Meadow pipit Anthus pratensis

Small brown bird typical of open rough dry grassland

Habitat: open locations with enough coarse vegetation for nesting, especially coast and estuary

Resident, widespread and common in coastal areas but declining inland

Buff breast and white belly with dense streaking, white outer tail; 14–15 cm

Perches openly on hedges and fences; walks and lands on ground

Feeds on insects; song is an accelerating trill in parachuting display flight

Nest is a cup on the ground in coarse vegetation

2 broods April to June