The BBS: what is required and how to participate

What is required?

Just 5-6 hours of fieldwork each year. The BBS observer makes two visits each year (early April to the end of June) to their survey site to count all the birds they see and hear along a 2-km route. The observer is also required to undertake a basic habitat survey and, if they wish, can record mammal signs and individuals seen or heard.

What skills are required?

The BBS observer is required to have a reasonably knowledge of the songs and calls of common and widespread UK bird species. You are not required to know all of the sounds made by all of the species. A recording of bird songs and calls of the more difficult species is available on cassette or CD on request (free of charge to all new BBS observers).

The BTO also run a number of 1-day and residential weekend courses, mainly centred on teaching bird survey techniques, see www.bto.org/notices/workshops.htm

Where are the survey sites?

Survey sites are randomly selected 1-km squares of the National Grid. Your Regional Organiser will allocate you a survey site as near to where you live as possible.

How do I find my survey site on a map?

1. Visit the website: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap. Click on the ‘Get-a-map’ button and enter your Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference, and click GO.
2. or, obtain a pink (scale 1:50,000) or ideally, orange (scale 1:25,000) OS map. When finding for example: SK1234, read ‘12’ along the top of the map, and ‘34’ along the side.

How is the BBS organised?

The BBS is organised through the BTO’s network of voluntary Regional Organisers (ROs), most of which are also BTO Regional Representatives. Your RO is responsible for finding new BBS observers and allocating them with squares. They will also distribute and collect in completed survey forms and will be able to provide you with a wide range of advice on BBS methodology and gaining access permission to land. The RO is your local contact and first port of call.

How do I get involved?

First, you will need to contact your RO by clicking here.

I have surveyed my BBS square, and wish to enter my data electronically using BBS-Online.

1. Tell your RO that you will be entering your BBS bird, mammal and habitat data online.
2. Email with your full name, postal address including postcode, and the square/s you have surveyed. We need this information to enable us to set you up on the online system. When the system is ready to use, you will receive an email.

BTO Home | JNCC Home | RSPB Home
The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) monitors terrestrial birds throughout the UK to
provide information that underpins the conservation of species and habitats.
The BBS is organised by the BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB
Email: bbs@bto.org
Last updated 12 November, 2008

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