Capturing the Wild Heart of Stiperstones NNR: A New Chapter Begins! 📸

For those who know me, you’ll know the Shropshire Hills hold a special place in my heart. The jagged, quartzite tors and the vast, beautiful heathland of the Stiperstones offer a backdrop unlike anywhere else in England. It's a place of ancient geology, rich folklore, and, most importantly, a vital sanctuary for some incredible, and sometimes vulnerable, wildlife.and I'm excited to announce the start of a landmark wildlife photography project focusing on the newly expanded Stiperstones Landscape National Nature Reserve (NNR).

This five year project will be a visual journey to document the vital conservation work protecting this unique heathland, from rare birds to fragile insects. It’s a huge collaboration, celebrating the efforts of Natural England, our partners, landowners, and amazing volunteers.

The Vision: Telling Nature's Story

This isn't just about taking pretty pictures; it’s about creating a comprehensive visual record to support the reserve's monumental expansion. The recent declaration of the Stiperstones Landscape NNR as part of the King's Series of National Nature Reserves has more than tripled the protected area, bringing together a vast landscape of heathland, ancient woodland, bogs, and acidic grasslands.

My role, through the lens of a camera, is to help document the success of conservation efforts and showcase the biodiversity that this landscape-scale partnership is safeguarding. From the return of upland birds like the Red Grouse and Skylark to the fragile insects like the Bilberry Bumblebee, every photograph will be a testament to the power of collective conservation.