Grey Wagtail

The Grey Wagtail is a member of the wagtail family. It is somewhat similar to the Yellow Wagtail but more colourful than its name suggests. The upperparts are grey and the yellow vent contrasting with whitish underparts makes it distinctive. The breeding male has a black throat that is edged by whitish moustachial stripes, a narrow white supercilium and a broken eye ring and a tail noticeably longer than those of Pied and Yellow wagtails. Like other wagtails, it frequently wags its tail and flies low with undulations.

The Grey Wagtail is widely distributed across the Palearctic region with several sub-species breeding in Europe and Asia. It can be found over most of the UK with the exception of the northern and western isles of Scotland. The greatest densities are found in the uplands of England, Wales and Scotland.

The Grey Wagtail is always associated with fast running streams and rivers when breeding although they may use man-made structures near streams for the nest. Outside the breeding season, it may also be seen around lakes, coasts and other watery habitats including in town and city centres.

It forages singly or in pairs feeding on a variety of aquatic invertebrates including adult flies, mayflies, beetles, crustacea and molluscs and will use rocks in water and often perch in waterside bushes and trees.

Date: 12th June 2022

Location: River Otter near Otterton, Devon