BTO create and publish a variety of important articles, papers, journals and other publications, independently and with our partners, for organisations, government and the private sector. Some of our publications (books, guides and atlases) are also available to buy in our online shop.
Annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023
This report presents the latest seabird population trends in breeding abundance and productivity using data from the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP).
The report documents changes in the abundance and productivity of breeding seabird species in Britain and Ireland from 1986 to 2023, and provides a detailed account of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons.
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Cumulative barriers to renewable energy development: can we adjust our perspective and approach to benefit biodiversity?
Author: Cook, A.S.C.P., Masden, E.A., Humphreys, E.M. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W.
Published: 2025
25.01.25
Papers
Tree taxon effects on the phenology of caterpillar abundance and biomass
Author: Macphie, K.H., Samplonius, J.M., Hadfield, J.D., Pearce-Higgins, J.W. & Phillimore, A.B.
Published: 2024
Changes to the timing of spring events are some of the most obvious and highly documented responses to climate change. Differences in the response of timing between interacting groups, such as predators and prey, have the potential to leave some ‘mismatched’, meaning predators lack access to resources on which they rely.
31.12.24
Papers
Factors influencing nest site selection in a rapidly declining shorebird, the Eurasian curlew
Author: Rivers, E.M., Short, M.J., Page, A., Potts, P.M., Hodder, K., Hoodless, A., Robinson, R. & Stillman, R.
Published: 2024
The Curlew is Britain’s largest wader; it is also one of its most threatened. Previous BTO research has shown that this is largely due to the number of chicks fledged that are able to survive to reach breeding age. In this case, if we are to help improve the situation for the Curlew, then we need to understand the factors that influence their breeding success.
30.12.24
Papers
The Breeding Bird Survey of the United Kingdom
Author: Massimino, D., Baillie, S.R., Balmer, D.E., Bashford, R.I., Gregory, R.D., Harris, S.J., Heywood, J.J.N., Kelly, L.A., Noble, D.G., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Raven, M.J., Risely, K., Woodcock, P., Wotton, S.R. & Gillings, S.
Published: 2024
Good quality information on species’ population trends is essential for successful conservation action. In this paper, the dataset of the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is made publicly available, along with details of how the data can be used to calculate bird population trends. This will help to further inform bird conservation in the UK and beyond.BBS data have been widely used in research over the past three decades, and they have always been available upon request. However, with this publication, over seven million records are made freely and openly available. In this, the BBS becomes one of few structured national recording schemes for birds anywhere in the world which makes the information collected by its volunteers wholly available to anyone who wishes to access it.
29.12.24
Papers
Impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza on seabird populations in the North Sea are detectable in sea-watchers’ migration counts
Author: Macgregor, C.J., Gillings, S., Balmer, D.E., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Harris, S.J., Hereward, H.F.R., Humphreys, E.M., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Taylor, R.C., Troost, G. & Atkinson, P.W.
Published: 2024
BTO research reveals that seabird population declines due to High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) can be detected using data collected by volunteer seawatchers.
28.12.24
Papers
