As hen harrier persecution in England continues unabated, why is it that after 70 years of legal protection, no-one has ever been prosecuted? After a year-long investigation, I ask the question why.

Read the article in the January 2025 issue of Geographical Magazine. Out now.

Two images - ‘Black Grouse Lekking’ and ‘Pick of the Pack’ were finalists in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 and feature in BWPA Awards Book 12.

‘Mountain Hare’ was HIGHLY COMMENDED in the 2024 Northern Counties Photographic Federation Annual Awards in the category ‘Colour Print.’

Red squirrel images featured in The Yorkshire Post 8 October 2019.

Red squirrel images featured in The Times 8 October 2019.

Red squirrel images featured in The Northern Echo on 8 October 2019.

The following image appeared as a finalist in the Nature Photographer of the Year 2019.

The following image appeared as a finalist in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2019 and featured in BWPA Awards Book 10.

The following image received a ‘highly commended’ award in Bird Photographer of the Year 2019.

This image was a finalist in Travel Photographer of the year 2018.

A number of images featured in ‘PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHTED’ in Wildlife Photographic Magazine. Issue 33 August - September 2018.

A number of images and an interview with Nick Smith featured 'In The Spotlight' in Outdoor Photography Magazine. Issue June 2018.

The following images were donated to the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) to support their conservation efforts.

This illustrated article about the elephant seal project, “LOVE ISLAND” was featured in Geographical Magazine. Issue May 2018. Words and photographs by John Birch.

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. ‘Pout’ was a FINALIST in GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards 2018.

‘British Summer Evening” won Guardian Photograph of the Month in July and third placed overall in 2017, described by the judge, Paul Goldstein as a, “winner by a mile. Brilliant work.”

‘Thirsty Work’ was runner-up in The Guardian Photographer of the Month, December 2017.

‘Swifts’ was a finalist in the ‘creative’ category of Bird Photographer of the Year 2017.

My first cover photograph, ‘Floating on Sand’ and a feature interview, “10 QUESTIONS WITH JOHN BIRCH” in Wildlife Photographic Magazine. Issue 26 September/October 2017.

‘British Summer Evening’ was the winner of The Guardian Photographer of the Month, July 2017.