Iberain Wagtail, Leasowe.

With all the Yellow Wagtails being recorded on the Wirral coast (see previous blog post) it was hoped that something nice would turn  up with them - possibly a Blue-headed or Channel Wagtail? Indeed thats what Stan Davidson thought he'd initially found on Friday 26th April until it was realised that actually it could be an Iberian Wagtail (the Spanish race of Yellow Wagtail). Saturday was a washout and understandably the news on the bird was negative but Sunday was much brighter and we heard it was still there whilst on Hilbre.

Having seen a putative Iberian Wagtail at RSPB Conwy, years ago when it hosted a male Citrine Wagtail at the same time, I was keen to see this bird as the Conwy bird was never accepted as such. There has only been one accepted record of Spanish Wagtail in the UK and that was in 2015. See https://britishbirds.co.uk/article/iberian-wagtail-in-yorkshire-new-to-britain/

Unfortunately when we first arrived there was no sign of it but  I heard a Yellow Wagtail call on several occasions but couldn't see anything. It was actually tucked right up against the fence line where it couldn't be seen from our position. Eventually it moved and became more visible. To my eye it looked identical to the Conwy bird. It called several times and people have said the call is buzzier - to me it sounded like a standard Yellow Wagtail call and not as distinct as, say, a Citrine or Eastern Yellow Wagtail. A cracking find by Stan and a good patch bird.

Checking the photo's I'm wondering if the bird has a problem with its right eye?