Spot the difference
24 Sep 2013
Jay and Grey Wagtail show remarkably similar reporting patterns throughout the year. However, there are quite different factors behind the late September / early October peaks in the proportion of complete lists featuring these two species. Although early October 2012 demonstrated that Jays can be prone to considerable movements (which may well involve birds from continental Europe too), British and Irish breeders are largely sedentary. The long-term peak in reporting at this time of year is almost certainly due to the species engaging in more conspicuous behaviour, as they undertake feeding flights to forage for and store acorns, often calling noisily as they do so.
Whilst Grey Wagtail is often referred to as resident, it is better considered a partial migrant. Birds breeding in southern Britain and in Ireland probably remain on or near their breeding grounds but birds from more northerly and upland areas move to lower altitudes or even head south for the winter. British-ringed birds have been recovered in France (6), the Netherlands (2) and Norway (1). Birds ringed in Belgium (2), Denmark (2), Germany (3), the Netherlands (4) and Portugal (2) have been found on this side of the North Sea and a westwards passage of birds is often noted along the north Norfolk coast at this time of year, indicating that we also receive a number of continental immigrants.
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