Northern Harrier by Steve Bell

Steve Bell's excellent flight shot of a male Northern Harrier – the North American counterpart of our familiar Hen Harrier – is this week's winning image.

Photographing raptors in flight is never straightforward, with distance and light conditions often hindering the outcome of images. However, Steve has made the most of a confiding harrier and, importantly, good but flat light, which helps to bring out the intricate details of the bird's plumage.

Indeed, this is a brilliant and demonstrative shot showing the subtle differences between males of this species and Hen Harrier, including the brownish wash to the head creating a 'hooded' effect, as well as the fine brown and black markings on the breast, flanks and underwing. Congratulations to Steve on this terrific image.

Other notable images

King Eider, Unst, Shetland (Robbie Brookes).

Smew, Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire (Robert Bullock).

Mallard, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (John Dickenson).

Slavonian Grebe, Pennington Marshes, Hampshire (Jeremy Mcclements).

Great Northern Diver, Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire (Stephen Burch).

Water Rail, Llandrindod Wells, Powys (Kev Joynes).

Northern Lapwing, North Cave Wetlands YWT, East Yorkshire (Steve Clipperton).

Grey Phalarope, Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir (no general access), Glamorgan (Tate Lloyd).

Shore Lark, Pevensey, East Sussex (Neil Hilton).

Antillean Crested Hummingbird, East Winds Hotel, St Lucia (M J Bond).

Eurasian Wren, St Aidan's RSPB (Swillington Ings), West Yorkshire (Steve Cribbin).