Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)
@bbs-birds.bsky.social
The UK Breeding Bird Survey & Waterways Breeding Bird Survey; monitoring bird species with skilled volunteers. A @btobirds.bsky.social, @jncc.bsky.social and @rspb.bsky.social partnership. https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/breeding-bird-survey
This week, we are sharing the most widespread species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024. They are all common and familiar species! Find out more about taking part in the survey here: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
November 13, 2025 at 7:14 AM
This week, we are sharing the most widespread species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024. They are all common and familiar species! Find out more about taking part in the survey here: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
(2/) This species is often found breeding along linear waterways, especially rivers. According to data from the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, it declined by 38% across the UK between 1999 and 2023 in that habitat. Species information here: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(2/) This species is often found breeding along linear waterways, especially rivers. According to data from the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, it declined by 38% across the UK between 1999 and 2023 in that habitat. Species information here: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
(1/) What’s that coming bobbing along?! It’s a Common Sandpiper! This species, which does now winter in the UK in small numbers, declined by 21% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(1/) What’s that coming bobbing along?! It’s a Common Sandpiper! This species, which does now winter in the UK in small numbers, declined by 21% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
The BBS Team is currently busy verifying 2025 data. For the next couple of weeks, we are going to share some species info from 2024. This week, we share the 10 most numerous species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The BBS Team is currently busy verifying 2025 data. For the next couple of weeks, we are going to share some species info from 2024. This week, we share the 10 most numerous species recorded on BBS squares across the UK in 2024! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
(2/) The Waterways Breeding Bird Survey trend for Curlew showed a 65% decline across the UK along linear waterways between 1999 and 2023. Find out some of the possible reasons for this decline on our BirdFacts page about this distinctive species: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(2/) The Waterways Breeding Bird Survey trend for Curlew showed a 65% decline across the UK along linear waterways between 1999 and 2023. Find out some of the possible reasons for this decline on our BirdFacts page about this distinctive species: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
(1/) The distinctive Curlew, with its evocative, bubbling calls declined by 51% between 1995 and 2023 across the UK. This decline was particularly significant in Wales, where it declined by 76%. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(1/) The distinctive Curlew, with its evocative, bubbling calls declined by 51% between 1995 and 2023 across the UK. This decline was particularly significant in Wales, where it declined by 76%. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
2025 has been a record year for BBS coverage! 4,054 visits to BBS squares have been made this year. This beats the 2018 record of 4,048. Thanks so much to all of the BBS volunteers across the UK who have contributed to this! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 8:18 AM
2025 has been a record year for BBS coverage! 4,054 visits to BBS squares have been made this year. This beats the 2018 record of 4,048. Thanks so much to all of the BBS volunteers across the UK who have contributed to this! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
(2/) The picture is similar along linear waterways across the UK. Lapwing declined by 66% in this habitat between 1999 and 2023. Some of the possible reasons for this decline are listed on our BirdFacts page about this species: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
October 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(2/) The picture is similar along linear waterways across the UK. Lapwing declined by 66% in this habitat between 1999 and 2023. Some of the possible reasons for this decline are listed on our BirdFacts page about this species: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
(1/) After we covered Oystercatcher last week, this week, we share the BBS trend for the aerobatic and charismatic Lapwing. This species declined by 53% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
October 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
(1/) After we covered Oystercatcher last week, this week, we share the BBS trend for the aerobatic and charismatic Lapwing. This species declined by 53% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #CitizenScience
David from the BBS Team has recently done his first Winter Bird Survey visit to one of his BBS squares. Here is a short video from him to tell you all about it! There is still time to sign up for the survey. More here: bto.org/winbs @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 6:18 AM
David from the BBS Team has recently done his first Winter Bird Survey visit to one of his BBS squares. Here is a short video from him to tell you all about it! There is still time to sign up for the survey. More here: bto.org/winbs @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
(2/) This species also declined by 49% along linear waterways between 1999 and 2023 according to results from the UK wide Waterways Breeding Bird Survey. Find out some of the possible reasons for this decline on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/ab... #CitizenScience
October 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
(2/) This species also declined by 49% along linear waterways between 1999 and 2023 according to results from the UK wide Waterways Breeding Bird Survey. Find out some of the possible reasons for this decline on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/ab... #CitizenScience
(1/) It’s wader time! For the next couple of Wednesdays, we will share trends from this charismatic family of birds! The boldly marked and vocal Oystercatcher declined by 21% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
October 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
(1/) It’s wader time! For the next couple of Wednesdays, we will share trends from this charismatic family of birds! The boldly marked and vocal Oystercatcher declined by 21% across the UK between 1995 and 2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
(4/) The speedy Peregrine is an iconic species of our uplands. Our BirdFacts page about this species includes lots more information, so please do check it out if you would like to find out more!: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #CitizenScience
October 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM
(4/) The speedy Peregrine is an iconic species of our uplands. Our BirdFacts page about this species includes lots more information, so please do check it out if you would like to find out more!: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #CitizenScience
(3/) The Wild Bird Indicators specifically highlight Peregrine decline across the UK in upland areas. BTO's 2014 Peregrine survey showed that this species is faring considerably better in urban areas compared to upland areas. More information here: www.bto.org/get-involved...
October 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM
(3/) The Wild Bird Indicators specifically highlight Peregrine decline across the UK in upland areas. BTO's 2014 Peregrine survey showed that this species is faring considerably better in urban areas compared to upland areas. More information here: www.bto.org/get-involved...
(2/) Of course, Red Kites are not just found in upland areas across the UK. Probably due to several successful reintroduction programmes, they can now be seen in many areas and habitats. You can find out more about this graceful species here: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #Ornithology
October 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM
(2/) Of course, Red Kites are not just found in upland areas across the UK. Probably due to several successful reintroduction programmes, they can now be seen in many areas and habitats. You can find out more about this graceful species here: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #Ornithology
(1/) This week, we focus on two species of birds of prey that feature in the Upland Birds Wild Bird Indicator for the UK. Whereas Red Kite increased by 579% between 1994 and 2023, Peregrine declined by 82% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM
(1/) This week, we focus on two species of birds of prey that feature in the Upland Birds Wild Bird Indicator for the UK. Whereas Red Kite increased by 579% between 1994 and 2023, Peregrine declined by 82% during the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
1/ Using a combination of intensive field study of nesting birds and extensive relative abundance data from @bbs-birds.bsky.social in the south-west and east of England, this study shows that inadequate reproductive success is a potential cause for the declines of the much loved Spotted Flycatcher.
October 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
1/ Using a combination of intensive field study of nesting birds and extensive relative abundance data from @bbs-birds.bsky.social in the south-west and east of England, this study shows that inadequate reproductive success is a potential cause for the declines of the much loved Spotted Flycatcher.
(4/) The BBS trend for Yellow Wagtail shows a 53% decline across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can explore the updated Wild Bird Indicators on the Defra website, including those for different habitats: www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM
(4/) The BBS trend for Yellow Wagtail shows a 53% decline across the UK between 1995 and 2023. You can explore the updated Wild Bird Indicators on the Defra website, including those for different habitats: www.gov.uk/government/s...
(3/) The brightly coloured Yellow Wagtail, which is often associated with livestock, started to decline across the UK during the early 1980s. Find out some of the possible reasons for this species’ decline on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/about-...
October 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM
(3/) The brightly coloured Yellow Wagtail, which is often associated with livestock, started to decline across the UK during the early 1980s. Find out some of the possible reasons for this species’ decline on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/about-...
(2/) One of the possible reasons for the increase in Reed Warbler numbers across the UK is the creation of new reedbeds. The BBS trend for this species with a rhythmic song shows a 45% increase between 1995 and 2023. Species info: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #Ornithology #CitizenScience
October 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM
(2/) One of the possible reasons for the increase in Reed Warbler numbers across the UK is the creation of new reedbeds. The BBS trend for this species with a rhythmic song shows a 45% increase between 1995 and 2023. Species info: www.bto.org/learn/about-... #Ornithology #CitizenScience
(1/) The UK Wild Bird Indicators for water birds show contrasting fortunes for two summer migrant bird species. Whereas Reed Warbler increased by 156% between 1975 and 2023, Yellow Wagtail declined by 95% over the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM
(1/) The UK Wild Bird Indicators for water birds show contrasting fortunes for two summer migrant bird species. Whereas Reed Warbler increased by 156% between 1975 and 2023, Yellow Wagtail declined by 95% over the same time period. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
(2/) Coot also declined by 48% along linear waterways across the UK 1999–2023, according to Waterways Breeding Bird Survey data. You can find out more about some of the possible reasons for this decline here: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
(2/) Coot also declined by 48% along linear waterways across the UK 1999–2023, according to Waterways Breeding Bird Survey data. You can find out more about some of the possible reasons for this decline here: www.bto.org/learn/ab...
(1/) After we covered Moorhen last week, this week, we are covering the closely related Coot this week! This feisty and sometimes aggressive species declined by 19% across the UK 1995–2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
(1/) After we covered Moorhen last week, this week, we are covering the closely related Coot this week! This feisty and sometimes aggressive species declined by 19% across the UK 1995–2023. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
(3/) At @bto.birds.bsky.social, in the conservation sector and in the birding world as a whole, there are many people who have ‘different neurotypes’, and I am only one of them. I do not consider myself to be special, I am just blessed with slightly different gifts than some other people.
October 9, 2025 at 6:38 AM
(3/) At @bto.birds.bsky.social, in the conservation sector and in the birding world as a whole, there are many people who have ‘different neurotypes’, and I am only one of them. I do not consider myself to be special, I am just blessed with slightly different gifts than some other people.
(2/) My hand-eye coordination is terrible, I frequently transcribe letters when I write. However, thanks to my different neurotypes, I am confident performing in front of an audience. This helps me to deliver face to face training courses and Zoom sessions about BBS and BTO’s wider work.
October 9, 2025 at 6:38 AM
(2/) My hand-eye coordination is terrible, I frequently transcribe letters when I write. However, thanks to my different neurotypes, I am confident performing in front of an audience. This helps me to deliver face to face training courses and Zoom sessions about BBS and BTO’s wider work.