BTO publishes peer-reviewed papers in a wide range of scientific journals, both independently and with our partners. If you are unable to access a scientific paper by a BTO author, please contact us.
Search settings
Factors influencing nest site selection in a rapidly declining shorebird, the Eurasian curlew
Author: Rivers, E.M., Short, M.J., Page, A., Potts, P.M., Hodder, K., Hoodless, A., Robinson, R. & Stillman, R.
Published: 2024
The Curlew is Britain’s largest wader; it is also one of its most threatened. Previous BTO research has shown that this is largely due to the number of chicks fledged that are able to survive to reach breeding age. In this case, if we are to help improve the situation for the Curlew, then we need to understand the factors that influence their breeding success.
30.12.24
Papers
The Breeding Bird Survey of the United Kingdom
Author: Massimino, D., Baillie, S.R., Balmer, D.E., Bashford, R.I., Gregory, R.D., Harris, S.J., Heywood, J.J.N., Kelly, L.A., Noble, D.G., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Raven, M.J., Risely, K., Woodcock, P., Wotton, S.R. & Gillings, S.
Published: 2024
Good quality information on species’ population trends is essential for successful conservation action. In this paper, the dataset of the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is made publicly available, along with details of how the data can be used to calculate bird population trends. This will help to further inform bird conservation in the UK and beyond.BBS data have been widely used in research over the past three decades, and they have always been available upon request. However, with this publication, over seven million records are made freely and openly available. In this, the BBS becomes one of few structured national recording schemes for birds anywhere in the world which makes the information collected by its volunteers wholly available to anyone who wishes to access it.
29.12.24
Papers
Impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza on seabird populations in the North Sea are detectable in sea-watchers’ migration counts
Author: Macgregor, C.J., Gillings, S., Balmer, D.E., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Harris, S.J., Hereward, H.F.R., Humphreys, E.M., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Taylor, R.C., Troost, G. & Atkinson, P.W.
Published: 2024
BTO research reveals that seabird population declines due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) can be detected using data collected by volunteer seawatchers.
28.12.24
Papers
Status and distribution of Rook Corvus frugilegus in Wales in 2022/23
Author: Hereward, H.F.R., Brenchley, A., Facey, R.J., Hughes, J., Lindley, P.J., Taylor, R.C., Wilson, M.W. & Macgregor, C.J.
Published: 2024
In 2022 and 2023, the Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS) coordinated a countrywide colony survey of Rooks in Wales, to estimate population and distribution size and change.
25.12.24
Papers
Temperature sensitivity of breeding phenology and reproductive output of the Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Author: Lonero, I., Eddowes, M.J., Burgess, M.D., Pearce-Higgins, J.W. & Phillimore, A.B.
Published: 2024
One of the most obvious ways in which birds have responded to climate change is by shifting the timing of their breeding and migration. In spring, many long-distance migratory species are now arriving earlier than in the past, and most species are also nesting earlier than then used to, particularly in warmer years. But has this led to a mismatch in the timing of the breeding season and the peak availability of key food resources for breeding birds and their young, leading to a reduction in breeding success and eventual population declines?
20.11.24
Papers
