Launched at the start of the lockdown, and supported by our Patron Iolo Williams, our  photography and film competition aimed to get people to connect with nature safely during the Covid-19 restrictions.

Commenting at the time of the competition launch Iolo said: “Wherever you live each and every one of us is only a few feet away from nature in our neighbourhood, whether in the garden, outside our window or in your street. Now more than ever it’s truly a great time to connect with your nature neighbours.”

And many of you clearly felt inspired by Iolo’s words as the standard of entries and range of wildlife captured in local gardens and areas around Gwent, was commended by the our competition judges: Gwent Wildlife Trust Vice-chair, amateur filmmaker and photographer Rob Waller and our Senior Conservation Ecologist and keen photographer Andy Karran.

 Andy said: “It was wonderful to see so many entries from around Gwent capturing the wide range of wildlife in people’s gardens and local areas, that is present in this part of Wales. We saw entries of everything from bees, birds and butterflies, to squirrels and even snakes in a few Gwent gardens."

As the standard of entries was strong the judges shortlisted down to a top 10 for the Wildlife From Home (WFH) Over 18s photography category.

Over 18s Photography winner

After much deliberation the judges chose the Over 18s winner as ‘Pied Magic’ by George Steven Reed from Newport.

The judges felt this striking image of Pied Wagtail, photographed in a garden in Newport mid-flight with a mealworm in its beak, really captured the Wildlife From Home concept of nature and people connecting.

Under 18s photography winner

In the Under 18s category the judges’ winning entry was: “Yellow Bee on Purple Vetch” taken by Sean Crabbe aged 17, of Caldicot. The photo was taken on the road near the Hay Meadow at Gwent Wildlife Trust's Magor Marsh nature reserve.