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#365DaysWild, birding, birdwatching, British birds, Cardiff Bay, Ely embankment, Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea, Yellow dishwasher
I knew that one of the Pied wagtail’s vernacular names is Polly dishwasher but I’ve only just found out today that its cousin, the Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), is sometimes known as Yellow dishwasher … and Barley bird, and Gypsy bird, and Winter wagtail, and Oatseed bird. Such fascinating names, and such pretty little birds. These two, a male (above) and female (below), were picking their way along the rocks of the Ely River embankment in Cardiff Bay this morning.
earthstar 
I love the old country names that hark back to the days when people were much more integrated with their natural surroundings and actually noticed birds and their behaviour, which most of the common names describe perfectly!
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Exactly that, Theresa. I’m reading Stephen Moss’s book ‘Mrs Moreau’s Warbler’ at the moment – you’d probably enjoy it if you haven’t already read it. 🙂
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In sunny Milton Keynes and I have never seen anything but Pieds here in 46 years!
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It seems they can be seen locally but perhaps not near you – if you search Grey wagtail on this page, you’ll see there have been a few recent sightings. https://mknhs.org.uk/recent-sightings-2019/
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I was toatally unaware of those names. I don;t know if we have Greys or Yellows here.
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I think both Pied and Grey wagtails are found throughout the UK – where are you?
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