British Trust for Ornithology’s 80th birthday

This video from Britain is called David Lindo tells the British Trust for Ornithology why the House Martin is his favourite bird.

From Wildlife Extra:

British Trust for Ornithology hits 80th birthday

80 years of bird research and conservation

July 2013. Eighty years ago, on 1 July 1933, a group of birdwatchers wrote to the editor of The Times, announcing the formation of The British Trust for Ornithology and asking for public support for “a scheme of research over an initial period of five years.”

Eighty years on and the BTO has gone from strength to strength. With its band of dedicated volunteers across the UK it has, amongst other things, published national atlases, provided evidence of climate change (through the advancement of breeding seasons), advised on major planning proposals and helped to formulate farm payment plans, to support birds such as Skylark. Through ringing, it has followed British birds such as Arctic Tern, Manx Shearwater, Swallow, Tufted Duck and Knot to Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Siberia and Canada, and it can now use satellites to plot the day-to-day movements of Cuckoos.

Andy Clements, Director of the BTO commented, “A huge amount has happened in the eighty-year lifetime of the BTO. Whilst the life expectancy of a man has increased from 53 to 78 and that for a woman from 60 to 81, much of our bird life has fared rather less well. Throughout this period our members, whether amateurs or professionals, have helped to shed light on the issues facing Britain’s birds and the habitats we share with them.”

He added, “From tiny acorns mighty oaks grow and, since that letter in 1933, the BTO has been a national and international success; we are grateful to The Times for the far-sighted endorsement of the appeal of eighty years ago. We hope that birdwatchers will continue to support us for many years to come.”