Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)

@bbs-birds

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.

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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· 26d

(1/) The #BigButterflyCount starts today! This is a great way of monitoring the butterfly numbers in your local area, and it is an opportunity to improve your ID skills: bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/about @btobirds.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

The caption says: 'Butterfly Monitoring'. A Small Copper butterfly is shown. It has coppery red upper wings and black lowe wings.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· 27d

(1/) After we focused on bird monitoring in Czechia last week, this week, we head south to bordering Austria. A fascinating study has recently taken place there, which focuses upon the age of surveyors and the range of species that they detect.. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social

An image of a Crested Tit. It has a grey body, a white head and a distincive black crest.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· 28d

(1/) In the second of our posts about heathland specialists, we focus on Dartford Warbler. This colourful species has increased markedly over the last 20 years. It has increased in numbers by over a quarter across the UK! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

An image of a Dartford Warbler. It is a small species perched on a Gorse Bush. It has a dark blue head and a burgundy coloured breast. It has red eyes.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· 29d

The BBS coverage in Scotland has been relatively consistent for the last five years. However, there is a possibility that we might achieve the best year on record. If you haven’t already done so, please enter your BBS data by 31 August! @btobirds.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #Ornithology

A graph showing the number of BBS visits undertaken in Scotland over the last five years.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jul 10

Is this Exmoor or the Serengeti?! Thank you so much to Ray Turner for sharing this image of a large herd of Red Deer that he encountered whilst surveying one of his BBS squares this year. Bonus point if you can count them! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

A panoramic image of a herd of Red Deer on Exmoor. They are sheltering by some trees.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jul 9

(1/) Have you ever wondered how common bird monitoring is done in other parts of Europe? Data from the Pan European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), of which BBS feeds into, yields some fascinating results. Today, we focus on Czechia… @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social

An image of a Hawfinch is shown. It is a large finch species bathing in water. It has a chestnut coloured head, a large grey beak and white wing bars.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jul 8

(1/) As the results from the Heathland Birds Survey have recently been published, for the next few weeks, we are going to focus on some heathland specialists. Woodlark has increased by 29% across the UK! Survey results: www.bto.org/our-work/new... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social

An image of a Woodlark. It is a small brown bird that has a creamy eyestripe. It is perched on a Pine Tree.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jul 7

Now that the BBS survey season is over, we will be sharing how much data we have received so far from each country across the UK. Beginning with Northern Ireland, although we are not likely to hit the heights of 2021, the second best year is in sight! @btobirds.bsky.social @bto-ni.bsky.social

A graph is shown, wjhich depicts the cumulative number of visits to BBS squares in Northern Ireland over the last couple of years.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jul 1

..And that is that. We have reached the end of another BBS & WBBS survey season! Thank you so much to all surveyors. If you haven’t already, please enter your data by the end of August so that it can be verified. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

The caption says: 'Thanks for surveying. Please enter your data by 31 August. An image of a Nuthatch is shown. It has a dark blue back, a creamy breast and a black stripe through its eye. It has a long, chisel like beak.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 30

(1/) As the 2026 BBS & WBBS survey season draws to a close, we would like to share our newly updated BBS Volunteer Stories page: www.bto.org/get-involved... If you would like to share your experience of surveying a square or stretch, please email us on bbs@bto.org! @btobirds.bsky.social

The caption says: 'Tell us your stories!' A Kingfisher is pictured. It is perched on a post. It has an orange breast and a black beak. It also has a blue beak.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 29

It’s Swift Awareness Week! Sadly, the iconic Swift (Apus apus) dropped in numbers across the UK by over two thirds between 1995 and 2024. Find out more about this aerobatic species on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/about-... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social

The caption says ' Swift Awareness Week.' An image of a Swift is shown. It is a black bird with scimitar shaped wings and a forked tail.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 26

We held a successful butterfly event at BTO HQ on Saturday 20 June! We recorded over 15 species of butterfly over the course of the day. Thanks to Anna Alam for sharing these images from the event with us! @btobirds.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social #InsectWeek

Event attendees looking for butterflies through bonnoculars.

Volunteers taking part in Flower Insect Timed Counts.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 25

(3/) Since this species was first recorded in the UK during the 1960s, there has been much debate about the true origin of this species and how it colonised so rapidly. This article sheds some light on some of the theories: zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

This shows a map of recorded presence of Ring-necked Parakeet between 2016 and 2025 from five BTO schemes: BBS (black), BirdTrack (red), Garden BirdWatch (green), Nest Record Scheme (blue) and Ringing scheme (pink).

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 25

(2/) The presence of this species in the UK divides opinion. This paper explores resident’s perceptions of this gregarious and vocal species: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... Species information: www.bto.org/learn/about-... Image credit: Sarah Kelman/ BTO

One of the reasons for the huge increase in numbers is due to a huge increase in the distribution of Ring-necked parakeet. On the left, the image shows the breeding season distribution of this species as measured by the 2007-2011 Bird Atlas, with breeding seasons 2008 to 2011. Red dots (varying in size according to the breeding evidence - confirmed breeding is biggest, possible is smalles) are concentrated in Greater London, with a cluster in North-east Kent and individual dots in Birmingham and Manchester and elsewhere. On the right is the combined distribution from 2016 to 2025 using all BTO scheme data (NRS, BBS, BirdTrack, GBW & Ringing). The dots show much expansion out of London into the Home Counties, Midlands, East Anglia, with new records in the Central Belt of Scotland and as far north as Inverness. The dots on both maps are 10km presence. Behind the maps is a picture of a Ring necked Parakeet, taken by Sarah Kelman

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 25

(1/) One introduced species that has increased across the UK is the brightly coloured Ring-necked Parakeet. The BBS abundance trend shows a UK increase of 2,696% 1995–2024, with a huge increase in range. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #INNSweek

A Ring-necked Parakeet. It is a pale green parrot species with a pinkish beak. It is perched on a branch facing right.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 24

There is now only one week to go to fit in the ‘Late’ visit to your BBS square or WBBS stretch before the season finishes at the end of June! If you have already managed to do it, thank you very much, it is very much appreciated! @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 23

Sometimes, surveying a BBS square takes you to a beautiful place! Thank you so much to Jen Vidal for sharing these images from her square in North Wales recently, with Yr Wdffa visible in the background. @btobirds.bsky.social BTO Cymru JNCC RSPB Science

A scenic, mountanous scene in North Wales.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 22

It’s Invasive species week. The small, introduced Muntjac deer increased by 360% across the UK between 1996 and 2024. Find out more about mammal monitoring on BBS squares: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #INNSweek

A Muntjac Deer is shown. It is a small deer species feeding on some vegetation. It has brown eyes and relatively large ears.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 19

One species that has increased across the UK in recent years is Reed Warbler, which has a creaky and repetitive song. As its name suggests, it is closely associated with reedbeds! Species info: www.bto.org/learn/ab... @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

A Reed Warbler is shown. It is a brown watbler with a pale chest. The caption says: '53 % UK-wide increase since 1995.'

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 18

You now have around two weeks to go to fit in your ‘Late’ visit to your BBS square or WBBS stretch! If you cannot fit it in, please let your local Regional Organiser or a member of the BBS Team know. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 17

There are still a small number of places available for our FREE event focusing on butterflies at BTO Headquarters in Norfolk on Saturday 20 June. Lunch will be provided! Book your place here: www.bto.org/our-work/eve... @btobirds.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social

The caption says 'Free Butterfly ID practice session.' An image of a Small Heath Butterfly is shown. It has a grey underwing and an orange upperwing with grey edges. There is also a black spot on its upper wing.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 16

It has been a bit tricky fitting in BBS visits over the last couple of weeks due to the changeable weather. However, David from the BBS Team managed to survey his Dorset square recently. Watch this to find out how it went! @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 11

There are now only around three weeks to go until the 2026 BBS survey season finishes at the end of the month! Please try and do your ‘Late’ visit as close to your average visit date as possible, as long as the weather is suitable. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 10

(1/) One species that featured quite prominently in the 2025 BBS Report is Spotted Flycatcher. This summer visitor has dropped in numbers by over 60% since the mid 1990s. This decline seems to be occurring across the UK… @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 5

(3/) We would like to thank Stephen very much for his contributions to BBS over the years. It really helps to emphasize how dedicated BBS and WBBS volunteers are. If you feel inspired by Stephen’s efforts, find out more about BBS and how to take part here: www.bto.org/get-invo...

An image of BBS volunteer Stephen Dunstan. He is looking out to sea.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 5

(2/) As you can see, this square has some unique scenery. This is one of the more unusual of the randomly selected BBS squares that are situated across the UK. Other similarly curious locations for squares or WBBS stretches can be found at Butlins Holiday Park in Somerset and Manchester Airport!

An image of a roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 5

(1/) To finish off Volunteers’ Week, we have to highlight the efforts of Stephen Dunstan (Stephen Dunstan)! He has surveyed a BBS square in and around Blackpool Pleasure Beach Theme Park in Lancashire since 2002! @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #VolunteersWeek

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 4

This shows the cumulative distance that BBS & WBBS volunteers walked whilst surveying their squares or stretches during 2025! This doesn’t include the distance travelled to get to their squares or stretches. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #VolunteersWeek

An infographic is shown which shows the total distance that BBS & volunteers covered whilst surveying their squares or stretches during 2025. BBS volunteers covered 15,199.4km and WBBS volunteers covered 1,735.5km.

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 3

Almost 250 volunteers took part in the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS) across the UK during 2025, by walking along linear waterways and counting the birds they identify by sight, song and call. @btobirds.bsky.social JNCC RSPB Science #Ornithology #VolunteersWeek

Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)@bbs-birds· Jun 2

It’s Volunteers’ Week! 2025 was the best year on record for BBS coverage across the UK. Thank you so much to the 2,828 volunteers who took part in the survey last year. We appreciate your time and effort. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #VolunteersWeek