SUMMER - UK| AUGUST 2022 | VOL XIV ISSUE II
EMILY HUNT'S
NATURE: THE NEXT GENERATION HOW WILDLIFE EDUCATION IS RE-FORMING
Wonders of Wildlife INTERVIEW WITH
ELLA YOUNGS AND SAM TAYLOR NATURE'S
BRIGHT COLOURS
FELIX WALKER-NIX'S
WONDERS OF WILDLIFE
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WILDLIFE
MAGAZINE
Inside Cover: 'Interview With Sam Taylor' Photographer: Sam Taylor Instagram: @staylorwildlifeimages
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lucy Morris Instagram @lucymorriswild Email: lucyjane@conkernature.com
Sally Marie Angela Mitchell Zoe Richards Heather Wilkins Darren Wynne Jaquelyn Rodgers Eric Jones Anna Clarke Laszlo Balogh Amelia Bazzone Jade Cornish
Executive Editor Editor Junior Editor Advertising Director Photography Director Deputy Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor Proofreader Contributor Logo Illustrator Digital Editor Digital Editor
EDITORIAL OFFICE Wildlife photography, art, and written articles are welcomed, once images are submitted they become the property of Conker Nature Magazine; which will be used to promote the magazine if needed, not for any other purpose. Please send images to submissions@conkernature.com Conker Nature Magazine is published by Morris Media Publishing Group. Follow us on Social media @conkernature
www.conkernature.com Email: info@conkernature.com Front Cover: Photographer: Sam Taylor Instagram: @staylorwildlifeimages
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07 LETTER FROM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF THIS MONTH, LUCY MORRIS PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE PASSING OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, WHOM PASSED AWAY DURING THE PUBLICATION'S RELEASE.
06 - 11 BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR FLOCK AROUND, BECAUSE THE YOUNG BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2022 WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!
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SPOTLIGHT ON SAM TAYLOR: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OUR SPOTLIGHT TURNS TO WILDLIFE SNAPPER, SAM TAYLOR. THE WINNER OF WILTSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST'S JUNIOR WILD SNAPS COMPETITION 2022.
16 - 21 WONDERS OF WILDLIFE YOUNG WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER, FELIX WALKER-NIX RETURNS. SHARING SOME OF HIS AUTUMNAL WILDLIFE SNAPS FOR THE SEASON.
NATURE: THE NEXT GENERATION YOUNG WILDLIFE WRITER, EMIILY HUNT REPORTS ON THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE NATURAL WORLD WITH OUR YOUNGEST GENERATION, AND HOW THE DIFFERENCE OF EDUCATION MAY HAVE AN IMPACT YET TO COME.
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PHOTOGRAPHER: FELIX WALKER-NIX
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NATURE'S BIRGHT COLOURS WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER TYLER HOOD IS BACK WITH SNAPS OF SOME OF NATURE'S BRIGHTEST COLOURS TO WITNESS IN THE NATURAL WORLD.
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EDITOR'S LETTER Her Majesty The Queen (1926 - 2022)
The Queen has carried a passion for conservation and the natural world since the start. Her love for nature has been passed down to her children and now her grandchildren. There is no greater legacy. God bless you, Ma'am. Rest in peace, and rise in glory. Thank you for a lifetime of service to our country. Long Live The King.
Lucy Morris Conker Nature Editor-in-chief
LJM
@ ROYAL COMMUNICATIONS / THE ROYAL FAMILY
The Little Conkers Magazine Team are deeply saddened to hear the news that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away. We pay this month's Editor's Letter as a tribute to her memory. Our thoughts are very much with the Royal Family and their loved ones. The Queen has been an inspirational figurehead throughout the years of her reign.
We will be closed on the day of Her Majesty's State Funeral and the Coronation of the His Majesty The King.
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Published by William Collins, the 2022 Bird Photographer of the Year competition features a wealth of incredible images, attracting the world’s best bird photography, now celebrated in this stunning 256 page book. Featuring well over 200 of the best images, the coffee-table sized book is a lavish production that pays homage to the exceptionally high standard of entries. The book is an important element to the competition as it helps celebrate and promote the works of the contributing photographers. © Brad James / Bird Photographer of the Year
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Bird Photographer of the Year 2022:
Competition Winners Announced
The Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 winners have been unveiled. An image of a rock ptarmigan in winter plumage taking flight above the snow-covered mountains of Tysfjord, Norway, takes the grand prize in the world’s largest bird photography competition.
Written By Lucy Morris “Birds are an incredibly diverse group of animals, and we’ve seen stunning images of everything from mallard ducks to harpy eagles this year,” says Will Nicholls, wildlife cameraman and Director at Bird Photographer of the Year. “We celebrate birds and conservation through images, and it is always a pleasure for everyone on the judging panel to see the work of such talented photographers.” - Will Nicholls, Director of Bird Photographer of the Year. Bird Photographer of the Year has conservation at its heart. This year, the competition donated more than £5,000 to partner charity Birds on the Brink, which provides vital funding to grass-roots bird conservation projects around the world. Visit them at www.birdsonthebrink.co.uk Photographers competed in 8 different categories in the adult competition: Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Attention to Detail, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, and Creative Imagery. There was also a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award. Photographers competed in 8 different categories in the adult competition: Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Attention to Detail, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, and Creative Imagery. There was also a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award. Photographers competed in 8 different categories in the adult competition: Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Attention to Detail, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, and Creative Imagery. There was also a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award. More than 20,000 images were entered into the Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 competition. Competing for the £5,000 cash prize and prestigious title, photographers submitted images from 115 different countries this year. “Once again our talented photographers have cast a light on the incredible diversity of bird life that we share our planet with,” says Will Nicholls, Director of Bird Photographer of the Year. “But it is also a stark reminder of what we stand to lose if we don’t continue to look after the natural world and fight for its protection from the many threats that exist today.” - Will Nicholls, Director of Bird Photographer of the Year. All awarded images are published by William Collins in a hard-back coffee-table book, which is now available online at birdpoty.com. Foreword by naturalist and TV explorer Steve Published by William Collins, the 2022 Bird Photographer of the Year Backshall. (HB, £30, published 15th September). competition features a wealth of incredible images, attracting the world’s best bird photography, now celebrated in this stunning 256 page The 2023 competition is now open for entries at birdpoty.com, and invites photographers of book. Featuring well over 200 of the best images, the coffee-table sized all experience levels to submit their best bird photos. book is a lavish production that pays homage to the exceptionally high standard of entries. The book is an important element to the categories can be seen at birdpoty.com/categories •Competition competition as it helps celebrate and promote the•Competition works of the prizes can be seen at birdpoty.com/prizes contributing photographers.
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Young Bronze Winners SUNSET Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus. Khok Kham, Samut Sakhon, Thailand. Thamboon Uyyanonvara, Thailand. Category: 14–17 years. At the end of the day, this area of saltpans took on a beautiful, bright orange-red colour. I love watching the scene of waders foraging in such glorious light. To take this photograph, I lay prone and motionless on a low ridge as there was nowhere else for me to hide. I lay there hoping that the birds would come into the basin just in front of me. Eventually, my dream came true and the birds finally arrived, right on cue to coincide with the gorgeous sunset light. The sun’s glow contained tints of yellowish, pinkish and orange-red, and this little Kentish Plover was perfectly placed in the middle of its reflection on the saltwater surface. You can also get a sense of how shallow the basin was from the size of the bird in relation to those little wads of mud.
©Thamboon Uyyanonvara / Bird Photographer of the Year
Canon R6 with Canon 300mm f/2.8 II lens. Focal length 300mm; 1/500 second; f/2.8; ISO 100.
HOP, SKIP AND JUMP Plum-headed Parakeet Himalayapsitta cyanocephala. Hosanagara, Karnataka, India. Achintya Murthy, India. Category: 9–13 years. There is a bird hide in the Western Ghats of India that has been installed specifically for observing and photographing parakeets. On the day I visited the site, there was good light, which was an encouraging sign. Aware of this, I set the camera to a high shutter speed and used an autofocus setting with 72 points of focus. The aim was to get a sharp image of a bird in flight, and I was particularly keen to photograph a Plumheaded Parakeet. One landed on a crowded perch and, expecting it to fly away from the crowd, I tracked its movement and was able to capture this amazing moment. Canon R6 with Canon 300mm f/2.8 II lens. Focal length 300mm; 1/500 second; f/2.8; ISO 100.
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©Achintya Murthy/ Bird Photographer of the Year
Young Silver Winners PIED AVOCET CHICK Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) Kinskunság National Park, Hungary. Tamás Koncz-Bisztricz, Hungary. Category: 14–17 years. This photograph was taken in an area I have known for a long time – it is a soda lake called Nagyszéksós-tó, near the town of Mórahalom. Kinskunság National Park introduced Water Buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) at least ten years ago, and the beneficial outcome has been that the birdlife has become very rich and diverse. Until now, I have photographed only adult birds at this location, but I managed to observe and photograph Pied Avocet chicks in early summer. After prolonged observation, I edged my way closer to the birds. The parent birds soon overcame any nervousness and soon got used to my presence; I was an insignificant addition to the nearby Water Buffalos, which dwarfed me. The chicks went about their business a few metres away from me, and fed and preened quite happily. I was lucky enough to be able to photograph this chick backlit, and as a result I took some really special images. Canon EOS-1D X with Canon 400mm f/4 II lens and 1.4x teleconverter. Focal length 560mm; 1/3,200 second; f/5.6; ISO 100.
©Tamás Koncz-Bisztricz/ Bird Photographer of the Year IG: @kbtamas
SHADOWS Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula. Grazalema, Spain. Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco, Spain. Category: 9–13 years. I enjoyed taking this picture of a Eurasian Blackbird because at that moment the silhouetted outline of the bird and the illuminated background combined in a pleasing and artistic way. A few out-of-focus dewdrops created circles of bokeh that complement the image. Canon EOS 5D Mark III with Canon 500mm f/4 lens and 1.4x teleconverter. Focal length 700mm; 1/2,000 second; f/5.6; ISO 800.
©Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco/ Bird Photographer of the Year
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Young Gold Winners FACING THE STORM Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Heligoland, Germany. Levi Fitze, Switzerland. Category: 14–17 years. Last autumn I spent a week on the tiny North Sea island of Heligoland. The weather was quite bad and I didn’t see a single nice sunrise. However, the opportunity to observe all kind of shorebirds made up for the conditions. When I saw a group of Dunlin struggling with a small sandstorm, I decided to risk my equipment and attempt to photograph them. I could really see on their faces how annoyed they were by the wind and sand flying everywhere. I sympathised with them. Sony A7R IV with Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens. Focal length 400mm; 1/1,250 second; f/2.8; ISO 125.
© Levi Fitze / Bird Photographer of the Year IG: @levifitze
DROPLETS Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna.) Fremont, California, United States of America. Parham Pourahmad, United States of America. Category: 9–13 years. In Fremont there is a water fountain that is a hotspot for hummingbirds. The birds like to bathe in the water, or in this case catch and sip the droplets. When the birds fly around among the droplets, it provides great opportunities for photography. I had to use a very fast shutter speed to freeze the water droplets and the wings of this Anna’s Hummingbird. No bait or calls were used. Nikon D3500 with Sigma 150–600mm f/5–6.3 lens. Focal length 600mm; 1/4,000 second; f/6.3; ISO 2,800
© Parham Pourahmad/ Bird Photographer of the Year
HOOT ARE YOU? Barred Owl Strix varia. Acadia National Park, Maine, United States of America. Arjun Jenigiri, United States of America. Category: 8 and under. One of my parents’ friends, who lives nearby, took us on a hike to a location where she had seen Barred Owl chicks earlier in the week. Amazingly, we were just a few minutes into the hike when we heard them calling. Eventually we got to see four owlets, which was amazing. One landed close by and peered at me from behind a tree trunk in a way that seemed to express curiosity. I was thrilled to be able to capture the moment and pleased that the judges appreciated the photo. Canon EOS 700D with Canon 55–250mm f/4–5.6 lens. Focal length 250mm; 1/30 second; f/7.1; ISO 1,600 © Arjun Jenigiri/ Bird Photographer of the Year
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Young Bird Photographer Of The Year FACING THE STORM Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Heligoland, Germany. Levi Fitze, Switzerland. Category: 14–17 years. GOLD AWARD WINNER AND YOUNG BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR. Read Levi Fitze’s statement below: High above the tree-line, the wind, snow and cold maintain the iron grip of winter for months on end. This is where Rock Ptarmigan thrive, small white feather-balls in an endless white landscape. On this particular winter day, I was on my way to a mountain top by Tysfjorden to photograph landscapes. I had almost reached the summit when I spotted some ptarmigan tracks criss-crossing between the rocks, where the wind had uncovered some sparse vegetation. From behind a rock, a small head appeared, and seconds later it took to the wing with the mountains and fjord landscape in the background, setting the scene perfectly. Sony A7R IV with Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens. Focal length 400mm; 1/1,250 second; f/2.8; ISO 125 © Levi Fitze / Bird Photographer of the Year IG: @levifitze
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Interview with...
Sam Taylor
Wildlife photographer
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My family encouraged me to enter the competition and when I saw it on Wiltshire Wildlife instagram I thought I would give it a go. This is the first competition that I have entered and so I would encourage anyone to give it a try - even if you think you haven’t got a chance!
When and what inspired you to get into photography, and do you have any favourite photographers that you admire?
Sam Taylor
I have always had a passion for nature and took up wildlife photography a year ago when my Dad gave me his old Nikon D200 to try. I admire and follow the work of many photographers on Instagram such as @phelpsphotographyx.
What does your photography mean to you – in what way would it get you up in the morning?
Follow Sam here Instagram: @staylorwildlifeimages
Hi Sam, welcome to Little Conkers Magazine, congratulations on winning the Wiltshire Wildlife Wild Snaps Competition 2022, and thanks for agreeing to be interviewed in our photography spotlight! Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself & what it is you do. Hi, I’m Sam, 14 years old, from Bradford on Avon. I have always been interested in nature and all things outdoors. As well as photography, I enjoy mountain biking and climbing.
You have won both 1 st and 2 nd place in the Wiltshire Wild Snaps Competition 2022, what was the inspiration to apply for the comp? And what would you say to someone who is interested in applying next year?
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Photography and nature I will always get up early for! In fact to capture the Kingfisher on the cover shot I had several early mornings starting at 4am!
What is your process when photographing, do you have a particular area or species you are drawn to? I tend to take lots of walks with my camera in my local area to suss out what is about. When I spot something of interest I will sit and watch, and work out where they are coming from. I will then return at different times, sometimes with a hide to try and capture an interesting shot. I am fortunate to have lots of patience!
What is your favourite species, and what has been your best wildlife encounter to date? I particularly like taking photographs of birds, owls and kingfishers are my favourite. My best wildlife encounters to date have been watching my local barn owl and little owl chicks growing each day.
Interview with Sam Taylor
What is the one interesting thing that always surprises you about wildlife? I am always amazed by how each bird I watch has its own little personality and always offer something new to observe. I never get bored watching them!
Presently, what is your biggest aspiration in your photography? I would really like to photograph long eared owls!.
Is there a specific species or place you’ve always wanted to experience, and why? I would love to capture puffins in their natural environment preferably in Scotland.
Is there a specific species or place you’ve always wanted to experience, and why? I would love to capture puffins in their natural environment preferably in Scotland.
Do you have a preferred camera you use, and a favourite lens? I love using the Canon 5D mark iii, the lens is a Sigma 150-600 contemporary. It is my hope that Iwill one day have my own!
Out of all your photographic achievements so far, which are you most proud of and why? I am proud of many of my photographs, especially the barn owl shots. I am also obviously proud to come 1st and 2nd in this competition!
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What would you like to do when you get older? Do you see yourself still being a wildlife photographer/videographer? I will always take photos as a hobby and it would be a dream to take up photography professionally. My great uncle is a photographer and gives me lots of advice about my work.
What advice would you give to the past you and what advice would you give to people with similar interests and dreams? I would have said always have your camera to hand you never know when something interesting might happen in front of you! I would encourage anyone with similar dreams to have patience - it pays off!
Sam Taylor
Finally, what else are you hoping to achieve; do you have an ultimate ambition? Where do you see yourself in the future? I would like to continue taking photos and one day enter the Countryfile competition. To have a winning shot in the calendar would be incredible! In the future whatever I end up doing I know I will still be taking photographs and enjoying wildlife.
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Follow Sam here Instagram: @staylorwildlifeimages
To find out how you can be interviewed for our wildlife photography spotlight visit our website guides www.conkernature.com/contribute
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FELIX
S ' X I N WALKER
E F I L D L I W F O S WONDER
Photographer: Felix Walker-Nix IG: @photos.by.felix WILDLIFE MAGAZINE
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Nature: The Next Generation Written By Emily Hunt Instagram: @em_loves_nature_ Creating a generation of people who care about nature is vital. Environmental awareness encourages people to make sustainable choices, do what they can in their local area and support campaigns. My generation has the potential to be a catalyst to great change and play a key role in reversing the current biodiversity and climate crisis. But to do this, we must feel connected and involved with the natural world. It is well documented that young people are spending less and less time in nature, and this is apparent from my own experience. Recently I have heard a lot of conversations about ways of getting more young people engaged with nature but as yet, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious solution as to how we do so. After running an informal survey on Instagram about attitudes towards nature and the climate crisis among my peers (age 11-18), I received an encouraging response. The majority (95%) voted to say that they would be interested in learning more about nature. This shows that young people are willing to be taught about the natural world. The issue is, how do we do this? The general consensus of opinion is that interest is being lost from around age 11 onwards, when students transition to secondary school. At primary we access nature regularly through Forest School and outdoor play. It is natural for children to be fascinated by ‘minibeasts’, enjoy time in nature and show curiosity about the world around them - it is very easy to get young children to enjoy outdoor activities. However, when we transition to secondary school, this fizzles out. We lose this inclusion of nature in our daily lives and learning and begin to feel pressure to fit in with our peers – showing an interest in nature is not deemed cool and can certainly harm your street cred! Secondary education also comes with an increased workload and more expectations - this zaps a lot of free time which could otherwise be spent outdoors. It is widely agreed that action needs to be taken to support young people, harness their interest and ensure it doesn’t fade away during these years. There is much debate about how best to do this. I have recently attended Hen Harrier Festival as part of the Young Wild Writer competition. Author Gill Lewis spoke about reaching people through writing and poetry, echoing a concept I first heard from Dara McAnulty at Guernsey Literary Festival this year. Dara described writing as his activism, as his way of getting his voice heard and making a difference. I think that creativity could be key to hooking the curiosity of young people and maintaining their interest before it is too late. Reaching people through art, writing and music would be an accessible, inclusive approach towards finding a solution. Recently I met with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to discuss their current approaches towards youth engagement and plans for the future - during our meeting we discussed one project taking place in Coventry. Graffiti artists are creating beautiful murals in the city to celebrate its 'hidden nature', including peregrines and foxes. This is an example of how we can encourage people to appreciate nature in creative ways. Interestingly, at Birdfair this year, one of the main solutions cited was the new Natural History GCSE. The event hosted many discussions centred on youth. One which particularly interested me was the Youth Panel, consisting of four prominent young conservationists who were posed the question ‘how can we get more young people involved with nature?’. Everyone on the panel seemed to have high hopes that the Natural History GCSE will have great effect. The Natural History GCSE will be introduced in 2025, and has the potential to be a fantastic addition to the curriculum, educating pupils about the natural world and local wildlife as well as global challenges such as climate change, the biodiversity crisis and sustainability.
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Hopefully, it will have a great impact and will be taken up by many students across the country. However, it will be an optional subject which you can choose at 14. Does this mean this action is too late? If young people are losing interest from age 11 then they have around 3 years to disengage from nature before they have the chance to take the GCSE. What’s more, this GCSE obviously needs a trained staff member to teach it, and the school must choose it as one of their available options in the first place. Not all schools offer a wide range of GCSEs, particularly some comprehensive schools which may be starved of resources - so, maybe not all students will have access to this GCSE anyway? Therefore I feel it would be beneficial for schools to introduce more nature and environment-centred topics across the curriculum - for example, why not study a Greta Thunberg speech when learning about persuasive writing in English? Students experiencing private or independent education I expect will be more likely to have Natural History as an option. Having researched some of my local private schools, it seems that they generally offer a more diverse range of subjects. Also, they seem to offer more extracurricular activities, some of which focus on the outdoors and the natural world. There seems to be more emphasis on mental health and well-being in their ethos. From my personal experience at a comprehensive school, extracurricular activities are mostly sports or homework clubs. Teachers often have a heavy workload and therefore little spare time. During my meeting with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, it was mentioned that the Trust finds it hard to do outreach work in schools unless there is a particularly passionate teacher for them to work alongside, and to continue the projects without support. Also, students in comprehensive schools may have less access to outdoor space - some school
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fields in my local area have been sold for housing. Plus, the school must consider maintenance costs for what they have - my school pond was filled in to save money as they couldn't afford to repair it. I would suggest there is a divide between private and comprehensive schools in terms of access to nature, as well as inclusion of it in the curriculum. In an ideal world, the Natural History GCSE would be implemented into every school across the country – but in reality, could a GCSE taken up only by schools who have the resources to do so actually further the divide? This strengthens the argument that nature is not as accessible for the average person. Those who are more affluent will generally find it easier to pursue their interests, and are more likely to make it through secondary without losing them. Furthermore, a membership to an organisation such as the RSPB is costly and may be unobtainable to many teenagers – which means so are wildlife magazines, applications to youth councils and events. This excludes many youths from the nature community and leaves them isolated. Of course, there are other ways that we can connect with like-minded people. Social media hosts a fantastic nature community, where we can share our interests. Many of us see the amazing photographs taken by young nature enthusiasts, who visit interesting places and see 'bucket-list' species. It is inspiring to see others of a similar age sharing their experiences. But if teenagers don't have the expensive camera kit or opportunities to take similarly brilliant photos, do they feel excluded from this part of the community? So, could the online young nature community play a part in the effort to get more young people into nature? How can we include everybody?
There are some great schemes available, such as the BTO's equipment donation scheme, for young people across the country. I was lucky to be gifted a lens by a photographer friend who recognised my enthusiasm for nature from my Instagram page. This enabled me to take better photos, see wildlife in greater detail and connect with more fantastic people on social media – which demonstrates just how important equipment can be for young people to feel like part of the online nature community. In addition, there are other ways for young people to get involved. Perhaps if prominent figures highlighted small scale achievements and community projects, others would feel like they too can participate. So, is the Natural History GCSE the sole answer to solve the dilemma of youth engagement with nature? I believe it will certainly go a long way towards making a difference, but I think we also need to consider other approaches to reach as many teenagers as possible. We can connect with young people through art, music and writing, by giving them a chance to have their voices heard and by generally thinking a little outside the box. We can create awareness of everyday species accessible to everyone and showcase how fascinating and exciting nature is. In order to make the biggest difference we need to involve everybody and make our nature community as inclusive as possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Hunt Emily Hunt is a young nature enthusiast and writer living in rural Warwickshire. Her writing has won many awards, she has even been featured at the Hen Harrier Festival Festival in 2022. She writes poetry, articles, and blogs Follow Emily here IG: @em_loves_nature_ Twitter: @em_nature
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Now including
Inspiring young naturalists around the world.
Interview with...
Ella Youngs
Aspiring conservationist & wildlife writer
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What is your favourite nature-themed hobbies to do in your spare time? In my free time I enjoy reading books about wildlife, and I have just finished Birdgirl by Mya- Rose Craig which is now one of my favourites! I also love writing, and often incorporate my love for nature in stories and poems. Sometimes I like to draw or paint the birds I see too, as well as taking LOTS of photos!
Ella Youngs
Follow Ella here Instagram: @ella.andthebirds Twitter: @ellaandthebirds Website: www.ellasbirdblog.wordpress.com
Hi Ella, welcome to the first Conker Nature’s Little Conkers Magazine, and thank you for agreeing to be interviewed as a part of our inspirational spotlight! Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself & what it is you do. Hi! Thank you so much for thinking of me for the Little Conkers Magazine. I’m Ella, I’m 14 years old and I live near Manchester, although I was born in London. I most enjoy getting out in nature and sharing it on my blog and social media. I particularly love birds, although I am also fascinated by all aspects of wildlife including moths, mammals and fungi!
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How did you get into nature? When did you first realise your passion? Although I have always liked spotting garden birds and other wildlife, I got interested in nature properly about 2 years ago now. It all started when I was walking by my local stream and briefly saw a mysterious grey, black and yellow bird with its tail bobbing up and down. I later realised it was a Grey Wagtail and couldn’t quite believe that such a beautiful bird existed, let alone just on my doorstep! From then on, my passion has blossomed and I can usually be found outside exploring nature. There’s something new to discover every day and I’m always learning.
Do you have a favourite exotic animal from abroad, and why? I’m not sure what my favourite exotic animal is, but I’d absolutely love to see a hummingbird! Hopefully in the future I’ll be able to explore more of the world and see lots of wildlife in other countries.
Do you have a favourite animal closer to home, and why? Closer to home, it’s really hard to choose but I think my favourite British animal is the Puffin!
Interview with Ella Youngs
They’re so funny and charismatic, and I was lucky enough to see them on my recent trip to the Isle of Mull which you’ll be able to read about on my blog very soon.
Who is your favourite wildlife superhero that you are inspired by, and why are they your chosen favourite? That’s a difficult one because there are so many! But I’d have to say Benjamin Fallow, who I came across on Instagram. He’s only 8 years old and has already been fundraising and raising awareness about wildlife which is incredible at such a young age. He also creates beautiful art inspired by nature.
What is your favourite place to visit in the UK, and why is it a favourite? My favourite place to visit has to be Hilbre Island, near West Kirby in Wirral, Merseyside. It’s a small island that you can walk to then spend the day on, and it’s so magical with seals bobbing up and down in the water and waders flocking on the rocks. What’s so amazing about it is that it’s relatively easy to get to but once you’re there, it seems as though you’re away from everything. There are also two other island nearby, Little Eye and Middle Eye, so you’ll never get bored.
You write blogs and articles for your website Ella’s Bird Blog, what has been your favourite piece you’ve written and published, and why? My favourite piece is ‘Lost in Translation’, that I wrote about my experience of watching bats and listening to them using a bat detector.
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I find it amazing how their lives are so different to ours and how the sounds they make are usually silent to humans, but as soon as you turn on the bat detector a door opens into their world.
You are also a hobbyist wildlife photographer, what has been your favourite image you’ve captured, and why have you chosen that specific image?
You are an ambassador for Curlew Action, what is your favourite thing about Curlews, and what actions will you take as an ambassador to protect them? Curlews have such an incredible call and long, curved bill, and they are unique in so many ways. But unfortunately some people don’t give them the respect they deserve, and as well as this their habitats are being lost.
My favourite photo I’ve ever taken is of a Kestrel on Hilbre Island, partly because the moment is so memorable and partly because the bird was really close and its wings caught the light beautifully. The Kestrel was hovering with its head unbelievably still, focusing on the grass below so I was able to take lots of photos. It was such a special moment to be in the world of this incredible raptor.
Curlews are declining at an alarming rate and are on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List so we need to act now if we want these beautiful birds to exist for future generations.
For the past few years, you have been involved in volunteering surveying for several organisations. What has been your most memorable experience, and what is it about these experiences that inspire you to carry on surveying?
One of your biggest projects currently, has been the set-up of an initiative known as On The Wild Side, can you explain to our readers what the initiative is all about and why it is so important to you?
My most memorable moment surveying is seeing a Goosander when I was doing the BTO Wetland Birds Survey at my local lake, very close to where I saw the Grey Wagtail that sparked my interest in wildlife! It was a few days before Christmas and seeing such an elegant bird at the lake was the best Christmas present I could have asked for! It’s this that inspires me to keep going, not knowing what you’ll see each time. As I do the WeBS count every month, it is really nice to see how the numbers of birds fluctuate during the seasons, if any unusual birds arrive, and watching the baby coots, moorhens, mallards, geese and swans grow up is really special.
WILDLIFE MAGAZINE
We have set up a blog recently so would love to have more people contributing to that (if anyone reading this has an idea, let us know!) and ultimately our aim is to include and share the work and thoughts of as many people as possible, to make the community even stronger! Whether it’s art, poetry, a short story, photography, non-fiction, a wildlife-related campaign or anything in between, we would love to hear from you!
My mission is to raise awareness of Curlews and help the charity, Curlew Action, as much as I can.
My good friend Freya and I decided to set up an Instagram account together so we could celebrate and unite the wildlife-lover community on social media.
Ella Youngs
Our aim is to share people’s art, photos, stories and experiences and so far this has been a success with so many people joining in. It’s really important to me because it can often feel isolating when you’re the only person with a certain interest, so to bring people together and create a sense of community is very important. We want to make everyone feel included and share our passions.
What direction would you like to see On The Wild Side take in the future? What is the ultimate goal?
Follow Ella here Instagram: @ella.andthebirds Website: www.ellasbirdblog.wordpress.com
Read more of Ella Young's work for Conker Nature on our website. At www.conkernature.com To find out how you can be interviewed for our wildlife photography spotlight visit our website guides www.conkernature.com/contribute
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CALL FOR WORK - LITTLE CONKERS OCTOBER 2022, NOW OPEN! FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, STORIES, INTERVIEWS - AGED 16 & UNDER FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT - WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM PHOTO: FELIX WALKER-NIX
NATURE'S Photographer: Tyler Hood IG: @tylerhoodphotographs
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DISCOVER OUR NEW LITTLE CONKERS EDUCATION PAGE FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, FACTS, ART, STORIES, INTERVIEWS - AGED 16 & UNDER FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT - WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM PHOTO: FELIX WALKER-NIX
PHOTOGRAPHER - FELIX WALKER-NIX / IG: @PHOTOS.BY.FELIX
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