The Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) have announced that 13-year-old Xavier Marrs from Rye has won the youth category of the 2025 photo competition with his hunting Kestrel photo, taken at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
The judges explained why they chose this photo. “The same-level view of this male kestrel fostered both a sense of intimacy and an appreciation of the technical difficulty of photographing a flying bird.”
Emma Chaplin asked Xavier a few questions about himself and his winning photo.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I enjoy going out in nature and capturing a moment in the life of wildlife. I love reading adventure books, playing pétanque, swimming in the sea and drawing.
And your winning shot?
My photo is of a hunting Kestrel. We were very lucky. We were just by Gooders Hide at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, when it started hovering about 3-4 metres away, just above eye level! This was an obvious photographic shot, so I just took several as it moved in different positions above its prey. This was one of my best moments when a bird has shown itself so clearly and beautifully; so I am very happy with this photo.
When did you first become interested in wildlife photography?
Around the time of the lockdown. My mum had an old camera on a shelf, and I wondered if she would teach me the basics. Since then I have developed skills to find wildlife and choose where to focus, whilst on walks with my family.
Where do you like to take your photos?
I love to go to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. I love it for the range of habitats, and therefore, the range of species. I also like walking in Beckley Woods through different seasons. For example, all the birds and beetles are out in the summer, whilst in autumn, the range of fungi can be spectacular.
What do you like most about Rye Harbour Nature Reserve?
I enjoy going to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve as often as I can. I go there to take part in the huge number of activities on offer. In particular, l learn lots from walks guided by the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve experts, such as James Tomlinson and Cliff Dean. I learn so much from these walk leaders, who inspire me with what you can learn and understand about nature. I have enjoyed lots of activities including recording bats and moths, as well as Dragonfly walks, Guide in a Hide and Wildlife Rangers, which are a fun way of meeting people and learning how to take care of the reserve.
I most look forward to seeing lots of bird species there. I have a mental list of birds I want to see and photograph properly. At the top is Peregrine Falcon (which I have seen from afar, but never caught on camera), Goldcrest and Firecrest (for their amazing hair-dos!). I have seen Water Rail and would love to see Bittern; these are birds that when I hear calling, I can spend a lot of time hoping to photograph!
I have written a series of articles for Rye News about activities on the nature reserve. People have told me that they find them interesting. I started writing these when I was 10 years old.
Image Credits: Xavier Marrs .
Well done Xavier. Hopefully you can join us again on the river’s art project next spring. Similar to what we did a couple of years back with Strongback if you remember.
Brilliant result Xavier, well done x
Beautiful photos and I love your ongoing passion for nature. Fantastic, indeed well done
Congratulation Xavier, you will go far
Great work Xavier. You have passion and real talent.
Well done Xavier. Hopefully you can join us again on the river’s art project next spring. Similar to what we did a couple of years back with Strongback if you remember.