Publications

Publications

BTO create and publish a variety of important articles, papers, journals and other publications, independently and with our partners, for organisations, government and the private sector. Some of our publications (books, guides and atlases) are also available to buy in our online shop.

Annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme

Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023

This report presents the latest seabird population trends in breeding abundance and productivity using data from the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP). 

The report documents changes in the abundance and productivity of breeding seabird species in Britain and Ireland from 1986 to 2023, and provides a detailed account of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons.

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Annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme

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Assessment of non-breeding Hen Harrier records in relation to Special Protection Areas in England: insights from the Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey and BirdTrack

Author: Wetherhill, A. & Wilson, M.

Published: Winter 2025

This study uses Hen Harrier records from the Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey and BirdTrack to explore the distribution of wintering Hen Harriers in relation to the distribution of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). There is a particular need to enhance survey effort in and around SPAs, to improve our understanding of the distribution and habitat use of non-breeding Hen Harriers in England, and to evaluate whether there is a need for site protection to be extended to more areas.

10.12.25

BTO Research Reports

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Power source, data retrieval method, and attachment type affect success of dorsally mounted tracking tag deployments in 37 species of shorebirds

Author: Weiser, E.L., Lanctot, R.B., Ruthrauff, D.R., Saalfeld, S.T., Tibbitts, T.L., Abad-Gómez, J.M., Aldabe, J., Bosi de Almeida, J., Alves, J.A., Anderson, G.Q.A., Battley, P.F., Belting, H., Bêty, J., Bianchini, K., Bishop, M.A., Bom, R.A., Bowgen, K., Brown, G.S., Brown, S.C., Bugoni, L., Burton, N.H.K., Bybee, D.R., Carneiro, C., Castresana, G., Chan, Y.-C., Choi, C.-Y., Christie, K.S., Clark, N.A., Conklin, J.R., Cruz-López, M., Dinsmore, S.J., Dodd, S.G., Douglas, D.C., Eberhart-Hertel, L.J., English, W.B., Ewing, H.T., Faria, F.A., Franks, S.E., Fuller, R.A., Gill Jr, R.E., Giroux, M.-A., Gratto-Trevor, C.L., Green, D.J., Green, R.E., Green, R.M.W., Gunnarsson, T.G., Gutiérrez, J.S., Harrison, A.-L., Hartman, C.A., Hassell, C.J., Hoepfner, S.A., Hooijmeijer, J.C.E.W., Johnson, J.A., Johnson, O.W., Kempenaers, B., Klaassen, M., Kok, E.M.A., Krietsch, J., Küpper, C., Kwarteng, A.Y., Kw

Published: 2025

Tracking studies, where individual devices are fitted to birds to follow their movements, are becoming increasingly common in ornithology. This paper uses previous research tracking waders to evalutate how various factors, including tag attachment type and power source, affect the likelihood that a study will meet its goals, and provides guidelines for selecting a tracking technique to optimise the chances of success.

04.12.25

Papers

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Bioacoustics as a tool for the detection and monitoring of a scarce woodland bird – the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Author: Smith, K., Smith, L., Addleton, N., Clements, R., Fisk, S., Gillings, S., Mallalieu, M., Mathieson H. & Robin, A.

Published: 2025

Passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of monitoring the elusive and declining Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, improving our understanding of the species’ status, ecology and the conservation actions that might reverse its fortunes.

01.12.25

Papers

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Overwinter population estimates of waterbirds in Great Britain

Author: Caulfield, E., Woodward, I., Peck, K., Wotton, S. & Frost, T.

Published: 2025

Analysis of data from long-term monitoring schemes gives a total wintering waterbird population estimate in Great Britain of 12.8 million individuals for 2017/2018 to 2022/2023. While this total is unchanged from the previous estimate, there have been notable shifts, with numbers of estuarine waders, Whooper Swans, Little Egrets and non-migratory geese increasing, and declines in several duck and goose populations, including Bewick’s Swan, Pink-footed Goose and Teal.

01.12.25

Papers

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Temporal changes to migratory fuel load in migratory birds across Europe

Author: Border, J.A., Robinson, R.A., Pearce-Higgins , J.W., Hewson, C.M., Howard, C., Stephens, P.A., Willis, S.G., von Rönn, J.A.C., Henry, P.-Y., Lorrilliere, R., Serra, L., Imperio, S., Gargallo, G., Baltà, O., Karcza, Z., Vangeluwe, D., Valkama, J., Perez, C., Bensusan, K., Fransson, T., Herrmann, C., Bairlein, F., Fiedler, W., Horton, J. & Baillie, S.R.

Published: 2025

Data from bird ringing show changes in the timing of birds feeding up before their autumn migration across Europe over the past 40 years, and a decrease in the extent of fattening recorded. This decline was strongest in southern Europe and was linked to rising temperatures associated with climate change.

10.11.25

Papers

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