Pied Wagtails set up roost in town centre Christmas tree

Bridgend has been the subject of plenty of attention in recent days, for a substantial flock of Pied Wagtails has begun to roost in the town centre's Christmas tree.

The birds, which regularly form a roost in the town centre in the winter months, have moved into the coniferous Christmas tree since it was erected, presumably because it offers greater shelter than the surrounding deciduous counterparts.

And, as Paul Roberts's brilliant Photo of the Week shows, they offer some excellent photo opportunities, with the relative lack of people on the streets this year due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions perhaps giving them greater confidence.

One of up to 200 Pied Wagtails roosting in the Christmas tree in Bridgend town centre (Paul Roberts).

Wagtail roosts are a familiar sight in urban settings in the winter months. Unlike many birds, they will often choose the brightest and busiest parts of a town centre in which to roost. Despite the noise and light pollution, these settings are generally safe from predators and tend to average a degree or two warmer than rural settings.

Birds congregate as it goes dark and are generally very vocal, uttering their familiar chizick calls. Ornamental trees are generally favoured, with shopping centres, supermarket car park and service stations all regularly occupied. Without leaves on the trees, roosts are quite easy to observe, with the wagtails superficially appearing as unseasonal fruit, laden on the bare branches.

It transpires that this isn't a new phenomenon in the South Walian town, with the wagtails making a similar move last year

The famous Christmas tree is situated outside Bridgend's Barclays branch at the junction of Queen Street and Caroline Street, with the 200-strong wagtail contingent gathering on the rooftops of nearby buildings before dropping into the tree and neighbouring Birch throughout the evening.

The tree is the centrepiece of the town's Christmas light festivities (Sam Viles).