O_
Charles, American ( formerely Water Pipits) are very common breeders all
across arctic America, typically favoring wettish alpine vegetation. They occur
southwards in western North America on many mountain ranges that support alpine
vegetation. They are locally common in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains
wherever moist tracts of alpine vegetation exist.

American Pipits also migrate through and over our region in immense numbers
each spring and fall, mostly detected overhead as a strident "sipit" call.
Their migration is especially noticeable during a brief period at the end of
April and again from mid-Sept through early October. Listen almost anywhere in
the Pacific NW overhead at dawn during these periods and you are likely to hear
migrants.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato, WA