devastated Scotland’s Wren population – latest figures from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), released today, show that numbers fell by 40% between 2009 and 2010...
The future is Black and White
July 2011
Issued by BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB The summer of 2010 brought good news for those who enjoy listening to birdsong – numbers of two warbler species, Blackcap and Whitethroat, reached their highest levels in fifteen years, according to a report released today...
Last chance for Welsh birds
July 2011
The end is in sight for the biggest stocktake of the nations birds...
12.5 million birds rely on Britain’s coasts and wetlands
July 2011
Issued by the BTO on behalf of the Wetland Bird Survey partnership (BTO, JNCC and RSPB, in association with WWT)...
A Field Guide to Monitoring Nests
July 2011
The BTO is delighted to announce the publication of the definitive guide to finding and studying the nests of British birds...