Case studies

Read examples of work where BTO volunteers and research scientists are able to address conservation and research challenges to deliver impactful results. Some studies also illustrate the value of public participation in science and the opportunities to engage new audiences with our work.

Stiperstones National Nature Reserve
Featured Case Study

What role do protected areas play in the future of bird conservation?

The UK has many different kinds of protected area, but how effective are they for bird conservation?

Bewick's Swan. Chris Knights

BTO Data Reports

Our reports provide rigorous scientific information to inform Environmental Impact Assessments in the UK.

Fulmar. Philip Croft

Understanding the impacts of climate change on seabirds

The UK is home to internationally important breeding seabird populations - but how vulnerable are these to climate change?

Skylark. John Harding

Making the most of BirdTrack data locally

We have been working to produce useful summaries for bird reports using data from the millions of annual BirdTrack records.

Herring Gulls with chicks. Edmund Fellowes

Working together for seabirds

BTO work supports effective monitoring of our seabirds and aims to provide opportunities for a new generation of seabird surveyors.

Curlew. Tom Streeter

Supporting Curlew conservation and understanding wader declines

Recent BTO work focuses on understanding the variation in Curlew and other UK wader populations so that we can help suggest actions to conserve them.

Chaffinch and Greenfinch. Edmund Fellowes

Garden BirdWatch and our garden and urban bird research

The value of a complete quarter-century of weekly garden bird observations from the length and breadth of the country.

Nightingale. Edmund Fellowes

Assessing BTO impact

BTO has a strong reputation for delivering quality science, but does it have an impact? An independent expert panel decides.

Black Kite. Jill Pakenham

Climate change in a warming world

BTO science contributes to our understanding of future scenarios, and informing policies and conservation management strategies to help species adapt.

    Yellowhammer by Jill Pakenham.

    Assessing agri-environment schemes

    BTO research is helping to shape the modern farmed landscape by informing agri-environment schemes.

    Artist Bruce Pearson working in the field in Senegal as part of the BTO/SWLA Flight Lines project

    Introducing new audiences to work on migrant birds

    Discover how art and the written word are increasing engagement with migrant birds and the challenges that they face

    BTO’s volunteers and research staff monitor change in the environment, delivering the information used to plan and assess conservation action, and informing decision-making processes for the benefits of society, wildlife and the natural world. Mike Toms, BTO Head of Communications 

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