Devon Birds launches photo contest

Devon Birds is providing a great opportunity for amateur photographers with the launch of a new photo competition this Summer which is open to the general public. Devon Birds is a charity which supports the study and conservation of wild birds. Amateur photographers are invited to submit their bird photographs which must have been taken in Devon, and the winning entries will be displayed at Torre Abbey in the autumn. Prize-winning photographers will be invited to receive their awards at an evening event in Torre Abbey in October. Details on how to enter the competition are to be found on www.devonbirds.org

This is a great opportunity for amateurs to spend time observing and recording birds in their natural habitat, and then to showcase their photographs to the wider public.

The competition categories are the following:

Bird Portrait – this can be in any position and setting.
Bird Behaviour – this can include behaviour such as a Song Thrush breaking a snail’s shell on a stone, etc.
Birds in the Garden – it is hoped that this is self-explanatory.
Urban Birds – this envisages photos taken in the setting of a built environment
Birds on the move – this will include birds in flight, swimming or diving, etc.
Groups of Birds – this can include flocks of single species, or an amalgam of species such as you might find by an estuary.
Under 18 – this is purely age related, and can cover any of the above subjects.
Photo of the Year – a panel of Judges will select the Overall Winner from one of the above categories.

Photos need to be submitted online via the Devon Birds website: www.devonbirds.org/gallery/competition_2017_entry. The contest opens on June 1, 2017 and entries must be received by August 31, 2017.

Entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges composed of well known wildlife personalities. The panel will be chaired by Sophie Stafford, former editor of BBC Wildlife magazine, who currently edits the World Wildlife Magazine and has been a judge on the highly prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

There will be a celebration and awards ceremony to be held at Torre Abbey on 20th October to launch the exhibition of the winning photographs.