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Data Requests - Availability of Data

BTO is widely respected for its independence and sound science, consequently our survey results are frequently used by conservation groups, government agencies, planners, ecologists, industrialists, environmental consultants and scientific researchers.  The BTO encourages the use of its data.

The BTO operates a Data Request Service, for further details of this service contact

Specific information on the data which can be made available from each survey is detailed below. Further information on each survey can be found on the relevant pages of the website.

ATLASES OF BIRD DISTRIBUTION (all species)

  • New (Second) Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991
    All 10-km squares containing land in the UK and Ireland were covered and summary lists detailing which species definitely or probably bred and which possibly bred in each are available. To obtain an estimate of the relative abundance in each 10-km square, at least eight tetrads (2 x 2 km squares) were sampled for 1 or 2 hours in each, data which were incorporated into the 10-km square data. Data on presence of species are available for the sampled tetrads -- that is, whether or not the species was seen in the sample period.
  • Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1981/82 - 1983/84
    Covered most of the 10-km squares in the UK and Ireland. For each square, the maximum count recorded in a day, or these counts simplified to one of three levels of relative abundance, for each species during the survey period is available. There are no data available at a finer resolution than 10-km squares.
  • First Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1968-1972
    Covered most of the 10-km squares in the UK and Ireland. For each square, summary lists detailing which species definitely bred, which probably bred and which possibly bred during the survey period are available. There are no data available at a finer resolution than 10-km squares.
  • Bird Atlas 2007-2011 (but data are not being released until after the fieldwork finishes in 2011)
    This current survey is covering all of the 10-km squares in the UK and Ireland and in both winter and the breeding season. Fieldwork is still in progress and hence data are not being released.
BREEDING BIRD SURVEYS (many species)
  • Common Birds Census (CBC): 1961-2000
    Data are available on a site (ca 250 sites per year mostly farmland or woodland) or species basis. For each site, annual summary sheets can be supplied providing a list of the species recorded and numbers of territories for each survey year. Habitat details for each plot can be consulted at the BTO.
  • Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS): 1998 onwards
    Monitors breeding birds along randomly selected 500m sections of waterways. Species lists and counts are available for sampled stretches some of which are the same as WBS stretches.
  • Waterways Bird Survey (WBS): 1974-2007
    Data are available in the same format as the Common Birds Census but for the birds along stretches of waterway.
  • Nest Record Scheme: 1939 onwards
    This scheme records the nests and their contents of many species of British breeding birds. Data are available on such as clutch size, brood size and breeding success as well as nest sites.

WINTERING BIRD SURVEYS (many species)

  • Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS): 1965 onwards
    Data are available from Core Counts and Low Tide Counts. Core Counts, conducted at both coastal (normally at high tide) and inland wetlands throughout the UK, are made once monthly, normally on pre-selected dates, and concentrate on the winter period, although counts from all months are available for some sites. Around 2,500 sites are covered annually. Low Tide Counts are conducted at most large estuaries in at least one winter every six years, with up to four counts being made through the period November - February. The exposed substrate at low tide is divided into small count areas (sectors) enabling the distribution of feeding and roosting birds to be determined in finer detail.

ALL-YEAR ROUND SURVEYS (many species)

  • Ringing recoveries: 1909 onwards
    This scheme produces data on movements of individual birds. Ringing birds also produces some information on such as moult and biometrics. A summary of the results is in The Migration Atlas.
  • BirdTrack: 2004 onwards
    This online scheme allows recording of birdwatching visits to sites and produces information on distribution and movements.

SINGLE SPECIES AND SPECIAL SURVEYS

  • Heronries Census: 1928 onwards
    Over 75% of UK heronries are visited each year and the number of occupied nests is recorded. Nest counts are available for each year that the colony was visited.
  • Single Species and Special Surveys: Each of 1-2 seasons' duration
    Data are available for several special surveys, often of single individual species. Most commonly these comprise details of numbers of birds on specific sites (which may be sample squares of the National Grid) and of habitat use. Recent surveys have included:

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BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU
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Registered Charity Number 216652. This page last updated: 1 July, 2010