BTO Scotland
@btoscotland.bsky.social
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is the UK's leading bird research organisation. Follow us to discover project updates and bird news from across Scotland. https://www.bto.org/about-bto/national-offices/bto-scotland
Yesterday's name-that-feather was from a Sparrowhawk. Well done to those that got it right! The feather was lying amongst a massive pile of Woodpigeon feathers, presumably lost in a battle which clearly went the Sparrowhawk's way in the end. Photo: Tom Streeter/ BTO
August 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Yesterday's name-that-feather was from a Sparrowhawk. Well done to those that got it right! The feather was lying amongst a massive pile of Woodpigeon feathers, presumably lost in a battle which clearly went the Sparrowhawk's way in the end. Photo: Tom Streeter/ BTO
Feather quiz!!! Whose is this then? Found in a garden amongst a pile of another birds' feathers. Answer tomorrow!
August 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Feather quiz!!! Whose is this then? Found in a garden amongst a pile of another birds' feathers. Answer tomorrow!
New Study! Goosanders were tracked using GPS tags in two Scottish river catchments. 🌊 Results showed birds ranged over significantly longer river stretches in the Forth than birds in the Tweed, with licensed shooting occurring in the latter. All birds showed greater movement during daylight hours. ☀️
July 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
New Study! Goosanders were tracked using GPS tags in two Scottish river catchments. 🌊 Results showed birds ranged over significantly longer river stretches in the Forth than birds in the Tweed, with licensed shooting occurring in the latter. All birds showed greater movement during daylight hours. ☀️
Free autumn waterbird ID events up online! Join us for these sessions to brush up on your skills and find out more about the Wetland Bird Survey (you can filter by 'Region' and find them quickly that way). #BirdingScotland
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
July 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Free autumn waterbird ID events up online! Join us for these sessions to brush up on your skills and find out more about the Wetland Bird Survey (you can filter by 'Region' and find them quickly that way). #BirdingScotland
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
🚨⛰️Our intrepid team has been out on Scotland’s mountains, carrying out montane surveys that are completed around every 10 years. This time, we also deployed acoustic recording devices, recorded Mountain Hares and collected Ptarmigan feathers for possible genetic analysis!
June 26, 2025 at 11:10 AM
🚨⛰️Our intrepid team has been out on Scotland’s mountains, carrying out montane surveys that are completed around every 10 years. This time, we also deployed acoustic recording devices, recorded Mountain Hares and collected Ptarmigan feathers for possible genetic analysis!
Sophie wanted to be absolutely sure some tags- destined to be fitted onto Fulmars- were working so she took them for a rainy walk then downloaded her route once she was back at base. That's some dedication eh?
June 23, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Sophie wanted to be absolutely sure some tags- destined to be fitted onto Fulmars- were working so she took them for a rainy walk then downloaded her route once she was back at base. That's some dedication eh?
Rain sometimes prevents the team from catching birds but there's always something to work away on.
June 23, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Rain sometimes prevents the team from catching birds but there's always something to work away on.
Some of the BTO Scotland team are busy catching various seabirds that breed along the Aberdeenshire coast just now. The birds are fitted with tags which let us know where they feed and the routes they take to and from the colonies.
June 23, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Some of the BTO Scotland team are busy catching various seabirds that breed along the Aberdeenshire coast just now. The birds are fitted with tags which let us know where they feed and the routes they take to and from the colonies.
Our team has been out monitoring seabirds in Aberdeenshire. Earlier in spring, they were looking for previously tagged birds returning & checking how other birds were doing. Stay tuned for updates! #BirdingScotland
This work is funded by Orsted/North East & East Ornithology Group.
📷 Sophie Bennett
This work is funded by Orsted/North East & East Ornithology Group.
📷 Sophie Bennett
June 17, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Our team has been out monitoring seabirds in Aberdeenshire. Earlier in spring, they were looking for previously tagged birds returning & checking how other birds were doing. Stay tuned for updates! #BirdingScotland
This work is funded by Orsted/North East & East Ornithology Group.
📷 Sophie Bennett
This work is funded by Orsted/North East & East Ornithology Group.
📷 Sophie Bennett
5/ Thank you so much to the 626 volunteers who surveyed BBS squares in Scotland during 2024. We really appreciate your support!
May 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
5/ Thank you so much to the 626 volunteers who surveyed BBS squares in Scotland during 2024. We really appreciate your support!
4/ A special thanks to our Upland Rover volunteers. There is still plenty of time to sign up for a late visit to our upland squares throughout June. Find a vacant square here!: app.bto.org/bbs/public/u...
May 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
4/ A special thanks to our Upland Rover volunteers. There is still plenty of time to sign up for a late visit to our upland squares throughout June. Find a vacant square here!: app.bto.org/bbs/public/u...
3/ The ground nesting Curlew, with its evocative bubbling calls, has declined by 62% across Scotland since 1995. There has also been a 10% decline over the last decade.
May 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
3/ The ground nesting Curlew, with its evocative bubbling calls, has declined by 62% across Scotland since 1995. There has also been a 10% decline over the last decade.
2/ There have been contrasting fortunes for two species of chat across Scotland. Wheatear has declined by nearly a third since 1995. More encouragingly, the Stonechat has almost trebled across Scotland in the last 30 years.
May 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
2/ There have been contrasting fortunes for two species of chat across Scotland. Wheatear has declined by nearly a third since 1995. More encouragingly, the Stonechat has almost trebled across Scotland in the last 30 years.
1/Our theme for Scottish trends from this year’s @bbs-birds.bsky.social report is upland birds. Overall, the Scottish Upland Bird Indicator has shown that this assemblage of species has declined by 20% between 1994 & 2003. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
May 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
1/Our theme for Scottish trends from this year’s @bbs-birds.bsky.social report is upland birds. Overall, the Scottish Upland Bird Indicator has shown that this assemblage of species has declined by 20% between 1994 & 2003. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
Our team of expert writers (?) are hard at work on the next BTO Scotland e-newsletter 📝. You don't want to miss it- sign up here: www.bto.org/about-bto/na...
May 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Our team of expert writers (?) are hard at work on the next BTO Scotland e-newsletter 📝. You don't want to miss it- sign up here: www.bto.org/about-bto/na...
Okay folks- who has seen a Swift in Scotland? There are a few already here, and the weather in the next few days is bound to help them. Add your sightings to @birdtrack.bsky.social and share the joy! #BirdingScotland
April 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Okay folks- who has seen a Swift in Scotland? There are a few already here, and the weather in the next few days is bound to help them. Add your sightings to @birdtrack.bsky.social and share the joy! #BirdingScotland
Ooft. Busy times here with #BreedingBirdSurvey, bird ringing, nest finding and recording, training, talks, events, and adding the flood of avian migrants into #BirdTrack. Sometimes we wish spring would slow down so we could keep up!!! Have a great weekend! #BirdingScotland
April 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Ooft. Busy times here with #BreedingBirdSurvey, bird ringing, nest finding and recording, training, talks, events, and adding the flood of avian migrants into #BirdTrack. Sometimes we wish spring would slow down so we could keep up!!! Have a great weekend! #BirdingScotland
😎 We had a topper of a weekend delivering training events in Tyndrum and at RSPB Lochwinnoch this weekend. More events coming soon- join us!!! www.bto.org/about-bto/na...
April 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
😎 We had a topper of a weekend delivering training events in Tyndrum and at RSPB Lochwinnoch this weekend. More events coming soon- join us!!! www.bto.org/about-bto/na...
We're looking forward to our first two face-to-face training events of the spring this weekend! Heading to Tyndrum tomorrow and Lochwinnoch on Sunday. 😎
The focus will be on @bbs-birds.bsky.social but we'll cover general ID and enjoy the birds we find as we go along.
The focus will be on @bbs-birds.bsky.social but we'll cover general ID and enjoy the birds we find as we go along.
April 4, 2025 at 1:05 PM
We're looking forward to our first two face-to-face training events of the spring this weekend! Heading to Tyndrum tomorrow and Lochwinnoch on Sunday. 😎
The focus will be on @bbs-birds.bsky.social but we'll cover general ID and enjoy the birds we find as we go along.
The focus will be on @bbs-birds.bsky.social but we'll cover general ID and enjoy the birds we find as we go along.
Join our FREE training sessions this April on the Breeding Bird Survey. 🐦 Book a place ➡️ www.bto.org/events
We'll introduce the survey and practise methods used in a supportive environment with our expert team. #BirdingScotland @bbs-birds.bsky.social
We'll introduce the survey and practise methods used in a supportive environment with our expert team. #BirdingScotland @bbs-birds.bsky.social
March 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Join our FREE training sessions this April on the Breeding Bird Survey. 🐦 Book a place ➡️ www.bto.org/events
We'll introduce the survey and practise methods used in a supportive environment with our expert team. #BirdingScotland @bbs-birds.bsky.social
We'll introduce the survey and practise methods used in a supportive environment with our expert team. #BirdingScotland @bbs-birds.bsky.social
Well that's a wrap on the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference with @scottishbirding.bsky.social. Thanks to everyone who made it such a brilliant weekend! Great talks on Saturday and fab birding excursions on Sunday- early Wheatear were found, Golden Eagles showed, and the Youth Walk was a riot!
March 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Well that's a wrap on the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference with @scottishbirding.bsky.social. Thanks to everyone who made it such a brilliant weekend! Great talks on Saturday and fab birding excursions on Sunday- early Wheatear were found, Golden Eagles showed, and the Youth Walk was a riot!
Calling young bird enthusiasts! 🦅 Join us for Bird Camp in Scotland this year, which is totally free of charge! 😀 Find out more and apply ➡️ bit.ly/BTOBirdCamps
We’re working in partnership with @scottishbirding.bsky.social to bring you a fun, nature filled Bird Camp in East Lothian. 🐦
We’re working in partnership with @scottishbirding.bsky.social to bring you a fun, nature filled Bird Camp in East Lothian. 🐦
March 13, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Calling young bird enthusiasts! 🦅 Join us for Bird Camp in Scotland this year, which is totally free of charge! 😀 Find out more and apply ➡️ bit.ly/BTOBirdCamps
We’re working in partnership with @scottishbirding.bsky.social to bring you a fun, nature filled Bird Camp in East Lothian. 🐦
We’re working in partnership with @scottishbirding.bsky.social to bring you a fun, nature filled Bird Camp in East Lothian. 🐦
If you booked a place at the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference (Inverness, Saturday 15th March) then check your email inbox. We just sent out the full programme and joining details. @scottishbirding.bsky.social #ScottishBirding
March 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
If you booked a place at the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference (Inverness, Saturday 15th March) then check your email inbox. We just sent out the full programme and joining details. @scottishbirding.bsky.social #ScottishBirding
Dust off your bins and prepare yer lugs (ears) for springtime! Full details of our online AND face-to-face events here (not below, as this guy says): www.bto.org/about-bto/na...
March 4, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Dust off your bins and prepare yer lugs (ears) for springtime! Full details of our online AND face-to-face events here (not below, as this guy says): www.bto.org/about-bto/na...
Busy times at BTO Scotland! We'll be delivering talks in Glasgow, Caithness and on Orkney. New events are live on the website, and more to follow this week. Not only that, but one of the team heard their first Chiffchaff of the year this morning!!! #BirdingScotland
March 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Busy times at BTO Scotland! We'll be delivering talks in Glasgow, Caithness and on Orkney. New events are live on the website, and more to follow this week. Not only that, but one of the team heard their first Chiffchaff of the year this morning!!! #BirdingScotland