06 Nov Welsh Ornithological Society Conference 2025
BSG Ecology was pleased to be the main sponsor of this year’s Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS) Conference, held at Aberystwyth University in October.
This year the Conference focused on the importance of data in informing bird conservation and research. Topics included BirdTrack, the Garden Birdwatch, Nest Recording, how the Local Environmental Records Centres use data, the British Trust for Ornithology’s regional recording structure, ringing and training and the need to create an inclusive culture around bird recording. A particular highlight was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Heather Coats by Iolo Williams. BSG Ecology Director Owain Gabb addressed the conference on ringing and training, looking at the role Gower Ringing Group has played in helping over 20 South Wales based ringers achieve licences over the past 8-10 years and in organising and running the Welsh Ringing Course.
As always the Conference was an informative day and a chance to meet up with many of Wales’s most prominent ornithologists, both amateur and professional. It was also a great opportunity for some of the team to spend time together in a different environment.
Megan Nicklin, Ecologist commented: “Attending the WOS Conference this year was a really valuable experience. I found the information on the importance of logging species records, and how these data can be used by different organisations to guide conservation measures, engage citizen scientists, and track population trends very useful. The talks given by Dr Steph Tyler and Andy King about their personal experiences with long-term bird recording, were also particularly inspiring. Representing the company at the conference gave me an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded ornithologists and discuss their approaches to data collection and bird monitoring. It was a very enjoyable event that has inspired me to continue contributing to species recording whenever I can.”