The trouble with (Grey) Wagtails!

The clue's in the name, they wag their tails, and to compound it they are often found where the light is not good.

The result of this wagging is that many images are great until you look at the blurred end to the tail. This female Grey Wagtail was feeding along the stream between the lakes at Bushy Ruff, River.

Suddenly it thrust its beak into the edge of the water and came out with what appeared to be a tiny larva of some sort.

I took a series of pictures and if you run them through quickly its like one of the old books you flick through to get animation. The wagtail shakes the larva up and down several times before eating it.

The Grey Wagtail wasn't the only bird making use of the insect rich habitat that a small stream provides. This Wren was feeding along the grid where then is a little water fall as the steam drops to the level of the lower lake.

The male Grey Wagtail was now where near so obliging as his partner. he was often out of sight and then I'd hear his curious song and find him near the top of a tree singing. It is often said that the quality of the songs of birds at use flowing rivers for their homes have evolved to be heard above the noise of the water, I don' know if this is true but the song certainly does have a penetrating quality.

One of the local Robins wad also near the little weir, often fly catching along its surface, but not getting quite so close as the Wren.

When the male Wagtail did come to the waters edge it wasn't as approachable as the female and only allowed more distant pictures. Even though it isn't so close the blacker bib and more striking marking are still obvious.

It was good to see this family out enjoying the park, I wonder if they were successful, somehow it doesn't matter if just fun trying.