Find out more about Young Bird Photographer of the Year, the free-to-enter competition that runs in parallel with BPOTY.

The BPOTY team is committed to wildlife and conservation and we feel privileged to live in an era where the natural world is still full of wonder. But we recognise that things are changing, with nature being eroded and degraded, often suffering a death by a thousand cuts. During our lifetimes we have tried to do our bit but we’re placing our faith in the next generation of conservationists. In a modest attempt to encourage budding naturalists and photographers, each year we run Young Bird Photographer of the Year in parallel with the main BPOTY; this competition within a competition is free to enter for people aged 17 or under and divided into three age categories.

Thanks to the generosity of Swarovski Optik and The Cameron Bespolka Trust (CBT) there are plenty of prizes on offer for the winners – see the BPOTY website for more details. CBT was set up by Corinne and Kevin in memory of their son Cameron Bespolka, a keen birder who died at the tragically young age of 16. CBT Trustee Keith Betton is a driving force behind the relationship between BPOTY and CBT.

YOUNG BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR SILVER AWARD WINNERAbove: This image, entitled ‘The Tongue of the Hummingbird’, shows a Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus and was taken by Madeline Nolan, from the United States of America. Madeline is shortlisted in the 2019 Young Bird Photographer of the Year Competition.

This year, BPOTY is thrilled to hand over the running of Young Bird Photographer of the Year to the capable hands of Megan McCubbin. A passionate and fearless advocate for wildlife, you only have to meet her to realise there is hope for the future. Megan will be at Birdfair this coming weekend and has kindly offered to talk about Young BPOTY in the BPOTY Exhibition Marquee at 11am on Sunday 18th August.  Under her stewardship we are sure that Young BPOTY will go from strength to strength, in harmony with CBT’s goal of Bringing Children and Nature Together.

If you are attending Birdfair on Friday 16th August, we will be hosting a meet-and-greet at 2.30pm in the BPOTY Exhibition Marquee where Phil Morgan from Morgan Kunda Lodge and Foundation will talk about birding and genuinely eco-friendly wildlife tourism in The Gambia. And don’t forget to attend the Awards Ceremony at 4pm on Saturday 17th August, which will be hosted by Chris Packham.

038Above: Northern Anteater-chats Myrmecocichla aethiops taken near Morgan Kunda Camp in The Gambia.