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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
@btobirds.bsky.social
11K followers 390 following 900 posts
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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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
marcgilles.bsky.social
Marc Gilles @marcgilles.bsky.social · 19h
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/...
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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 1d
(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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 2d
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. 😀
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 2d
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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 2d
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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 2d
Beautiful song! Thank you for taking part in the survey.
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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
ianexton.bsky.social
Ian Exton @ianexton.bsky.social · 2d
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.
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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 2d
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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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
scottishbirding.bsky.social
The Scottish Ornithologists' Club @scottishbirding.bsky.social · 2d
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
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 6d
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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 4d
Also report them to @birdtrack.bsky.social through www.birdtrack.net for monitoring purposes, and please share this message with friends and birding communities. Thank you.
BirdTrack | BTO
About BirdTrackBirdTrack allows volunteers to store and manage their own personal bird records, and uses these to support species conservation at local, regional, national and international scales.
www.birdtrack.net
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 4d
⚠️ 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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 5d
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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 6d
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!
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 6d
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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 6d
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.
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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bbs-birds.bsky.social
Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 6d
(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.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 7d
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
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 7d
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
BTO England @btoengland.bsky.social · 21d
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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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
smp-seabirds.bsky.social
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 7d
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'
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 8d
The artworks in the Society of Wildlife Artists Natural Eye 2025 exhibition are out now! ➡️ buyart.mallgalleries...

We look forward to hosting the BTO Awards & @marshawards.bsky.social at this event in October.🏆

🎨Wrens in Briar Rose by Laura Andrew & Lapwings at the creek by Richard Allen

Artwork Wrens in Briar Rose by Laura Andrew, featuring an oil on panel artwork of two Wrens and pale pink flowers. Artwork in oil Lapwings at the creek by Richard Allen, showing four Lapwings gathering at the edge of a creek.
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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bto-ni.bsky.social
BTO Northern Ireland @bto-ni.bsky.social · 8d
🐏 Last week the BTO NI team and staff from the National Trust retrieved cameras monitoring a Cormorant colony on Sheep Island

📸 This footage will be vital for understanding coastal-breeding Cormorants, which lack consistent productivity data in Northern Ireland

#seabirds #ConservationScience🌍
Sheep Island. Photo by Sorrel Lyall / BTO Camera trap set up on Sheep Island. Photo by Sorrel Lyall / BTO Members of the BTO Northern Ireland team retrieving camera traps from Sheep Island. Photo by Nia Potapova / BTO Cormorants by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
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Reposted by BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
bou.org.uk
BOU @bou.org.uk · 9d
NEW on #theBOUblog from Sue Lewis

After the outbreak: how gannets bounce back from bird flu

bou.org.uk/blog-lewi...

Based on this IBIS paper doi.org/10.1111/ibi....

#ornithology 🪶
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 9d
4/ It found emerging technology could greatly increase our knowledge of seabird ecology, but its introduction should be carefully planned and budgeted. Volunteer/professional fieldworkers should also be involved in decisions on its use where possible.
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 9d
3/ This study reviewed the use of new technology in enhancing seabird monitoring, including via automated time-lapse photography, uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones), passive acoustic monitoring and bird-borne telemetry (tracking).
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btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 9d
2/ This collaborative work in @icesmarine.bsky.social #IJMS was named as the Editor's Choice for the latest issue. Led by @seabirdmortenf.bsky.social the paper has four BTO authors @bennett-sophie.bsky.social, Hannah, Daniel and Liz @kittiwakegirl.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/_EditorsChoice
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