Survey methods (Help and Guidance)

Thank you for volunteering for the Breeding Bird Survey! The survey is organised via a network of volunteer Regional Organisers (ROs). Your RO will tell you which square to survey, and will be able to help with any queries. 

The sections below include all the information you need to survey a BBS square. Your RO will also give you this information as a set of paper instructions. 

Planning your visit

Recording birds

Optional detection recording

Mammal recording

Habitat recording

Submitting your data online

Submitting your data on paper

Butterfly recording for the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey

For full instructions, please see the downloads page.



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