A feature in the current "Christmas Special" issue of Amateur Photographer Magazine asks 10 magazine, agency and website editors to select their favourite image from 2014. Matt Swaine, editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine has picked my WPY and GDT EWPY awarded image of parakeets as his favourite of the year and here's what he says about it.. Thanks Matt!

Matt Swaine - Editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine

Rose-ringed Parakeets Flying Over a London Cemetery by Sam Hobson

I would like to nominate Sam Hobson’s picture, which was a finalist in the 2014 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Sam specialises in urban wildlife and works hard to understand animal behaviour to get the right image. I believe this shot was taken in a graveyard in South London and it shows rose-ringed parakeets – an alien species that is now becoming quite commonplace on garden feeders in this part of the UK. Invasive species are a serious issue, and this photo shows these birds in a clearly British setting, bringing home just how commonplace they have become.

UPDATE - 20th December 2014 - Parakeets also included in Daily Mail Most Amazing Pictures of 2014

Amateur Photographer Magazine - 20-27 December 2014 - Images of the Year