Alpine Swift by Paul Roberts

Is this the best photo of an Alpine Swift ever taken in Britain? This magnificent image, taken this week at Kenfig Pool in South Wales by Paul Roberts, is about as good a shot as you could hope for anywhere in the world of this species, let alone of a vagrant. It couldn't be much sharper – it's so crisp that you can even make out the fine flank streaking, as well as the other intricate feather details on what we might normally see as 'just' a brown-and-white swift while viewing in the field. Neutral light has helped in this situation – while we might normally hope for sunshine to illuminate our photo targets, shooting birds against the sky in strong light can cast unattractive shadows that in turn can lead to important plumage detail being lost. Congratulations to Paul on capturing this special photo!

Other notable images

Black Grouse, Hälsingland, Sweden (Angus Thomson).

Black Tern, Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire (Ian Bollen).

Little Gull, Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire (Tom Hines).

Marsh Sandpiper, Normandy Marsh, Hampshire (Ian Wells).

White Wagtail, Staines Reservoirs, London (Ian Curran).

Pink-footed Goose, Hilbre Island, Cheshire (Alan Hitchmough).

Sand Martin, Reculver, Kent (Evan Atkinson).

Hoopoe, Faro, Algarve (Richard Mills).

Sardinian Warbler, Bidnija, Malta (Natalino Fenech).

Garganey, Manvers Lake (Dearne Valley), South Yorkshire (Mike Barth).

Little Crake, Bidnija, Malta (Natalino Fenech).