An American Pipit on a tuft of grassAn American Pipit on a tuft of grass – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Of the species of pipits native to North America I have only seen and photographed American Pipits. It is possible that I could see Sprague’s Pipits in southwestern to northern Montana during the breeding season so I will have to keep an eye out for them up there where their range can overlap with American Pipits during the breeding season.

Climate change may affect this species by allowing them to winter further north than they historically had been and I can say from my own observations that I see them now later into the winter than I had been just five years ago.

This American Pipit on a tuft of grass was photographed last November at Farmington Bay WMA and was only one of what appeared to be hundreds of pipits feeding on small insects or seeds in and next to a marshy area next to the parking area at the four-way.

I haven’t seen any pipits for a while but because of cloudy weather I haven’t been out in the field much either plus they may have all migrated further south.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Pipit photos plus facts and information about this species.