Not so secret squirrel seen!
Published Wednesday 28th December 11 in Council - news and information releases news
This cute as they come calendar pin-up spotted in Belfairs Nature Reserve has won an award for keen wildlife photographer Ellen Hume.
Ellen's eye-catching picture of a grey squirrel swept to success in a special contest run by Southend Dormouse Group.
The winning image will now feature in the Group's 2012 fund-raising wildlife calendar. Ellen, from Hadleigh, was also presented with two theatre vouchers as part of her prize.
Southend Dormouse Group organised the photo competition to help support its work.
The group has installed nest boxes at Belfairs to encourage the rare and shy dormouse - a protected species - to expand its range. Group members will monitor the results.
All the pictures eligible for the contest were taken between Friday 1st January 2010 and Monday 31st October 2011 within Hadleigh Great Wood (which includes Belfairs Nature Reserve and Dodd's Grove.)
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis, said: "Congratulations to Ellen for winning this competition and to Southend Dormouse Group for arranging it.
"Ellen's picture is a wonderful addition to their lovely calendar, which shows some of the wildlife regularly seen at Belfairs."