Each year we present awards to celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to ornithology. We do this through a series of medals and awards, each reflecting a particular contribution to our work, as well as wider ornithological endeavour.
Nominations for this year's awards are now open:
- Marsh Award for Ornithology
- Marsh Award for Local Ornithology
- Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist
- Tucker Medal
- Jubilee Medal
Learn more about the achievements celebrated by the awards, or nominate a candidate.
About the awards
The Bernard Tucker Medal
Awarded in memory of Bernard Tucker, this medal recognises outstanding contributions to BTO’s scientific work.

The Jubilee Medal
The Jubilee Medal is awarded to individuals who have shown outstanding and committed devotion to BTO and its work.

The Dilys Breese Medal
Dilys Breese, a former Vice President of BTO, was a renowned radio and television producer. This medal is awarded to an outstanding communicator delivering science to new audiences.

The Marsh Awards
The Marsh Awards are supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust and are presented annually by BTO in recognition of outstanding achievements in various areas of ornithology.

Witherby Memorial Lectures
The Witherby Memorial Lecture is an academic lectureship awarded by BTO annually since 1968. It is named in memory of Harry Forbes Witherby, a notable British ornithologist and author who was a founding member of BTO.
Nominate a candidate
To nominate a candidate, please fill in the short form below. The medals and awards open for nominations this year are:
- Marsh Award for Ornithology
- Marsh Award for Local Ornithology
- Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist
- Tucker Medal
- Jubilee Medal