We can only help support Wales’ birds if we understand where and how they live. Conservation work based on well-disseminated, good quality research work is crucial, and we are fortunate in the UK that such activities are undertaken by both professional organisations and expert, unpaid volunteers.

In order to support such work, WOS offers Project Grants. For 2025 we are  offering grants of up to  £1000 (more in exceptional circumstances) towards projects that will be of benefit to birds in Wales, with further continuation funding a possibility. Priority will be given to species of conservation concern – e.g. BOCCC4 red or amber listed. In the first instance we would be particularly interested in studies of Kestrel, Water Rail, Rock Pipit and Yellowhammer.

We awarded three grants in the 2024 rounds of applications (June & December 2024):

(1) Yellowhammer Conservation in the Vale of Glamorgan. The project aims to provide
sacrificial wild bird cover crop at a farm in the Vale of Glamorgan to encourage and support resident
breeding and over-wintering Yellowhammer and other farmland birds, including Grey Partridge. £700
was awarded.
(2) European Nightjar and Common Cuckoo Diet in Wales. The project aims to use DNA
analysis to study Nightjar and Cuckoo diet in the uplands of Wales, using faecal samples (~70) collected during previous field work (2019 to 2023). These samples will be analysed at Cardiff
University and DNA fragments extracted. £300 was awarded.

(3) Pembrokeshire Ringing Group: Caldey Island Swift project. A project to provide Swift nest boxes on the Caldey Island monastery, Pembrokeshire, where Swift used to nest before the building was  re-roofed about 20 years ago. A grant of £308 was awarded.

Other recent projects funded include (2019) for studies on Little Terns and Hawfinches (2019) and  in 2021 we awarded three grants: (1) the effectiveness of remote audio units (AudioMoths) to detect scarce woodland birds, especially Hawfinches. (2) a detailed study of the breeding ecology of the Tree Pipit in Blaengarw, East Glamorgan. (3) thermal imaging technology to support nest recording and ringing in East Glamorgan. 

Each year will have two application rounds: 30th June and 31st December, with funding decisions made by the Grants Panel in July and January respectively.

Grants will be made in two parts: half before the project and half upon receipt of a report on the work.