Competitions
Competitions
Free to enter. No purchase, no subscription. One active competition running now - closes 31st October 2026.
All ages
Open nowBest garden photo - closing 31st October 2026
A wildlife camera trap is a small weatherproof camera you strap to a tree, fence post or wall. A motion sensor triggers it whenever something walks, flies or hops past, day or night. It takes photos and short videos without you being there.
That matters because no one can sit in the garden 24 hours a day. A camera trap captures the things you miss - a sparrowhawk dropping in at dawn, a fox cub crossing the lawn at midnight, a hedgehog snuffling under the hedge. The photo above was taken by a camera trap at 6:37am. No human was there. The 1st prize in this competition is the same setup - a trail camera with solar panel, so you never miss a moment like this in your own garden.
- 1st Prize - Trail camera & solar panel bundle (worth approx. £335). A complete wildlife camera trap setup, identical to the one Rob uses on the North York Moors - including a solar panel so the battery never runs flat. It's the same kit that captured the Sparrowhawk in the photo above at 6:37am. Motion-triggered, weatherproof, records photos and video day and night - with no wi-fi or subscription required. Specific model to be confirmed - details to follow.
- 2nd Prize - Two vouchers for Richard Baines' wildlife identification tour.
- 3rd Prize - A hand-built nest box, made by Rob.
How entries are judged
Judges will assess entries on the following, in order of weighting:
- Subject matter and story - What is happening in the photo? Is the species, behaviour or moment unusual, rare or hard-won?
- Composition and action - Does the frame draw the eye? Is there energy, stillness or tension in the shot?
- Context - Does the description (if provided) add meaning or reveal something the image alone cannot?
- Technical quality - Sharpness, exposure, focus. This carries the least weight.
A phone photo of a hedgehog emerging from hibernation, caught at the right moment, will always beat a technically perfect shot of a pigeon. You do not need an expensive camera to win.
How to enter: One photo of wildlife in your own garden, balcony or window box. No long lenses needed.
Closes: 31st October 2026
Enter the competition →The rules, briefly
- Free to enter. One entry per person.
- Under 16s need a parent or guardian to enter on their behalf.
- By entering you give us permission to publish your entry on the site (first name and county only).
- Winners chosen by the ARFL team. No cash alternative.
- We will never sell or share your contact details.