Black-headed Wagtail & Blue-headed Wagtail - RSPB Saltholme

[IanF]

Both present this morning along the track from the visitor centre to Saltholme Hide. They were feeding at distance amongst the feet of the cattle though difficult to view due to the long grass.

A couple of record shots.

[IanF]

Better light for viewing and closer views of it this afternoon

[TobyAW]

Excellent find and photos Ian. Thank you to everyone who took advantage of our late opening and managed to see the bird, unlucky those that didn't. It was a really good opportunity for both birders and the reserve to go through the motions of a late opening and I hope it was felt to be of benefit, even by those that didn't see it. We'll try to grant access when and where possible and the cooperation and good nature of the local birding community will allow this to happen more regularly. Thank you again and below is a link to the discussion about the potential identity of this little cracker. Let's hope it hangs around till tomorrow. 

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1806581#post1806581

[DaveBritton]

The Andrea Corso paper in Birding World (14:162-166) is clearly giving some people hope that this might be a Feldegg despite its obvious problems but note (1) Some of the pics said to be Feldegg are only Corso's opinion and may not actually be Feldegg. (2) Corso specifically refers to 'Very early in the year (mainly in late February to March), male Black-headed Wagtail may show a variable amount of greyish-green mixed in the black of the head ---- As the early spring progresses, this green colour abrades and completely disappears, leaving the well known glossy black of breeding plumage'. Today is 28th April! Also, the blue grey colour on the whole hind-neck/nape, which only becomes clear in views when the bird faces away from you, is less easy to explain away than a green tinge. Unfortunately, this has not been captured in any of the excellent pics I have seen. The bird looks far more impressive in profile than when facing away. I don't personally feel too bothered about the supercilium other than this being one extra point to explain away. The precise identity of this interesting (and quite beautiful) bird it is is not entirely clear but I will be extremely surprised if this ever becomes an armchair subspecies Cleveland tick. It is most probably one of those very dark thunbergi said to occur (rather than a hybrid). Incidentally, the Essex bird in June 1999 also had a significant blue grey component to the hind neck, even later in the year than the Cleveland bird, but less of a supercilium. That was rejected by BBRC (BB96:291-296). Dave Britton

[Jamie]

It was great to see the RSPB keep Saltholme open late this evening to give the 9-5 brigade a chance to see the wagtail. Thanks to all concerned.

[DaveBritton]

I should add that for insurance purposes, I would urge everyone to try to see this wagtail. The 1999 Essex bird, the recent Cresswell bird and this one are basically all in the same boat. None fit the current understanding of Feldegg but it is theoretically possible that our understanding of Flavas will eventually expand to allow such birds in with Feldegg. It is also likely that the 'Feldegg group' will become a separate species on the BOURC list (it already is with some authorities). Still, I thought that after the 1999 bird (which I saw) but a decade on nothing has changed so don't hold your breath. Dave Britton