Our science is focused, objective and impactful, driving positive change for birds and nature. It encompasses both monitoring and research. On this page you can find out more about our science, our publications, our data and consultancy services, and sign up for our regular Science E-newsletter.
Robust and impactful evidence
Our role is to provide scientific evidence which can be used by everyone – from individuals and businesses to environmental conservationists and the government – to support solution-orientated action for wildlife. The evidence we produce is robust and objective, and – crucially – is trusted by a very broad array of stakeholders.
An Independent Review of BTO science concluded that the BTO has had a remarkable impact on policy and practice given its size and resources.. Read the findings of the Independent Review>
Find out more about our approach to science, including ethics and quality assurance>
Our data contribute directly towards reports and publications, such as the State of Nature Report, Birds of Conservation Concern, the government’s Wild Bird indicators and The State of the UK’s Birds.
Diverse scientific research
Our scientists use the data collected through our surveys to track changes in bird populations, to understand the drivers of population change and to identify and test conservation actions. We are constantly developing better methods to capture and analyse high-quality data, using the latest approaches and technologies.
Our research includes a focus on a number of key areas, from migrant birds and breeding waders to urban planning and woodland expansion.
- Read more about our research areas >
Monitoring schemes, surveys and projects
We coordinate over 60,000 dedicated volunteers to collect biological data through our projects and surveys, many of which are run in partnership with other key conservation bodies, such as the RSPB and JNCC.
Decades of monitoring have allowed us to build robust, long-term datasets about the natural world, which underpin our research and the evidence that we are able to provide.
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The latest stories about BTO science, research and impact, as well as upcoming conferences, seminars and events.
Data, products and services
Data from our schemes and surveys are available for use by conservation groups, government agencies, planners, ecologists, industrialists, environmental consultants and scientific researchers.
- Find out more about working with our data.
Data Reports
Bespoke Data Reports to inform fieldwork decisions and desk studies for Ecological Impact Assessments of potential development sites.
Technologies
State-of-the-art equipment and software developed by our experts to enhance research, support conservation and inform planning decisions.
Consulting
Our ecological consulting services for businesses provide robust scientific data, to enable informed and responsible decision-making.
Publications, reports and analysis
Our science is regularly published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We contribute data to official government statistics and high-profile collaborative reports, and produce our own summaries and analyses of our long-term data sets.
We also produce books and guides as well as magazines for members and volunteers.
- Explore our publications.
Our impact
Our science addresses conservation and research challenges to deliver impactful results.
- Discover how we are making a difference in our impact articles.
Science across the UK
Our offices in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide local habitat and species expertise for our scientific research.