Blyth’s Pipit at Blagdon Lake

On 21 December 2016, a bird that had been around a day or two locally was identified as a very rare Blyth’s Pipit. They can be confused with juvenile Tawny or Richard’s pipits so had taken a couple of days to pin down the identification. It was already dark when we heard the news and so too late to go and see the bird even though it was at Blagdon Lake, which we can see from our house and is only 3 miles away. The next 2 days I frustratingly wasn’t able to go see it because of other commitments and a family wedding.

On 22nd December 2016, I was finally able to see this rare bird and get good but flighty views. I managed to get a few record shots but nothing good. It was fantastic to be seeing it especially so close to home.

Blyth’s Pipit is a medium-sized passerine bird that breeds all the way in Mongolia and then migrates to Southern Asia. It was another fantastic Asian bird to arrive here this autumn. This was also the second rare bird at Blagdon Lake in 2 months which was amazing. They were both found by Nigel Milbourne, our friend who birds there every day.<

Blyth’s Pipit Blagdon Lake, Somerset Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig