The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) seeks your help in finding local birdwatchers, ornithologists and regional bird clubs who deserve to be recognised for their contributions in furthering knowledge of the UK’s birds.
PR Ref:
2025-04
Do you know a particular individual who has spent countless hours, tirelessly surveying or ringing birds in your local area? Has your bird club produced an atlas of the birds of your region that will inform future generations? Do you know an outstanding young birder who is making significant contributions to ornithology?
BTO is asking all birders to nominate worthy potential winners of the 2025 Marsh Awards!
There are three main categories where you can propose nominees for consideration. Collectively, these are known as the Marsh Awards and are supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust and presented by BTO at the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) Natural Eye exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries in the autumn.
The categories are:
BTO is asking all birders to nominate worthy potential winners of the 2025 Marsh Awards!
There are three main categories where you can propose nominees for consideration. Collectively, these are known as the Marsh Awards and are supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust and presented by BTO at the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) Natural Eye exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries in the autumn.
The categories are:
- Marsh Award for Ornithology - This is awarded to an individual or group who has had or is likely to have a significant impact in science, policy, practice, innovation, communication or engagement in the field of ornithology and particularly in relation to the UK’s birds.
- Marsh Award for Local Ornithology - Awarded to a bird club or group that publishes a book, completes a study, or conducts any other exceptional activity in the preceding calendar year that advances knowledge about birds or actively connects communities to local birdlife.
- Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist - Awarded to an individual (or group of people) under the age of 21 who has / have made a significant contribution to BTO either by contributing to BTO’s bird monitoring schemes or by spreading awareness of BTO with their peers, or both.
Along with these awards, BTO also recognises individuals who have made notable contributions to ornithology.
These include the Dilys Breese Medal, which acknowledges outstanding communication of BTO activities to a wide audience, along with the Bernard Tucker Medal and Jubilee Medal which both celebrate service and devotion to the Trust.
Past winners of these awards include Mary Colwell, Chris Packham, Stephen Moss, Dominic Couzens, Megan McCubbin, Harriet Mead, and the late Tony Soper.
Ieuan Evans, Director of Engagement at BTO, said “Here in the UK we are fortunate to have a long tradition of birdwatching, but too many people making significant contributions to our knowledge and understanding of birds go unrecognised. Through the Marsh Awards for Ornithology, BTO seeks to celebrate some of the professional scientists, local groups and young birdwatchers who are making a significant contribution to our understanding and appreciation of birds.”
He added, “We need help to identify the individuals and groups who you think deserve to be celebrated for the contribution they make to birdwatching and ornithology.”
BTO welcomes nominations from anyone, via a form on their webpage (nominations are now open and will close on 31 May). To find out more, visit www.bto.org/awards
These include the Dilys Breese Medal, which acknowledges outstanding communication of BTO activities to a wide audience, along with the Bernard Tucker Medal and Jubilee Medal which both celebrate service and devotion to the Trust.
Past winners of these awards include Mary Colwell, Chris Packham, Stephen Moss, Dominic Couzens, Megan McCubbin, Harriet Mead, and the late Tony Soper.
Ieuan Evans, Director of Engagement at BTO, said “Here in the UK we are fortunate to have a long tradition of birdwatching, but too many people making significant contributions to our knowledge and understanding of birds go unrecognised. Through the Marsh Awards for Ornithology, BTO seeks to celebrate some of the professional scientists, local groups and young birdwatchers who are making a significant contribution to our understanding and appreciation of birds.”
He added, “We need help to identify the individuals and groups who you think deserve to be celebrated for the contribution they make to birdwatching and ornithology.”
BTO welcomes nominations from anyone, via a form on their webpage (nominations are now open and will close on 31 May). To find out more, visit www.bto.org/awards
Notes for editors
BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. BTO maintains a staff of around 150 at its offices in Thetford (England), Stirling (Scotland), Bangor (Wales) and Lisburn (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisations. www.bto.org
The Marsh Charitable Trust was founded in 1981 as a grant-making body by its current Chairman, Brian Marsh. As well as running the grants programme, over the past 30 years, the Trust has developed an Awards Scheme to recognise those who strive to make the world we live in a better place. The Trust has been partnering with BTO since 2010 to promote and celebrate ornithologists of all ages working locally and nationally in the UK and around the world for the conservation of birds. www.marshcharitabletrust.org
The Marsh Charitable Trust was founded in 1981 as a grant-making body by its current Chairman, Brian Marsh. As well as running the grants programme, over the past 30 years, the Trust has developed an Awards Scheme to recognise those who strive to make the world we live in a better place. The Trust has been partnering with BTO since 2010 to promote and celebrate ornithologists of all ages working locally and nationally in the UK and around the world for the conservation of birds. www.marshcharitabletrust.org
Contact details
Jon Carter (BTO Media Manager)
Mobile: 07585 440910
Email: press@bto.org
Viola Ross-Smith (Science Communications Manager)
Email:press@bto.org
Images are available for use alongside this News Release. These can be downloaded from this link for which you will need to enter the password 2025-04Awards. Alternatively, please contact press@bto.org quoting reference 2025-04.