Dipper
The White-throated Dipper, also known as the European Dipper or simply as the Dipper, is an aquatic passerine bird. It is divided into several sub-species based primarily on colour differences, particularly of the pectoral band. These include the Black-bellied Dipper found in Scandinavia, west France, north west Spain, Corsica and Sardinia and an infrequent migrant to the UK and the “British” Dipper found in England, Wales and Scotland excluding the west and north west and the islands.
The Dipper is about 7.1 inches long, rotund and short tailed. The head of the adult is brown, the back slate-grey mottled with black (looking black from a distance) and the wings and tail are brown. The throat and upper breast are white followed by a band of warm chestnut (“British” Dipper) or black (Black-bellied Dipper ) which merges into black on the belly and flanks. The young are greyish brown and have no chestnut band.
The Dipper can be found in Europe, the Middle East, central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent and it is closely associated with swiftly running rivers and streams or the lakes in to which these fall. It often perches and bobs spasmodically with its short tail uplifted on the rocks around which the water swirls and tumbles. It acquired its name from these sudden dips and not from its diving habit, although it dives as well as walks into the water. It flies rapidly and straight with its short wings whirring swiftly and without pauses or glides and will then either drop on the water and dive or plunge in with a small splash. In addition, it will walk into the water and deliberately submerge from a perch. In this way the Dipper finds its food which includes aquatic invertebrates, aquatic insect larvae, beetles, freshwater molluscs, fish and small amphibians. It will also walk and run on the banks and rocks seeking terrestrial invertebrates.
The winter habits of the Dipper vary considerably and apparently individually. When the swift hill rivers and streams are frozen it is forced to descend to the lowlands and even visit the coasts but some will remain if there is any open water.
The Dipper breeds close to water and the nest is large, globular or oval (similar to a large Wren's nest) built into a crack or hollow in the rock or in the masonry or on the supports of a bridge. It is composed of moss, dead grass and leaves. This ball, however, is just a shelter. Usually hidden beneath a lip is the entrance to the real nest inside which is a cup of grass or sedge lined with leaves of oak, beech or other trees. Eggs are laid (3 to 6) are laid between March and May and 1 or 2 broods are raised.
Date: 6th May 2018
Location: Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
The Dipper is about 7.1 inches long, rotund and short tailed. The head of the adult is brown, the back slate-grey mottled with black (looking black from a distance) and the wings and tail are brown. The throat and upper breast are white followed by a band of warm chestnut (“British” Dipper) or black (Black-bellied Dipper ) which merges into black on the belly and flanks. The young are greyish brown and have no chestnut band.
The Dipper can be found in Europe, the Middle East, central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent and it is closely associated with swiftly running rivers and streams or the lakes in to which these fall. It often perches and bobs spasmodically with its short tail uplifted on the rocks around which the water swirls and tumbles. It acquired its name from these sudden dips and not from its diving habit, although it dives as well as walks into the water. It flies rapidly and straight with its short wings whirring swiftly and without pauses or glides and will then either drop on the water and dive or plunge in with a small splash. In addition, it will walk into the water and deliberately submerge from a perch. In this way the Dipper finds its food which includes aquatic invertebrates, aquatic insect larvae, beetles, freshwater molluscs, fish and small amphibians. It will also walk and run on the banks and rocks seeking terrestrial invertebrates.
The winter habits of the Dipper vary considerably and apparently individually. When the swift hill rivers and streams are frozen it is forced to descend to the lowlands and even visit the coasts but some will remain if there is any open water.
The Dipper breeds close to water and the nest is large, globular or oval (similar to a large Wren's nest) built into a crack or hollow in the rock or in the masonry or on the supports of a bridge. It is composed of moss, dead grass and leaves. This ball, however, is just a shelter. Usually hidden beneath a lip is the entrance to the real nest inside which is a cup of grass or sedge lined with leaves of oak, beech or other trees. Eggs are laid (3 to 6) are laid between March and May and 1 or 2 broods are raised.
Date: 6th May 2018
Location: Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
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