Red-throated Divers by Nigel Voaden

Red-throated Diver is never an easy bird to photograph in Britain, especially away from breeding grounds. Nigel Voaden has done very well, then, to capture this superb portrait of two squabbling divers at a staging site off the west coast of Scotland. The cool, blue hue to the image adds to its aura, providing a contrast with the rich red of the diver's throat and eye, and giving an almost wintry feel to the shot when the birds are in full breeding condition. With a shutter speed of 1/4000, Nigel has been able to freeze the action, meaning pin-sharp subjects and even water droplets as the birds take flight. This is a truly eye-catching and deserving winner – well done!

Other notable images

Slavonian Grebe, Mŷvatn, Iceland (Dave Jackson).

Egyptian Vulture, Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrénées (Richard Mills).

Grey Phalarope, Eyrarbakki, Suðurland (Alex Máni Guðríðarson).

Sanderling, Newton, Glamorgan (Tate Lloyd).

Black-winged Stilt, Marano Lagunare, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Raffaele Cargnelutti).

Kittiwake, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire (Jamie Johnson).

Lesser Scaup, Belvide Reservoir (PERMIT ONLY), Staffordshire (Steve Nuttall).

Common Nightingale, Martlesham, Suffolk (Chris Mayne).

Pied Flycatcher, Ynys-Hir RSPB, Ceredigion (Mark Leitch).

Black-headed Wagtail, St Ouen's Pond, Jersey (Romano Da Costa).

Pied Wagtail, undisclosed site, Derbyshire (Glyn Sellors).

Lesser Whitethroat, Portland, Dorset (John Wall).