The unique geography and sociopolitics of Scotland require a tailored approach, which the staff in our Scottish office are well-placed to provide.
Read the latest news from BTO Scotland >
Scientific research
Our research focuses on Scottish habitats, species and policy-relevant issues, delivered within BTO's UK-wide research framework. Our principal work areas are uplands and moorlands, woodlands and forestry, seabirds and marine renewables, waders, raptors and policy-driven projects. We also have an interest in waterways birds, urban biodiversity and machair.
Our objective and robust scientific evidence is critical and enables decisions about land management, wildlife and habitats to be well informed.
Our staff are sometimes seconded to BTO Consulting for commercial projects.
Engagement
Scotland has a relatively small and clustered human population and challenging physical geography. Finding volunteers to cover bird survey sites can be difficult, particularly in more remote areas.
To ensure that we have enough volunteers, now and in the future, we need to carefully steward our valued supporters, and to continually engage with new people and support their development.
Featured work
Engaging and developing volunteers
Volunteers are vital for collecting biodiversity information; our engagement work ensures the future of volunteers and volunteer surveys.
Moorland management research
BTO Scotland's research into the effectiveness of moorland management for the conservation of bird populations in south-west Scotland.
Building Bird Monitoring in Scotland project
More than 2000 new volunteer bird surveyors signed up to take part in five long-term BTO-led bird surveys in Scotland.