Hawfinch by Peter Garrity

2017’s Hawfinch invasion seems to have continued into this year (although I’ve yet to find one locally!), and it is one of these big-billed finches that takes the honours this week.

This cracking close-up shot was taken by Peter Garrity, who captured it just as the finch was stretching up to munch on a Yew berry. With bill open and an almost mad-looking staring eye, you almost feel as though you're sharing the berry, while the surrounding foliage nicely frames the Hawfinch’s head.

This seems to be quite a showy individual, but the photographer has maintained a reasonable distance using a 500-mm lens with a 2x extender.

Congratulations to Peter on his winning image, the third of the year.

Other notable photos

Smew, Dungeness NNR, Kent (Dave Potter).

Firecrest, Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk (Gary Watson).

Twite, Knott End-on-Sea, Overberg, Lancashire (Martyn Jones).

Parrot Crossbill, Santon Downham, Suffolk (Garth Peacock).

Black Redstart, Sheringham, Norfolk (Nick Appleton).

Desert Wheatear, Whitby, North Yorkshire (John Tymon).

Red Grouse, Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway (Ron Mccombe).

Black Redstart, Falmouth, Cornwall (John Rowe).

Mute Swan, Sunderland, Durham (Ashley Corr).

Glaucous Gull, Isles of Scilly (Joe Pender).

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