|
|
Our familiar Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) is actually a sub-species of the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba),
which is only found in the UK and Ireland. On Continental Europe,
the White Wagtail fills the same niche. White Wagtails are also
the form found in Iceland and they migrate to southern Europe for the
winter. In spring, White Wagtails are occasionally seen on
passage around the Irish coast as they return to Iceland, and the
Raghly/Ballyconnell area of County Sligo has been increasingly recognised in recent years
as a key area for this species on its spring migration.
For tips
on distinguishing White Wagtails from female Pied Wagtails, see the
side-by-side comparison on the bottom of this page.
These birds were photographed as they rested and fed on the beach at Raghly on 14th April 2008.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Images
© Mícheál Casey 2008 |
14th April 2008: White Wagtails on Raghly Beach this evening
Click on images above for a larger image. |
|
 |
|
| Images
© Mícheál Casey 2008 |
|
14th
April 2008: Side-by-side comparison of female Pied Wagtail and
White Wagtail - note that the White Wagtail has a "cleaner" white patch
on the face, a sharper demarcation between the black cap and the grey
nape, and cleaner whiter flanks. The White Wagtail is also paler
overall, with more white on tips of the the greater coverts. The
White Wagtail has a grey rather than black rump - visible in some of
the photos above
Click on image above for a larger image. |
|
|
