Talented snapper captures wildlife in the city

Tuesday 24th April 2012

© Ian Cook

A wildlife picture taken just feet from the roar of city traffic proved a winner for Ian Cook.

Ian’s image of a kittiwake and its chick on a ledge of the Tyne won him first prize in the adult section of Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s annual photographic competition.

Ian, who lives at Newcastle Great Park, was walking across the bridge from Gateshead after observing nesting kittiwakes on the Baltic arts centre. He spotted the kittiwake and its chick just beyond the Tyne Bridge railing.

Using one hand to squeeze his camera between the railings he was able to capture his stunning picture as the birds were right next to the bridge pavement.

Handing over his prize, Mike Pratt, Chief Executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust and one of the judges said: “Ian’s photo is fantastic! I think it’s really great that we have the kittiwake nesting colony in Newcastle and Gateshead which brings wildlife to our doorstep.”