Joanna Kubica chose January's Picture of the Month.

"My choice for the January photo of the month is Simon Stirrup’s Red Kite.

The image stands out for its striking composition and distinctive atmosphere. Beautifully lit by warm sunset light, the Red Kite captured against the full moon shows how photographing even common species in unusual settings can produce something truly captivating.  A perfectly timed and creative shot.

Other images I particularly liked this month include Roger Cresswell’s Kestrel caught mid-lunch - a powerful behavioural shot of a raptor in action; George Walthew’s Water Rail - a high-quality image capturing a typically elusive bird in the open; and his Long-eared Owl, for the effort it took to photograph it without too many twigs in view. Jon Heath’s Greater Scaup also stands out for its eye-level perspective and thoughtful composition. Photographed alongside a Tufted Duck, the image clearly highlights the key differences between the two species, offering educational value."

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