Hudsonian Whimbrel by Peter Moore
This week's winner was a late-night posting on 16th that probably hasn't been seen by many people yet; this superb flight shot of the Hudsonian Whimbrel in Cornwall by Peter Moore has everything needed for a winning image.
Using a lens set at 330mm and with the ISO at 640, Peter managed a shutter speed of 1/800th second at f5.6 aperture which has just been enough to freeze most of the wing action; the sea background sets off the image beautifully and as well as being a lovely shot in its own right, it is also just about as perfect an identification photo as you could wish for this species, particularly given the vagrant context.
Congratulations to Peter on his POTW; the year is gathering pace nicely already.
You can read more on bird photography from Steve Young, including product reviews and a regular Photo Challenge for readers, every month in Birdwatch magazine.
Other notable images
Dartford Warbler, Sand Point, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Allan Chard)
Wood Pigeon, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire (Photo: Wayne Davies)
Black Redstart, Little Orme, Conwy (Photo: Bob Garrett)
Bewick's Swan, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire (Photo: Vern Wright)
Reed Bunting, Greylake RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Michael Sherwin)
Dunnock, Greylake RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Michael Sherwin)
Siskin, Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk (Photo: John Richardson)
Grey Heron, Stanley Park, Blackpool, Lancashire (Photo: Jackie Moreton)
Solitary Sandpiper, Spain (Photo: Andrew Allport)
Greenshank, Mileham, Norfolk (Photo: Andy Thompson)
Peregrine, Bristol, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Pete Blanchard)
Bearded Tit, undisclosed site, Essex (Photo: Pixellence)
Redwing, Heartwood Forest, Hertfordshire (Photo: Rob Cox)
Slavonian Grebe, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire (Photo: Howard Booty)
Sooty Gull, United Arab Emirates (Photo: Richard Smith)
Brambling, undisclosed site, Wiltshire (Photo: Jeff Lack)