Yellow Wagtail

Common Name: Yellow Wagtail

Latin Name: Motacilla flava

Family Name: Motacillidae

There is considerable variation in yellow wagtail populations across the western Palaearctic breeding range, with at least 18 different distinct races that are recognised. The race that regularly breeds in Britain is called flavissima which, apart from a small number that breed in Norway, the Netherlands and Northern France, is virtually endemic to this country. Yellow wagtails are a migratory species that spend the winter in western Africa before returning to breeding sites in the Dales from mid April onwards. Although yellow wagtails will nest in a variety of different habitats in different areas, hay meadows and pastures are the favoured nesting sites in the Dales.

This species was formerly widespread across the country but a number of different surveys have shown that nationally, there have been widespread population declines in many areas of the country. Historical information suggests that yellow wagtails were formerly abundant in the meadows and pastures of the Yorkshire Dales National Park but a survey undertaken in 2000 located only 25 pairs in ten areas that were visited.

Although there may be a number of factors driving the population decline, it is likely that earlier hay meadow cutting dates, as a result of a change from traditional hay making to silage, have reduced yellow wagtail breeding success in the Dales. In the key yellow wagtail areas, landowners have been encouraged to enter into agri-environment schemes with management prescriptions that ensure that meadows are not cut until mid-July. This ensures that all the young birds have left the nest before hay cutting takes place. Monitoring work suggests that these prescriptions have been successful, as yellow wagtail populations have increased where land has been entered into these management agreements. Even though the population of yellow wagtails in the Dales is still small, it is hoped that with the goodwill of landowners and the management work that is being implemented, it will continue to increase.

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Court, I.R., Barker, D., Cleasby, I., Gibson, M., Smith, J., Straker, C. & Thom, T.J., 2001. A survey of Yellow Wagtails in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 2000 and a review of their historical population status. Conservation Research & Monitoring Report No.1. (opens in new window)

Yellow Wagtail Species Action Plan (opens in new window)

Websites:

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (opens in new window)