White or Pied?

[PMG]

After some birding chat with Jason I'm throwing this question out to everyone - do you think these are White or Pied Wagtails?







I know what Jason is looking at with that shaped collar-type bit which the book says is particular to white's. But I had decided that they were juvenile pieds cos of the darkness to flanks and chest (I have whites in earlier pages in my Gallery and they are very cleanly white underneath) also yellow-ish cheeks as seen on many young species and a suggestion of darkening feathers appearing on its back. There were sev young - if thats what these are - and a couple of full adult pieds all knocking about in a flock ..... whether a family party - or just a general gathering by the coast as these birds do in winter?

Pauline

[Jason Green]

Hi Patricia

...ah yes, blame me 'cause you're not sure My suggestion really )

By the coast you say? Maybe they are other European pieds, or even white's on passage then. I wasn't aware these were taken around the coast!

Yes, even with coastal rocks and the sea in the background

[PMG]

ooh you little devil you

No I'm sure they are pieds - as much as I'd like them to be an influx of whites - but I'll listen to any reasoning or suggestions and maybe learn a bit of something on the way

(You shouldn't tease your auntie Pauline - she gets excited and its not good at her age................ hahahahahahaha!)

Pauline

[Jason Green]

OK, P...P... OK, Pauline then

[PMG]

LOL .......stoppit we will never get a serious conversation going - everyone will streat us like a couple halfwits

Pauline

[Jason Green]

I know, I apologise, I often end up taking threads off-topic and having... well, you know

Serious posts will follow, promise (...)

[PMG]

.....there's nowt wrong with havin a laugh my mate and I'd sooner be judged a halfwit than a vicious old cow any day

Pauline

[Jason Green]

Your right there - life's too short

[welsh.lensman]

Will you two behave yourselves and stick to the subject please

I'm with you on this one Pauline, looking at Collins bird guide, your images are very simular to the adult Pied wagtail in winter plumage ssp. yarrelli even down to displaying the slight black eye stripe.
I'm probably way off the mark with this and someone with a lot more knowledge will come in and give you a more accurate ID.
BTW nice photo's Pauline.

[Hedge Witch]

I'd say Pied :

http://www.the-soc.org.uk/docs/white-wagtail-id.pdf

Interesting!