Kentish Plover by Dave Jackson

 

 

Shorebirds are favourite targets for bird photographers the world over. Their beauty, fascinating lifestyles and engaging characters, as well as their penchant for allowing great views with patience and fieldcraft, translate to these birds providing many great photo opportunities. On a recent trip to Mallorca, Dave Jackson made the most of his chance to photograph the local Kentish Plovers at Port de Pollença in the north of the island, producing this stunning image of a male sprinting along the sand.

The Mediterranean sun can be unforgiving even in April, but Dave has made the most of an overcast day to frame the subtly beautiful plumage tones of this species perfectly. Capturing this individual in a terrific mid-air pose, using a slightly higher ISO (1600) has resulted in a shutter speed of 1/2,500, which was enough to freeze the action – it's surprising how fast these birds can move when they want to, so to nail a shot like this isn't as easy as it might seem! With a low angle and a clean setting, this is a brilliant image that deservedly wins this week's award. Well done to Dave!

 

Other notable images

 

Mallard, Upton Broad & Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Nick Clayton).

Great Crested Grebe, Hill Head, Hampshire (Darryl Gorman).

Little Egret, Upton Broad & Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Nick Clayton).

Spotted Redshank, Normandy Marsh, Hampshire (Steve Laycock).

Little Gull, Seaforth LWT (permit only), Lancashire (Steve Young).

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Staines Reservoirs, London (Joe Downing).

Hoopoe, Greatstone-on-Sea, Kent (Martin Casemore).

Myrtle Warbler, Kilwinning, Ayrshire (Stevie Clarke).

White Wagtail, Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire (Neil Loverock).

Pied Wagtail, Staines Reservoirs, London (Martin Abbess).

Common Nightingale, undisclosed site, Suffolk (Chris Mayne).

Common Redstart, Black Down NT, West Sussex (Nick Stacey).

European Stonechat, Praa Sands, Cornwall (Carl Bovis).