Want to be Young Bird Photographer of the Year?

01 Nov 2015 | No. 2015-58

Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) is a new competition that aims to set the gold standard for wildlife photography. Investing in the future is a vital component of the Bird Photographer of the Year competition through the encouragement and recognition of the younger generation of birders and photographers. A special award for the Young Bird Photographer of the Year is on offer in conjunction with the Cameron Bespolka Trust, in memory of Cameron Bespolka.

Cameron was a keen and active birder who was tragically killed in an accident in 2013 at the age of 16. The Cameron Bespolka Trust was established in his memory to support the many different causes close to his heart. The Trust is proud to be involved with Bird Photographer of the Year and to promote the youth section of the competition through their involvement with the British Trust for Ornithology, an organisation Cameron was passionate about.

BPOTY organiser and competition judge Rob Read comments "Encouraging the next generation of avid birders and photographers is a key component of the BPOTY competition. Associating this element with such worthwhile organisations as the Cameron Bespolka Trust and the BTO is suitably poignant."

A partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology and specialist natural history photo library Nature Photographers Ltd, the competition is open to a global audience and hopes to attract a variety of entries from around the world. Its main aim is to aid conservation by supporting the valuable work carried out by the BTO. Through celebrating the bird life in photographic form and rewarding the most skilled bird photographers, Bird Photographer of the Year also hopes to raise awareness of the importance of bird conservation and the effects of environmental change on bird life. 

If you are under the age of 18 when the competition closes for entries on 9 January 2016, then you will automatically be entered for this award. The winner will receive a pair of Swarovski Optik CL Companion 8x30 binoculars, plus £350 cash. There are also second and third place prizes of £200 and £100 respectively. And there is nothing stopping you from winning the senior competition and the £5,000 top prize.

For all those entrants under 18 by the closing date of the competition, there is 50% off the standard entry fee for the duration of the call for entries period.

For more information, full terms and conditions and to enter the competition visit the website http://www.birdpoty.co.uk

Notes for Editors

  1. The BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Bangor (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. The BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisations.www.bto.org
     
  2. Young Bird Photographer of the Year Award is in association with The Cameron Bespolka Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology.


    Encouraging a new generation of birding and photography enthusiasts.

    Supporting conservation and celebrating the artistry of bird photography.  

    The Cameron Bespolka Trust website can be visited at - http://www.cameronbespolkatrust.com/

Contact Details

Rob Read
(Nature Photographers)

Mobile: 07768 121780
Email:  rr [at] naturephotographers.co.uk

Paul Stancliffe
(BTO Media Manager)

Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5.30pm)
Mobile: 07585 440910 (anytime)
Email: press [at] bto.org

Images are available for use alongside this News Release.
Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference 2015-58

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.
Please contact us to book an interview
Office: 01842 750050


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