Pied Wagtail

[elsiek]

I have a single pied wagtail in my Eastern England garden. Is he lost?

[heathfield]

Common as muck. See http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/piedwagtail.htm

[DillyGent]

sorry elsiek, we have loads here in Cambridge

[Outdoorsman]

320,000 pairs in the UK - according to the RSPB website...

[elsiek]

Sorry, I phrased that wrong. I know they are common but why has this single lonely bird taken up residence in my garden. He doesn't go away at all so is obviously not mating or rearing young.

[Thunderbird+]

Its not a particularly gregarious bird, to see one, flitting about on a lawn or even an urban car park looking for small insects is not at all uncommon, but they do tend to flock together more at dusk when they go to roost.

[Cetti]

Don't worry elsiek, he or she will be fine. Busy little birds darting all over the place, tails bobbing up and down - obviously good food to be had in your garden. Lots of luscious insects.

If you don't think your bird has a nest nearby, then he or she will probably be an unmated bird and will be luckier in love another time. Either way there's nothing wrong.