CAPTURING winter wildlife is the challenge for the second exciting photo competition which opens today.

Poole Harbour Commissioners and the Daily Echo are continuing their celebration of all things to do with Poole harbour with the launch of the second category.

Dedicated to the harbour’s winter wildlife, the harbour is humming with visiting waders, deer fringe the edges and red squirrels are a Brownsea Island delight.

Readers have until February 8 to submit their wonderful wildlife snaps for a chance to win a return trip to Gijon or Santander for two passengers, plus a car and cabin, courtesy of LD Lines.

Poole’s spectacular harbour is a wildlife hotspot and never more so than during the coldest time of year.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of PHC said: “Poole Harbour is a haven for wildlife during the winter. There is a really good variety of birds from wintering waders to avocet to waxwings from Scandinavia.

“Brownsea Island is also home to a variety of wildlife, including a thriving population of the scarce and threatened red squirrel and Sika deer.”

The return of the popular competition will focus on the harbour through the winter months and will run until March with different categories on offer.

A prize will be presented to each category winner and still to come are competitions for photography professionals and photos taken by under 21s.

To enter, email your wildlife picture to PHCphotocomp2014@bournemouthecho.co.uk including the words PHC Competition2 in the subject line. Entrants must include their name, age, address, telephone number, email address and a brief description of the snap and time of year.