Henley Spiers wins Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 with diving gannet shot
UK photographer takes the top prize among more than 24,000 entries in the world's largest bird photography competition.
What to know
- Photographers submitted more than 24,000 images to the 2026 competition, billed as the world's largest bird photography contest.
- Henley Spiers won the £3,000 ($4,000) grand prize for a photo of a northern gannet diving into the ocean off Scotland.
- The competition donated over £5,000 ($6,700) to conservation charity Birds on the Brink and spanned eight adult categories plus youth and special awards.
- Organisers framed the win as a statement on authenticity in photography amid growing use of AI-generated imagery.
“The handsome northern gannets lead a dualistic existence. In the nest, their newborn is carefully nurtured, and a couple’s bond is reinforced by pointing sharp beaks to the sky as they tenderly stroke their white necks together.”
Henley Spiers, Grand prize winner · PetaPixel ↗ · Sep 20
Henley Spiers Grand prize winnerWill Nicholls Director of Bird Photographer of the Year
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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The Guardian publishes gallery of winning images
The Guardian runs a picture gallery showcasing the winning entries, drawing further social sharing and praise for the photographs.
“Just, wow.”
— EricMartin@mastodon.social -
first by Mastodon, 2d ago · also The Atlantic, Guardian Environment
1 more headline
- Winners of the Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 The Atlantic · 1d ago
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These beauties have won the 2026 Bird Photographer of the Year contest 🐦 https://www. thisiscolossal.com/2026/09/bir d-photographer-of-the-year-winners-2026/ # nature # photography
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
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The 2026 Bird Photographer of the Year awards have been announced, with the top prize going to a photo of a northern gannet dramatically breaking the surface of the ocean. @ popsci has the pics: https:// flip.it/hfwB_x # Birds # Photography # Science
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Some mind boggling photography from the bird photographer of the year 2026 awards. https://www. theguardian.com/artanddesign/g allery/2026/sep/22/winners-of-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2026-in-pictures The first one alone is stunning. # Photography # BirdsOfMastodon
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Bird Photographer of the Year announces 2026 winners
Henley Spiers of the UK is named grand prize winner for an image of a northern gannet diving into the ocean off Scotland, chosen from more than 24,000 entries across eight adult categories.
“The handsome northern gannets lead a dualistic existence…”
— Henley Spiers -
5 outlets first by PetaPixel, 2d ago · also New Atlas, Positive News, The Telegraph, The Guardian · read ↗
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What people are saying 5 voices from 1 site · best of 8 · verbatim
- Sep 22
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Good birds https:// petapixel.com/2026/09/21/the-p henomenal-winners-of-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2026/
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I don't normally post bird photos, but you gotta see these: https://www. theguardian.com/artanddesign/g allery/2026/sep/22/winners-of-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2026-in-pictures # Nature # Photography # Birds
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Just, wow. https://www. theguardian.com/artanddesign/g allery/2026/sep/22/winners-of-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2026-in-pictures # birds # photography
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Some wonderful pictures in this collection. "Winners of bird photographer of the year 2026." https://www. theguardian.com/artanddesign/g allery/2026/sep/22/winners-of-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2026-in-pictures?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
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Vincitori del Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 https:// petapixel.com/2026/09/21/the-p henomenal-winners-of-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2026/ # fotografia # photography # natura # nature # birds # uccelli # concorso # award