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 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea L 18. Breeds beside upland streams and along swift-flowing brooks, sometimes beside lakes and slow rivers. Widespread and fairly common in S and W Europe, incl. Britain The nest is placed on a rock ledge, under a bridge (often of stone) or in a similar site. Less particular outside breeding season; then also on coast, beside lakes, on sewage farms, watercress beds, cultivated land etc. Has very long tail, even longer than Pied Wagtail's. Yellow on underparts, especially intense on vent, grey on upperparts (white edging on tertials). Male's throat black in summer, female's faintly or profusely marked with black, When flying away yellowish rump and a white wingbar formed by white bases to flight feathers are visible. Wingbar even more prominent from below, translucent against the light. Immature is yellow only on rump and vent, the breast is buff. Distinguished from immature Yellow Wagtail by yellowish rump, extremely long tail, brownish-pink legs (blackish in other wagtails). White wingbar is also present in the immature. The long tail makes its mark on all the Grey Wagtail's movements; the flight Is even more markedly undulating than Pied Wagtail's, the action on the ground even more rocking and see-sawing Runs and skips deftly among the rocks of the rushing waters, often hovers above water in search of insects, is very much inclined (more than Pied Wagtail) to perch in tops of overhanging trees. Usual call resembles Pied Wagtail's but is markedly more metallic and higher-pitched, 'tsiziss'; this, together with wingbar, extreme tail length and extremely undulating flight, is what gives it away in overhead flight. Alarm 'SEE-eat', mixed with excited version of call. Song consists of short series of sharp notes R
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