NRS Results and Publications

This page provides a selection of resources, including annual breeding trends, research papers and publications, many of which are produced using information collected for the Nest Record Scheme.
 

Preliminary report on the breeding season

Each Autumn, a preliminary report on the latest breeding season is produced using NRS and CES data that have been sent to the BTO by 31 October. 

Latest Nest Record Scheme submission totals

Figures on how many nest records are sent in each year by species and area is a great way to see your contribution to NRS in context and also to identify gaps where we need more data the most. UK totals are here, with priority species highlighted, and totals per county and per UK country are here.

 

Ringing and Nest Record Scheme phenology figures

This online report uses first egg dates from NRS data together with moult and breeding condition data from Ringing Scheme captures to show, for a selected species, when breeding takes place through the year. 
 

BirdTrends report

Every year, records sent to the NRS are analysed together with data from previous years to produce new figures showing trends in the timing of breeding and productivity of UK bird populations. These figures are published annually in the online BirdTrends Report.

Scientific publications

 A selected list of publications and newsletters that make use of NRS data.

Life Cycle

This bi-annual magazine for nest recorders and ringers contains the latest news and results from the schemes, as well as articles by volunteers on their monitoring projects and activities, and practical tips and advice. Life Cycle replaces NRS News (as well as the other scheme newsletters), which ran from 1984 to 2014.

View the latest edition of Life Cycle, and see here for back issues of NRS News.

Field Guide to Monitoring Nests

A 256-page BTO publication containing individual species accounts, with concise notes on nest finding and quick-reference facts and figures, for 145 British and Irish breeding species. Its combination of expert advice and introductory chapters on the basics makes this guide an ideal field companion for both beginners and experienced nest recorders.

Nestboxes: Your Complete Guide

Building your own nestbox and watching a pair of birds raise a successful brood will bring pleasure to the whole family, and this book provides all you need to know to get started.

Written by Dave Cromack and drawing on the BTO's expertise, this book provides the perfect guide to building, erecting and monitoring nestboxes for a broad range of bird species.

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