Beautiful birdlife and seasonal splendour in South Downs National Park’s photo contest
January 9, 2025
Two of Britain’s most iconic birds, a majestic wintry river and the joy of springtime wild garlic in an ancient English woodland are among the winners of the South Downs National Park’s Annual Photo Competition.
Photographer Piers Fearick was a double winner, taking both the first and runner-up prize in the National Park’s ever-popular wildlife category by capturing the beauty of a yellowhammer and wren in the South Downs.
The theme for the main competition was “Stunning Seasons of the South Downs” and judges were treated to an incredible assortment of images showing off the changing landscape, treescape, weather and light conditions throughout the year. This year saw a record number of entries, with over 800 photographs.
The competition judges were award-winning photographers Rachael Talibart, Finn Hopson, and Carlotta Luke, Outdoor Photography Deputy Editor Claire Blow, the National Park’s Biodiversity Officer Jan Knowlson, as well as Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the National Park Authority.
The wildlife category, which was wide open and not tied to the seasons, was one of the highest standards ever in the history of the competition.
About the yellowhammer, Jan said: “It’s one of our great farmland birds in the South Downs that has struggled in recent decades, so it’s wonderful to see the yellowhammer being shown here in all its glory.”
Carlotta said: “The colours are just incredible – yellow on yellow with the gorse! The detail is amazing and the composition is lovely. It looks like the bird is looking at the photographer.”
Regarding the wren image, named “Tiny Bit Tough”, Rachael said: “It’s so beautiful and one of our most characterful birds. I love the detail and how they have even captured a cobweb on the wren’s beak!”
Vanessa added: “These are truly beautiful birds and it would be a travesty if we lost these species from our countryside. It underlines why nature recovery is so important.”
Photographer Piers, who lives near Worthing and wins £150, said: “I’m constantly inspired by the natural environment and in particular the South Downs National Park which I’m very lucky to have on my doorstep. Yellowhammer, with its vibrant plumage, is only intensified with a backdrop of flowering golden gorse.
“The tiny but mighty wren’s loud and proud beautiful song can be heard from many a hedgerow and it’s always a delight to be eyelevel with one.”
There was another double winner with Stuart East, who took the first-place prize for both the spring and winter categories.
His composition of wild garlic beneath ancient trees at Treyford impressed judges, while his photograph of a hoar frost on the River Arun wowed judges for its technical prowess.
Finn said: “This is a very accomplished photograph and a lot of thought has gone into it. It really shows off the joy of spring in our woodlands.”
Regarding the hoar frost at Houghton, Carlotta said: “I love the still water and the reflection. The colours are lovely and it’s a beautiful light.”
Finn added: “It’s so wintry but in a nice way. These are the winter days you want to be out in the South Downs.”
Stuart, who lives at Littlehampton and picks up a £200 prize, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I spend a lot of my spare time walking, cycling and photographing in the South Downs National Park. I really enjoy observing and capturing the changing seasons across the different habitats and landscapes we are lucky to have so close by.
“My winter image was taken on a fantastic frosty morning at the River Arun in West Sussex with temperatures of minus 8C. The slack tide allowed beautiful reflections in the water and dramatic clouds rolled in to complete the scene. It was a real pleasure to witness these conditions which are so rare in this part of the world.”
Taking the top spot for summer was a dreamy photography, “Poppies and Puffy Clouds”, taken by Ian Brierley and showing off the stunning view from Beeding Hill.
Carlotta said: “The composition of all the fields are amazing with the sea in the distance. This is so unmistakably South Downs.”
Photographer Ian, who lives near Haywards Heath and picks up a prize of £100, said: “The whole scene seemed to sum up what I love about the South Downs, the endless views, rolling hills, and the feeling of being lost in the tranquility and beauty surrounded by nature.”
In the autumn category, a misty scene of a cyclist passing through a golden treescape captured the hearts of the judges and wins Emma Varley a £100 prize.
Claire said: “It’s so autumnal and lovely to see a human figure in the photograph. It’s really well-composed.”
Rachael added: “It’s so atmospheric and great timing for the photographer to capture this moment. I like the way the branch is coming across to frame the photo.”
Emma, who lives at Steyning, said: “I took the photo en route to visit family in Pulborough one gorgeous, misty October morning.
“As I drove past the end of a lane near Parham House I spotted sunshine illuminating the lovely autumnal colours of these oaks and couldn’t resist putting up my tripod in the middle of the (quiet!) road.
“Luckily, a cyclist was also enjoying the scenery and I managed to include him too.
“Living on a farm near Washington for many years, it was the beauty of the South Downs and its wildlife that inspired me to take up photography. I now live in Steyning and love sharing special moments in nature through my photos.
“It’s a huge surprise to have won this prize – there are so many talented local photographers who constantly inspire me with their views of the South Downs.”
This year’s competition included a “Towns and Villages” category to celebrate the many vibrant communities of the National Park. Winning the category was an image capturing the “The Harting Festivities”, a village celebration that is some two centuries old. The photograph was taken by Chris Gorman, who wins £100.
Claire said: “This is such a well-composed photograph that shows off so many different elements of the South Downs National Park. It shows off a bustling community and is really alive as an image.”
Chris said: “As a drone photographer based near Petersfield, the South Downs National park provides a huge amount of scope for great images from the vibrant villages as seen in my image, to beautiful sunrises and misty mornings.”
The judges awarded a runner-up prize in the winter category given the high standard. “Angelic Tree” wins Richard Murray, of Waterlooville, a £50 prize.
Finn said: “The combination of the hoar frost and the autumnal leaves is spectacular. It’s an unusual photograph and really cool actually!”
A number of photographs were highly commended by the judges: “Symphony of Speed” by Melanie Randell; “Hummingbird Hawkmoth” by Nigel Picknell; “Snail” by T Moore; “Blue on Heather” by Emma Varley; “Early Orchid” by Jen Fellows; “Fire and Ice” by Chris Gorman; “Cow Parsley Ponies” by Lynsey Main; “Over the Rainbow” by Jamie Fielding; “Common Heather” by Piers Fearick; “Summertime” by Julia Vasylevska; “Autumn Mists Around Vandalian Tower” by Mark Jones; “Breaking Sun In The Mist” by Giles Smith; “Swanborough Hill” by Ian Brierley; “Peaceful Reflections” by Carly Waymark; and “Alfriston Under Flower Moon” by Lee Rouse.
All the winning and commended images, as well as other shortlisted images, will now be put forward to the People’s Choice. People will be able to vote online from Wednesday, 15 January for their favourite photograph and the winning photographer will receive £75. The online poll closes at midnight on 31 January.
Visit www.southdowns.gov.uk to cast your vote.
The winners of the competition were:
Those that were highly-commended by the judges were:
