Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
Species
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on November 4th 2022.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on November 4th 2022.
(1/800th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). Juvenile. Taken at Leighton Moss, Lancs, on August 1st 2014.
Juvenile. Taken at Leighton Moss, Lancs, on August 1st 2014.
(1/250th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 14 - 15.5 cm

The Meadow Pipit is a small, brown, streaky bird. In flight it shows white outer tail feathers. It has pink legs and feet.

It is found across the UK but is commonest in the west and north.

In winter birds moves south, to more lowland areas and becomes much commoner in the southern half of the UK. It can be found in open country in summer, and on agricultural land and marshes in winter.

In the breeding season the Meadow Pipit has a fluttering 'parachute' display flight. In winter, birds are quite gregarious and gather in small flocks.

The Meadow Pipit has Amber status in the UK due to moderate population decline. There are around 1.6 million breeding territories here.

Sightings

16-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

07-Oct-2023 : Aston, Oxon (6)
22-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
03-Sep-2023 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (5)
09-Aug-2023 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (2)
20-Jun-2023 : Haddon Hill, Somerset (1)
03-May-2023 : Gilfach, Powys (1)

20-Dec-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
04-Nov-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
24-Oct-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
10-Jul-2022 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (3)
22-Jun-2022 : Irton Fell, Cumbria (10)
28-May-2022 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (1)
12-Jan-2022 : Abingdon STW, Oxon (1)

07-Nov-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
01-Nov-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
26-Oct-2021 : Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon (2+)
21-Oct-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
14-Oct-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
11-Oct-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (5)
21-Sep-2021 : Lark Hill, Oxon (10)
15-Feb-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
09-Feb-2021 : Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon (6+)

09-Dec-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
04-Dec-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
04-Nov-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
11-Oct-2020 : Salthouse, Norfolk (3)
22-Sep-2020 : Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon (6+)
23-Aug-2020 : Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts (4)
06-Feb-2020 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (1)
04-Feb-2020 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (5)
02-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk
02-Jan-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (15)
01-Jan-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

20-Oct-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4+)
04-Oct-2019 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
03-Oct-2019 : Morston Salt Marsh, Norfolk (3)
02-Oct-2019 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (1)
13-Aug-2019 : Greenham Common, Berks (1)
04-Aug-2019 : Greenham Common, Berks (2)
20-May-2019 : Liniclate, Benbecula (2)
20-May-2019 : Marrival, North Uist (1)
19-May-2019 : Balnarad, North Uist
14-May-2019 : Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts (2)
04-May-2019 : Gilfach, Powys (1)

15-Nov-2018 : Extremadura, Spain
12-Nov-2018 : Extremadura, Spain (2)
03-Nov-2018 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (2)
16-Oct-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (7)
07-Oct-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)