Birds of the St. Croix River Valley: Minnesota and Wisconsin

FAMILY MOTACILLIDAE

Pipits

Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)

Status: Regular migrant.

Migration: Uncommon migrant in the Western Upland and Central Plain, rare or absent in the Northern Highland. Spring migrants arrive in the Western Upland 25 April to 5 May. Peak spring abundance through the Valley occurs 10-20 May and departure by 25 May. Fall migrants arrive during mid-September. Peak fall abundance occurs 25 September to 10 October and departure by 25 October.

Habitat: Primary habitat includes seasonally flooded wetlands, agricultural fields, and man-made impoundments that are managed for waterfowl production. During fall migration, this species is especially numerous in recently plowed agricultural fields.

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