Snow Bunting

ALWAYS a favourite with birders, Snow Bunting is a familiar yet desirable winter visitor to coastal Britain. Although an annual visitor in modest numbers, it nonetheless remains scarce enough that it needs to be targeted on a day’s winter birding. Many counties – such as Norfolk, Lincolnshire or

Fife – generally have reliable flocks between November and March, but it’s a species that can turn up just about anywhere in the winter months, and it’s worth keeping an eye on the BirdGuides news service for sightings near you.

As well as their dashing looks, they tend to be quite confiding, making for entertaining subjects. January is prime time for Snow Bunting flocks to be at their most apparent, and we are looking for your best images of this species – be it close-ups or wider-angle shots of flocks ‘in habitat’. Perhaps you might also be able to identify your Snow Bunting to subspecies (see pages 32-37).

The winning photographer will receive a copy of Losing Eden by Lucy Jones. Best of luck! ■

Terms and conditions

Please email your entries to editorial@birdwatch.co.uk.

The competition is open to anyone and you may enter as many photos as you wish. The closing date is 31 January 2021.

With its striking plumage, Snow Bunting is a welcome addition to any winter’s day in the field. The species makes for an attractive photographic subject, and we look forward to judging a variety of images!