Lively ponies behind beautiful orchids at Roydon Common in West Norfolk has been chosen by the panel of judges as the winner of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Norfolk Commons Photography Competition.
Our heritage of commons across the county are part of what makes Norfolk special: brilliant for wildlife and great places to explore. NWT was looking for photographs that captured the essence of a registered or historic common, whether it be the way it looks, a particular species or the way people use it.
Entitled “
Wild in the orchids”, the winning photograph was taken 19 June 2018 by Julie Smart, at Roydon Common in West Norfolk. She receives the star prize of an award-winning Jessops Academy Photography Experience Day worth £125, donated by NWT Investors in Wildlife, Jessops Norwich.
In second place was “
I’ve got my eye on you” a stunning barn owl taken in Boughton last year by Mark Pogmore. Third place went to “
English longhorns grazing at Thompson Common” by Lynsey Doughty taken in May 2016. They have won an Opticron digiscope adapter and Opticron 8x21 adventurer binoculars respectively, donated by NWT Investors in Wildlife, Cley Spy.
Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Pamela Abbott said: “Commons in Norfolk are places where people experience nature and enjoy encounters with wildlife in these wonderful spaces. We were delighted to receive so many inspiring images showing how people in Norfolk value and celebrate their local common. Congratulations to our winners. We’ll be adding these photographs to our website for everyone to appreciate.”
There were more than 60 images submitted, with a good geographical spread of the county. NWT Roydon Common proved particularly popular. Grazing on commons was the most popular subject, with photos of Dartmoor ponies and Longhorn cattle. The competition was part of our two-year project
Wildlife in Common.
From the judges:
Nathan Jermey from Jessops Norwich said: “We are happy to continue our collaboration with Norfolk Wildlife Trust to preserve, protect and capture great images of our wonderful landscapes in Norfolk.”
Tim Strivens from Cley Spy said: “It was very difficult to choose just three pictures out of so many wonderful entries. All the pictures remind me how lucky we are to live in Norfolk. Well done to everyone who entered.”
David North, Head of People and Wildlife at Norfolk Wildlife Trust said: “These entries are a stunning remind of how diverse Norfolk’s commons are – from heaths to cattle-grazed marshland. We are fortunate that these special places have survived over centuries and it’s vital we ensure these treasures are loved and cared for.”