I've still to get up there and see them for myself yet but I woulds ask observers of them if they can be sure that those females are indeed Blue-headed Wagtails? The county rarities committee quite rightly currently is extremely cautious on the identification of females of the flava race due to similarity to flavissima females and the overlap in features between the two. I appreciate that one may seem different from a female flavissima but this could just as easily be due to individual wear, age etc. and as someone who has spent a lot of time studying both flava and flavaissima females their separation is fraught with pitfalls. Male flavas have bred with female flavissimas in the county before, several times, and indeed atleast a few times on these mosses, perhaps it's the same returning male?
I would ask that anyone who has seen these birds and has an opinion on them, especially the fact that there are two families present (of Blue-headed Wagtails?) if they could please contact me by email (I may get up there over the weekend myself if the weather holds out!) as this matter is important for the county rarities committee.
On Sunday one of the local Buzzards was being mobbed by Swallows as it flew along the wooded edge of the horse paddock, and later, on Astley Moss, they were mobbing a Sparrowhawk, but I've never seen them mobbing smaller species. mind you, I've never seen them practice infanticide 'till this years' Springwatch.
Had a job in Trafford Park today so called by Irlam Moss on the way there at 0630 and hung around till 07.30 - nothing - but on the way back 14.00 I also saw three juvs two in the wet field and one in the wet sandy paddock next to the stables. The birds in the field were again being mobbed by the Swallows - could this have been the cause of the injury to the bird reported by John?
The Wagtails seemed to be quite widely dispersed today - no adult male for me but a couple of juveniles round the stables. Then walked down the footpath to Hephzibar Farm by Field 23 and after a 100m or so another juvenile appeared on the path in front of me. It seemed reluctant to fly and allowed close approach to 2 metres. It then hopped off the path to the RHS and into the turf at top end of Field 23 - seemed to be injured and carrying a drooping right wing.
Paul thanks for the directions - spot on - went over late morning with "herself who wanted to go to Makro and who actually enjoyed the trip" and even at that time of day lots of House Martin, Swallows, Swifts and a Hobby on a post. There were two separate families of Blue Headed Wags and a single Yellow. Quite hard for me to distinguish the blue heads (female and young) until firstly the male appeared and then the Yellow for comparison. Does that count as a lifer as a subspecies?
PS the Blue Heads near to the water on the field opposite to the stables were being mobbed by several of the Swallows and I thought Swallows were gentle birds!!!
Sid your best bet is Astley road straight of the A57 liverpool road you can drive straight up to field 23 you can see it on the site guide on the website and transfer that onto a A to Z and ians your uncle you should be there.
Can anyone in the forum please confirm that field 23 can be reached via Victoria Road in Irlam - and if so how far up can be driven. I may get a chance to look for the Blue Headed Wag on Wed early am and won't have time to miss my way!!!
I've just noticed on Birdguides a report of a male Blue Headed Wagtail on Irlam Moss in horse paddocks in field 23 today.Apparently there were 3 fledged young with it.
