Black-winged Stilts by John Wall

 

 

Black-winged Stilt may be an increasing sight in Britain and Ireland, but there is no doubt that this elegant wader still remains an exotic and exciting sight whenever it turns up. Spring birds are often seen in pairs or small groups, such as this male and female in Weymouth, Dorset, in late April. John Wall made the most of a close showing from the lustful pair by capturing this delightfully intimate image of the birds in the midst of courting and mating. The striking poses offered by each bird, with male's gangly legs seemingly poking out in all directions. This is only added to by the male's piercing eye, showing how he is fully focused on his partner.

What a great piece of behaviour this must've been for John to observe and record – only enhanced by the mega-rare Elegant Tern that he was lucky enough to see and photograph on site the same morning!

 

Other notable images

 

Mallard, Strumpshaw Fen RSPB, Norfolk (Nick Clayton).

Grey-headed Lapwing, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland (Brian Martin).

Common Sandpiper, Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset & Bristol (Carl Bovis).

Spotted Sandpiper, Los Angeles, California (Alexander Viduetsky).

Little Gull, Netherfield, Nottinghamshire (Glyn Sellors).

Kittiwake, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Phil Bennett).

Sand Martin, La Sente, Jersey (Romano Da Costa).

Yellow Wagtail, Staines Reservoirs, London (Ian Curran).

Common Redstart, Church Stretton, Shropshire (Tony Webb).

Whinchat, Yoxall, Staffordshire (Gordon Speirs).

Eurasian Wren, Attenborough NR, Nottinghamshire (John Dickenson).

Sedge Warbler, Barton-upon-Humber Pits, Lincolnshire (Graham Catley).

African Desert Warbler, Tisserdmine, Morocco (Richard Castell).

White-crowned Sparrow, Seaford Head, East Sussex (Mark Leitch).