There is one important change from the 2025 competition:

• the mobile phone category did not prove popular or generate outstanding pictures and it is being replaced by a Birds and People category. 

• The Main section – open to everyone, with first prize of a week’s accommodation on Bardsey Island (travel to Ynys Enlli not included). The second prize is £75 of NHBS vouchers and the third prize is £50 of NHBS vouchers.
• Birds and People section – open to everyone, with first prize of £75 of NHBS vouchers, second prize of £50 of NHBS vouchers and third prize of £40 of NHBS vouchers. For this new section we are looking for photos that contain at least one bird and evidence of at least one person. We could be looking at a picture of a bird in the hand, illustrating an informative or unusual plumage; we could be looking at a picture of a birder (or birders) watching a bird or birds either close up or in the distance. Provided there’s at least one bird and at least one human in the picture, it’s up to you how you interpret this.
• Young Photographers section – open to anyone 21 years old or under on 31st August 2026, with first, second and third prizes the same value as the Birds and People section.

Prize winners may be awarded a free place at the WOS Annual Conference in Aberystwyth on Saturday 31st October to collect their prize from Iolo Williams. You do not have to be a WOS member to enter.

How to enter

• Download an application form for each entry (Word and PDF versions below).
• Email your photos, each accompanied by a separate entry form, to photocomp@birdsin.wales by midnight on 31st August 2026.
• All entries will be acknowledged. Please make sure you follow the entry instructions.

Judging

For the 2026 competition we will the same four shortlisting judges as in 2025. They will be responsible for shortlisting and the final decisions on winners will be made by WOS President, Iolo Williams.