Birders’ Choice Awards 2017 open!

The Birders’ Choice Awards 2017 are now open! Once again we are asking you to cast your eye over our shortlist recognising the best and worst in birding and conservation in the past year and to register your vote. You can take part by clicking here.

It’s been an exciting 12 months, with several environmental campaigns taking off, wildlife activists standing up for conservation, and a host of innovative optics, new books and ornithological discoveries. There was also a stunning selection of rarities to choose from. But which deserves your vote? Take a look at our nominees and decide – or maybe you think we’ve left something or someone out; in which case you propose your own choice – but please do let us know why.

One of the most popular categories is Local Hero of the Year. Here all entrants get to suggest someone they know who has made a real difference to birding or conservation. This is your chance to acknowledge the hard work of someone who usually goes under the radar, a way of saying thank you to a person who has made a real effort. The winner will be the entry that most impresses the editorial team.

As an added incentive, we’re running a prize draw for one lucky participant to win a Celestron C5 telescope worth £599. The scope impressed Birdwatch Optics Editor Mike Alibone when he took it out for a test (read his review in the November issue).

To enter the prize draw, simply fill in your email address at the end of the entry form. If you’re prefer not to include personal details, simply leave this section blank; however, you won’t be entered into the draw. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner.

Voting only takes a few moments, so what are you waiting for? Click on the image below to register your views.