Dippers at Padley Gorge, Grindleford, Peak District?

[riggy]

Hi

On the 3 December I was walking around the Padley Gorge area. The small waterfalls and pools looked ideal for dippers. I did have a quick look but couldn't see any. Since I was on a team building day with other student nurses I didn't really have the chance to have a proper look. My question is are dippers ever seen there and if so when would be best to see them?


Cheers

Paul

[Blackdogjnr]

Hey,

I'd also be interested as I recently discovered that these lovely birdies hang out not too ar from me (well, an hour down the motorway) and I'd like to check them out.

I know they are most active in the spring, I remember reading reports of photographers getting just a little bit too close to them this year in derbyshire, almost to the point of scaring parents away from nests...

But yes, I'd like to know if they are more visible at certain times of the year.....

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, they are seen there but not too easy to view, especially in the summer when the trees are in full foliage. A good place to get a clear view of them in Derbyshire is on the upper reaches of the Lathkill in Lathkill Dale.

[diggleken]

We have quite a lot round here in our moorland streams, as i'm sure you do around derbyshire/ sheffield, but interestingly, when the small rivers are in spate - brown and powerful, making dipper life difficult, some dippers head off to moorland reservoirs, the incoming stream areas, where they can forage more successfully in shallower, slightly clearer water. They go back when life (ie the water levels) returns to normal.
So in bad, very wet weather, keep an eye open on your local reservoir inlets for a couple of days after maybe.
Ken

[Blackdogjnr]

Excellent advice. thanks.
So are we to presume that warmer, calmer weather is best for seeing them do what they do best?

[riggy]

Thanks for the info and the advice

[Zoundz]

sounds like they're not to common a sighting? I always thought they were a countryside/moorland stream/river bird... however, we get them in the middle of our town... in the river. They're often there, in all kinds of weather - and they're very tame - we always get photos - but sadly, so far never with the big lens and I don't want to get too close - they're far too lovely to scare off. But yes, in the middle of a bustling town... is tha very odd? should I report this to anyone?

xx

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

Excellent advice. thanks.
So are we to presume that warmer, calmer weather is best for seeing them do what they do best?

Not really crucial! It takes quite bad weather to drive Dippers from their best environment, the rushing stream. Its only when conditions are so bad, such as cold with torrential rain leading to swollen streams, and likely to persist for a few days that they will move elsewhere - this is only parallel to some other bird behaviour moving to where they can manage best for food and safety, such as Fieldfare moving on as berries are exhausted in one area and geese moving away from bad weather fronts.
Cheers and good luck!
Ken

[Blackdogjnr]

Cheers for answering Ken.
I'll bear that in mind, very interesting...
I'll have to make some time during the new year to track them down then

[diggleken]

trip to the pennines then?
Ken