Pipits from Pivots 3.1.11

[Mike Barth]

Here are some pics from the Pivots this morning.

I believe I id correctly most of the pipits I saw today bu as always one or two just throw me a little::p

Dodg1 and and 1a as Water Pipit but leg's confuse me.
Dodg2, 2a and Dodg3 as Richard's
Dodg4 I want to say Richard's but beak and tail not right (to me)

For us newbies the Pivots is a great test of Pipit ID skills at the moment !!!

Sorry they are all out of order -not sure how to control the prder they are displayed.

[Sandman]

Dodg1a and Dodg4 - will be very interesting to read others comments.
I hate pipit photos almost as much as I do Large White-headed Gulls, no feel for jizz and size.

[Mike Barth]

I did take some video but not of those two birds unfortunately ! Keep forgetting to do it ! Grrrrrr :-(

[Mike Barth]

I hate Pipits full stop ! :-)

Dodge1 and 1a are the same bird by the way. Dodg4 I studied but could not put it down to Richard's or Blyth's but them I'm no expert - I look forward to other comments.

Rgds

[MarkS]

Dodg4 is Meadow Pipit for me. Olivey cast to the upperparts, strong flank streaks, orange legs, weak super, strong, dark mantle streaking.

1 & 1a are unusual - it has a Water Pipit feel - long yellowish bill and jizz feels right. Leg colour and pale mantle streaks are somewhat different from the norm, but it doesn't really feel like a Red-throat somehow. Look at the variability at the birds in the gallery http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/7046228_soi8b to see examples of pale legged WPs (page 1) and some with whitish mantle streaks (page 2).

[Mike Barth]

Thanks chaps, Meadow was in my mind too !
I am feeling better about these birds now but they are a challenge :-)