Cornelis (K.C.) Fokker (2025) Roosts and habitat use of Water Pipits Anthus spinoletta in Zuid-Holland. LIMOSA 98 (4): 149-159.

Water Pipits Anthus spinoletta use reed beds in winter for roosting. In the Netherlands roosts of dozens to hundreds of individuals are known. However, a complete survey of all potential roosts in an area was hitherto never conducted. In three subsequent winters, marshes deemed suitable for roosting Water Pipits were visited at sunrise and sunset in the province of Zuid-Holland, to obtain a complete overview of Water Pipit roosts. Individual birds were followed from their night roosts to foraging sites, to determine habitat use for the different roosting sites. In one area, the Zwijndrechtse Waard, an exhaustive habitat selection study was conducted. In total 38 roosts were found, with on average 28.5 Water Pipits counted per roost. The highest density of Water Pipits was found in the marine clay area in the south of Zuid-Holland, and much lower numbers in the grasslands of the low moorlands, such as in the Krimpenerwaard. Roosts measured on average 22.9 ha, with Common Reed Phragmites australis as dominant species. In the regions with the highest number of Water Pipits, arable land was preferred as foraging habitat. In the Zwijndrechtse Waard sprouts stubble was highly favoured, compared to potato and corn stubble fields, ploughed fields and grassland. Historical data of habitat use and the distribution of Water Pipits are scarce, but it is likely that the numbers of Water Pipits on arable land are increasing.

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