Wiltshire Wildlife Photography Prize

Capturing the Wild: The Wiltshire Wildlife Photography Prize 2026

A huge thank you to everyone who grabbed their camera, explored our county’s wild spaces, and submitted an entry to our Wiltshire Wildlife Photography Prize 2026. From stunning views across the chalk downlands and ancient woodlands to intimate portraits of garden wildlife and rare species, we have been blown away by the standard and sheer variety of photographs celebrating Wiltshire’s wildlife and landscapes.

After careful deliberation by our expert panel of judges, we're delighted to announce our brilliant winners and highly commended entries - huge congratulations to them, and well done to everyone who took part!

Hare at Sunrise by Adam Silk

What the judges said: “This is a superb image of a classic Wiltshire mammal standing on a grain crop margin with a shaft of golden morning light catching its eye in perfect focus.”

“I love the colours – the contrast of the warm and cool tones, and the clarity. There is so much anticipation captured in this moment, and it comes across beautifully through this photo.”

Kingfisher by Lawrie Lewis

What the judges said: “This shot is incredible in terms of clarity and the lighting is absolutely superb. I particularly love the glint in the kingfisher’s eye, which I can only imagine is trained on a body of water below as it searches for its next catch.”

“This is a really beautiful image of a colourful Kingfisher perched in golden light, surrounded by soft green leaves. It is peering down intently, no doubt looking for a fish to catch, with a drop of water on its chest from its last dive.”

White-legged Damselfly at Conigre Mead by David Mackey

What our Sponsors, Wild View Cameras, said: “I find I am drawn to it’s amazing googly eyes (which has been captured here perfectly). This beautiful image captivates my own love for insects and the natural beauty of their armour and body hair when zoomed in - stunning. A natural and perfect winner for me.”

Snacking Beaver by Chris Wardell

What the judges said: “This engaging shot captures some nice behaviour as the beaver nibbles a leaf, and I love the double rings of ripples around its head and swishing tail which enhance the lovely, dynamic composition. I also know how much patience and fieldcraft is usually needed to capture shots of these shy, mainly nocturnal creatures in the small windows of opportunity at dawn and dusk.”

Squirrel on a Rock by Harley Clements

What the judges said: “I really liked the way this imaginative low angle view captured an engaging portrait of a Grey squirrel. The focus is perfect on its face and the subjects stands out well from a pleasing, undistracting wash of fallen leaves and green bushes in the background.”

Waiting to Cross by Dexter Painter-Coates

What the judges said: “A fabulous, quirky image capturing the majesty of the toad! The toad appears to be posing mid-meal and I love the light casting its shadow on the ground. The detail on both the toad's body and the stony ground it sits on adds another level of interest and invites repeated views of the image.” 

Common Blue on Dandelion by Sophie Beverley

What the judges said: “A very competently executed photograph with an important message. I liked the choice of dandelion because it highlights how important the wildflowers (though some people call them weeds!) are in our ecosystem.”

Already planning your entry for next year?

Our Photography Prize will return in 2027, with more accolades and prizes up for grabs! Sign up for our newsletter to get advance notice when the next competition opens for entries.

Meet the Judges

We are delighted to have a panel of incredible judges who will use their expertise to select the winning images from the shortlist.

Nick Upton, Wildlife Photographer & Filmmaker

An award-winning, Wiltshire-based wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and PhD biologist. Formerly a BBC wildlife television producer who worked alongside Sir David Attenborough, Nick’s documentary images have appeared in National Geographic and BBC Wildlife Magazine. He has won top honours at the British Wildlife Photography Awards and documented major UK conservation initiatives, from beaver and crane reintroductions to local Wiltshire wildlife protection. 

Daniel Laverick, Communications Manager, The Wildlife Trusts

Representing the national movement, Daniel is the Communications Manager at The Wildlife Trusts, where he leads the creative design team and drives impactful internal campaigns. With a strong background leading creative marketing teams in higher education, Daniel brings a deep appreciation for how images connect people to the natural world and inspire action for its protection.

Emily Weatherburn, Environmental Communicator

Emily is a content creator and environmental communicator based in the South West. Known online as Wildlife Emily, she uses social media to inspire thousands of people around the world to connect with and care for nature. Through engaging wildlife stories, practical conservation tips and a passion for often-overlooked species, she encourages people to take meaningful action for wildlife and the climate wherever they live. She’ll be keeping a sharp eye out for shots that highlight our overlooked species and inspire real action for wildlife.

Wolf Kettler, Photography Artist -this year's Member Judge

Wolf is an artist who uses photography as his medium. His work has been exhibited and published internationally, with prints held in collections in several countries. He'll be looking for photos that capture that vital, artistic connection to the wild! Wolf is also a passionate gardener, believing that gardens should be spaces in which wildlife and nature can thrive. ‘As gardeners’, he says, ‘we have a duty to put the requirements of nature before our own demands.’ His own Wiltshire garden, which has become a major influence in his work, is a biodiverse haven for insects, birds and other small wildlife. Find out more about his work and garden on his website.