Pied/White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Species
Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarellii). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on December 28th 2015.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on December 28th 2015.
(1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarellii). Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 31st 2019.
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 31st 2019.
(1/160th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 14th 2012.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 14th 2012.
(1/125th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 16.5 - 19 cm

A small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird. When not standing and frantically wagging its tail up and down it can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food. There is a form called the White Wagtail (M. alba alba), which has a grey rather than a black back.

It is found throughout the British Isles, although not in much of Scotland in the winter.

It can be found in most habitats, even town centres, although nearly always near water.

Pied Wagtails gather together in large roosts, sometimes in towns, often assembling on roofs beforehand.

Green status. There are between 272,000 and 352,000 territories in the UK.

Sightings

22-Mar-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
02-Feb-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
16-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
04-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)

26-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
15-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
08-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
17-Nov-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
22-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
13-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
18-Aug-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
28-Jul-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (10+)
22-Jun-2023 : Steart Marshes, Somerset (2)
02-Jun-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
19-May-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
04-May-2023 : Elan Valley, Powys (1)
03-May-2023 : Gilfach, Powys (2)
01-May-2023 : Elan Valley, Powys (2)
28-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
21-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
04-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
19-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
11-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (18)
20-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
06-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
02-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)

20-Dec-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
25-Nov-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
04-Nov-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
28-Oct-2022 : Tophill Low, E. Yorks (2)
24-Oct-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
18-Oct-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
23-Sep-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Sep-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
20-Aug-2022 : Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts (1)
19-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
25-Jun-2022 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (1)
23-Jun-2022 : Corney Fell, Cumbria (1)
21-May-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
08-May-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
04-May-2022 : Gwenffrwd-Dinas, Ceredigion (2)
29-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
25-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
23-Apr-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
21-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
13-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
05-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
28-Mar-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
23-Feb-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4+)