Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosus

Riabhóg Chladaigh

Conservation concern: Green-listed in Ireland.

Status: A widespread resident along rocky coast.

Identification: Similar in appearance to the more widespread Meadow Pipit. Differs in having dark grey upperparts, rather than the more sandy-brown of the Meadow Pipit.

Similar species: Skylark and Meadow Pipit.

Call: The most frequent call is a single “vist” similar to that of the Meadow Pipit. Also performs a song flight like the Meadow Pipit.

Diet: Feeds mainly on invertebrates caught amongst seaweed or along the shoreline.

Breeding: Breeds along rocky shores, sea cliffs and harbours. Rare away from preferred habitat

Wintering: Generally sedentary, with only local movenments by young birds dispersing to new territories.

Where to see: Fairly common along the south and west coasts, less so along the east coast.

Monitored by: Countryside Bird Survey and BirdTrack . Breeds along rocky shores, sea cliffs and harbours. Rare away from preferred habitat