About the
British Trust for Ornithology

The Work of the BTO

The BTO’s ‘Mission Statement’ is:

What does this mean in practice? The first thing to note is that the BTO is not a campaigning organisation or pressure group. The Trust exists independently of both the conservation campaigns and the government agencies responsible for environmental protection. This means that the data we gather and the survey results we publish are objective and unbiased. Hence, both government agencies and conservation campaigners can rely on them.

This arrangement is very efficient. Effectively, every pound that supports the work of the BTO is a pound spent twice over. The same BTO projects that enable government agencies to set priorities and monitor the effectiveness of their decisions also enable campaigners to target problem areas and to present well-researched and detailed cases for policy changes.

Through the efforts of BTO volunteers, the bird populations of the British Isles have been monitored more effectively and for longer than those of most other parts of the world. This has produced a uniquely rich and detailed body of scientific work and engaged thousands of people in ‘hands on’ conservation research. Building on this heritage and reinforcing our core work of volunteer surveys will help us to understand the complex and worrying challenges facing wild birds at a time of great change in the environment that we have to share with them.

For example, we have shown how our volunteers’ records can be analysed to provide unique insights into major issues of national and even global concern, such as agricultural policy and climate change. The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey and the Scientific Strategy for the Ringing Scheme are just two examples of how we have worked with funders and volunteers to focus and refine our data collection projects, improving their efficiency and effectiveness for conservation.

To continue and further develop this work, we need to recruit and retain the enthusiastic volunteers on whom we depend. We also need to make sure we do those volunteers’ hard work justice, by providing the necessary expertise to analyse and publish their results properly. Critical to the maintenance of this capability is our contract research. In parallel with the operation and development of our volunteer surveys, we undertake consultancy work and ecological investigations for a wide range of clients including both commercial concerns and public bodies. As well as contributing to the ‘bottom line’ and often producing scientific outputs of great value in their own right, this work enables us to establish a ‘critical mass’ of scientific expertise at our headquarters in Thetford. Through contract income, the support of our members and the generosity of our funders we employ some of the best and brightest young ecologists and ornithologists, constantly generating new ideas and reflecting the energy and enthusiasm of our supporters and volunteers.

Providing feedback about the work of the Trust to BTO members, BTO volunteers and bird enthusiasts in general is an important part of our work. BTO speakers are available for clubs and societies and for regional conferences. Staff members provide support to the media and are available for radio and TV interviews, press releases are regularly issued. The BTO annual conference is held at Swanwick, Derbyshire in December. All bird enthusiasts are welcome to attend this reasonably-priced and enjoyable get-together which offers interesting talks, shopping opportunities, an outing, the Annual Dinner of the BTO and a chance to socialise and meet like-minded friends.

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