The following table shows the number of entries by competition for 2021.

This table shows the number of entries by level over the last 4 years.

It is clear from the above tables that 2022 has been another successful year for our internal competitions.

After the Creating Artistic Images competition I expressed concern at the relatively low entry numbers for two competitions in a row at the Entry Level.  In hindsight this may have been an over-reaction, given the return to higher entry levels in the final competition for the year.  Drops in entry numbers can be due to a number of reasons including:

• Some Competition Themes being less interesting to some members
• Some Competition Themes being more challenging for some members
• Members feeling they cannot compete against one or more of early submitted entries

The biggest challenge going forward is not specific to competitions, nor is it new.  It is encouraging new and less experienced bird photographers to submit images for the first time, so they become actively involved.  Once they gain the confidence and satisfaction from seeing their first photo on the website it is likely they will do it again.  It does not matter whether it is to New Images or to Competitions.

I would like to thank Doug Castle for his moderating assistance during the year and especially for his backup while I have been travelling.  I would also like to acknowledge the time and thoughtful consideration given by the mystery reviewers for 2022.  They were, in no particular order, Sandy Castle, Rodney Appleby, Georgina Steytler, Graham Cam, Con Duyvestyn, Rob Solic, Con Boekel, Rodger Scott, Nathan Watson, Cherilyn Corker, Bill Harding and Mark Lethlean.

The competition themes for 2023 are available here, and members have been aware of them since July.  I hope everyone enjoys them as much as they have enjoyed this year's competitions.

Gary King

Competition Coordinator, December 2022