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.

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.

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.

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.

An illustrated feature, “GLORIOUS GANNETS” about a photography visit to the gannet colony on Bass Rock in Scotland’s Firth of Forth. The Article appeared in Bird Watching Magazine. Issue May 2017. Words and photography by John Birch.

Making the most on my Bass Rock images, this “BEHIND THE LENS” article featuring my trip to Bass Rock in Scotland appeared in World of Animals Magazine. Issue February 2017.

‘Sunbathing on Leopard Beach,’ a photograph of a gentoo penguin taken on Carcass Island in the Falkland Islands was printed in The Guardian newspaper in December 2016.

A landscape photograph from Milford Sound, during John’s trip to see his daughter in New Zealand. ‘Take a Bow’ was printed in Lonely Planet Traveller Magazine. Issue October 2016.

Finalist in Trail Magazine’s UK Mountain Photographer of the Year in 2016 with ‘Descending Faochag.’ This was one of the 25 finalists from several thousand entries that were put to the public vote.

“PHOTOGRAPHING SEABIRDS IN THE NORTHERN UK” was an illustrated feature appearing in Wildlife Photographic Magazine. Issue 20 September/October 2016. Words and photography by John Birch.