Northumberland Wildlife Trust has some great news this week. President of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Conrad Dickinson, who is also a photographer and polar explorer has provided the charity with something to celebrate after winning a major photography award.
It was announced that the Conservation Award in the 2026 Bird Photography the Year competition, had been won by Conrad’s Hen Harrier Story. The competition attracted more than 24,000 entries from photographers all over the globe.
The story is made up of a series of six photographs of hen harriers. The photos were taken in England and were accompanied by documentary-style storytelling. This story-telling highlights the status of hen harriers as one of the UK’s most persecuted birds of prey, as well as the conservation work being carried out to protect them.
Conrad, who was born and bred in Northumberland, has spent twenty years now documenting his surroundings through the medium of photography, as he has undertaken numerous polar expeditions.
While this has kept Conrad busy, during the last decade he has also developed a particular passion for wildlife photography. Conrad has received commended and highly commended accolades in the prestigious International Bird Photographer of the Year competition on multiple occasions as his interest and passion for birds has grown. Meanwhile at least one annual publication has also featured Conrad’s photography.
Conrad has previously won first prize in the Share the View International Photography Competition in 2021 with Diving Gannet, a photograph which he took in Shetland during the summer of 2019.
Conrad has now retired from polar exploration, and he is able to spend more time supporting Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s campaign to raise £30 million to secure the purchase of the Rothbury Estate. Meanwhile earlier in 2026, he also narrated a film which showcased the importance and beauty of the area.
Conrad said this about winning the award:
“I’m delighted to have won the award, although first and foremost my photographs are all about promoting nature conservation and encouraging people to take action, rather than winning prize money and trophies.
“When it comes to taking photographs, it’s all about knowing your camera settings thoroughly so that you can react quickly when an exciting situation unfolds in front of you.
“There are always great second-hand deals available on cameras, and most smartphones now have excellent cameras built into them. So turn off the TV, head to your local green space and see what you can photograph. And remember, be patient. The wildlife will appear if you take the time to sit and wait.”
