Illustration: Alice Goodridge
WILD LIFE
It is no surprise that these highly noticeable birds, with a yellow belly and flicking tail, have gathered cultural meanings from people. In Scotland their presence was thought to predict bad weather; indeed there could be an association as they do move down from upland areas in cold weather. During the Highland Clearances, folklore linked sightings of them around a house with imminent eviction for the householders. If on seeing grey wagtails you pause and don’t move towards them, they will continue about their business, allowing a good view of their busy foraging. Grey wagtails walk or flutter short distances to catch invertebrates, wade in shallows picking prey out of the water and fly out from waterside perches to catch insects on the wing. Their tail flicking, which gives rise to the name ‘wagtail’, is thought to be signalling to potential predators that they are alert and are not an easy target. Alongside their plumage colour and pattern, their tail distinguishes them from other wagtails; grey wagtails have a particularly long tail that is the length of their body again.