Ecological barriers limit the ability of birds to respond to climate change

A changing climate places pressure on individuals, species and communities, forcing them to either adapt to changing conditions or move to where conditions remain favourable. If they are unable to...

Landscape fires disproportionally affect areas of conservation priority but only under low moisture conditions

This study identified five fires reaching more than 100 km2, a threshold often used to classify ‘megafires’. Frequent spring and summer fires predominantly started in agricultural areas, where...

The impacts of human activities on Europe's breeding birds

Our knowledge of European bird populations comes from the efforts of volunteers, contributing to large-scale monitoring of breeding birds in countries across Europe, partnered with researchers at a...

A global biological conservation horizon scan of issues for 2023

Are the declines of birds and invertebrates linked by climate change?

Many of the detected effects of climate change on biodiversity have occurred through impacts on food chains. We know that many birds are insectivorous during the breeding season, and various studies...

Birdwatchers and anglers value peatlands differently to walkers and cyclists.

Ringing and Nest Record Scheme data suggest weather is a better predictor of Swift breeding success than the availability of insect prey

Research reveals why Willow Warblers breeding in different parts of Britain are affected by climate change in different ways.

Identifying the drivers influencing mountain and upland bird populations

A tale of two warblers

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) results show very different population trends for Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff - but what is driving this difference? BTO research reveals climate is key.

The carbon footprint of biodiversity monitoring

Whilst it is essential that we have accurate information about how wildlife is faring in this changing world, we also need to be mindful of the carbon footprint generated by monitoring activities.

Conservation interventions can benefit species impacted by climate change

In the face of climate change, BTO joins other organisations to consider how to improve the frameworks used for conservation

A framework for climate change adaptation indicators for the natural environment

BTO leads collaborative research to create framework for assessing climate change adaptation.

Warming temperatures drive at least half of the magnitude of long-term trait changes in European birds

Climate change is impacting wild populations, but its relative importance compared to other causes of change is still unclear. Many studies assume that changes in traits primarily reflect effects of...

The future distribution of wetland birds breeding in Europe validated against observed changes in distribution

Multi-taxa spatial conservation planning reveals similar priorities between taxa and improved protected area representation with climate change

Pinpointing which protected area characteristics help community response to climate warming: waterbirds in the European Union’s Natura 2000 network

Birds of Conservation Concern

Commonly referred to as the UK Red List for birds, the status of birds has now been reviewed five times, Covering the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. The latest review was published in...

Setting priorities for climate change adaptation of Critical Sites in the Africa-Eurasian waterbird flyways

Climate change is already affecting the UK's birds

An increasing body of research demonstrates the impacts of climate change on bird species across the globe, revealing a range of responses.

Climate and land use changes: similarity in range and abundance changes of birds in Finland and Great Britain