BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
@btobirds.bsky.social
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BTO is the UK's leading Registered Charity working with volunteers to improve our knowledge of birds through monitoring and research. www.bto.org
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webs-gsmp.bsky.social
This weekend is the October Core Count! Did you know that with WeBS beginning as the National Wildlife Counts, we are continuing a tradition of counting that began in 1947! Learn more about our history here▶️https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/wetland-bird-survey/about/history-webs
A male Pochard is floating on still water, facing forward. Above is the heading 'October WeBS Core Count Sunday 12th' and below is the WeBS logo and the web address 'www.bto.org/webs'.
btobirds.bsky.social
In case you've missed it - check out this fab blog from our very own Ellie Leech on why gender equity matters to us here at BTO.

#ornithology
bou.org.uk
NEW on the #BOUdiversityBlog from Ellie Leech

Redressing the balance: why gender equity matters to BTO

bou.org.uk/blog-leec...

#ornithology 🪶
btobirds.bsky.social
Grab yourself a cup of tea, and sit back and enjoy this week's BTO Migration Blog.

And then head out and let us know what you spot over the weekend!

www.bto.org/our-work/new...

📷 Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman/BTO

#UKBirding #ornithology @birdtrack.bsky.social
Three Whooper Swans in flight. Photograph by Sarah Kelman/BTO.
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
btoshropshire.bsky.social
As every @btobirds.bsky.social volunteer knows!

Taking part in BTO surveys also meets the internationally recognised five steps to wellbeing:

Connect with others
Be active
Learn new skills
Give to others
Be mindful (pay attention to the present moment)

There's a BTO survey for everyone 🙂
btobirds.bsky.social
At BTO we’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff and volunteers, as we work together for birds and nature. You can discover more on our website: www.bto.org/about/how/pr...
bbs-birds.bsky.social
(1/) Hi, I’m David, and I help to run the BBS social media channels. This #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek, I am sharing something about myself, rather than the usual BBS posts, in order to raise awareness of my mild learning difficulties.
David White saying that he is Dyslexic and Dyspraxic.
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marcgilles.bsky.social
Want to know everything about bird smell?
I wrote an "Ornithological masterclass" on Avian Olfaction for BTO News @btobirds.bsky.social #ornithology
Link to the article 👉 www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
(1/) Two species that feature in the Woodland Wild Bird Indicators are Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch. Whereas Long-tailed Tit has increased by 91% across the UK since 1970, Bullfinch has declined by 53% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch.
btobirds.bsky.social
Ashok spent some time on the border of Chad and the Central African Republic, before moving nearly 310 miles south close to the northern border of Republic of the Congo.

Frederic recently achieved crossing the Sahara, the last of our Cuckoos to do so, and is now in Mali. 😀
btobirds.bsky.social
After a lengthy stay in southern Sudan, Sayaan flew some 1,056 miles! He passed through the Central African Republic and continued down into the dense tropical rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he will likely remain for the winter.
btobirds.bsky.social
Our satellite-tagged Cuckoos are moving across Africa! 🌍 Follow the tagged Cuckoos and sponsor a bird at www.bto.org/cuckoos #Ornithology #Birds
Image of a map of Africa with pins showing the locations of BTO satellite-tagged Cuckoos. Three Cuckoo headshots feature of Sayaan, Frederic and Ashok. The wording BTO cuckoo tracking, latest update and BTO logo feature top of image.
btobirds.bsky.social
Beautiful song! Thank you for taking part in the survey.
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
ianexton.bsky.social
Our first @btobirds.bsky.social Winter Bird Survey at Ludshott Common, Hampshire, today. Don't know if you can hear but there's a Woodlark singing his head off like it's the first day of Spring. Also Siskin, Redpoll, Crossbill, Dartford, Linnet and Stonechat in this one spot.
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side!

In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Cormorant photographed by John Harding/BTO (left) and a Shag photographed by Liz Cutting/BTO (right). The species are labelled with their English and Latin names, Phalacrocorax carbo and Phalacrocorax aristotelis, respectively. Each image is labelled with key identifying features. For the Cormorant, these are: 'Heavy bill and a gradually sloped forehead', 'White chin', 'Blue sheen', 'White patch on thigh', and 'Variable amounts of white in the neck'. For the Shag, these are: 'Breeding crest', 'Green sheen', 'Lacks white in chin and neck', and 'Light bill and a steeply sloped forehead'. The Seabird Monitoring Programme logo is found in the bottom right hand corner. 
The caption reads: '1/ 1/ Despite a reasonable difference in size, Cormorants and Shags can be quite difficult to differentiate unless side by side!

In this thread ⬇️, we take a look at some of the key differences between adults and juveniles... #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social'
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scottishbirding.bsky.social
Were looking forward to working closely with the BTO and other partners on Bird Atlas 2027-31, and to supporting the vital role that Scotland’s birdwatching community will play in its success.
btobirds.bsky.social
Exciting news! We’re planning the upcoming Bird Atlas 2027-31, and have met with @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social and @birdsinwales.bsky.social to discuss how we can work together on what we hope will be the most productive Atlas yet. #Ornithology #UKBirding
A group photo of the BTO and BirdWatch Ireland team together on the top of a cliff with green vegetation in the foreground and blue sea in the background. A group photo of the BTO and SOC team together sitting on a bench and standing in front of a wood timber building. A group photo of the BTO and WOS team together standing in front of a building with a small tree behind them.
btobirds.bsky.social
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️

📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Image of a deceased Puffin lying on the ground. White wording on an orange background reads: Please report sightings of dead birds.
btobirds.bsky.social
Read this week’s @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new...

Highlights include 260 Goldcrests at Spurn, Yorkshire on 26/09, three Red-breasted Flycatchers on Holy Island, Northumberland on 28/09 & 31,300 House Martins flying over Dorking, Surrey on 26/09.😮 #UKBirding
A Goldcrest perches on the stem of a plant. Image by Graham Catley/BTO.
btobirds.bsky.social
It will be a landmark project for bird conservation, and we’re grateful to know we have the support of these organisations and their volunteers, along with our brilliant BTO supporters. More updates are coming soon!
btobirds.bsky.social
So what is the Bird Atlas? Every 20 years or so, volunteer birdwatchers carry out a complete stocktake of the birds of Britain and Ireland for the Bird Atlas.
btobirds.bsky.social
Exciting news! We’re planning the upcoming Bird Atlas 2027-31, and have met with @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social and @birdsinwales.bsky.social to discuss how we can work together on what we hope will be the most productive Atlas yet. #Ornithology #UKBirding
A group photo of the BTO and BirdWatch Ireland team together on the top of a cliff with green vegetation in the foreground and blue sea in the background. A group photo of the BTO and SOC team together sitting on a bench and standing in front of a wood timber building. A group photo of the BTO and WOS team together standing in front of a building with a small tree behind them.
Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
(1/) The Wild Bird Indicators were recently updated. Whilst Stock Dove increased by 165% between 1970 and 2023 across the UK, Turtle Dove declined by 99% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
Images of Stock Dove and Turtle Dove.
btobirds.bsky.social
Our Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme applications close soon on Sunday 5th October! If you're aged 24 & under, apply now for financial support for your visit to a bird observatory ➡️ www.bto.org/ybov

Those interested must have a confirmed spot at an observatory before applying.
Image of a Wood Warbler held in the hand alongside the wording Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme www.bto.org/ybov
btobirds.bsky.social
More spaces added for this FREE walk this weekend for young bird and nature enthusiasts with BTO Youth and @essexbirdnews.bsky.social! Sign up ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve... #EssexBirding @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
btoengland.bsky.social
Join BTO Youth and @essexbirdnews.bsky.social for a Wetland Bird Survey walk on 4 October. ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/eve...

The event is FREE and open to young people between the ages of 12 and 25. #EssexBirding @webs-gsmp.bsky.social
A Black-tailed Godwit wades in shallow water. Wording reads: WeBS & Waders Walk. Two Tree Island Essex. Saturday 4th October. 10:00 - 14:00. Open to 12-25 year olds. Free entry. www.bto.org/youth-events
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smp-seabirds.bsky.social
Yes, that's right!
You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Graphic displays a Black Guillemot photographed by Edmund Fellowes/BTO with a thought bubble extending from its head and the internal text 'Just one month to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP!'. The SMP logo is positioned in the top left hand corner. The caption reads: 'Yes, that's right! 
You have until October 31st to submit your breeding seabird data to the SMP so that it can be utilised in understanding how species have faired this year! #seabirds'