Is it really a.....?

[RoyW__]

Originally Posted by Dave Appleton

Pied Wagtail in Cyprus...? Pied Wagtail breeds only in Britain and, I think (?), the near Continent, although a small number are seen further down the west coast of Europe. I think there may have been the odd record a little further into Europe but I should think a Pied Wagtail on Cyprus must be exceedingly rare!

A small percentage of Pied Wagtails (Motacilla alba yarrellii) migrate south-west during the winter, and may reach as far as north-west Africa (Gambia, Morocco etc.) They also reach other countries in northwest Europe occasionally (such as Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and perhaps as far inland as Switzerland). Plenty of White Wagtails (Motacilla alba alba) are found throughout Europe though, with many of these heading to Africa and the Middle-east for the winter.

Was it perhaps White Wagtails that you saw Mac?

[aquila 1]

Hi Roy no it was a pied, we did see a loyt of both yellow and white, we also saw a bird I thought was a starling which is also rare, but I an having trouble getting them posted on here, I have just put my report on here but its all gone wrong, I will keep trying. best regards mac

[RoyW__]

Did you manage to work out the Yellows? There would be a good mix of races on Cyprus in the autumn (eg. Black-headed, Grey-headed, Blue-headed, and hybrids), although most wouldn't be easy to sort out at that time of year.
Citrine Wagtail is a regular, but scarce, passage species as well.

Starlings certainly won't be common but should be regular in small numbers on passage and in winter.

[aquila 1]

Hi Roy I must admit they were not easy but most were blue headed, one which seemed to suiprise everyone was seeing a grey up the trodos, I dont think they would have believed me but I had a picture, If I put a new thread on including a picture would you be good enough to see what it is, this is the one I thought was a starling, untill I put them onto computer. best regards mac

[RoyW__]

I would have guessed that most of the Yellow Wagtails would have been the Black-headed which breed in south-east Europe and Turkey, but it sounds like you may have missed them and been seeing passage birds from further north in Europe. I'll be in Gambia in February and hope to see a selection of races to try and sort out then - as well as other ID challenges!

[RoyW__]

Perhaps of interest, and containing brief details of records of Pied Wagtails outside of their normal range, is an article published in Dutch Birding magazine in 2010 (see the new thread I have started: "White and Pied Wagtails").

Pied Wagtail has previously been recorded in Cyprus, but only once - so it is almost certainly the rarest bird for Cyprus that you saw on your trip Mac!