Rock Pipit, Anthus petrosus

Local status: Rare spring and autumn passage migrant, with occasional winter records.

The resident British subspecies of Rock Pipit, Anthus petrosus petrosus, is largely sedentary, and thus all records of Rock Pipit in the York area are thought to
relate to the migratory continental race, littoralis. These birds are more similar in
appearance to Water Pipits, Anthus spinoleta, and must be identified with caution.
Rock Pipits are most frequently seen on passage in March, April and October,
although birds are occasionally found in mid-winter.

Records:
2020: Bank Island, 21st October. one
2018: Wheldrake Ings, 6th & 14th October. one

Rock Pipit at Wheldrake Ings 14th October 2018 © Duncan Bye
Rock Pipit at Wheldrake Ings 14th October 2018 © Duncan Bye

2018: Ellerton Ings, 7th April, one
2018: North Duffield Carrs, 3rd March. one littoralis

Rock Pipit North Duffield Carrs 3rd March 2018 © Duncan Bye
Rock Pipit North Duffield Carrs 3rd March 2018 © Duncan Bye

2018: Wheldrake Ings, 6th January. one
2015: Milford Common, 20th March.
2012: Heslington East, 28th October.
2012: Heslington East, 2nd, 3rd and 8th April.
2011: Heslington East, 10th April.
2010: Wheldrake Ings, 21st and 30th October.
2007: North Duffield Carrs, 7th March.
2003: Bubwith – Aughton, 28th November.
2003: Sand Hutton, 1st March.
2003: North Duffield Carrs, 9th January.
2000: East Cottingwith to Bubwith, 19th December. Four.
1999: Wheldrake Ings, 19th November.
1996: Thorganby, 12th October. Three, with some of these birds seen at Wheldrake Ings between 11th October and 9th November.
1995: Lower Derwent Valley, 5th December.
1995: Castle Howard, 22nd October. Two.
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 21st November.
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 13th, 24th and 28th October.
1989: Wheldrake Ings, 4th April.
1987: Riccall, 1st October.
1985: Lower Derwent Valley, 12th November.
1985: Dringhouses Pond, York, 23rd October.
1984: Lower Derwent Valley, 1st November.
1984: Lower Derwent Valley, 19th October.
1984: Lower Derwent Valley, 4th April.

Records of Rock/Water Pipit not specifically identified:
2011: Heslington East, 8th November,
2006: Wheldrake Ings, 25th March.
1989: Wheldrake Ings, 22nd March.
1987: Castle Howard, 26th October.
1987: North Duffield Carrs, 29th to 30th October.
1983: Wheldrake Ings, 27th April.
1983: Elvington, 18th January.
1982: Castle Howard, 2nd October.
1981: Naburn Sewage Works, 7th to 12th November. Two.