Information sign about the Japanese Wagtail

September 12th brings the beginning of the "Wagtails Sing" microseason in Japan. I was in Japan many years before I even heard of a "wagtail". And I only learned about it from signs at Japanese parks, like the one above titled "Nest of the Japanese Wagtail". I love that Japan has these types of informative and educational signboards in parks and sometimes even out in the wild. 

A translation of this one that teaches about the Japanese Wagtail:

Observation Record: Nest of the Japanese Wagtail (Seguro‑sekirei). The hole in the sandy rock surface is a nesting site of the Japanese Wagtail.

The Japanese Wagtail (Motacilla grandis, family Motacillidae) is a species found only in the Japanese archipelago. As its name “seguro” suggests, it has a black back. There are a dozen or so bird species considered endemic to Japan, but the only one that lives across the entire country from Hokkaido to Kyushu is the Japanese Wagtail. Bird enthusiasts say it is the one species Japan can truly be proud of. It is present throughout the year.

A Japanese Wagtail that isn’t black is said to be “more Japanese than the Japanese themselves.”

It lives around water; rivers from lowlands to mountain areas, lakes, ponds in towns, and prefers relatively quiet environments. It builds its nest in places like rocks, stone walls, and embankments. It eats insects and even small shellfish such as shijimi clams.

Groups of around ten birds roost in reed beds.

The breeding season is from March to July.

Outside the breeding season, they move alone or in pairs, and it is often the case that the partner during breeding is different from the one they spend the non‑breeding season with.

Did you know about Wagtails before you came to Japan? If not, where / how did you learn about them?