A COUNTRYSIDE ranger scooped second place in a wildlife competition.

James Chubb, East Devon’s education ranger who writes weekly columns for the Journal, narrowly missed out on winning a Be Your Favourite Wildlife Presenter YouTube competition, run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Mr Chubb carried out an impersonation of Sir David Attenborough and received the most YouTube hits with his entry.

The competition was devised by the trust to raise awareness in the run up to a nationwide wildlife survey it carried out.

Participants were asked to spend just one hour in their garden or local park and note down if they saw any of the 14 species chosen for their reliance on ponds and small wetlands.

They had to look at the effects wetlands may have on a range of wildlife.

The judges included David Bellamy and Bill Oddie.

Ben Waddams, a wildlife artist from Shrewsbury, was named the winner of the competition.

Mr Waddams, speaking about his success, said he was extreamly honoured.

He added: “It was such a fun thing to get involved with but the fact that it had a serious, indeed critical, message to give out, was even better.”