Birds in Greenspaces

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The BTO Birds in Greenspaces project aims to find out just how important greenspaces are for UK birds, and provide guidance on effective greenspace management for birds and people – and we want your help!

About Birds in Greenspaces

Birds in Greenspaces is a new, UK-wide survey of birds that use our greenspaces. We want local groups and individuals to take part in this huge, new citizen science survey, so we can understand how people and birds interact with greenspaces, and make them better for all those that use them. With the right evidence, we can work out how best to integrate management to benefit both birds and people in our urban areas.

The project will run in 2026, and is open to people of all ages and experience levels, across the UK. Volunteer registration opens later this year, but groups and organisations can register their interest now. We will also be piloting the project in spring 2025, to help us as we develop our project ready for next year - and anyone can take part! Keep reading to find out how you can get involved.

This project has been funded by a gift in Will from Denis Summers-Smith, for which we are extremely grateful.

Taking part in Birds in Greenspaces

Anyone can take part in Birds in Greenspaces! We will be offering recording options that are accessible to everyone, alongside surveys suitable for more experienced birdwatchers, with thousands of survey sites in villages, towns, and cities across the UK. We want this project to engage all groups and organisations, not just those with a background in natural history. 

The project will take place between April and June 2026, but if you want to help us develop the project or simply find out if the project is for you, we invite you to take part in our pilot between April and June 2025!

Find out about the pilot 2025 >

Register interest as a group or organisation >

Code of Conduct

Volunteers must follow BTO’s Code of Conduct. This code applies to our staff, our members, and volunteers, including surveyors and participants in the Ringing and Nest Record Schemes, (hereafter referred to collectively as ‘staff and supporters’). It applies to all BTO activities, whether online (including meetings and events, telephone, letter, and email) or offline (any face-to-face interaction). We've also written some guidance for volunteer fieldworkers, which will help beginners in particular.