I described yesterday how I had seen Rock Pipits-Anthus petrosus on the tideline inside Teignmouth Harbour. They were feeding amongst the rotting sea weed and other bits of debris washed up by the tide. They were very approachable and didn’t take too much notice of the dog walkers and strollers hoping to make the best of their Sunday afternoon by the sea. I was told by the local Boatmen that they had only been on the shore for the last few days. This led me to the conclusion that they were probably
on a migration of some sort. It is known that Scandinavian birds over-winter here in the United Kingdom. It certainly is not the normal habitat for this species. I have only ever seen them before on Rocky Shorelines as their name would indicate. From time to time a male would indulge in a fascinating display flight which involved a noisy song, and then a “dropping dip” with wings held in an odd upwards shape. Again the Boatman told me that he had watched them performing this display several times himself. It reminded me of a Skylarks display flight. I have seen this described as a “parachuting song flight” which describes it superbly.