Callum Macgregor

An insectivorous passerine that in Europe breeds southwest of the line from southern Scandinavia to Georgia / nothern Turkey. Mainly resident, but northeastern breeders migrate to northern Africa, some birds even cross the Sahara. Breeds mainly along fast-running streams and rivers with rocks, but also along water with forest or trees alongside. Population stable in most countries but can fluctuate with hard winters.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendStable
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		2240000-4750000,3260000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Grey Wagtail

Birds that breed in the United Kingdom mainly move within the country and have an overall direction of movement north – south(east), with some birds crossing over to the continent. Birds breeding in Scandinavia, West- and Central Europe generally move northeast – southwest, where eastern birds tend to have a more westerly direction. Most winter recoveries are in Europe, especially in Spain and southern France, but also some in Italy and Greece. Only a few recoveries are from (northern) Africa, but their number may be biased low because of a smaller recovery probability on that continent.

Recoveries by Condition for Grey Wagtail

The number of encounters has steadily increased over the years, with most birds encountered from the end of April to begin October. Recoveries in Britain, the Low Countries and Germany are mainly birds alive (ringing recovery). Recoveries in southern Europe (Spain and Italy) are mainly birds found dead or shot. Overall, the proportion ringing recoveries has increased while the proportion shot birds has decreased over time.

Annual Movements for Grey Wagtail

By March, most wintering birds have left Spain and arrive at their western and central European breeding grounds.The first birds arrive in Scandinavia by the end of March. Birds moving within the British Isles arrive at northerly breeding locations mainly in April, southerly breeders move erratically over short distances. Migrating birds from Scandinavian and central European breeding locations pass through western Europe in September and October. and arrive in Spain in October - November.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Grey Wagtail

Birds breeding in Central Europe are recovered in Spain and southern France, mostly from November to January. Some birds from eastern breeding locations in Czechia and Slovakia have winter recoveries in Italy and Greece. Birds breeding in Scandinavia have most winter recoveries in Britain and West-Europe, the most southern recovery is in Northern Spain. There are many autumn recoveries at the coast of West-Europe of birds on migration with a Scandinavian origin. Birds breeding in Britain mostly winter in Britain, some winter recoveries are in Western France. There is only one recovery in southern Spain in December. Birds breeding in Western Europe mainly have winter recoveries in the western parts of France and Spain. There are also some winter recoveries in southern Britain.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries