Species - Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
Location - Holme Moss, Holmfirth
Grid Ref - SE 09394 03809
A stunning little bird that can be found all year round in most upland areas of the UK, but that said their numbers have dropped and they now find themselves on the RSPB’s Amber list of conservation concern.
During mating season the males fly high singing loudly, then their song tone changes as they drop like shuttlecocks with their wings and tail feathers out parachuting to the ground. On a wild camp in the Lake District a few years ago we had to walk a short distance to our water source, on the way to fetch water, a Meadow Pipit came flying out of the undergrowth, it pretended to be injured in an attempt to lead us away from its nest. I saw this behaviour three times from the same bird and was gobsmacked as I had never seen this before, and internet research suggest that this is called a distraction display and more common than I thought.
They have quite good camouflage and can be difficult to see, but once you’ve got your eye in they are happy to pose for you.
