We see two types of Wagtail on the Wildlife Site: Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea).
Pied Wagtail are seen occasionally at most times of year and in most parts of the Wildlife Site; near the muddy perimeter of the pond and scrape, in the open fields, and around Downlee Lodge garden. They have been seen collecting nesting material and a beak full of insects on the grass at Downlee Lodge so it is assumed that they nest nearby. Pied wagtails have usually been seen singly or in pairs but a group of nine was observed feeding near the sheep in Field 1 in October 2020.
Grey Wagtail are much less common than Pied Wagtail and are on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. They have only been seen here rarely, and then around Downlee Lodge garden, which contains a stream.
Photographs of Wagtails
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Pied Wagtail Grey Wagtail
