Tag Archives: White Wagtail

Birds

Migrants coming to their breeding sites

Spring is here. Seeing the migrans arriving every day is such an exciting time. Most of them are here by now, although we have not yet spotted the Wheatear. But sightings of the Red Phalarope and Red-Necked Phalarope have not yet been reported.

Skúfönd – Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula

These Tufted Ducks were in Lake Þingvellir this week. This is a small diving duck and a common breeding bird in Iceland. In winter some of them choose to stay on lakes and ponds that do not freeze but most migrate to the British Isles and  South Europe in winter.

Maríuerla – White Wagtail – Montacilla alba

This beautiful Wagtail was also at Lake Thingvallavatn and eager to be photographed. It has come all the way from its wintergrounds in West Africa. The pair that has come to our garden for years has not arrived.  We hope they have moved but not perished.

Jaðrakan – Black-Tailed Godwit – Limosa limosa

One of the migrants arriving in flocks is the Black-Tailed Godwit with its beautiful colours and shrill song. It overwinters on the west coast of Europe, from The Netherlands to the shores of Portugal. Our special Icelandic subspecies mostly breeds in lowlands all over Iceland. They also breed in the Faroe Islands, Shetlands and Lofoten.

Grágæs – Greylag goose – Anser anser

Most Greylags overwinter in the British Isles but some decide to struggle through the winter here in Iceland. This pair along with a lot of others have taken up residence by Lake Thingvallavatn. Their population is decreasing whereas their cousines the Pink-footed Geese and the Barnacle Geese are growing in numbers. The latter is believed to have started breeding in Southeast Iceland in 1988.

Skógarþröstur – Redwing – Turdus iliacus

The same goes for the Redwing, some stay here the whole year round, others go to the British Isles. As winters become warmer staying is perhaps not such a bad choice. Flocks of Redwings start arriving early, many in the middle of March. The Redwing always has a special place in the heart of the Icelandic nation, signalling the coming of spring.

Hettumáfur – Black-headed Gull – Chroicocephalus ridibundus

The Black-headed Gull is also one of the earlier arrivals, many staying in the sea around Iceland in winter. They do not go unnoticed with their black masks and their call that is loud and harsh, often sounding like laughter.

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Birds

The same pair year after year

Newly arrived April 28

Every spring we await the arrival of the White Wagtail in the garden. It seems that the same pair comes here year after year. And we celebrate its arrival by putting out wholemeal biscuits which are its favourite.  At least that is what we think. And every year they build their nest in the spruce and perhaps it is the same tree every year. 

Collecting material for the nest May 9.

We love having this pair of  White Wagtails in the garden. These are such lively birds to watch as they trail their long tails in undulating flight around the trees and wag their long tails and dash about in the garden.

The nest ready and the male courts the female.

It is also very interesting to see the male court the female. It points its bill upwards and zigzags about, moving up and down, and spreading its tail.

Both parents busy feeding the nestlings June 6.

Insects are its main feed and they can often be seen catching flies and spiders in flight. Both parents take part in the nesting and in feeding the hatchlings.

Busy time ahead feeding the young ones June 6.

This spring they arrived on April 22. They started making their nest the next day which took about two week. Now the eggs have hatch and the parents diligently feed the young ones. Bringing them insects, flies, larva and spiders. The eggs are usually four to six, can be up to eight, so if all have hatched the parents have their work cut out for them for the next two to three weeks.

The White Wagtail is one of the migratory birds whose arrival is looked forward to in Iceland in spring.

 

Birds

Year after year

Maríuerla – White Wagtail – Motacilla alba

Year after year the same White Wagtail pair breed in our garden, – at least we like to think so. Being migrants they come for the summer and by now they have bred and their offsprings chase them around the garden. The young ones whine for food, or just attention. It is interesting to observe their agile flying skills to catch insects, spiders and the like. They even grab the occasional seed from the feeders.

Just caught a spider

The White Wagtail’s winter grounds are in West Africa and most arrive back in Iceland  in the end of April or beginning of May. The Icelandic breeding population counts around 50,000 pairs.

Sunflower seeds taste nice too
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Birds

This one is early

The first White Wagtail this spring arrived in the garden today. She went straight to the spruce tree where Wagtails have made their nest in recent years.  It seemed to know its way around the place.

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Maríuerla – Pied Wagtail – Montacilla alba

The White Wagtail goes all the way to West Africa for winter and most arrive back in Iceland  in May. This one is unusually early. The Icelandic breeding population counts around 50,000 pairs.

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Birds

The Wagtail wags its tail

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)  is a beautiful little bird that constantly wags its long tail. It is quite noticeable dashing about in the garden in the summer time. The Wagtail is one of the migratory birds which arrival is looked forward to in the spring.

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Maríuerla – White wagtail – Motacilla alba

We like the Wagtail a lot and there is usually a pair with a nest in the garden every year. It quite likes the oatmeal biscuits we feed it.

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