Great Grey Shrike by Christopher Bennett

The first Photo of the Week award of 2024 goes to Christopher Bennett for this lovely portrait of a Great Grey Shrike. Taken recently in northern Scotland, Christopher has cropped this image to perfection, framing the shrike beautifully on a dainty birch twig that looks barely big enough to support it. Some birds have a habit of looking better in neutral light conditions, and it could be argued that Great Grey Shrike is one of these, with the soft greys of the plumage not in any way blown out. A perfect pose, with great eye contact and that imposing hooked bill on show, as well as a nice, clean green background, make this a shot to be proud of. And, sadly, such a sight is becoming all too rare in Britain, with only 11 Great Grey Shrikes reported in recent weeks – well down on the historical average of 98 wintering birds.

Other notable images

Northern Waterthrush, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex (Paul Coombes).

Siberian Chiffchaff, Marazion, Cornwall (Adrian Lea).

Red-breasted Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Warham Greens, Norfolk (Mark Leitch).

Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Andy Thompson).

Red-necked Grebe, Collieston, Aberdeenshire (Ron Macdonald).

Purple Sandpiper, Saltcoats, Ayrshire (Kyle Smith).

Tawny Owl, Eldernell, Cambridgeshire (Jim P).

Black-throated Diver, Crosby Marine Park, Lancashire (Steve Round).

Short-eared Owl, undisclosed site, Norfolk (Nick Appleton).

Ring-necked Parakeet and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire (Benji Stedman).

Dunnock, Greylake RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Carl Bovis).

Waxwing, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (Simon Watts).