A weekend of Wagtails. 25th April 2021.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

 

I was looking for Little Ringed Plover in a muddy wetland field frequented by cattle when I spotted this stunning Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail which looks to be a "Channel type" , a hybrid between the Blue-headed (Motacilla flava)and the British Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flavissima).

Yellow wagtails have at least 10 sub species so identification can be problematic, but I was just thrilled to be able to lie down in the mud and get some close up shots of these birds...there were 2 of them!

Here are a few pics of them and then a couple of shots of my predicament taken by myself and Colin Selway.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

Blue headed "Channel type" Yellow Wagtail.

 

 

Getting the low angle amongst the bullocks!

With hindsight I don't think I'd push my luck lying amongst the cows again!

Just the thought of them suddenly panicking and running over the top of me leaves me cold now!!

There were also about a dozen Pied Wagtails feeding up in the same patch and also 2 White Wagtails as well.

All birds looked very smart in new breeding plumage and were a joy to see.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba)

Not to be outdone our resident Grey wagtails put in an appearance with a female bird posing almost too close to me to focus.

Wagtails can be very confusing to identify so hopefully I've shed a bit of light on them!

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)