pipits

But I had begun to notice that I wasn't seeing many smaller birds, and that skylarks and meadow pipits – usually easy to see – were simply nowhere to be found.

Birdwatch: Black redstart 2011

Chased by rooks, and scattering meadow pipits and linnets in its wake, it bounded along on V-shaped wings, as if attached to the sky with loose elastic.

Birdwatch: Pallid harrier 2011

When I began birding, "water pipits" didn't even exist.

Birdwatch: Water pipit Stephen Moss 2010

Finches and meadow pipits flew up and away as the king and his mounted retinue of grooms, servants, and musicians thundered across the field of tall grasses toward Wulfhall.

The Tudors: King Takes Queen Elizabeth Massie 2010

Finches and meadow pipits flew up and away as the king and his mounted retinue of grooms, servants, and musicians thundered across the field of tall grasses toward Wulfhall.

The Tudors: King Takes Queen Elizabeth Massie 2010

The Cheddar bird showed all the right field marks: noticeably larger and greyer than the meadow pipits, with a pale eyestripe and two prominent wingbars.

Birdwatch: Water pipit Stephen Moss 2010

Cows lift their heads from grazing and watch unblinking as we pass – the only sounds are the squelching of our footsteps and the thin tseep-tseep of meadow pipits from the fenceline.

Country diary: Eriskay Christine Smith 2010

Most were meadow pipits, along with a few pied wagtails.

Birdwatch: Water pipit Stephen Moss 2010

Finches and meadow pipits flew up and away as the king and his mounted retinue of grooms, servants, and musicians thundered across the field of tall grasses toward Wulfhall.

The Tudors: King Takes Queen Elizabeth Massie 2010

Sadly, in autumn and winter they are far less striking, though they are still quite different from rock and meadow pipits, if you can get a clear view.

Birdwatch: Water pipit Stephen Moss 2010