Little Trotty Wagtail

Little trotty wagtail he went in the rain
And tittering tottering sideways he near got straight again
He stooped to get a worm and look’d up to catch a fly
And then he flew away e’re his feathers they were dry
Little trotty wagtail he waddled in the mud
And left his little foot marks trample where he would
He waddled in the water pudge and waggle went his tail
And chirrupt up his wings to dry upon the garden rail
Little trotty wagtail you nimble all about
And in the dimpling water pudge you waddle in and out
Your home is nigh at hand and in the warm pigsty
So little Master Wagtail I’ll bid you a ‘Good bye’

- Little Trotty Wagtail by John Clare (1793-1864)

Why 'Wagtail Cottage'?

The Wagtail bird

There are three types of Wagtail - the grey, the yellow and the pied wagtails. All are native to the UK and can be spotted in the vacinity of the cottage, particularly the pied variety. This is an ever-active bird which wags its long tail almost incessantly, even whilst standing still, and one which is often recognised because of its characteristic darting, flitting, running and chasing after insects...the Pied Wagtail's natural food.
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Read more about these hardy little birds here.

We love waggy tails!

We love dogs, and have three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 10 year old Sophie, 12 year old puppy farm survivor Nell, and 1 year old Rufus! (pictured middle above.)

Wagtail Cottage's owner Marie Carter-Robb edits Pets Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for pet owners. We operate a very flexible 'dogs welcome' policy at Wagtail Cottage!

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