This takes into account the realisation of the importance of the daily census data, the need to make this data available for wider scientific study, and the need to try and attract more birdwatchers/researchers to the observatories.

Most recently the BOC has been working on proving that the daily census data can be used to monitor bird populations.  We have analysed the daily counts of eight species - Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus - currently only back to 1990 as the census counts are held in paper logs and the data far from accessible.  We have found that where other current methods for assessing population change, such as the Common Bird Census and Waterway Bird Census, show changes the observatory data shows similar trends.  This makes the data of real value as the daily census goes back much further than any comparable data sets.  The observatory data would also provide a handle on species not covered by other current methods such as Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe, Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra and others with a westerly, non-farmland distribution.

The next stage is to try and obtain funding to have the entire backlog of data transferred to computer so that it can be used.  Between all the observatories there is something in the region of 750 years' worth of data to computerise - no small task, but essential if the value of the data is to be realised.

Funding is a near-constant concern for many of the observatories.  For most it only comes from membership schemes and visitors to the observatory.  The need to juggle a warden's salary (where one is employed) with maintenance of buildings and costs associated with ringing is a tightrope act at the best of times.  The growth of mobile birding, whereby people wait and see what is seen where before deciding what to do at weekends, had a serious impact on observatories during the 1980s and 1990s and many observatories have had financial concerns in recent years.

Although interest in chasing rarities is still high there does recently seem to have been a renewed interest in counting birds.  Several new projects run by the BTO have generated much interest and there is huge interest in the Watch Groups run by the various county Wildlife Trusts, which are encouraging younger people to make observations on their environments.

If you have taken part in any of these then you could find a stay at one of the observatories very rewarding.  You will, hopefully, see good numbers of migrants be they on land or sea and, what's more, your birding will count by contributing to the daily census.  The mainland observatories are obviously the most accessible and also have other good birding spots nearby should the weather not be conducive to migration.  The island-based ones are a little harder to get to, require at least a week's stay, and in the case of North Ronaldsay and Fair Isle, getting to the islands is not cheap but the experience is almost certainly going to be worth the effort.

A visit to Fair Isle in May could coincide with an arrival of Bluethoats Luscinia svecica and Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio and you would also see the massive seabird colonies at their busiest with the cliffs of the west side of the island teeming with Northern Fulmars Fulmaris glacialis, Black-legged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla and auks.  A visit to Cape Clear in August could well produce huge movements of Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus, European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus and Northern Gannet Morus bassanus along with the excitement of Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis and Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea and several species of large whale and dolphin.  If you visit North Ronaldsay or Bardsey during peak months you could witness a lighthouse attraction where nocturnal migrants are attracted to the bright light on overcast nights.  A large attraction is a memorable event and really tests your skills at identifying birds from their calls!

The east coast observatories at the Isle of May, Filey, Spurn, Gibraltar Point, Holme and Landguard are perhaps at their best in the autumn, with the possibility of large movements of common migrants as well as the added spice of possible eastern vagrants, although the Isle of May can see similar arrivals to Fair Isle and North Ronaldsay during spring.

The south coast observatories such as Sandwich Bay, Dungeness and Portland can have good days in both spring and autumn although spring arrivals tend to move through very quickly - you can literally see the birds making their way north up through the hedges at Portland in the spring.  Sea-watching can be good in both spring and autumn and even winter at Dungeness can see large movements and plenty of activity at the 'patch' - the outlet for the water used in cooling the nearby power station.

Accommodation, where available on site, is usually simple, self-catering,  hostel-type, although this is reflected in the price at around £7 or 8 per night.  North Ronaldsay and Fair Isle are a little different in offering full board accommodation - a serious amount of exercise is needed on both islands if you are to come back and not put on any weight such is the standard of the food.  This level of service is reflected in the price, a night costs in the region of £17-25 per night on North Ronaldsay and £25-40 on Fair Isle, prices dependent on whether you are in a dormitory, twin rooms or single.

The observatories are open to everyone, you do not need to be a ringer or be hugely experienced - a stay will appeal to anyone who enjoys the wonder and excitement of migration.  Further information can be found by contacting the people in the list below or by visiting web sites where they are available, also listed below.