Saffron Forrester
Saffron has helped to run the Bangor University Birdwatching Society for over two years across multiple roles and has also spent the last year as the Inclusivity Officer for the Entomology Society. While birds are her main focus, she also have an interest in invertebrates and marine biology. She is currently studying a Master’s by research at Bangor University, investigating the presence of microplastics in the pellets of Barn Owls.
Joshua Brown
Joshua is currently completing a research Master’s on bird sound recording for conservation, after a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. He has worked and volunteered with a variety of bird- and wildlife-related jobs, including time at Spurn and Long Point Bird Observatories, the RSPB in Northern Ireland, and BSG Ecology and has many years of experience with bird surveys, ringing, and photography, as well as an interest in sound recording.
Ian Spence
Ian Spence has been co-opted as Membership Secretary in 2026. He was Secretary of WOS from July 2006 until October 2020 and has been a bird ringer and nest recorder for over 40 years.
Josh Pedley
Originally from Windsor, Josh has found his adopted home in Wales, living and working in New Quay, Ceredigion, since 2019.
Malcolm Smith
Malcolm was formerly Chief Scientist and Deputy CEO of CCW, leading the team that designed the first agri-environment scheme for Wales, oversaw the implementation of the EU Habitats and Species Directive, and led the assessment of the impact of the Sea Empress oil spill and the monitoring of habitat and species recovery.
Siôn Emlyn Davies
Siôn Emlyn Davies was co-opted to Council in 2025 and elected as a Trustee at the AGM. He is a wildlife filmmaker, presenter and environmentalist from Ynys Môn. A graduate in Environmental Conservation from Bangor University, he combines scientific knowledge with creative storytelling to celebrate Wales’s landscapes and wildlife.
Anya Wicikowski
Anya was co-opted on to Council in 2025. She currently works for RSPB as a Conservation Officer for the North Wales Moors Priority Landscape. She has been with the RSPB since September 2022, previously focusing on Black Grouse conservation work across the North Wales uplands.
Simon Boyes
Simon Boyes was co-opted onto Council in 2025. He has lived near Welshpool since 1980 and is the county bird recorder for Montgomeryshire.
Can you help WOS?
WOS is managed entirely by volunteers – and we urgently need more support to continue and develop our work.
Steve Stansfield
Steve Stansfield grew up in industrial Yorkshire and has spent his whole adult life working at Bird Observatories,