Editing Water pipit (section)

==Distribution and habitat==

[[File:Anthus spinoletta - Water Pipit, Giresun 01-2.jpg|thumb|In typical breeding habitat]]

The breeding range of the water pipit is the mountains of southern Europe and Asia from Spain to central China, along with the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] islands of Sardinia and Corsica.<ref name="hbw" /><ref name="simms" />

The water pipit is predominantly a mountain species in the breeding season, found in [[Alpine transhumance|alpine pasture]] and high [[meadow]]s with short grass and some bushes or rocks. It is typically found close to wetter areas and often on slopes. It breeds between {{convert|615|–|3200|m|sigfig=3}} altitude, mostly {{convert|1400|–|2500|m}}. It [[bird migration|migrates]] relatively short distances in autumn to lower ground, typically wintering on coastal wetlands, [[marsh]]es, rice fields and similar habitats. Although most birds move to lowlands, some may remain at up to {{convert|2000|m}}. Nominate ''A. s. spinoletta'' winters mainly in western and southern Europe and in northwestern Africa; in western Europe some birds show fidelity to the same wintering site, returning each year.<ref name="hbw" /> Birds in Spain appear to move only lower down the mountains in which they breed.<ref name=cramp/> ''A.s. coutellii'' winters at lower altitudes near its breeding areas and also in the [[Arabian Peninsula]] and northeast Africa. ''A.s. blakistoni'' winters in Pakistan, northwest India and southern China.<ref name="hbw" />

Water pipits leave their breeding sites from mid-September, although the eastern subspecies may start moving south before then. The spring migration starts in February and March, with arrival on the breeding grounds in April and May.<ref name="hbw" /> The water pipit has been recorded as a vagrant in Belarus, [[Gibraltar]] and Latvia, and on islands including the [[Canary Islands|Canaries]], Iceland, Malta and [[Svalbard]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /><ref name=cramp/>