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Winners of the International
Macaronesian Seabird Photography Contest Announced!
Explore the stunning images and celebrate the beauty of Macaronesia’s seabirds. Scroll down to view the winning images and learn more about this year’s competition
1st Prize (Under 18s)
Common Tern: Splash
Guilherme Areias, Terceira, Azores
Here is the story of the happy coincidence that led to this image, told by the photographer:
“To improve my bird-in-flight photography technique, I went to the natural pools of Biscoitos on 1 September this year. I managed to photograph the Common Tern at the exact moment when a wave crashed against the rocks, creating splashes."
2nd Prize (Under 18s)
Common Tern: Master of Flight
Guilherme Areias, Terceira, Azores
Guilherme told us:
”On 1 September this year, at the Biscoitos bathing area, I photographed a Common Tern as it flew over a Whimbrel, eventually landing beside it and proving itself a true master of flight, as the conditions were windy."
3rd Prize (Under 18s)
Common Gull: Scuffle
Guilherme Areias, Terceira, Azores
Here are Guilherme’s words about this image:
“While passing through the fishing harbour of Praia da Vitória on 7 September 2025, I came across a scuffle near a fishing trawler, where a Common Gull was being chased by several Common Terns.”
1st Place (adults)
Calonectris borealis Feather, Underside
Javier Torrent, Terceira, Azores
The story behind the image:
Details of a Calonectris borealis feather, captured using a 10× microscope lens and the focus stacking technique, with 100 images used to achieve the desired depth of field.