Dippers in East Anglia

[Flywaver]

Are these birds rare in Norfolk/Suffolk? Do they rely on fast flowing water?

[JeffH]

Yes to both questions - they are birds of fast flowing/shallow rivers and streams such as are found in the Peak District and similar upland areas.

I've certainly never seen one in East Anglia and reported sightings in the region are few and far between

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[aeshna5]

Dippers aren't normally found in East Anglia or the south-east. Very occasionally a continental black-bellied race may turn up in this part of the world, but this is a less than annual event. I did see one in Norfolk many years ago.

[actionfinch]

One bird i was hoping to see this year when i was on holiday ....just love the way the bob..

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by actionfinch

One bird i was hoping to see this year when i was on holiday ....just love the way the bob..

They don't "bob", 'finch, they "dip" - the clue is in the name really!

Treating the thread more seriously, Aeshna has summed it up.They are vagrants to both counties, slightly more regular in Norfolk.

[RobinP]

Two seen in Hertfordshire many moons ago. As somone said, fast-flowing chalk streams are favourite.

Robin

[diggleken]

Dippers are such a terrific bird, but as has been said, are largely on upland streams - but they do sometimes occur on lower flow streams near weirs and bridges , used as suitable nesting habitat.
So I guess those are areas to keep a look out for out of their normal breeding range.
Mayfly and Caddis abundance usually dictate stream suitability and also population density, but there are other factors.
There is work in hand locally to colour ring our Saddleworth Dippers, where we are blessed with a good population, to check local movement and incomers and breeding success.
Interestingly, when our locals streams are in spate , the Dippers often move upriver to the moorland reservoirs to feed, usually temporarily, but also some stay and breed there.
Cheers
Ken

[epops]

Ther was 1 or 2 a few years back arond dedham but they did,nt hang about long