Klagshamns Udde always feels like a place between worlds — part sea, part steppe, part forgotten battlefield of sky and wind. It’s where I often go when I need stillness. Or movement. Or both.
That morning, as the sea murmured against the limestone shore and the scent of salt mingled with early green, I found her: a white wagtail, Motacilla alba, perched calmly on a branch dusted with spring lichen. She stood like a sketched line come to life — black, white, and grey — framed in soft April light.
The white wagtail
Wagtails are everywhere in Sweden, yet they never feel ordinary. With their sharp contrasts and ceaseless movement, they command attention in the quietest ways. This one, freshly returned from her winter in sub-Saharan Africa, was already inspecting the coastal brush for insects. But first — a pose, a pause, a tail flick.
The species is easily recognisable: that fine black bib, pale face, and of course, the long tail that never seems to rest. They’re excellent fliers and versatile nesters — often choosing roof tiles or stone walls when not tucked into a crevice near the sea.
The photographers view
I captured her using the Sony A7R V and the 200–600mm G OSS lens, crouched low against a knotted hawthorn, wind in my ears. Settings were ISO 800, f/6.3, shutter at 1/1250s. The light was soft, giving just enough definition without harsh contrast — a gentle mirror of her own quiet elegance.
📍 Location: Klagshamns Udde, a coastal gem just south of Malmö — beloved by birders for its mix of shoreline, pasture, and sea breeze.
📷 Gear: Sony A7R V + 200–600mm G OSS lens
⚙️ ISO 800 | 1/1250s | f/6.3
Have wagtails visited you this spring? They’re subtle messengers of the season — small, yes, but full of grace. I’d love to hear where you’ve spotted them.
#whitewagtail #klagshamnsudde #swedishbirds #skånebirding #birdphotography #motacillaalba #scandinaviannature #springmigrants #urbanbirding #birdwatchinglife #sonyalpha #coastalbirds #naturewriting
Leave a Reply