Sabine's Gull by Jeremy McClements

It was a BirdGuides gallery adorned with Sabine's Gull photos this week and it needed something truly special to top this week's awards list. Step forward Jeremy McClements, who scoops up the second winner of 2023 with a delightful capture of one of the world's most attractive gulls. Langstone Harbour, Hampshire, has played host to an unseasonal adult in an equally surprising summer plumage in recent days, drawing many down to the south coast to enjoy a special, intimate view of this scarce oceanic visitor.

Jeremy has done well to keep the shadows and highlights in check against a neutral, grey-blue sea background. Great light has allowed for a high shutter speed, capturing the gull in an arresting pose and keeping the image in pin-sharp focus. The gull itself is almost dancing along the surface of the water, water droplets skipping off the surface. All of the bird's main plumage features can be seen – a slate-grey hood with black surround and a black bill with a pale yellow tip – and is exactly what birders the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland dream of drifting into view during a seawatch.  Well done to Jeremy on an excellent capture of the week's most popular Larid!

Other notable images

Great Crested Grebe, Lough Neagh, Antrim (Jonathan Rosborough).

Western Marsh Harrier, Far Ings NR, Lincolnshire (GLYN SELLORS).

Common Pochard, Welney WWT, Norfolk (John Atkins).

Great Kiskadee, Riviera Maya, Mexico (Clive Daelman).

Laughing Gull, Slapton Sands, Devon (Andrew Jordan).

Mute Swan, Arundel WWT, West Sussex (Richard Allan).

Sabine's Gull, Budds Farm SW, Hampshire (Lee Fuller).

Hawfinch, Cromford, Derbyshire (GLYN SELLORS).

Grey Trembler, Anse Chastanet, St Lucia (Dave Jackson).

Northern Shoveler, Grouville Marsh, Jersey (Romano Da Costa).