Competition

Inspiring nature calendar competition

Enter your nature photos into our wildlife photography competition and be in with a chance to feature in our 2028 RSPB calendar.

A Red Squirrel looking down a tree trunk towards the camera

We are searching for 12 photographs, captured by you, to feature in our 2028 nature calendar.

Our competition is free to enter and available for all, no matter your experience. Whether it’s a picture of a bird, bug, plant, animal or a landscape, if it was taken by you in the UK, then we’d love to see it!

Photography competition prizes

Our photography competition is free to enter, but that doesn't mean we don't have amazing prizes for the First Place winners! This year's camera competition is kindly sponsored by Viking Optical, whose high-quality binoculars, spotting scopes and accessories bring wildlife up close, and Osprey, whose high-quality backpacks and outdoor gear are ready for wherever the wild leads you. 

Hands holding a pair of black binoculars with RSPB branding.
RSPB Buzzard® binoculars 8 x 42
First prize:

RSPB Buzzard® binoculars 8 x 42 (worth £540)

The Buzzard® binoculars offer exceptional performance with high-quality ED lenses, high-transmittance prisms which are also phase-coated and dielectric-coated optics.

All of this results in crystal clear, bright viewing that is comfortable all day. The image is also sharp all the way to the edge thanks to field flattening lenses, meaning you won’t miss any detail.

These binoculars are fully waterproof and nitrogen-filled, meaning they won’t let you down no matter the weather. They are supplied with a strap, case, objective caps and rainguard. These binoculars are backed by a 10-year warranty meaning you can enjoy them with peace of mind.

Second prize:

Kestrel LT 45 or Kyte LT 45 hiking pack, the Ultralight Stuff Waist Pack and the medium Camera Cube (worth £254.50)

Kestrel/Kyte LT 45  - A rugged, streamlined take on the classic rucksack, this pack offers an adjustable fit and ample volume for overnights and short multi-day trips. An AirScape™ backpanel delivers cushioned, close-to-body comfort. Raincover included.

Camera Cube Medium - Turn almost any Osprey pack into a photo bag with a durable, protective Camera Cube. With molded EVA tops and adjustable dividers to keep bodies and lenses securely in place. A padded web grab handle provides an easy carry while loops for an optional shoulder strap add versatility.

Ultralight Stuff Waist Pack - Simple and super light, this packable waist pack fits inside its own pocket, making it a no-brainer to bring along on your next trip. Two zip compartments help keep your essentials organised and give you a convenient, low-profile way to expand your everyday carry on excursions.

Third prize:

Talon/Tempest 26 + Small Cube (worth £177)                                                                                                                  

TheTalon/Tempest 26 - a streamlined top-loader with ample cargo space for peak bagging and bikepacking. This lightweight pack features versatile pocketing and a hydration reservoir sleeve, plus trekking pole and ice axe attachment points.

Camera Cube Small - Turn almost any Osprey pack into a photo bag with a durable, protective Camera Cube. With molded EVA tops and adjustable dividers to keep bodies and lenses securely in place. A padded web grab handle provides an easy carry while loops for an optional shoulder strap add versatility.

If your wildlife photo makes it into the nature photography calendar, that fleeting second you caught – a wingbeat, a glance, a shaft of light – becomes something you can hold, page through, and pass on to someone else who'll fall in love with it too.

Submit your nature photographs now!

RSPB Inspiring Nature Calendar cover 2027.
RSPB Inspiring Nature Calendar cover 2027
The photographers of each of the 12 final calendar images will receive a copy of the calendar.

If your wildlife photo makes it into the nature photography calendar, that fleeting second you caught – a wingbeat, a glance, a shaft of light – becomes something you can hold, page through, and pass on to someone else who'll fall in love with it too.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. Final decisions will be made by the Product Development Manager and Product Licensing Manager for calendars.

Before you send us your best shots, take a moment to read our rules and terms and conditions.

How to enter

Ready to send us your nature snaps? Here's everything you'll need to include:

•    Your name and email address
•    Your photo(s) – you can enter up to four!
•    Where and when the photo was taken
•    A sentence or two on why you chose to enter it. This might appear in the calendar alongside your photo

Save your image(s) under your full name, then send all the above to us at calendar.competition@rspb.org.uk with the subject line 'Inspiring Nature Calendar Entry', by midnight on 31 October 2026.

If you're one of our 12 winners, we'll ask for your original high-resolution file, at least 300dpi, and either 3800 x 2000 pixels (landscape) or 2200 x 3600 pixels (portrait), so every wingbeat, every ripple, comes through exactly as your eye and lens caught it in the wild.

A Waxwing perched on a branch with a red berry in its beak.
A close up of a Gannet chick with their parent in a nest.

Under 18?

If you're under 18, that's brilliant! We love seeing what budding nature photographers spot. Just make sure your parent or guardian gives their permission by completing our consent form and attaching it to your entry email.

Looking to start nature photography?

Somewhere between waiting quietly and finally getting the shot, you become a wildlife photographer, and it starts with nothing more than a camera and the patience to sit still while nature does its thing. Everyone who's ever caught a perfect moment started exactly where you are now.

When you're ready to take the next step, we've put together a guide on what you need, so you can spend less time researching and more time out there.

Learn what camera kit you need to start photographing nature.

Looking for some nature photo inspo?

Our nature reserves are some of the best places to see birds and other wildlife. Head to Bempton Cliffs, where dramatic clifftops come alive with nesting Puffins and Gannets by the thousand, or visit Minsmere, where wetlands, reedbeds and woodland tumble into one another, home to everything from Otters to Bitterns. For something different, wander beneath the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest, and let dusk fall around you as a Nightjar begins its churring call.

But don’t worry if these locations are beyond your reach. We have a network of fantastic reserves all over the UK, so no matter where you’re based, there’s a place waiting for you to capture. 

Winners Announcement

Last year we received hundreds of inspiring images of our UK nature and wildlife. Twelve of these have been selected to be featured in our 2027 calendar! Stay tuned for the announcement for this year's winners.

Frequently asked questions

We've answered your burning nature photography questions to help you get straight to the good part – being out there.

Contact us for further help

 email us at: calendar.competition@rspb.org.uk

Good luck!