The white wagtail is grey, the pied wagtail is black and white, the yellow wagtail is yellow and the grey wagtail is yellow too. This confusing state of affairs grew up naturally, over the centuries, as common bird names and names settled on by ornithologists were codified. Thank heavens for the Latin names! This grey wagtail, at Cannop Ponds, Gloucestershire, with its bright yellow body and grey head and back, was flitting around restlessly, its tail constantly moving as if to underline its name. It spent a few slightly calmer moments on a dam-associated wheel and the sunlight allowed a reasonable shutter speed that almost arrested its movement.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Nikon P900
