Pied Wagtail

[Pol]

I'm really enjoying watching this Pied Wagtail hopping about in the snow. It's coming several times a day to take mealworms, undeterred by Starlings, Blackbirds and a Thrush that try to chase it away but without success.

I like the way it's standing 'tail-up' in this picture (handheld at 500mm).



Pol

[Ian]

Re: Pied Wagtail

Nice capture Pol - are these normall sea birds? I visualise them darting and bobbing around on a beach, somehow!

Ian

[Pol]

Re: Pied Wagtail

Nice capture Pol - are these normall sea birds? I visualise them darting and bobbing around on a beach, somehow!

Ian

They aren't sea birds - just sassy little characters that get around all over the place. There's a tree in our town centre where a huge flock gathers every year - all year in fact - right the middle of the main shopping precinct. They're always fun to watch when they come into the garden.

Here's a link to an article the DM published just a few weeks ago, complete with a picci of them all over the tree.

I'm not much of a bird expert, mainly just enjoy watching them, but here's the RSPB link with more details about them.

Pol

[Stephen]

Re: Pied Wagtail

Eeeeeee, its an education on 'ere innit

[Pol]

Re: Pied Wagtail

Eeeeeee, its an education on 'ere innit

Pol

[Pops]

Re: Pied Wagtail

I love watching these wagtails. Never seem to be still. I have the grey visit but not had the pied yet.
The tree you linked to must be a wonderful sight.

[Pol]

Re: Pied Wagtail

I love watching these wagtails. Never seem to be still. I have the grey visit but not had the pied yet.
The tree you linked to must be a wonderful sight.

We only get the Pied and that particular bird is often here from dawn to dusk. It's unfazed by the bigger birds - flutters back and forth over their heads until they clear off. It can also see off the Robin no problem.

The tree in town can get very noisy and they also make a bit of a mess on the ground below. They hop around picking up crumbs though - always a few to be seen in and around the precinct.

We've occasionally had migrating Starlings gathering in the line of Oak trees and Sycamore over the back fence and the noise they make is enough to drive anyone nuts! When they've all gathered, the noise suddenly stops and a couple of seconds later there's a whooooosh as they all take off together. It's only a very rare event for us though. I hate the noise they make as they're gathering, it's quite deafening!

Pol