Once again WOS will be running a photo competition in 2026. This will be the seventh year of the competition and we expect a total of between 150 and 200 entries. If past years are anything to go by, shortlisting will be very challenging!

Most of the rules and details are the same as in previous years, but there is one important change from the 2025 competition:

• The mobile phone category did not produce any outstanding entries, so it will be replaced by a ‘Birds and people’ category. Entries for this section must include all (or part) of at least one bird and all (or part) of at least one person. Photos of birds in the hand displaying interesting plumage characteristics and photos of groups of birdwatchers will be particularly welcome, but it’s entirely up to you how you interpret this; we hope to see some great pictures that illustrate the connections between people and birds.

So there are three sections:

1. 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.
2. 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. This is a new idea – have a look at the website to see the sorts of pictures we’re looking for.
3. 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.
4. The closing date for all entries is midnight on 31st August.

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

1. Check through the requirements on the WOS website at https://birdsin.wales/photo-competition/
2. Download an application form for each entry (Word and PDF versions available) from the website at https://birdsin.wales/photo-competition/ .
3. Email your photos, each accompanied by a separate entry form, to photocomp@birdsin.wales by midnight on 31st August 2026.
4. 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.