Black-winged Stilts by Neil Hughes
Judging by the images posted this week, spring certainly sprang into life over the last seven days, and this pair of Black-winged Stilts by Neil Hughes also seem full of the joys of the coming breeding season.
It's not as unexpected a sight as it used to be, but mating stilts in the UK are still rare and photographing them at close range rarer still, so a good-quality image like this one is a deserved winner.
Congratulations to Neil, who used a 600 mm lens, a 1.4× converter and shot at 1/4000th second, f5.6 on ISO 400.
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
Hawfinch, Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk (Photo: Jonathan Theobald)
Kestrel, Hengistbury Head, Dorset (Photo: Joe)
Griffon Vulture, Spain (Photo: Alan Jack)
Garganey, Rue des Bergers NR, Guernsey (Photo: Dan scott)
Purple Heron, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly (Photo: Martin Goodey)
Treecreeper, Wigan, Greater Manchester (Photo: Roy Rimmer)
Marsh Harrier, Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Chris Hooper)
Rook, Gigrin Farm, Powys (Photo: Jamie MacArthur)
Spoonbill, Druridge Pools, Northumberland (Photo: Alan Curry)
Glaucous Gull, Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan (Photo: Jeff Lack)
Corn Bunting, Spain (Photo: Andy Mould)
Great Crested Grebe, undisclosed site, Leicestershire and Rutland (Photo: Graham Munton)
Pine Grosbeak, Norway (Photo: Morten Scheller Jensen)
Red Grouse, Blorenge, Gwent (Photo: Mike Warburton)
