Sand Martin by Tony Belsham
Judging by the species submitted this week it's good to see that spring has finally arrived, with images of new arrivals to browse through; and it's one of those early migrants that win this week, a superb flight shot of a Sand Martin by Tony Belsham taking the honours.
Captured in a beautiful pose against a perfect blue sky, this shot sums up what the first month of spring is all about. Providing a real photographic challenge with its fast flight, Tony has done very well to catch the bird like this on the wing, complete with highlight in the eye.
No photo information was included with this image, but I should imagine a fast shutter speed of around 1/4000th second was used to freeze all action.
Congratulations to Tony on his Photoe of the Week; comparing this image with last week's shows how different the winning shots can be, but both excellent in their own right.
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
Wren, Astbury Mere CP, Cheshire (Photo: Steve Seal)
Green Woodpecker, Staines Moor, Surrey (Photo: Alan Matthews)
Gyrfalcon, Balranald RSPB, N.Uist, Outer Hebrides (Photo: Rob Stonehouse)
Lesser Redpoll, undisclosed site, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Michael Sherwin)
Cuckoo, Horsey, Norfolk (Photo: Jake Gearty)
Black Redstart, Brean Down, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Clive daelman)
Goldcrest, Hollesley, Suffolk (Photo: John Richardson)
Ring Ouzel, undisclosed site, Gwynedd (Photo: Bob Garrett)
Great Crested Grebe, undisclosed site, Staffordshire (Photo: Tony Kinder)
Sand Martin, Point of Ayre, Isle of Man (Photo: B Callow)
Wryneck, Malta (Photo: Natalino Fenech)
Montagu's Harrier, Colyford Common LNR, Devon (Photo: Tim White)
