Photographers urged to capture London's wildlife

4 hours ago

Winnie AgbonlahorLondon

News image — Londoners have until 27 May to submit their best snaps of "the capital's surprising pockets of wildlife"

BBC/Passion Planet A fallow deer fawn with spots along its back looks alert as it hides among logs and trees — Londoners have until 27 May to submit their best snaps of "the capital's surprising pockets of wildlife"

Budding photographers are being invited to compete for the chance to have their work exhibited at a London Tube station as part of a new competition.

Londoners have until 27 May to submit their best snaps of "the capital's surprising pockets of wildlife", Transport for London (TfL) said.

Four winners will each receive a Santander Cycles annual subscription worth £120, a pair of tickets to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum worth £31, and the official exhibition book worth £28.

One overall winner will also have their photograph showcased at South Kensington Underground station.

The competition is run by Santander Cycles in conjunction with the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

For inspiration on where to get the best photo opportunities, participants are encouraged to use Santander Cycles Side Quest cycling routes guide.

'London's hidden gems'

London's walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said: "This competition is a great way for Londoners to discover the city's surprising wildlife and explore its green spaces by bike.

"The new wildlife-themed side quest routes are designed to encourage people to take a detour from their usual journeys and explore more of London's hidden gems, supporting the mayor's commitment to increasing cycling trips and building a greener London for everyone.

"With some great prizes up for grabs, I encourage all Londoners to get out on bikes, take some pictures and get to know London's greener side."

Earlier this year, Sir David Attenborough highlighted London's wildlife in one-off documentary Wild London.

The programme, aired on BBC One on 1 January and still available on BBC iPlayer, showed how the capital is abundant with animal curiosities: from pigeons hopping on to the Hammersmith and City line to fallow deer roaming from Dagnam Park on to streets in Harold Hill.

Submissions to the Santander Cycles competition should be emailed to WildlifeSideQuest@tfl.gov.uk.

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