BTO Scotland publications

Ornithological Technical Report for the Proposed Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Projects.

Developing methods for the field survey and monitoring of breeding Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus) in the UK: an interim report from pilot fieldwork in 2006

Changing migration patterns of the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus in Europe: an analysis of ringing recoveries

Short-eared Owls: ringing reveals mysterious migration

A century of Short-eared Owl ringing has shown differences in this species’ migration over space and time, providing clues about how population sizes may have changed during that period. A candidate for red-listing (based on declines apparent from the Atlas) analyses of ringing recoveries have found that birds originating from Scandinavia and Central Europe travelled the furthest on migration, while those from Britain and the North Sea area made the shortest journeys. More surprisingly, distances travelled tended to increase from the 1920s through to the 1960s and 1970s, but have since fallen. These patterns might be associated with changing population sizes. Further, these trends may have contributed to breeding declines in more southern and isolated parts of this species’ range, where populations are compromised without periodic immigration. The analyses also highlight the particular potential of Britain, with its shorter distances between breeding and wintering grounds, to facilitate the conservation of this vulnerable species.

The importance of altitude and aspect for breeding Whinchat Saxicola rubetra in the uplands: Limitations of the uplands as a refuge for a declining, formerly widespread species?

Are uplands a good refuge for declining farmland birds?

Like several species, the Whinchat was once common across lowland Europe, but has recently suffered substantial declines as agricultural practices have intensified. Populations are now increasingly concentrated in more upland areas, where agriculture is of a lower intensity, but where environmental constraints, such as low ambient temperatures, may limit habitat suitability. Recent research by BTO Scotland has explored the habitat requirements of Whinchats breeding in British uplands. As these areas represent a refuge for a number of declining bird species, this work has important conservation implications.

2010 Review of Goose Management Policy in Scotland. BTO and CJC Consulting report to the Scottish Government

Developing our Understanding of Biodiversity in Scotland's Gardens: the Role of the BTO's Garden Birdwatch

Seasonal variation in the apparent abundance of breeding birds in arctic-alpine habitats of Scotland: implications for their survey and monitoring

A survey of population changes in breeding waders on machair in Benbecula and North Uist: annual surveys in 2008-2010 and changes since the mid-1980s

Third year of ornithological surveys at House of Water, East Ayrshire: breeding season 2010 and winter season 2010-11

Changes in the breeding wader populations of the machair of the Western Isles, Scotland, between 2000 and 2007

Engaging with biodiversity in Scotland's gardens: the role of the BTO's Garden BirdWatch

Variation in the diurnal activity of breeding Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus: implications for their survey and monitoring

An examination of reptile and amphibian populations in gardens, the factors influencing garden use and the role of a 'Citizen Science' approach for monitoring their populations within this habitat

The ranging behaviour and habitat selection by three Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes in late winter in Scotland

Indexing winter gull numbers in Great Britain using data from the 1953 to 2004 Winter Gull Roost Surveys

Fine-scale foraging behaviour of a medium-ranging marine predator

Application of habitat suitability modelling to tracking data of marine animals as a means of analyzing their feeding habitats

Population decline of Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa within the largest colony in Britain and Ireland

Fidelity of overwintering shorebirds to roosts on the Moray Basin, Scotland: implications for predicting impacts of habitat loss

Changes in populations of breeding waders on the machair of North Uist, Scotland, 1983-1998