Exploring the Wild Side of Stoke: Staffordshire Wildlife Trust puts the spotlight on wildlife photographer

October 25, 2024 by Louise Morris

In the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, a city best known for its industrial heritage and pottery, lives Brian Maddock, a gentleman whose passion for wildlife has uncovered a world many didn’t know existed in their local area. While Stoke may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of wildlife photography, this local enthusiast has spent decades documenting the beauty of nature hidden in the most unexpected places.

A Lifetime behind the lens

With a camera slung over his shoulder and well-worn boots on his feet, Brian has roamed Knypersley Reservoir, Brindley Ford, Chatterley Whitfield, parks, riversides, and the countryside around Stoke, capturing stunning images of the wildlife that calls this area home.

For over thirty years, he has amassed an impressive collection of photographs—foxes playing in dazzling sunlight, little owls sheltering in trees, butterflies alighting on wildflowers, and birds of all varieties, including the great spotted woodpeckers he welcomed into his own back garden. His work not only showcases the beauty of these creatures but also highlights the importance of protecting the local environment for future generations.

One particular encounter which shines brightly in his memory, and still makes him smile, is watching a vixen (female fox) and her three cubs tumbling and socialising together right in front of him at Brindley Ford. The mother jumped almost twelve feet into the air, startling him, and he continued to watch her return year after year.

As part of his passion to photograph a wide range of wildlife, Brian would walk for hours to find the right spot, put down his canvas stool and wait to discover the next astonishing wildlife watch.

Brian’s passion for photography began when he was 21 and in the RAF (Royal Air Force), where he had access to a dark room. He began taking photographs in black and white and took photographs of planes and trains. About 20 years ago a digital Kodak camera reignited his passion to take photographs of wildlife across Stoke. To capture focused details of animals and birds he invested in a Canon Eos 7D with a telephoto lens.

Brian’s tips for aspiring nature photographers is patience! Choosing the right weather is also key – bright light and clear skies. Brian is modest about his achievements, saying he’s just been in the right place at the right time to capture some of his more compelling pictures.

His most treasured photograph, the one he is most proud of, is of a little owl resting in a hole in a tree, the rough bark camouflaging the owl’s feathers. Brian says birds are his favourite creature to capture on camera.

Discovering Stoke’s hidden wildlife

What makes Brian’s story remarkable isn’t just the photographs but the wildlife he’s discovered along the way. Stoke is often seen as an urban area, yet his lens has revealed the rich biodiversity that thrives in its green spaces. From Hanley Park to the banks of the River Trent, he’s discovered a wide variety of bird species and found beauty in the everyday.

Brian’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to travel to distant lands to experience the wonder of wildlife. Sometimes, all it takes is a camera, a curious eye, and a willingness to explore the places we often overlook.

Brian hopes that by sharing his story others can be encouraged to look a little closer and discover the beauty of the wildlife that exists just outside their window.

At Staffordshire Wildlife Trust we are celebrating his photographs, which draw attention to Stoke’s hidden natural treasures. It is a reminder that, even in the most unexpected places, nature is waiting to be discovered.

From top: Brian showing his favourite photos of the Little Owl, a photo taken from his album of the Greater-spotted Woodpecker in his garden, and Brian showing his photos of the vixen playing with her cubs.

Download and Print (A4)

• River name meanings