I am so excited! Whilst poaching two eggs for my lunch I caught sight of a brand new bird in my garden. I was looping the loop so much I forgot about the eggs, but did manage to grab the camera. I couldn't believe my eyes. I am so not confident with my ID's of non-garden birds. It was walking, not hopping, and eating seed from a snow covered gravel area. My garden isn't very big, there is no grass and no pond.
Is it a pied wagtail?
Pictures taken through patio doors
It stayed for what seemed like ages, and wasn't worried about seeing me, until my dog appeared next to me, then it went.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Lol! Your title made me laugh! It is indeed a pied wagtail! Good for you and well done for having the camera to hand! Hopefully he'll become a regular! :-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Hi Sparrow
Nice Pied Wagtails - no wonder your eggs where ruined
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Sparrow, brilliant photos - you lucky thing you!!!
p.s. DId it actually play with the football... LOL
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
A Pied Wagtail! Great news Sparrow and well done on the photo.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hi Everyone,
Thank you all for confirming my thoughts. I knew it was a pied wagtail really, but just had to be sure!!!!!
They aren't supposed to visit gardens unless there is a large lawn and/or a pond. As I have neither, I was very surprised and am still looping the loop. My poached eggs were dreadful, but I was too excited to care!
No Squirrel, he didn't play football, but one of my robins uses the ball as a look out post, and is quite comical if it starts to roll!
LOL !!!
Well done Sparrow, that makes three of us now who have had Wagtails in their garden this week, obviously Buzzard got the posher one but hey ho beggars can't be choosers!
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Hi Kezmo,
Buzzard always gets the posh ones, but for once we two are almost up there with him!
I am still on a high.
No worries with the reply, and I do not blame you being on a high. {smile}
Great additional informative postings everyone, and we all love our 'Piedies' (my nickname LOL)
It appears that Pied Wagtails like their insects, when they are available. They go for seeds at bird tables when the winters are harsh. That is when we get our chance to see our little friends.
Have to say the time we had Pied Wagtails they ate insects and seeds together, so they like the best of both worlds. They like their seeds all year around so it seem if they know you have them available on your feeders
Just for interest in Northern France Pied Wagtails are called Water Wagtails because they like to be next to water.
I have a bird book which gives all these quirky little stories about birds that we do not normally hear about on a daily basis.
This sounds like the start of a select club to me. Members have to have seen a pied wagtail in their garden. I am trying to think of a club name but pretty certain I won't become a member as I have never seen a pw in this area, only down on the coast. (sob)