Grey wagtail

Interesting facts: RSPB says spread into the British lowland over the last 150 years but now in moderate decline; BTO state 54% decline in Europe 1982-2005; Birdlife International state: In Europe, trends since 1980 show that populations have undergone a moderate increase (p<0.05), based on provisional data for 21 countries from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme. Maybe the Grey Wagtails are doing what they have always done and moving with the weather, certainly no shortage of them in the tropics, especially in the mountains. We are currently having another cold snap with more snow on the higher mountains, temps around 8-18C (46-64F night-day), last week was 20-30C which is normal! I'm stuck at home anyway for another week having had a 2nd hernia op last week.

I don't think the winters have been as harsh recently as they were 50-60 years ago, although worse than 10-20 years ago. They are partial migratory and England, Ireland and Denmark are at their northern limit in winter. There are lots here in winter but not so many in summer.