Flava / Flavissima / Channel Wagtail ID UK (1 Viewer)

Came across a flock of 25+ Yellow Wagtails at Scalby Lodge Pond, just north of Scarborough last night, so had a good search for an odd 'un. Found one odd man or woman out, with a strong white super and crown, nape and ear coverts much bluer/greyer than all its companions. Underparts like the female flavissima and not nearly as bright as the male flavissima which formed the majority of the flock. No photo of "my" bird, but found this very good likeness on the web, although I do not think my bird showed any necklace of spots. What sex/race/age is this, as it's very likely the same?

http://www.worldbirds.co.uk/birds3.asp?choice=1&bird=190&photo=1621&loc=0

Graham

Hi Graham.

Firstly, difficult genus YWT. The bird in the link you provided looks like a female flava due to the white supercilium, with a very slight yellowish hue and rather broad in front of the eye in this individual. Female flavissima similar, perhaps with a slightly yellower supercilium, but others similar to flava, but due to variation the two not always safely separable.
The brownish worn primaries indicate a first summer bird (2cy) like this one from Sweden- which is a paler example:

http://www.pbase.com/image/58514215

Regarding the so called 'Channel Wagtail' (flava x flavissima) this one on Surfbird scares gallery from Essex 24.4 2008 by Sean Nixon is considered by him? some as a 'Channel Wagtail'

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20080426054919.jpg

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20080426054903.jpg

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20080426054937.jpg

In my (humble) opinion it could as well be a 2cy (brownish worn primaries and what it looks like a moult contrast in the greater coverts - old juvenile outers with newer adult like inners and whitish upper throat- male flava.

http://www.bucksbirdclub.co.uk/Pictures/BlueheadedWagtail.htm

http://www.deanar.btinternet.co.uk/general/passers/channelwag.htm

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=58059&highlight=channel+wagtail

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=84099&highlight=channel+wagtail

JanJ

My vote is also for flava. Probably female, but could be a 2cy male as JanJ said.

Cristian

Thanks very much for the comments and links. The more I read the less I know, it seems. I hoped to restrict my immediate shortlist of possibles, i.e. 2CY male or adult female, either flava or "channel", but it seems a bird looking like this can simply be a female flavissima. So even with the Alstrom book (£40+) learnt off by heart a lot of birds aren't safely identifiable to race even with detailed notes or photos? Will have to find a classic adult male flava next time.

Thanks again,
Graham