Meadow Pipit or Skylark? Or Both?

[Christabelle]

Hi!
I have finally joined Wild About Britain after many visits via Google when asking my many wildlife questions!
One of them is right on my mind at the moment as I have spotted a nest just beyond my garden fence.
For a long while now I have been trying to decide if the birds I see around the farmers crops are skylarks or meadow pipits. They appear from the fields around our garden and rise into the air and sing in the way that I know skylarks do. But while out on walks I have managed to catch a few birds on camera, one of which looks more like a meadow pipit..I think....I was just wondering if meadow pipits sing and rise into the air in a similar way to skylarks?
Just beyond my garden fence, in the farmers set aside, I spotted a nest after one of these birds shot up and away when I was passing. So I'm extra curious to know what these birds are! Have I just been seeing meadow pipits? Or are the skylarks just not resting on the top of the crops and sitting for photos in the way the pipits do?!
I'll see if I can pop a few photos on!
PS Does anyone know how long it will be until the eggs hatch? I'm just hoping that they are up and away before any action from the farmers!
Hope someone can help!
Thanks!

[sunnydale]

Hi Christabelle and welcome to WAB

Yes, there are similarities between the two species.

A Meadow Pipits flight song generally starts from the ground and then continues as the bird rises. They 'parachute' back down on half spread wings.

I believe that Meadow Pipits & Skylarks can been seen feeding together occasionally too, so you may be seeing both.

I guess only a photograph will say one way or the other!

Tracey

[Adam Cheeseman]

In amongst crops would suggest Skylark rather than Meadow Pipit. Pipits are not as musical as skylarks and spend less time in the air when singing. Skylarks tend to return to the ground slowly whilst singing whilst Pipits tend to plummet more.

Cheers,

Adam