As is now traditional, February brings the announcement of the much-loved and eagerly awaited Latvian Museum of Natural History photography competition “My Bird 2026”, inviting Latvia's bird photographers to take part. The winners will receive valuable prizes, while the best entries will be on display in a splendid photography exhibition from 11 April.

The “My Bird” photography competition has been running for 24 years, encouraging public interest in birdwatching and in getting to know natural processes more closely. In assessing the photographs submitted, the competition panel pays attention to the bird species, the artistic composition, and the photographer's understanding of and attitude towards nature.

Dmitrijs Boiko, ornithologist and head of the Zoology Department at the Latvian Museum of Natural History, notes: “This year people can watch particularly large numbers of birds at feeders, because after many years we once again have a classic Latvian winter, the kind that brings back childhood memories. We hope the competition will bring in the widest possible variety of bird species, including photographs of the first migratory birds returning in spring.” We would remind entrants that approaching birds' nests and chicks to get a shot is prohibited, as is disturbing their feeding – such photographs will not be accepted in the competition.

Entries may include images of wild birds taken in Latvia between 1 January 2025 and 22 March 2026. Photographs will be judged in four age groups – children (up to 12 years), young people (13-20 years), adults (21-49 years) and the “50+” group (aged 50 and over). Each participant may enter 1-3 colour, printed photographs (30x40 cm).

Entries must be submitted to the Latvian Museum of Natural History, in person or by post, by 22 March. The announcement of the winners, the prize-giving and the opening of the exhibition of the best entries will take place on Friday 10 April at 15.00 in the first-floor exhibition hall of the museum. The competition prizes are supported by SIA “Baltic optics” and the Leica brand, the Latvian Museum of Natural History, Riga National Zoological Garden, SIA “Jāņa sēta” and other sponsors.

The full competition rules are on the museum's website: www.dabasmuzejs.gov.lv.