Yellow wagtails are one of the most rapidly declining breeding songbirds in Britain, a fact reflected by the reduced numbers that we see on passage at Paxton Pits.  As the farmland surrounding the Pits has become more intensive, so there are fewer opportunities for yellow wagtails to breed.

Small numbers are seen during April as they move north, though larger numbers are seen in autumn.  One or two blue-headed wagtails (the nominate race, which breeds in central Europe) are seen annually.