White-billed Diver by Steven Fryer

Sometimes a bird photo can't help but make you smile – and that was certainly the case with Steven Fryer's unusual angle on the recent White-billed Diver that has been performing brilliantly to twitchers on the Northumberland coast. While there are plenty of superb profile photos of this impressive bird in the BirdGuides gallery, Steven's quirky take on the diver stood out. With most of the bird hidden in a trough, the head is popping up from behind a wave. Catching the diver mid-shake, Steven has framed the bird with water droplets flying off its crown and, rather amusingly, has also caught a 'smile' on the bird's face. This is an unusual and memorable first POTW winner of 2025. Well done to Steven!

Other notable images

Ring-necked Duck, Linlithgow, Lothian (Mark Darling).

Greater Scaup, Milton Common, Hampshire (Joe Honeysett).

Green-winged Teal, Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset (Steven Carey).

Red-necked Grebe, Harefield GPs, London (Joe Downing).

Sanderling, Bridlington, East Yorkshire (Martin Standley).

Grey-headed Lapwing, East Chevington NWT, Northumberland (Colin Bradshaw).

Houbara Bustard, Lanzarote, Lanzarote (Tate Lloyd).

Fieldfare, Benhall, Suffolk (Jim Mountain).

Marsh Tit, undisclosed site, Wiltshire (Tim Salkeld).

Dunnock, Gosforth Park NR (permit only), Northumberland (Tony Stewart).

Common Chiffchaff, Staines Moor, London (Ian Curran).

Yellow-browed Warbler, Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire (Donald Hutchins).

Rufous-capped Warbler, Florida Canyon, Arizona (Steve Bell).

Greenfinch, Cadishead Moss, Britain (Neil Turney).

Chaffinch, Greylake RSPB, Somerset (Carl Bovis).