Archive for 2020

The Pied Flycatchers are back from Africa, as the British countryside is bursting with life and beauty now.

The New Big 5 project is an international initiative to create a new big 5 of wildlife. The Big 5 of photography is supported by many of the world’s leading photographers, conservationists and wildlife lovers, working with international wildlife charities and organisations.

Open Cages was established in the UK in 2018 as part of an international initiative to change the world for animals. They are also a member of Animal International, a new coalition of European animal protection organisations focusing on farmed animals.

Making the best of any situation is a real strength and one we are all capably of if we try. As the world now enters a challenging period of lockdown due to the Coronavirus this mindset has never been more important. We are all in this together and must follow the governments guidance.

With a slight change in the weather now, and brighter mornings and lighter evenings, it would seem spring is on its way after a long period of storms and wet weather. Warm sunshine lifts the spirits and brings the countryside to life. Spring for me is the best time of year, full of life, action and behaviour within our countryside.

I did an interview not so long ago with Olly Mann for the Modern Mann series of podcasts. It was to help and inspire people from all backgrounds to embrace nature into their lives and to never give up.

Dawn and Dusk are your best friends as a wildlife photographer, once you understand this and what happens at these times of the day it will change how you think within your own wildlife photography. It will also improve your own images , fieldcraft and general understanding of our beautiful yet fragile natural world.

New Year brings increased snaring in the Peak District National Park. Snares are cruel, inhumane and indiscriminate and most European countries have banned them. Please be vigilant on the moors and report all snares urgently. Walkers and pets are at risk as well as wildlife.

If you’re out in the Peak District National Park and come across any snares, traps or see any suspicious activity from gamekeepers take photos, mark the location, take a short video if possible, using your watch or a GPS to show the date, time and location and report that information to Moorland Monitors and Hunt Investigation Team.  Or call 101 for a non-emergency; 999 in an emergency and ask for Derbyshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team.