Photographers catch wildlife on show in summer heat

2 hours ago

Samantha JaggerNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Paul Murdock said it was a "cool experience" seeing a gull "mob" a red kite

Paul Murdock A red kite soaring down while a gull flies above it. It looks like the gull is chasing the red kite away in a bright blue sky. — Paul Murdock said it was a "cool experience" seeing a gull "mob" a red kite

Photographers have captured wildlife on camera as the last month of meteorological summer winds down.

In Cumbria, Paul Murdock spotted a red kite "being mobbed" by a gull near Coniston, while Natasha Roberts snapped a "hiding vixen" in Staveley.

Meanwhile Lee Johnston was driving near Allenheads in the North Pennines when he had an encounter "he would never forget" after a short-eared owl started hunting in front of him.

England had its driest July on record in a series since 1836, with just 6.5mm of rainfall recorded, according to the Met Office.

You can find some tips for helping wildlife in the heat here.

Jamie McCaffrey A fluffy tawny owlet sits on a oak tree branch which has bright green leaves. The owlet has light beige and brown speckled feathers. — This tawny owlet was playing hide-and-seek near Arnside

Jamie McCaffrey said he was "thrilled to spot this fluffy little tawny owlet peering through the branches" near Arnside in Cumbria.

"As I looked around, I noticed its mum quietly keeping watch nearby, her camouflage so good she was almost impossible to spot against the tree bark," he said.

Natasha Roberts A rabbit stares down the barrel of the camera as it sits in a green meadow filled with yellow buttercups. The rabbit has pink inner ears, fluffy brown fur, long black whiskers and big black beady eyes. Its ears are standing up and listening to the environment. — Natasha Roberts said she "had a lovely moment with this inquisitive bunny" in Windermere

Phil Groves A kingfisher sits on a rock by the River Kent in Kendal. The kingfisher has a bright orange chest and a teal coat and a flecked turquoise head. Its colours are striking against the backdrop of the dark green shaded river. — A female kingfisher suns herself by the River Kent

Phil Groves said he was "glad to catch" a female kingfisher right in front him by the River Kent in Kendal.

"Kingfishers are always my main aim by the river but they can be quite elusive and fly very fast," he said.

Paul Murdock A blue damselfly rests on a brown leaf. The damselfly has bright blue markings on its body and has delicate wings. — A "magical" damselfly let Paul Murdock close enough for a snap

Paul Murdock used a telephoto lens to snap a damselfly in Whitehaven "in the evening sun".

He said he wanted to photograph "these magical things" for a while but could not get close to them.

Natasha Roberts A vixen hiding in the long green grass. The vixen has bright orange fur and hazel eyes. The vixen is staring directly into the camera. — Natasha Roberts caught this "hiding vixen" in Staveley

Elements Photography A short-eared owl sat in green long moorland grass. The owl has bright yellow eyes and is staring straight at the camera. It has a white chest and a patterned brown feather body. — Lee Johnston said he would never forget seeing a short-eared owl hunting

Johnston said his close encounter with a hunting owl would stay with him.

He said: "As the owl started to fly towards us, excitement took over seeing this beautiful bird hunting metres away."

He said the bird "dived down and seemed to just be hidden in the long grass just looking straight at us, then took its prey and swallowed it whole before taking off".