A common and familiar bird, the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is often seen in towns and cities, dashing across lawns, roads and car parks while wagging its long tail up and down. Pied Wagtails eat insects, but will feed on seeds and even rubbish in winter.

A breeding bird of fast-flowing, upland rivers, the Grey Wagtail can also be seen in lowland areas, farmyards and even towns in winter. Grey wagtails (Motacilla cinerea) have a yellow chest, eat ants and midges that they find beside rivers, and snails and tadpoles they find in shallow water.

The Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small, graceful, yellow and green bird, with a medium-length tail and slender black legs. It spends much time walking or running on the ground. It is a summer visitor, migrating to winter in Africa.