The votes are in! The annual Birders’ Choice Awards proved hugely popular yet again, and with this year’s responses counted up the winners and losers can now be revealed …

THIS was our most successful Birders’ Choice Awards ever, with many thousands of Birdwatch and BirdGuides readers taking the time to cast their votes, recognising the best and worst in birding and conservation during the past 12 months. Read on to find out who won such accolades as Conservation Hero of the Year, Rarity of the Year, Product of the Year and more – as voted by you. This year’s Local Hero of the Year will also be revealed, as will the recipient of our first-ever Young Conservationist of the Year award.

The winner of the prize draw will also be unveiled, with the lucky person receiving a Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 binocular worth £229.