A better world for animals
Red-backed shrike in Cambridgeshire
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jack Brackley
CATEGORY
A better world for animals – Winner 2025
DESCRIPTION
Heading out of RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes in Cambridgeshire, I spotted an unusual-looking bird. I filmed it on my mobile phone, and the County Bird Recorder confirmed I’d found the first red-backed shrike in the county since 2021 and only the 22nd since 1980! After a lot of searching, I found the shrike again and took this photo, waiting until they turned their head. It made me think how we need to provide better habitats to encourage more beautiful birds like these.
Crochet comfort
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamie Smart
CATEGORY
A better world for animals – Runner-up 2025
DESCRIPTION
This is a little chick who’d been taken to a rescue centre. I wanted to portray the gentle handling and care that goes into helping birds when they need it most. I love the juxtaposition of the softness and comfort of the crochet bed (knitted and donated by volunteers) alongside the medicine bottle.
Cut above the rest
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamie Smart
CATEGORY
A better world for animals – Commended 2025
DESCRIPTION
I built a clay bee hotel in our garden to encourage wild bees and give them a natural nesting place. One day I noticed a little leaf cutter bee sitting in one of the holes and rushed inside to get my macro camera and flash with diffuser hood. It wasn’t easy trying to get the perfect, straight-on shot as she was moving in and out of her nesting hole. After some trial and error, I finally got the photo I was looking for.
The comeback
PHOTOGRAPHER
Sam Parfoot
CATEGORY
A better world for animals – Commended 2025
DESCRIPTION
At the Knepp Estate rewilding project in West Sussex, I was lucky enough to spot a white stork. They were extinct as a breeding species in the UK for centuries, but there’s a growing breeding population of these beautiful birds at Knepp. I loved how striking the bird looks against the yellow of the ragwort. This photograph means a lot to me as it’s an example of a positive reversal of the loss of white storks in our country, and a symbol of hope.
Ready for bed
Photographer
Jamie Smart
Category
Better world – Winner 2024
Description
I was privileged to be able to go along to watch and document the process of ringing and measuring barn owlets by professional licensed handlers on a farm in Mid Wales. I took this photo of the owlet just as they were ready to be put back into their nest box having just been measured and ringed. What a bundle of fluff they were!
Head in the cups
Photographer
Jamie Smart
Category
Better world – Runner-up 2024
Description
How nice would it be for all chickens to have the chance to roam in buttercups every day? Having the freedom and space to roam and forage makes for happier chooks! Cockerels don’t usually have the chance to live past a certain age so it’s heartwarming to see this chappy enjoying the sunshine and buttercups.
Dawn chorus
Photographer
Jamie Smart
Category
Better world – Commended 2024
Description
This is a corn bunting singing their heart out at dawn like they hadn’t a care in the world. I wish for a world where we could wake up to a dawn chorus or hear bird song every day, and these little creatures were thriving. I captured this image very, very early one morning using the car as a hide. I remember his/her song being so loud and I had to lower the car window very slowly to avoid spooking them.
A special bond
Photographer
Hope Whittaker
Category
Better world – Commended 2024
Description
Harry’s humans call him happiness in a bottle. If I’m having a bad day, he makes me feel joy again. I took this when he came for a visit and spent time trying to take the best shots while he went about doing his own thing. I feel it shows the bond between Harry and his human and how he enjoys spending time with the people he loves. I’m autistic and I hope my photography helps people see the world in a whole new light.