Yellow Wagtail

Here’s a bad photograph of a bird I’ve never seen before. It’s a Yellow Wagtail.

We were driving in Italy when I spotted a Marsh Harrier flying in the low fields which surrounded us. We stopped at a parking spot and got distant views as it flew past, but then I spotted this Yellow Wagtail. It was a male and a spectacular colour in the light. There are many races of Yellow Wagtail which show very small differences in head plumage which are important to dedicated birders. This one looked like cinereocapilla, or grey-head.

I’m looking forward to getting a little closer next time I see one.