Cinclus Cinclus Fans - You'll know how happy I am

[Polecat]

So ........I was a bit upset when their nest got destroyed in the easterlies back in Feb, but they rebuilt it and nested......

...........looked for it today and it was gone again.........I can't say how bad I felt .. But it was only for a moment....because there, stood up, was a young 'un.......and, unlike it's parents, agreed to a photoshoot!!!!

[Mark43]

The last shot is my fave............well done and lucky you.

Only seen one of these once down in Devon.......wasn't a watcher then.

[nightshade]

I will find some over the weekend if I can ,super pic.

[Gareth W]

Great pics of a fantastic bird ! - Gareth

[Polecat]

Oh...I was sooo excited, I've never seen a juv. dipper before. I tried to upload better pics but had to downsize them loads cause I'm on dialup and can't upload more than 80kb ....... I wish you luck nightshade....Cheers Mark, they are a bird that are so fun to watch.

Edit: Missed your post Gareth, thanks.........Tbh I couldn't have dreamed of getting so close to the bird, let alone with my camera in hand

Andy

[matt_xyz]

good shots Andy, it must be great to see Dippers so close. You have some amazing birdlife in your area.

Matt

[John]

Congrats Andy

I have never seen a Juv Dipper myself.

You were lucky to capture the moment and I bet there aren't that many juv's photo's around.

Nice set of pics.

John

[Polecat]

Hi Matt, its only because I know where they nest......and they nest in the same spot year after year.....the best advice I can give for spotting Dippers is to stand on a bridge ( on the upper reaches of the river ) and watch/listen very closely for the first minute of getting there.....5 times out of ten a dipper will fly away within sight. If they do then just stay put and they'll return. ........ and more than likely they'll be nesting under that bridge.

Thanks John......and I hadn't thought of there not being many pics around of it, I'll put some in the gallery.....

...

I learnt a couple of things too while I was watching it. Dippers projectile their poo!.....this one squirted it out at a level trajectory for over 8' until it hit a wall.....there must have been some force behind that for sure.

And this Juv. had 2 yellow dots on its legs by its knees. pic below. I think these are markings and not just dirt.

[Kev Lewis]

Well caught Polecat :-) I know of 6 nest sites where the females are on eggs or with young, just waiting for the splashers to leave the nest for some photo opportunities