Take 10: Spotters

Ella Ray, ladybirds. “The most exciting spot was when I first saw a harlequin,” she says. “This ladybird came to this country only a few years ago and is very, very greedy. It eats other ladybirds and nice insects. I am worried about the other ladybirds in case they become extinct" Photograph: Barry Lewis

Andrew & Donna Cooke, ships. Andrew, 37, has been a spotter since his teens. “When I met Donna, we started spotting together. Last year we spent seven hours watching the QE2 going out for the last time" Photograph: Barry Lewis

Bob Stranger, buses. “You get the stereotypical spotter who wears an anorak, but I know a spotter who’s a retired headmaster and one who’s a doctor” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Jackie Gilmartin, ghosts. Jackie remembers an all night ghost-spotting session a few years back, when three spotters sat in the darkness in her living room. “I asked if any spirits could show us a light, and suddenly this light came up from the ground, then disappeared. It was there on film when we watched it back. That’s when I was hooked” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Jeff Daniels, vinyl spotter Photograph: Barry Lewis

Mark Spencer, weed spotter Photograph: Barry Lewis

Peter Langford, Eddy Stobart lorries and trains. “I go on holiday to Carlisle every year so I can spot them. My hotel is outside the station, so I get a good view of the Stobart rail engines. Then I visit the Stobart fanclub in Carlisle” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Robin Armstrong, whale watcher Photograph: Barry Lewis

Keith Betton, birds. “Your friends think you’re a bit weird, so it does require a certain amount of confidence” Photograph: Barry Lewis