The BTO has announced that it will provide a number of grants — of up to £200 — to support young people looking to visit one of the accredited British and Irish Bird Observatories. Priority will be given to applicants aged 21 or under who are able to get fully involved in various aspects of fieldwork. Applications should be submitted by 30th June this year.
North Haven, Fair Isle, with the famous bird observatory situated on the slopes above (Photo: Nick Moran).
Applications can be made by filling in the form on the BTO website. Applicants will need to provide:
- A brief statement of experience and their plans for the visit
- Outline costs (travel and accommodation)
- Where possible, a reference from a BTO member. If the applicant is a ringer, this should be their trainer, or another 'A' permit holder
- If the application is successful and the applicant is under 18, written consent of a parent or guardian will be required
Further details can be obtained by emailing Nick Moran.
The applicant will need to have reserved a place at an Observatory (subject to approval of the grant) for a visit of at least four nights during the late summer and/or autumn of the current year. Confirmation of the visit from the Observatory will need to be produced. Applications will be considered by a committee comprising a member of the Ringing Committee, a representative from the Bird Observatories Council and two members of staff appointed by the BTO Director and an independent monitor. Funding for these grants is provided by a generous donation, matched by BTO funds.
The BTO expects to be able to offer grants in future years and to revise these details at the end of each year to allow for applications for visits throughout the Observatory season in the forthcoming year.
Accredited British and Irish observatories are as follows: Bardsey, Calf of Man, Cape Clear, Copeland, Dungeness, Fair Isle, Filey, Flamborough, Gibraltar Point, Hilbre Island, Holme, Isle of May, Landguard, North Ronaldsay, Portland, Sandwich Bay, Skokholm, Spurn and Walney.
Original BTO article and online submission form here.
