The EBwS Autumn 2026 Bird Photography Competition is now open for entries. The rules are as follows:
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Photographs must be wild bird related and taken in Essex between 1st September 2026 and 30th November 2026.
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Participants can submit a maximum of three photographs (all separate species) and the competition is open to all (you don't have to be a member to enter). Please note, if you submit multiple entries we will accept the first three photos you send in.
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Photographs must be submitted via email to ebwsphotos@gmail.com. All entries received will be acknowledged with an autoreply message. The closing date for entries is Monday 30th November at 9pm - photos received after this time will not be accepted.
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A panel of judges will select their favourite photos to be entered into the public vote to find a winner.* The winner will be announced during December's 'Birds of Essex' LIVE on YouTube. In the event of a tie, the judges decision will be final.
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Entries may be published in our 'Essex Birding' journal, credit will be given to the photographer who retains copyright.**
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Please remember, the bird's welfare is of utmost importance. Always keep your distance and never disturb birds or wildlife when taking photographs. Please note that photographs of schedule one birds (click for list of species) on a nest or feeding young will not be accepted for entry.
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All entries are anonymous until the results have been announced - even the judges don't know the photographer's names until that point! Therefore, and in order to keep the fun spirit of the competition, we request that anyone who makes it through to the voting stages refrains from publicising their entry on social media platforms and asking for people to vote for them. We reserve the right to withdraw any photo that we feel has not been entered within the fun and friendly spirit of this competition. Thank you.
All entries will be considered and can be taken with a camera, phone or digi/phone-scoped. The winner will receive a framed copy of their photograph along with a certificate. A short video featuring all entries will be shown during 'Birds of Essex' in December and will also be uploaded to the EBwS YouTube channel**.
We're looking forward to receiving your photos - good luck!
*EBwS reserve the right to use the winning photograph to advertise future competitions, subject to permission. Credit will be given to the photographer who retains copyright.
**If you don't wish your photos to be considered for publication or featured in the video please let us know when you submit them.