Hummingbird hawk-moth by Colin Lamb
Photo Competition 2024
BBOWT Photography Competition 2024
It's time to give it your best shot to win top prizes.
Our annual photography competition celebrating the wildlife and wild places of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is open for entries until 26 August 2024.
One overall winner will be chosen from nine category winners and - new for this year’s competition - we will invite the public to select their favourite photo for our People’s Choice Award - act quickly, award entries close on 28 July!
White-legged damselfly by Harry Berks, Competition Winner 2023
New categories, prizes & awards!
This year's top prizes include:
a high-tech bird feeder camera
a solar-powered trail camera
a wildlife photography masterclass with GG Wildlife Experiences
the chance to see your photo featured in our 2025 wildlife calendar
There are also bundles of nature books for younger entrants to win for their school.
Categories
1. Children (ages 6–11)
2. Teens (ages 12–17)
3. Birds
4. Mammals
5. Butterflies and other insects
6. Our nature reserves e.g. wildlife, flora, family visits and scenic views
7. Urban nature e.g. wildlife in your garden, street or neighbourhood
8. Taking action for nature e.g. tree planting, pond digging or feeding the birds
9. Mobile phone photography
Photos must be taken on a BBOWT nature reserve. Exceptions are the Children, Teens, Urban nature, and Taking action for nature categories which can be taken anywhere in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire.
Ways to take action for nature
Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details.
Prizes
Overall winner: A Technaxx bird feeder camera
People's choice winner: A Nexcam solar-powered trail camera
Category winners: A workshop with wildlife photographer Steve Gozdz from GG Wildlife Experiences, winners certificate and a copy of the 2025 BBOWT wildlife calendar featuring your winning image.
Runners-up: A competition certificate and copy of the BBOWT wildlife calendar.
Highly commended: A competition certificate.
Schools: Children and teens can win a bundle of nature books for their school!
Dates
28 July 2024: closing date for entries into the people's choice award
26 August 2024: closing date for main categories
Winning photographers will be notified in the first two weeks of October. Entrants must provide an email address and telephone number when submitting images for this purpose. In the event that a winner is non-contactable, their entry will be forfeited and another chosen.
The results of the competition will be made public shortly after the photographers have been contacted and the winning photographs will be announced at the BBOWT AGM.
Terms and conditions
Click below to read the full terms and conditions. Please note:
- Photos must be taken on a BBOWT nature reserve. Exceptions are the Children, Teens, Urban nature, and Taking action for nature categories which can be taken anywhere in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire.
- Entries must be in a landscape (horizontal) format to appear in the BBOWT calendar - please do not upload portrait (vertical) images.
How to enter
Please read the competition terms and conditions then click below to enter.
One of the participants on BBOWT's 2023 Youth Nature Photography Project at the Nature Discovery Centre. Picture: Emma Gray
Please remember...
Do no harm - always put the welfare of wildlife first
Don't get too close - animals can get stressed and panic if you get too close to their home.
Watch your feet - stay on designated paths and don't trample flowers to reach more flowers.
Know the law - familiarise yourself with protected species and the laws that protect them.
Don't use audio lures - playing calls to birds can disrupt their behaviour and put chicks at risk.
Competition winners 2023
Be inspired by the wonderful winning images from 2023 then send us your best shot!
White-legged damselfly by Harry Berks, Woodford Bottom & Lamb's Pool Nature Reserve, Oxfordshire
Dartford warbler by Darren Prestoe, Greenham Common Nature Reserve, Berkshire
Conservation volunteers by Gill Cornelius, Weston Turville Reservoir, Buckinghamshire
Bank vole by Andrew Kelsick, Warburg Nature Reserve
Common frog by Jessica Crumpton, Letcombe Brook, Oxfordshire
Hummingbird hawk-moth by Colin Lamb
Hoverfly on scabious by Fern Gregory
Dock bug by Anton Poon
Round-leaved sundew by Paul Olive, Sole Common Pond, Berkshire
Common earthball by Paul Morgan-Russell, Wildmoor Heath, Berkshire
Grangelands & The Rifle Range Nature Reserve, Buckinghamshire by Gill Cornelius
Grey heron by Danny Kidby-Hunter
Special thanks to our sponsor GG Wildlife Experiences
The competition is free to enter but all donations are welcome.
Our Nature Recovery Fund aims to raise £3 million in three years to help bring wildlife back.
Please support this urgent BBOWT appeal by giving today.