Sanderling by Neil Loverock

Sanderling are, by definition, photogenic birds – this week's splendid winning image by Neil Loverock is the third time this species has been the subject of a POTW winner within the past year.

Neil's shot continues the trend of supreme images of this lively wader, with this capture near enough to perfect as you could ever wish. Always a busy species, freezing a Sanderling in a good pose requires a fast shutter speed and a dose of good fortune – and that's what Neil's achieved here, as the bird pecks at a beached starfish.

The soft blues and greys complement the bird, while the wet beach gives the impression that both bird and prey are floating in mid-air. This is a truly excellent capture and a worthy winning shot. Well done to Neil! 

Other notable images

Northern Fulmar, Skinningrove, Cleveland (Damian Money).

Avocet, Freiston Shore RSPB, Lincolnshire (Jeremy Eyeons).

Kentish Plover, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset & Bristol (Alex Carlisle).

Purple Sandpiper, Battery Point, Somerset & Bristol (Jonathan Bull).

Yellowhammer, undisclosed site, Derbyshire (John Dickenson).

Desert Wheatear, Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex (Adam Huttly).

Dunnock, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex (Philip Aylen).

Reed Bunting, Rutland Water, Leicestershire and Rutland (Mark Healey).

Red Grouse, Antrim, Antrim (Ian Dickey).

Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Fuerteventura, Fuerteventura (Comghal McQuillan).

Houbara Bustard, Fuerteventura, Fuerteventura (Alex Penn).

Egyptian Vulture, Lough Funshinagh, Roscommon (Jay Hutchins).