Species of Interest-Sprague's Pipit

Sprague's Pipit

This species is one of the most sought-after by out-of-state birders. Unfortunately the Grand Cities area is not a reliable place to find it. Your best bests are along the auto trail at Lostwood N.W.R., or at several sites in Kidder County. Pipits can occasionally be found in the grasslands of Oakville and Fairfield Townships of Grand Forks County. Your chances may be better in a dry year. In our area they are almost always found in moderately grazed pastures. As for places to go, see the entry for Merrifield Road Pastures. We usually don't find them until late June or even July. Singing may then extend until a few days in August. Whether you look for Sprague's Pipit here or elsewhere, the key to success is to know its song, and also that you are looking for a bird that is skylarking several hundred feet up in the sky. Once you hear one skylarking, you may want to lie on your back (check for cow patties first!) and scan the sky with binoculars. The bird is usually much easier to see when there is a cloud behind it.

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