Annual report on scarce and rare birds in Wales for 2024 is now published
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/.
WOS Photo Competition 2025 – winners and report
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.
2025: Another very enjoyable and successful Conference, encouraging everyone to make sure their bird records are all reported
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 2026 WOS Calendar is now available by post – here’s how to buy
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.
WOS’ response to the recent Senedd debated petition calling on the installation of Swift bricks in all new buildings in Wales.
If the Co-op at Machynlleth can put Swift boxes up, all new build houses can have them.
The Autumn 2025 Newsletter is being enjoyed by members
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.
From November, WOS will need a new Secretary
Clare Ryland, our superb current Secretary, comes to the end of her term of office on Council at the 2025 AGM and we are looking to find a replacement to keep the smooth running of WOS going.
The SFS (Sustainable Farming Scheme) will be introduced across Wales in 2026 – act now to help ensure that it’s properly funded
The SFS (Sustainable Farming Scheme) will be introduced across Wales in 2026 – act now to help that it’s properly funded by signing the RSPB e-action petition.
Mallard ducklings – a great little citizen science project for everyone
DucklingWatch – a great little citizen science project to get involved with.
The Spring 2025 Newsletter is winging its way to WOS members
The Spring 2025 newsletter is on its way to WOS members and Affiliate Groups. Once again, it’s a bumper 26-page edition, packed with articles on several different types of bird recording, community and project grants, with news of the first award from the President’s Grant.