A Northumberland-based photographer and former Polar explorer has won the Conservation Award in the 2026 Bird Photographer of the Year competition for a compelling series of images highlighting the plight of the Hen Harrier, the UK’s most persecuted bird of prey.

Conrad Dickinson, from Hexham, was recognized for a portfolio of six photographs taken under strict licence conditions across Cumbria and Northumberland. His work documents the conservation efforts to protect the Hen Harrier, capturing moments such as monitoring young birds, fitting satellite tags, and showcasing the bird in its natural habitat alongside the ongoing threats it faces. Dickinson has pledged to donate his £500 prize money to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to further support its conservation initiatives.

Dickinson, a prominent figure in Polar exploration, is notable for being the only Briton to complete the ‘Polar Grand Slam,’ which includes unsupported expeditions to Greenland, Antarctica, and the Geographic North Pole. A former British Army Arctic Warfare officer, he also led major expeditions such as Prince Harry’s 2013 Walking with the Wounded South Pole Challenge. Since retiring from exploration, Dickinson has focused on wildlife conservation and photography, managing land near Hexham to benefit local birdlife and serving as President of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

“I wanted to turn my lens on the plight of one of England’s most persecuted birds,” Dickinson said. “They are so elegant in flight, so rare, and we need to do all we can to protect them… It’s not about me the photographer, I’m pleased for the bird, that it’s getting the recognition and attention it deserves.”

Hen Harriers are known for their distinctive aerial courtship displays, called ‘skydancing.’ Despite being protected by law, the species continues to face illegal killings, often linked to land managed for driven grouse shooting. Satellite tagging has become a crucial tool in tracking young Hen Harriers, shedding light on their movements and revealing areas where birds mysteriously disappear.

The RSPB, which oversees monitoring and conservation efforts including diversionary feeding to reduce predation on grouse chicks, welcomed Dickinson’s contribution. Mark Thomas, Head of Investigations at the RSPB, praised Dickinson’s images for both celebrating the bird’s beauty and exposing its ongoing threats.

“The level of illegal persecution is unacceptable and highlights the urgent need for tighter controls, already introduced in Scotland,” Thomas said. “Introducing a licensing system in England would be a long-overdue step, bringing us in line with the approach already taken across much of Europe. Proper regulation would help protect vulnerable species and support shoots operating within the law.”

The competition attracted over 24,000 entries worldwide in its eight adult categories. Meanwhile, cautious optimism surrounds the Hen Harrier population at RSPB Geltsdale in Cumbria, where this year 13 chicks fledged from three nests—the highest number recorded at the reserve in a century.