White Wagtail. Monroe County, Michigan

The White Wagtail is a small, attractive bird found mostly throughout Europe and Asia, as well as part of north Africa. This species is predominately a permanent residents within their range, but northern birds will migrate to Africa in winter months.

Worldwide distribution of the White Wagtail. Yellow denotes summer range, green year round range, blue winter range.


There is some speculation, discussion (debate?) that this bird might be the race that breeds in NE Siberia. No matter it's orgin, it is interesting and some what mind boggeling that a tiny little bird from far away lands made it here to Michigan.

So when Adam Byrn found one at Pointe Mouillee (Monroe County, Michigan)Saturday, April 9, 2011, I knew I had to make plans to go and chase this cute little guy.

Since this would be Michigan's 3rd record of this species and given the high scale rarity of this bird, I was rather excited at the prospects of seeing it and making this bird the 371st species for my Michigan list and a new lifer to boot.

I had to work all day, Saturday, so my plans would have to be for a Sunday morning chase, hoping th bird would not be yet another "one day wonder."

I did not take my camera gear due to the fact that the bird was being resported as "skittish" and"staying quite a ways out from people." Given these two factors and knowing there would be terrible heat distortion, I left my gear home to make my long walk to the bird a lighter one.