BTO | British Trust for Ornithology

6/ Frederic has now left the shores of Lake
Mai-Ndombe and over four days has moved 319 miles, crossing into northern Republic of the Congo. From here he may head west straight into Cameroon, or via southern Central African Republic.

5/ After a few months in Gabon, Jim has moved around 1,367 miles west into Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). He’s in Comoé National Park, which is a designated Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4/ After a short stay in Cameroon, Joe moved around 808 miles west into Ghana. He is currently in an area of wooded savannah close to a stretch of the Black Volta River, east of Bui National Park.

3/ Sayaan is moving through Cameroon and is south of the town of Bélabo, close to the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre. Tagged at Knepp Estate, Sussex in 2023, this will be the third year that we may track his spring migration.

2/ Cuckoo Arthur made movements in January from Gabon into northern Equatorial Guinea. He then continued west, across Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, before finally making a stop in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) on a journey exceeding 1,367 miles!

A map shows the locations of BTO satellite tagged Cuckoos in Africa. The headshots of four Cuckoos appear in circular frames around the map, alongside the wording: First Cuckoo Update for 2026.

1/ And they’re off! 📢 Our BTO satellite-tagged Cuckoos are on the move! 🌍

Follow their migrations via our interactive map ➡️ www.bto.org/cuckoos #Ornithology 🪶

A crowd is seated listening to a BTO staff member talking at the first Welsh Raptor Convention.

Read about our experience at our first Welsh Raptor Convention in our latest blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new...

Darllenwch am ein profiad yn ein Confensiwn Adar Ysglyfaethus Cymru gyntaf yn ein blog diweddaraf.

Yesterday's excellent BTO Conference in Northampton - a blog markavery.info/2026/03/01/b...

How was it for you? @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @julietvickery.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social #northantsbirds @naturelark.bsky.social #shag #nightjar #gull #blackbird #usutu

Thanks so much for joining us Layla and your work supporting BTO!

A PowerPoint slide showing an ornithologist about to abseil down a sea cliff, with the speaker and some of the audience also visible.

The final PowerPoint slide of the 2026 BTO conference with the speaker and some of the audience also visible.

#BTOConference2026 was an excellent day of "birds, science and people", opened brilliantly by Ieuan Evans, and perfectly closed by James Pearce-Higgins.

Lots of hard work goes into making this sort of event such a success; it was a great credit to the @btobirds.bsky.social team.

Thanks for joining us Paul, and sharing your feedback!

Photograph of BTO Conference attendees & staff during tea break

We’re heading into the final sessions of the afternoon at the BTO Annual Conference here in Northampton - it’s been a really great day!
Thanks to all the speakers for their inspirational & enlightening talks, and to all the attendees for their energy & enthusiasm!

#BTOAnnualConference2026

Photo of the audience gathered at the BTO Annual Conference in Northampton

A great start to the day here at the BTO Annual Conference in Northampton!
We have a packed day ahead, and we’re looking forward to chatting to so many members and supporters.

British Birds packing for the BTO conference 2026. Caption reads: See you there!

We’re excited to be at the @btobirds.bsky.social conference tomorrow and look forward to learning about all the great research underway and the upcoming monitoring work planned.

#BTOConference2026 #ornithology #research

Collage featuring two images of birds and text. In one image there are two Puffins on a rocky surface, one with a bill of fish. The second features a Wren with its bill open as it sings while perched in a bush full of blossom flowers. A quote features reads: “Quite simply the best investment you can make into researching and conserving birdlife.” Fabienne, BTO Member. Wording in a separate box reads: Join us today.

Discover the power to make a difference. For just £3 a month you can help support our work to build a brighter future for birds and people – all while enjoying exclusive member benefits and content!

Join today ➡️ www.bto.org/support-...

Hi Jonny, if you’re having trouble locating the scheme on C-R Birding, you could look through the IWSG colour mark register or email colourmark@waderstudygroup.org directly who coordinate all wader colour mark schemes in Europe - www.waderstudygroup.org/projects/col...

If you can read the ring number, then this can be submitted here: app.bto.org/euring/lang/... Somebody will then be able to get back to you with a history of the bird.

A Ptarmigan in winter plumage showing white feathers.

1/ To celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week we’ll be sharing some interesting bits and pieces connecting birds with the Gaelic language. 🐦

Airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig am-bliadhna bidh sinn a’ roinn cuid de rudan inntinneach mu eòin agus a’ chàna.

Discover more ⬇️🧵

Applications close this weekend on 1 March for the Northern Ireland & England (Lancashire) Bird Camps! Apply for a FREE place now ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps

Not able to attend in person sessions? Join our two-part online training course for Bird Sound ID in Early Spring ➡️

A Wren is perched with its bill wide open as it sings. Wording above reads: Bird Songs & Calls Practice Sessions.

Join our our expert team to learn bird songs & calls.🐦 #Ornithology

Events are taking place at ⬇️

📍 RSPB Rye Meads, Hertfordshire ➡️ bit.ly/BirdSongsHerts

📍 Irchester Country Park, Northamptonshire ➡️ bit.ly/BirdSongsNort...

📍 Ascott Estate, Bedfordshire ➡️ bit.ly/BirdSongsBedf...

A collage of photos showing BTO Bird Camp activities, including a group of young people looking at plants, a young person drawing at a table, a young person looking through binoculars and a close-up of a caterpillar. In the middle is an orange circle with white wording that reads: Bird Camps 2026. The BTO Youth logo is above this. Wording in a box at the bottom reads: Swanage. Southern England. 17-19 July. In collaboration with Birds of Poole Harbour.

There's still time to apply for BTO Bird Camps if you're aged between 11-17 ➡️ www.bto.org/birdcamps

This year our Southern England Bird Camp is run in collaboration with @harbourbirds.bsky.social. We are delighted to be working alongside them to make this year's camp an unforgettable experience!

Graphic displays three images of Great Black-backed Gulls, one standing on a rock, one with a large fish it has caught, and one in flight. Text and labels highlight the species' bulbous bill and black back, which contrast with their surrounding white feathers. Caption reads: With a wingspan up to 1.66 meters, Great Black-backed Gulls are the largest species of gull globally. They're also the most predatory, often eating crustaceans, fish, and birds. Head to the coast for the best chance of sightings! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

With a wingspan up to 1.66 meters, Great Black-backed Gulls are the largest species of gull globally. They're also the most predatory, often eating crustaceans, fish, and birds.

Head to the coast for the best chance of sightings!
#seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

There's less than a week to go in the Winter Bird Survey!
We hope you've enjoyed it!

Please submit your data no later than 30 April ➡️ app.bto.org/bbs/public/l...

A huge thanks to all who have helped us collect important information on the numbers and distribution of the UK’s wintering birds.

Hi Jane, you can find advice for good hygiene practice at feeders here: www.bto.org/learn/helpin...

Incredible ringing recovery this AM by Stour Ringing Group of a Kestrel caught near Arne which was carrying a Dutch ring and a sat-tag. Well done for getting the data so quickly. Amazing movement for a bird that typically isn’t considered to move large distances. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Very excited to reveal that my Woodpigeon design will be the icon for the brand new @btobirds.bsky.social Birds in Greenspaces app coming soon!

Sign up to take part in Birds in Greenspaces and to receive updates via our newsletter at www.bto.org/greenspaces 🪶

This project starts in April and we need you to help tell us what birds can be found in your local greenspaces. 🐦🌳

Image announces the bird with the most votes for the Birds in Greenspaces app icon. Writing at the top of the picture reads: The winner is ... An illustrated image of the head of a Woogpigeon is featured with a number one rosette on. Smaller illustrated images underneath for 2nd and 3rd place feature a Goldfinch and Pied Wagtail. Artwork credit bottom left reads: Artwork by Will Rose.

📢 Our new Birds in Greenspaces app icon is … the Woodpigeon! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who voted, here’s how the top birds scored.

1️⃣ Woodpigeon – 802 votes.
2️⃣ Goldfinch – 749 votes.
3️⃣ Pied Wagtail – 549 votes.

🎨 Artwork by Will Rose

Who will be nesting in your garden this spring? Report any nesting activity to the Nesting Neighbours survey via http://www.bto.org/n...