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Our blog offers specialist insight and unique perspective from a wide range of BTO staff, volunteers and guest writers, giving context and inviting discussion on various aspects of our work. It includes:

A series of important posts by BTO Youth.
Updates on how the latest tagged cuckoos are faring as they migrate to and from Africa.
How our latest strategy plays a crucial role in tackling the twin biodiversity and climate crises.
Reflections on our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity.

Blogs on specific topics

Demography Blog

The Demog blog covers all things realting to the study of the characteristics of populations, such as size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics.

BirdTrack Migration Blog

During the months when migration is at its peak, the migblog will predict which species you may see in the coming week and where best to look for migrant birds.

BTO Youth Blog

The Youth blog gives a voice to the young people we work and engage with across the UK, covering programmes of work, events, opinion pieces and interviews.

Gull-billed Tern, by Philip Croft / BTO

Paul Stancliffe

Featured blog post

BirdTrack migration blog (10–16 May)

10 May 2024

Spring migration in the Northern Isles really did step up a gear last week and it is difficult to imagine it getting any better but they, and the east coast, could be in for more of the same this week. The long-range forecast is predicting an easterly airflow throughout the week, from as far away as Moscow at times.

Blog Series

Juliet Vickery.

How BTO data are driving positive change for UK birds

BTO's CEO Juliet explains how we use our data to drive positive change for the UK's birds.

24 Aug 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (19th-25th August)

You don’t need us to tell you that August has been very hot and dry with drought conditions across many parts of Britain and Ireland.

16 Aug 2022

Large Red and Azure Damselflies. Tony / stock.adobe.com

How and why to record dragonflies in August

Many dragonflies and damselflies are on the wing in mid and late summer. BTO’s Rob Jaques writes about watching, recording, and supporting these beautiful insects.

12 Aug 2022

Mountain walk. Andy Wilson / BTO

Not all career paths are paved equally

Why is BTO certified Disability Confident Committed? Jenna Woodford, BTO's Social Media Officer, reflects on their experience as an applicant and as an employee.

28 Jul 2022

Pink-footed Goose. Chris Knights

Tackling the challenge of avian influenza

Director of Science James Pearce-Higgins discusses highly pathogenic avian influenza and BTO's role in the response to the current outbreak.

13 Jul 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (mid-July - mid-August)

As we progress through the summer towards early autumn we are still a few weeks away from any large-scale migration. However, the next month will give us a hint of what is to come later in the year.

12 Jul 2022

Tree Pipit. Graham Catley / BTO

Songbird migration across the Sahara

Mark Wilson, BTO Research Ecologist, reflects on his work tagging songbirds to collect data about their migration routes and their breeding grounds in the UK.

11 Jul 2022

Goosander. Canva

Inspired by birds, informed by science: providing the evidence-base for policy decisions

BTO Cymru’s Rachel Taylor and Callum Macgregor reflect on working at the interface between science and policy for their research on Cormorant and Goosander populations in Wales.

08 Jul 2022

Bee-eater. David Tipling / birdphoto.co.uk

A future with EDI in mind: a note from Juliet

BTO's CEO Juliet reflects on the responsibility to improve our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

30 Jun 2022

Rock Dove image from a trail camera. Will Smith

Wild Rock Doves: solving a genetic enigma

BTO ringer and DPhil student Will Smith writes about his latest research into the distinctions between wild Rock Doves and the Feral Pigeon.

30 Jun 2022

Nunnery Lakes Nature Reserve. Sophie Bennett

Avoiding tunnel vision during a PhD

Sophie Bennett reflects on her recent three month placement at the BTO and the value of taking a step back from a PhD.

28 Jun 2022

Eider. Tom Cadwallender / BTO

Belfast’s Unsung Seabird

Despite the human hustle and bustle, Belfast Lough is at the heart of Eider conservation in Ireland. BTO's Senior Research Ecologist Kat Booth-Jones dives into research focused on this charismatic seabird.

20 Jun 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (mid-June- mid-July)

As we reach the halfway point of the year, migration has slowed dramatically but the breeding season continues apace.

15 Jun 2022

Cuckoo. Canva Pro

What have the Cuckoos taught us?

Over a decade since the Cuckoo Tracking Project began, we’ve learnt an incredible amount.

13 Jun 2022

Birding 101

Both sides of the camera

BTO Youth's Birding 101 events are part of a free training programme for young people, by young people. Lizzie, BTO Youth Representative and Birding 101 host, writes about their experience.

06 Jun 2022

BirdTrack migration blog (27th May - mid-June)

As summer approaches, the pace of migration slows; most species will be on their breeding grounds and raising their young.

26 May 2022

Migration blog (20th-26th May)

Like the temperatures across Britain and Ireland, the pace of migration has soared in the last week as more and more birds arrive to breed or stop off on their way to breeding grounds further afield.

19 May 2022

BBS Volunteer. David Tipling / BTO

Sustainability and citizen science: estimating the carbon footprint of the Breeding Bird Survey

BTO Data Scientist Simon Gillings explores the results of BTO's investigation into the carbon footprint of biodiversity monitoring.

18 May 2022

Grey Squirrel. John Harding / BTO

Tackling invasives: unpicking the definitions

BTO's Head and Principal Ecologist David Noble breaks down what we really mean by 'invasive species'.

15 May 2023

Birdtrack migration blog (13th-19th May)

A change in weather in the last week has seen migration ramp up with more birds arriving for the summer across Britain and Ireland.

12 May 2022

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