Projects

Projects

BTO organises a range of volunteer surveys and projects covering all the major bird species groups in the UK. Many of our volunteering opportunities are suitable for beginners or birdwatchers with little surveying experience, whereas some require more advanced survey methodology and bird identification skills.
 
If you'd like to take part in a project but want to brush up your skills before joining, you can join one of our friendly training courses to help boost your confidence. You can also learn more by reading about our completed projects.

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Gamekeeper Wader Transects

The Gamekeeper Wader Transects project allows gamekeepers to contribute scientifically-rigorous data on waders on managed estates – some of the last UK breeding strongholds.

Garden Bird Feeding Survey

The Garden Bird Feeding Survey (GBFS) helps reveal how the food we provide affects the birds visiting our gardens. Participants are selected to take part from our existing Garden BirdWatch volunteers.

Garden BirdWatch

Become more connected to nature, learn about your garden wildlife and contribute to important scientific research by joining our community of Garden BirdWatchers.

Garden Wildlife Health

Garden Wildlife Health aims to monitor the health of, and identify disease threats to, British wildlife.

Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme

The Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme monitors the abundance and breeding success of the UK’s native geese and migratory swans during the non-breeding season.

Heathland Birds Survey

Join our survey of Nightjars, Woodlarks, Dartford Warblers and a number of other important heathland species in 2025.

Heronries Census

The Heronries Census is an annual survey of all Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Cormorants and scarcer herons nesting in the UK.

Nest Record Scheme

The Nest Record Scheme gathers vital information on the breeding success of Britain's birds by following the progress of individual nests.

Nesting Neighbours

Nesting Neighbours follows the progress of individual bird nests through the spring and summer, contributing vital information to our understanding of birds' breeding success.