White Wagtail

[PeterD]

Hi

Found a group of 4 birds at Langstone harbour, near Hayling Island. Here are a couple of images.

http://surfbirds.com/albums/data/500/White_Wagtail-4133341.jpg (http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=6271&ppuser=1130)

http://surfbirds.com/albums/data/500/White_Wagtail-4133344.jpg (http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=6272&ppuser=1130)

First time I have seen these on my regular daily walk.

PeterD

[Joe stockwell]

what a daily walk you have!

[Colin Key]

Peter,

I could be wrong (often difficult birds, and your photos are not brilliant), but on the basis of the second shot (same bird?) I would say that this is a female yarrellii (Pied Wagtail) not alba (White Wagtail).

Colin :err:

[PeterD]

what a daily walk you have!

Hi Joe,

Its good exercise and the dog loves it too. He spent 1.5 hours in the sea being teased by the sea gulls. He ignores everything else. The sea gulls seem to appear from no-where. They seem to recognise hime and start the big tease.

This leaves me to walk down towards the sea when the tide is out and observe what is around. The birds seem to be getting less nervous now and I can get much closer. This is just as well as I am pushing a cheap kit lens to the limit. Its not too good on detail unless you fill the frame! I have a 70-300 lens but it was faulty from when I received it. I hope the replacement is in stock by next week. Its soul destroying to make opportunities but not be able to realise them because of the lens. At least its good practise for when I get better quality optics.

PeterD

[PeterD]

Peter,

I could be wrong (often difficult birds, and your photos are not brilliant), but on the basis of the second shot (same bird?) I would say that this is a female yarrellii (Pied Wagtail) not alba (White Wagtail).

Colin :err:

Colin

Apologies for the photos. See my reply to Joe.

I spent ages debating which type they were. I chose the white because of the grey back but now, on reflection, you may well be correct. When you have to make a choice on your own about such similar birds, you can mislead yourself. When I get my new lens I shall try to find them again and get better images.

PeterD

[Colin Key]

Peter,

These are not easy birds, with different ages, sexes and subspecies it can be VERY difficult to be precise. Just take a look at "Yellow" Wagtails!!! :puzzled:

Colin

[Josh Jones]

Yes, this bird is a female Pied.

[PeterD]

Yes, this bird is a female Pied.

Hi Josh

I have agreed and changed the title in the gallery.

Thanks for your comment. I should have looked more closely as the White has an abrupt change from black to grey behind its neck.

I have learnt something again:smile:.

Cheers

PeterD

[Mark Andrews]

Peter,

Don't forget that female White lacks the sharp bordered cap and nape and is actually very similar to your female Pied, just slightly paler grey and a cleaner black into grey on the head

Just in case...

Mark

[PeterD]

Peter,

Don't forget that female White lacks the sharp bordered cap and nape and is actually very similar to your female Pied, just slightly paler grey and a cleaner black into grey on the head

Just in case...

Mark

Thanks Mark, checking the description in the Bird Guide, I see what you mean. These can be a devil to ID properly.

Cheers

PeterD

[Colin Key]

Re: Mark's post.

That was why I said initially "I could be wrong, but ....".

I also thought that the flanks on Peter's bird were a bit too grey for alba.

Colin

[chris butterworth]

Peter
We see plenty of 'White' Wagtail here around the Wirral. Had a great time on Sunday at Seaforth where thre were up to 30 'white' Wagtails, luckily they all 'keyed' out as male Whites. Had a couple of 'Channel' Yellow Wags as well, which made for an interesting day
Chris

[PeterD]

Chris

You are lucky. Good clear day yesterday but I did not get to see any wagtails at all.

I shall try again today.

Good shooting

PeterD