The BTO Birds in Greenspaces project aims to find out just how important greenspaces are for UK birds, and provide guidance on effective greenspace management for birds and people – and we want your help!
Time, skill and support
The project is set to launch in 2026, with pilot work taking place in 2025.
A UK-wide survey for new and experienced birdwatchers alike!
Videos and training courses are available to help you develop your bird ID skills.
Project team
Leads
Contact
- greenspaces@bto.org
About Birds in Greenspaces
Birds in Greenspaces is a new, UK-wide survey of birds that use our greenspaces. We want local groups and individuals to take part in this huge, new citizen science survey, so we can understand how people and birds interact with greenspaces, and make them better for all those that use them. With the right evidence, we can work out how best to integrate management to benefit both birds and people in our urban areas.
The project will run in 2026, and is open to people of all ages and experience levels, across the UK. Volunteer registration opens later this year, but groups and organisations can register their interest now. We will also be piloting the project in spring 2025, to help us as we develop our project ready for next year - and anyone can take part! Keep reading to find out how you can get involved.
This project has been funded by a gift in Will from Denis Summers-Smith, for which we are extremely grateful.
Birds in Greenspaces Pilot 2025
Help us to get ready for the project next year by taking part in our pilot, and providing valuable feedback that will help us make Birds in Greenspaces the biggest and best it can be!
What are greenspaces?
Greenspaces are public-access areas of any type of vegetation found in built-up areas. They can be recreational spaces like parks and playing fields, but also include places such as cemeteries, village greens, and university campuses. As with greenspace types, greenspace management varies greatly, and and important factor in the way birds and people interact with these spaces.
Greenspaces and birds
Greenspaces are important for birds because they provide shelter, food, and other resources that can’t be found in the built-up areas around them. But these spaces are understudied and aren't always managed in ways that fulfil the needs of birds or other wildlife.
Greenspaces and people
For many people, greenspaces provide their only access to nature, and visiting these spaces can provide a number of health benefits. Greenspaces also hold importance to different people for a range of cultural, social, and leisure reasons, and it is important that these spaces are managed in a way that reflects this.
Taking part in Birds in Greenspaces
Anyone can take part in Birds in Greenspaces! We will be offering recording options that are accessible to everyone, alongside surveys suitable for more experienced birdwatchers, with thousands of survey sites in villages, towns, and cities across the UK. We want this project to engage all groups and organisations, not just those with a background in natural history.
The project will take place between April and June 2026, but if you want to help us develop the project or simply find out if the project is for you, we invite you to take part in our pilot between April and June 2025!
Find out about the pilot 2025 >
Register interest as a group or organisation >
Code of Conduct
Volunteers must follow BTO’s Code of Conduct. This code applies to our staff, our members, and volunteers, including surveyors and participants in the Ringing and Nest Record Schemes, (hereafter referred to collectively as ‘staff and supporters’). It applies to all BTO activities, whether online (including meetings and events, telephone, letter, and email) or offline (any face-to-face interaction). We've also written some guidance for volunteer fieldworkers, which will help beginners in particular.
Project Team
- Jess Stokes - Survey Organiser
- Daniel Johnson - Birds in Greenspaces Engagement Officer
Contact us
- greenspaces@bto.org