Research reports

BTO Research Reports are scientific papers that have been self-published by the BTO. The following is a full list of the published BTO research reports. Most are free to download, and links to Abstracts are included where possible.

Numbers missing from the list are those allocated but which were never produced or which have not been published. BTO recognises that, particularly in respect of commercially sensitive cases, a period of confidentiality is appropriate for some projects. However, in the interests of scientific development and dissemination of information, we encourage clients to permit publication as soon as it is reasonable to do so.

If you wish to purchase a physical copy of a report please contact [email protected].
More information about our Annual Service reports to JNCC 1992-2005.

Assessment of recent Hen Harrier population trends in England through population modelling

This study uses a population modelling approach to explore the effects of changes in rates of productivity, survival, and settlement on population growth in the English population of Hen Harriers.

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Assessment of recent Hen Harrier population trends in England through population modelling

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The avoidance rates of collision between birds and offshore turbines

Report of work carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology in collaboration with the Environmental Research Institute on behalf of the Marine Scotland Science.Accurately estimating birds’ risk of collision with offshore wind turbines is a key part of the decision-making process for proposed renewable developments. However, the evidence base for quantifying the number of birds likely to avoid colliding with turbines is limited. Recent BTO-led work helping to fill this gap, improving the understanding of the impacts of offshore renewables on marine wildlife.

03.12.14

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Spatial distribution and habitat preferences of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus in urbanised landscapes

The House Sparrow Passer domesticus has declined in urban areas across Europe since the late 1970s and is now listed as a species of conservation concern. Recent research into the causes of decline suggests that breeding populations may be influenced by a number of urban habitat features. These include pollution levels, insect abundance, nest site availability and the presence of predators. In this Research Report, we examine how the presence of certain features within the urban environment relates to the location of House Sparrow colonies. 

01.01.11

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Winter Farmland Bird Survey

This report presents the results from a large-scale survey of wintering birds on a representative sample of lowland farmland in Britain – the Winter Farmland Bird Survey. The aims of the Winter Farmland Bird Survey were three-fold: first, to provide information on the distribution and abundance of a suite of farmland bird species across the whole of lowland Britain; second to describe the distribution and abundance of agricultural habitats in winter; and, third to identify the habitat preferences of farmland birds in winter across a wide geographic area and to investigate the importance of regional and seasonal differences.This report draws together much of the work undertaken on the Winter Farmland Bird Survey project, including published and unpublished work. It includes preliminary analyses that aimed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the dataset (Supplementary Analysis, Chapter 9), and considers broad habitat associations (Chapters 2, 3), the importance of stubble fields (Chapter 4), landscape-level habitat associations (Chapter 5), regional similarities in drivers of distribution (Chapter 6), possible population-level responses of birds to winter habitat availability (Chapter 7) and investigating possible linkages between farmland and gardens (Chapter 8).

01.01.07

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Impacts of changes in sewage disposal on populations of waterbirds wintering on the Northumbrian coast. Report for 2004/05

This report reviews the latest results of an investigation, commissioned by NWL and begun in 1996/97 by the University of Durham, of the impacts of improvements to sewage discharges on waterbirds wintering on a 36 km stretch of the Northumbrian coast between the Coquet Estuary and St. Mary’s Island.

01.01.05

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Impacts of changes in sewage disposal on populations of waterbirds wintering on the Northumbrian coast. Report for 2003/04

This report reviews the results of and extends the investigation, commissioned by Northumbrian Water Ltd and begun in 1996/97 by the University of Durham, of the impacts of the improvements to sewage discharges on waterbirds wintering on a 36 km stretch of the Northumbrian coast between the Coquet Estuary and St. Mary’s Island.

01.12.04

Research reports Research reports