Adrian Dancy
9P1A6672 European Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
Dipper (Greater Manchester)
0600.29.09.2020
I am sure for some, a dipper image, might be a welcome relief from Black Redstarts...but be warned there are more Black Reds to come and the images will look nothing like the ones I have shown here this year:-)
I do not have a car so getting to places in the country can be a little difficult. A week last Sunday, a two-bus journey and a long walk would take me to a nice spot for riparian species. Sadly the world and his dog goes there too. My first attempt was futile...I saw no dippers (my target species) though I did see a mink catch a grey wagtail. Sadly nothing on camera but a juv waggy for my efforts. I was a little harassed by the fact that everyone and their dog enjoyed the same spot and I had to put up with rocks and sticks being thrown into the water over my head. I was told by others that the dippers had not been seen that day so I returned last Sunday. This time I took a pair of wellies to escape the crowd and I found a nice secluded spot. When you are already carrying two heavy bags ...wellies become a big ask! Anyway, after a total of 10 hours sat on my arse, I got what I was looking for...I will be returning again and I hope yesterday's rain was not enough to swell the river to make it impossible to locate these delightful, enigmatic and hardy birds. It would be nice to get one in some light!
9P1A6672 European Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
Dipper (Greater Manchester)
0600.29.09.2020
I am sure for some, a dipper image, might be a welcome relief from Black Redstarts...but be warned there are more Black Reds to come and the images will look nothing like the ones I have shown here this year:-)
I do not have a car so getting to places in the country can be a little difficult. A week last Sunday, a two-bus journey and a long walk would take me to a nice spot for riparian species. Sadly the world and his dog goes there too. My first attempt was futile...I saw no dippers (my target species) though I did see a mink catch a grey wagtail. Sadly nothing on camera but a juv waggy for my efforts. I was a little harassed by the fact that everyone and their dog enjoyed the same spot and I had to put up with rocks and sticks being thrown into the water over my head. I was told by others that the dippers had not been seen that day so I returned last Sunday. This time I took a pair of wellies to escape the crowd and I found a nice secluded spot. When you are already carrying two heavy bags ...wellies become a big ask! Anyway, after a total of 10 hours sat on my arse, I got what I was looking for...I will be returning again and I hope yesterday's rain was not enough to swell the river to make it impossible to locate these delightful, enigmatic and hardy birds. It would be nice to get one in some light!