Sanderling by Phil Bennett

 

 

Phil Bennett's delightful capture of three Sanderling scurrying along a Yorkshire beach wins him this Monday's award.

Sanderling are always photogenic and entertaining birds to watch, providing brilliant photo opportunities throughout the seasons. Phil's shot is suitably wintry in its nature, with a notable lack of saturation in the setting and the cold greys of the waders' plumage helping to emphasise the chilliness of a winter's day on the British coast.

The symmetry in the Sanderlings' poses only adds to the effectiveness of this eye-catching and arresting image, which makes for a deserved POTW winner. Congratulations to Phil! 

 

Other notable images

 

Pacific Diver, Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir (no general access), Glamorgan (Chris Griffin).

Common Goldeneye, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire (Jonathan Bull).

Jack Snipe, Newnham, Hampshire (Ian Wells).

European Herring Gull, Burghead, Moray & Nairn (Tom McPherson).

Barn Owl, Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB, Cheshire (Frank Burns).

Red Kite, Gigrin Farm, Powys (Chris Teague).

Water Rail, Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset (Jeremy McClements).

Ring Ouzel, Star Pit, Dogsthorpe, Cambridgeshire (Will Bowell).

Robin, Studley, Warwickshire (Clive Daelman).

Jackdaw, Padstow, Cornwall (Carl Bovis).

Dartford Warbler, undisclosed site, Suffolk (Les Cater).

Snow Bunting, Islandmagee, Antrim (Stephen Dunbar).