Grey Wagtail and Goldfinch migration

[Madelinew]

My beautiful little grey wagtail has put in its first appearance of the season. I usually notice it in late November but it's possible I've missed it in other years. It usually hangs around my wildlife ponds, hopping round the lily pads and disappears again just after Christmas until next November. Any ideas where it's been? Just been watching it as it balanced on a dried up leaf that was floating in the middle of the pond which shows how little it must weigh.

This week has also seen goldfinches return to my niger feeders since they all vanished in the late spring, early summer. Likewise - where have they been?

We do seem to be in a good spot here on the Isle of Wight for migrants as the last landfall for many birds heading off to the continent and beyond. I waved goodbye to the swallows only a couple of weeks ago as they buzzed overhead, feeding up one day and then suddenly were gone. Hopefully my blackcaps may be back soon and I'm awaiting the influx of blackbirds we usually get overwinter - presumably from Scandinavia...?

[aeshna5]

It's quite possible that the Goldfinches that are currently visiting your feeders are from a diffrent population than those earlier in the year. Some of our breeding birds go to France/ Spain for the winter + other birds visit here for the winter from farther north. However without ringing there's no way to be sure one way or the other.

Always great to see the Grey Wagtails- again we receive birds from northern Europe.