Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)
Species
Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on October 8th 2020.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on October 8th 2020.
(1/160th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 15.5 - 17 cm

The Rock Pipit is a large stocky pipit, rather larger than a Meadow Pipit. It is streaky olive-brown above and dirty white underneath with dark streaking.

It is found around the British coast, but is absent from the less rocky parts of north-west, east and south England coastlines.

It breeds on rocky coasts and islands.

Most northern European birds migrate to western European coasts in winter.

The Rock Pipit has green status in the UK. There are around 35000 breeding pairs here.

Sightings

28-Oct-2022 : Flamborough Head, E. Yorks (4)
22-Jun-2022 : Irton Fell, Cumbria (1)

18-Oct-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

23-Nov-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
08-Oct-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

21-May-2019 : Broadford, Skye (2)

24-Jun-2018 : Wasdale, Cumbria (1)
24-Jun-2018 : Irton Fell, Cumbria (1)

19-Oct-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

22-Oct-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
06-Mar-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

16-Jun-2015 : Heddon Valley, Devon (2)

21-Sep-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
06-May-2014 : Skomer, Pembrokeshire (1)
02-Jan-2014 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

29-Mar-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
10-Mar-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

28-May-2012 : Compton Chine, Isle of Wight (1)

19-Apr-2011 : Bryher, Isles of Scilly (2)
18-Apr-2011 : Tresco, Isles of Scilly (4)

04-Jun-2008 : Seahouses, Northumberland
02-Jun-2008 : Seahouses, Northumberland

25-Oct-2007 : The Needles, Isle of Wight
30-Sep-2007 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
23-Sep-2007 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

14-Jun-2003 : St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

13-Jul-1999 : Isles of Scilly