The White Wagtail discovered yesterday by Josh Gahagan at Ragged Neck
was very frustrating for much of the day, but was finally seen by dozens
of birders today. Some birders from as far away as New York and New
Jersey got the bird!
First, the bird was found by Jane and I off Straw Point in Rye in an
area of private property and homes just south of Ragged Neck. Sadly,
however, after getting permission for people to visit, the bird flew
high and far before only a couple of people saw it. This was at about
8:30 AM.
After several hours of searching, the bird was finally relocated by
Jeanne-Marie Maher on the north side of Great Boar's Head in Hampton at
about 12:30 PM. OVER 5 MILES TO THE SOUTH! The bird, then played
hide-and-seek over the course of the day. Flying off for dozens of
minutes, before returning. Fortunately, most (but not all) got to see
it at this spot. It was most active in this area of washed up
vegetation on the north side of Great Boar's Head across from Little
Jack's Restaurant. Right along the sea wall. There was A LOT of insect
activity in this area and it seems like the perfect spot for it. The
last report of the bird was from roughly 3:45 PM or so when it flew off
along the wall to the north, but apparently did NOT RETURN. I don't
believe it was seen after that time today. If anyone else had it after
this time, let us know. My one photo from today:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemirick/30759329045/in/dateposted-public/
For those searching tomorrow, the north side of Great Boar's Head is the
place to start. Unfortunately, the winds have now shifted to the NW and
tomorrows weather should be much different. I hope this doesn't result
in its departure.
The bird is an immature bird. As to the subspecies involved, most who
have weighed in believe it to be the nominate, M. a. alba from Europe.
This is the most likely. HOWEVER, Hector Galbraith has banded many
"Pied" White Wagtails and therefore has EXTENSIVE experience believes it
could be the "pied" race, M. a. yarrellii from Great Britain and
Ireland. The pied race, is less likely, since it isn't a long distance
migrant. In the first fall plumage, these two subspecies can be
DIFFICULT to tell apart. Fortunately, the are the same species. :-)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wagtail#Subspecies
and a couple of articles on the difficult subspecific ID of these two:
http://birdingfrontiers.com/2011/09/08/1st-winter-white-wagtail-identification/
www.digimages.info/bergri/Wagtails_MotacillaAlba&Yarrellii_DB32-4_2010.pdf
Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA
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