Rationale
(Changed due to Criteria revision)
The regional population of Mountain Pipit Anthus hoeschi approaches the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criteria A2 and A3 (an estimated, suspected and projected population size reduction of 30% over the previous and upcoming 10 years, based on a decline in AoO). However, as a poorly studied, cryptic and easily misidentified species, limited to habitats that are remote and inaccessible, this species is almost certainly under-reported and the apparent decrease in AoO is more likely due to incomplete surveys rather than a true change in population. Nevertheless, given the predicted effects of ongoing climate change on the Mountain Pipit, it is best classified as Near Threatened, and is worthy of immediate and continued monitoring.
Distribution
The distribution of Mountain Pipit throughout sub-Saharan Africa is poorly known, although it is currently believed to be a migratory breeding endemic to Lesotho and South Africa. Together with the Drakensberg Rockjumper Chaetops aurantius and the Drakensberg Siskin Crithagra symonsi, it is one of three species that have the majority of their global breeding ranges (greater than 80%) in Lesotho (Barnes 1998). In Lesotho, it is locally common on the basalt highlands of the central and eastern parts of the country, on the Thaba-Putsoa range, Maloti range and above the main Drakensberg Escarpment on the border of KwaZulu-Natal. It is largely absent from the western sandstone-grassland lowlands, as well as the lower-lying Senqu (Orange) River Valley in the south-west.
In addition, the Mountain Pipit's distribution extends south-westwards into the high-lying habitats of Eastern Cape, where it occurs in the vicinity of Mount Fletcher, Naudesnek, Barkly Pass and Elliot. However, it is possible that its range is more extensive in high-altitude habitats of Eastern Cape, and it has recently been recorded near Queenstown. Elsewhere it occurs locally at Matatiele in KwaZulu-Natal and Golden Gate Highlands National Park in Free State Province. The non-breeding range of the Mountain Pipit is imperfectly documented.
The suggestion that it is a breeding migrant to the Lesotho Plateau and surrounding mountain chains, but winters in south-central Africa, is ostensibly supported by occasional sight records of pipits, possibly pertaining to this species, during passage periods, e.g. records around Kimberley, Northern Cape, in February, March and April (Liversidge et al. 1998). Likewise, specimens believed to represent southbound migrant Mountain Pipits have been collected at Francistown, Botswana, in October (Clancey 1990). However, identifying pipits in the field is notoriously difficult, and the validity of claims needs to be re-examined and verified to confirm this species' status and movements (Mendelsohn 1984). The species is occasionally recorded in winter on its breeding grounds (Ryan 2006), and some observers have suggested that the Mountain Pipit is simply an overlooked resident or local altitudinal migrant; this hypothesis may be supported by a range of possible sight records during winter months in Eastern Cape. It is also possible that ongoing climate change may alter the migratory habits of this species (Simmons et al. 2004). Based on putative specimen evidence, the Mountain Pipit is thought to winter along the Zambezi-Congo watershed in Democratic Republic of the Congo, in north-western Zambia and possibly in eastern Angola (Clancey 1990).
Population
The global population size has not been quantified. Tarboton (2011) described the species as locally common on its breeding grounds, with widely spaced breeding pairs. In optimal habitat in Lesotho (relatively flat, grazed plains) Mountain Pipits can occur at high densities. An accurate estimate of the regional population is not currently possible, although it is thought to number less than 10 000 mature individuals. The confidence in this estimate is low.
Population trend
The global population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence of any declines or substantial threats . A comparison of SABAP1 and SABAP2 data suggest that its AoO has declined by nearly 40%, which may indicate a similar decline in population. However, this may reflect incomplete sampling in the Lesotho Highlands. While the regional population is thought to be in decline, more accurate population density and distributional data, and regular monitoring in the future, are required before population trends can be assessed. The confidence in the estimate is low.
Threats
The regional Mountain Pipit population is naturally small (Clancey 1997c). Of primary concern are the effects of climate change, which are predicted to have a significant effect on the Mountain Pipit due to its reliance on mountain tops and its restricted range. This species was given the rank of ‘high risk' in a recent investigation of the potential influences of climate change on southern African birds (Simmons et al. 2004). Indeed, of six species whose ranges were modelled, Simmons et al. (2004) found that the Drakensberg Rockjumper (an ecologically similar, terrestrial, insectivorous, high-altitude specialist, sympatric with the Mountain Pipit) was likely to experience the highest degree of range loss (69%) in the next 3-5 decades. This worrying outlook provides strong motivation for focused monitoring and conservation actions.
Conservation
Underway
No species-specific conservation actions are currently underway, as this species was not previously considered a conservation priority. Much of its habitat is difficult to access and sparsely populated by humans, and consequently free of large-scale transformation. In addition, the Mountain Pipit may benefit from grazing by domestic animals and clearing or burning of dense natural scrub to support low-intensity subsistence agriculture.
Proposed
No immediate conservation efforts are currently required. However, continued monitoring, estimation of more accurate demographic statistics and research into the ecology of the Mountain Pipit are recommended. The species may be an ideal indicator of climate change (Simmons et al. 2004). As greater than 80% of its global range is restricted to Lesotho, adequate protection and land-management in that country is paramount for the Mountain Pipit's long-term survival.
Research
* Accurate population size and population density estimates are required, particularly from the Lesotho Highlands and other areas surveyed during SABAP1 but not yet fully exploring during SABAP2.
* Investigations into the seasonal dispersal of the species are required to confirm the extent of its movements, the routes it follows, and to identify its non-breeding grounds; this should serve to form a better picture of its global conservation status.
* Climatic modelling should be performed to identify at-risk populations and areas that may become critical from a conservation perspective in the future.
* A re-assessment of the Mountain Pipit's taxonomic status is recommended.
