WOS is the national body which aims to unify birdwatchers and ornithologists across the whole of Wales. To do so, we actively support bird conservation in Wales, by funding research and encouraging publication of papers and articles related to birds in Wales. WOS represents affiliated local and county bird clubs and groups with the country agencies and Welsh Government to help conserve birds in Wales. We encourage students to present their studies to a wider body of birders with an annual Student Award. This is presented at our Annual Conference. We also support young and older birders alike, through Small Grants for research and fieldwork.
WOS is the national body which aims to unify birdwatchers and ornithologists across the whole of Wales. to do so, we actively support bird conservation in Wales, by funding research and encouraging publication of papers and articles related to birds in Wales. WOS represents affiliated local and county bird clubs and groups with the country agencies and Welsh Government to help conserve birds in Wales. We encourage students to present their studies to a wider body of birders with an annual Student Award. This is presented at our Annual Conference. We also support young and older birders alike, through Small Grants for research and fieldwork.
The annual report on scarce and rare birds in Wales in 2024 has now been published and is available to WOS members at https://birdsin.wales/scarce-and-rare-birds-in-wales/.
The sixth year of the WOS photo competition produced an excellent 172 entries: a record 142 in the Main section, but sadly only 15 each in the Mobile Phone and Young Photographers categories. Encouragingly, almost a third again came from female photographers.
84 different species were photographed and the most popular were photos of Puffin (9) and Red Kite (8). Unsurprisingly, there were no Waxwing pictures this year! 8 species appeared for the first time: Crossbill; Dartford Warbler; Sedge Warbler; Black Redstart; Hoopoe; Eider; Feral Pigeon and Hawaiian Goose.
Conference 2025 brought another full house, with over 150 delegates enjoying a stimulating day of presentations, stalls and displays and the usual excellent Aberystwyth food (all vegetarian this time).
We sold a good number of the 2026 WOS calendar at Conference, but we still have some available for purchase by post for £10, which includes p&p. The calendar features all the thirteen prize winning and highly commended pictures from the 2025 competition.
There are some really cracking photos in the calendar, so make sure you get hold of your copy before they sell out! If you’d like to purchase one (or more), just follow this link and you can pay by card.
If the Co-op at Machynlleth can put Swift boxes up, all new build houses can have them.
If you’re a WOS member you’ll have received the Autumn Newsletter towards the end of September. Read more to see the article we’ve selected for open publication.
Conference 2025 brought another full house, with over 150 delegates enjoying a stimulating day of presentations, stalls and displays and the usual excellent Aberystwyth food (all vegetarian this time).
The 2024 conference took place at Aberystwyth University and broke records for attendance, with a vibrant buzz through the whole day.