Question

[Seabird]

Can any one tell me what type of pipit this is ?

[kas]

It looks like a Meadow Pipit.

From the habitat (by the sea due to seaweed), you would think it would be a Rock pipit, but it does not have dark legs, it has sort of pink legs. Rock pipits are normally darker than this bird as well.So I would opt for Meadow.

Hopefully someone else will be to confirm or disagree
Pipits are not the easiest to ID, well not for me.

[Kenn]

Where did you take the picture Seabird? I can see that is was on the shoreline but were you near any sand dunes? If so I would concur that it is most likely the meadow version as they are quite happy breeding amongst the dunes.

[Seabird]

Where did you take the picture Seabird? I can see that is was on the shoreline but were you near any sand dunes? If so I would concur that it is most likely the meadow version as they are quite happy breeding amongst the dunes.

Picture taken on shore line at John O'Groats.
I thought Meadow Pipit or Tree Pipit, but i believe the tree Pipit has a thicker beak.
One of the reasons i don't do a lot of bird watching is there are so many birds that look so alike and don't seem to fit the book pictures.
And they don't stand still and say cheese when i'm trying to get their picture.
They can be so inconsiderate

[highlander]

know the feeling, the amount of times, i think im going to get a good picture of a bird, it decides to play shy and turn away from me

[Kenn]

Infuriating isn't it when they take off leaving just a blurr as you click!
6 bird books and can't find a likeness in any 1 of them if I have a picture I often Google search as long as I know the species.

With regards to the pipit, there is an area just along from Groats under Duncansby Head that would be an ideal nesting place.

[Rheghead]

I would like to agree with kas, it's a meadow pipit for me, though I wonder how many meadow pipits I've mistaken for rock pipits now .

The boldly streaked back and the lighter legs is a good giveaway over a rock pipit.

[gleeber]

Here lies the first lesson in birdwatching. Even with a good picture the experts may still disagree on whether its a meadow pipit or a tree pipit or for all you know some rarity that just flew in from Siberia.
There are so many slight variations in the make up of birds that identification may not be possible without other distinguishing characteristics.
Habitat, flight, stance, feeding and the birds voice will often need to be used as a means of identification.
I'm not an expert and couldnt tell from the picture supplied, and comparing it to my bird book illustration, whether its a meadow or a tree pipit or something on its holidays from Siberia.

[kas]

Here lies the first lesson in birdwatching. Even with a good picture the experts may still disagree on whether its a meadow pipit or a tree pipit or for all you know some rarity that just flew in from Siberia.
There are so many slight variations in the make up of birds that identification may not be possible without other distinguishing characteristics.
Habitat, flight, stance, feeding and the birds voice will often need to be used as a means of identification.
I'm not an expert and couldnt tell from the picture supplied, and comparing it to my bird book illustration, whether its a meadow or a tree pipit or something on its holidays from Siberia.

Well said, this is so true. The one thing I will say though is that pipits are one of the hardest to ID and as you say habitat, song and habits are very important in ID. The other thing that is hard to tell from a photo is the birds size, unless you have a comparison in the photo.

But other birds are so much easier to ID, so dont let this put anyone off.

[Rheghead]

Here lies the first lesson in birdwatching. Even with a good picture the experts may still disagree on whether its a meadow pipit or a tree pipit or for all you know some rarity that just flew in from Siberia.

Here lies the second lesson, unless you are an expert, (or claim to be!) does it really matter if it was a tree pipit or a meadow pipit? At the end of the day, most will have had a good day out looking at the birds and wildlife.