Four ways to help birds
2019 Conference - booking now open for all
The 2019 Conference will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of WOS and will be held at the Penglais Campus at Aberystwyth University on Saturday 16 November 2019. Booking is now open for all: for WOS members – tickets are priced at £30 + small booking fee (the same as in 2018) and for non-members tickets are priced at £35 + small booking fee (again, the same as in 2018). We are also offering 10 discounted places at £10 + small booking fee for under 26 year olds. Booking is now open for these – proof of age will be required on the day! Here’s a taste of the programme: 30 years of ornithology in Wales – Iolo Williams; Guillemots: 47 years of research on Skomer – Tim Birkhead; Saving Curlews – Mary Colwell; Question time with Katie-Jo Luxton (RSPB Wales Director), Andy Clements (BTO CEO), Clare Pillman (Natural Resources Wales, CEO), Mark Isherwood AM – chaired by Steffan Messenger (BBC Environment Correspondent); Bardsey Island: wildlife, birds and the work of the Bird Observatory – Steve Stansfield. Optional excursion to Ynyslas and Ynys Hir – organised by WOS on Sunday 17 November (Overnight accommodation available at the University). There’s more information on our Conference page and to book tickets, please go to the Eventbrite website here.
The new 'BIRDS OF WALES' - shared species sponsorship now available!
To mark WOS’ 30th anniversary, work has begun on a new volume, describing the history and current status of every bird ever recorded in Wales, common and rare, with an assessment of the conservation issues facing our breeding, wintering and migrant birds. WOS is inviting individuals and organisations to sponsor each species on the Welsh list and we are delighted to report that by 14th August, 63 species have sole or shared sponsorship. That leaves almost 400 still available! Sole sponsorship is available at £200 per species and shared sponsorship is now available at £50 per species – and you don’t have to find a partner sponsor. Find out more about the project and how you can support it through sole or shared species sponsorship here.
New pin badges sell like hot cakes at Birdfair!
An unusually quiet moment at the first day of Birdfair 2019 – pin badges sold very well and we had good numbers of visitors, in spite of the rain. Fortunately, the weather should be much better on Saturday and Sunday – come and see us in our usual location of stand 63 in Marquee 7.
Students - apply now for the Derek Moore Student Research Award
This award recognises and promotes the contribution made to Welsh ornithology by undergraduate and masters level students researching birds in Wales. It is given in memory of Derek Moore, a conservation champion and former chairman of WOS. Any full- or part-time undergraduate or masters student who writes a dissertation based on a study of birds in Wales is qualified to enter. The entrant must have completed the field work for their dissertation in Wales and must be available to accept the award in person and present a poster on their dissertation at the WOS annual conference. Dissertations completed in the current or previous calendar year can be submitted. Find out more details and download an application form here.
Scarce sightings during July 2019
A typically quiet July with long-stayers and warm temperatures, with the highlight a Gull-billed Tern found on the Wirral side of the Dee estuary which ventured into Flintshire on 7th. Why not pick one of the scarce birds to sponsor for the new Birds of Wales? You can browse Robin Sandham’s round-up here.
Interactive Map
Click on each county to discover more about birds and birdwatching
Icons designed by Wissawa Khamsriwath from Flaticon
Events for birdwatchers in Wales
Friday 6th September: Challenging times for bird conservation in Ireland by Niall Hatch (BirdWatch Ireland)
BirdWatch Ireland is the largest independent conservation organisation in Eire. Niall Hatch, Development Officer, will discuss some of the challenges they face.
Indoor meetings are held at Pensychnant Conservation Centre at 7.30pm. Hot drink and biscuits provided afterwards. Donation requested: £1 (members), £2 (non-members).
Further Information – kevjsmith3@hotmail.com
Wednesday 11th September – Nash Pt and Cwm Nash (F) 2-3 – Autumn migration can mean passage passerines may be present. If not, there’s plenty more to see including with luck, Chough and Fulmar.
Field Meetings (F) – Please contact John Wilson (info@glamorganbirds.org.uk) before the due date. Bring packed lunch and suitable clothing/footware. Participants may be expected to car share. The meeting place in Cardiff for many trips is St Margaret’s Road in Whitchurch, Cardiff – We meet at the A4054 end.
Please note though, that due to the difficulty of getting to St Margaret’s Rd mid week mornings, esp for the leader, mid week trips will normally be meet at the location.