The ubiquitous White Wagtail

As temperatures drop sharply across northern Spain, increasing numbers of wintering birds arrive in the Serranía de Ronda. This seasonal movement happens every year, with many species seeking shelter in the milder landscapes around the southernmost edge of the Baetic mountain system.

As part of a winter bird survey in this region, I frequently encounter one particular species: the White Wagtail, Motacilla alba alba. These birds are remarkably widespread, including at relatively high elevations, and their graceful appearance and lively behavior make them one of the most enjoyable visitors of the winter season.

Although a small number remain here to breed, breeding White Wagtails are relatively uncommon and can sometimes be surprisingly difficult to find. The situation changes dramatically during winter and migration, when they become one of the most frequently encountered birds in the area.

Autumn Brings Large Numbers of Wagtails

Toward the end of summer and throughout early autumn, large numbers of White Wagtails arrive in the region. Their arrival happens at roughly the same time that cereal fields and other agricultural land are being cultivated after remaining largely unused during July and August.

It is not unusual to see hundreds of wagtails moving behind a plough as they search through freshly turned soil. The exposed ground provides an abundance of earthworms and beetle larvae, creating an excellent feeding opportunity.

Many of these birds will eventually continue farther south and spend the winter in North Africa. As autumn advances, however, the number of wagtails choosing to remain in the Serranía de Ronda gradually increases.

Winter Feeding and Roosting Areas

During winter, White Wagtails tend to become quite sociable, gathering in groups at locations where food is plentiful. Open agricultural fields are among their favorite places, but they also make use of pasture, highland scrub, and open woodland where grassy vegetation grows beneath the trees.

Olive groves are another particularly attractive habitat for them. Their habit of gathering at communal roosts also provides an excellent opportunity for observers to estimate the size of the wintering population more accurately.

Before settling into their evening roosts, however, the birds need access to water for drinking and bathing.

Their Winter Baths Are a Delight to Watch

One of the most entertaining parts of observing White Wagtails during winter is watching them arrive at their traditional bathing sites. On cold, late afternoons, their energetic bathing routines provide welcome entertainment.

Even when temperatures are low enough to keep most people sitting beside a fire or watching the outdoors through a car window, these birds continue meticulously cleaning themselves. They devote considerable time to washing and carefully arranging every feather, displaying remarkable determination despite the cold.

Searching for Food as Winter Progresses

Once winter settles into its typical pattern of chilly nights and relatively mild days, White Wagtails become more widely distributed throughout the mountain valleys and cultivated landscapes.

This broader distribution reflects the declining availability of insects as the season progresses. Although wagtails are insectivorous and naturally favor insects, their feeding habits become somewhat more varied between December and February.

During these months, they are often seen on pastures and along tracks where roadside vegetation provides plenty of seeds. Longer grass is also valuable because it can harbor large numbers of spiders, which become another useful food source when insects are less abundant.

Cold Weather Causes Only Temporary Movements

Throughout most of the winter, the number of White Wagtails in the area remains relatively stable. A noticeable decline usually occurs only during particularly cold spells, and even then the reduction is temporary.

The birds most likely respond to severe cold by moving short distances toward more favorable conditions. Some may shift to lower elevations where temperatures are warmer, particularly when conditions higher in the mountains become difficult.

As March arrives, the wintering population gradually begins moving northward as spring migration gets underway. This movement is easy to overlook because many other migratory birds are simultaneously returning from Africa.

The Return of Spring Migrants

By early April, the change becomes much more obvious. Almost suddenly, the large wintering groups of White Wagtails have disappeared from the landscape.

Their departure is made slightly easier to accept by the arrival of Yellow Wagtails in increasing numbers. The appearance of these returning spring migrants provides a welcome reminder that the seasons are changing and that another cycle of bird migration is beginning.