Roosting Pied Wagtails

[RobinP]

We had two (at least) big roosts in towns in Hertfordshire, but the one in St Albans was disrupted when they put the Christmas lights up in the tree!

There were about 100 birds in that one, also the same number in the centre of Welwyn Garden City, been going at least two years that one.

My theory is they feel safer from predators in a town centre where it is usually lit overnight, as well as being a degree or two warmer than the countryside.

[camo]

I had not heard of P Wagtails roosting together so was really surprised. I guess a Airport offers a Wagtail the perfect feeding ground (with its open concrete). I suspect these birds use the tree regularly and when I am in area I will pop in with a camera. I suspect there is a law against a camera at an airport but we will see.

Great to see so there are opportunities to see such roosting, they are worth a look if you are close to one of the roosts.

Roy

[Pam_M]

I had heard of Wagtails roosting in town centres etc but have never seen them myself! It must be a sight to see and to hear! Good luck with a pic but be careful, Roy!

[Keith Talbot]

Originally Posted by leyland

Down in Worthing town centre there is a roost of Pied Wagtails that have been there all winter. They seem to favour a fairly small tree, but are to be seen on the surrounding rooftops before alighting at the roost. Quite a funny sight to see them surrounded by buses and the hustle of shoppers and were still there on Wednesday when i counted 63 before my bus arrived.

exactly the same here,they seem to be a bit quiet this year but over the last couple of years theres been 100+ roosting in our high street,they gather on the rooftops first then down to 2 small trees,during the day some of them can be seen up and down the high street,if your not careful you could tread on them! they are getting very tame.

keith

[Jim Ford]

I've seen them roosting in a tree outside Tescos in Berkhamsted in Herts..

Jim

[thunder]

There used to be a famous roost in the trees down the centre of O'Connell Street in Dublin, but I think the trees, and the roost, may be gone now. I saw it about twenty five years ago - fascinating to see them all roosting, perfectly visible in the street lighting and apparently unconcerned with all the hustle and bustle below them.

There was also a roost on the rooves of the place where I used to work - I think the numbers fluctuated from year to year, but I believe it reached over a hundred at times.

henrya