I learnt today that some local Dippers were showing really well at Thornton Dale… just down the road…So as it wasn’t too bad an afternoon, in light of all the recent rain.. I decided to give it a try!! Initially no luck at all, despite a good look along the beck – then as if by magic its call actually gave it away – the Dipper appeared – low to the water flying like a bullet !! I was to slow in getting a picture, then it was gone disappearing as fast as it came, flying round the shallow bend of the beck out of sight. So a quick turn round and I followed – but as I walked round the bend and scanned the length of the small stream’s channel … not a sign!! No sign either by the small weir. I knew it hadn’t flown past me … so plan B…OFF TO THE BRIDGE! As I came up to the bridge – still no sign. I had seen them here a few years back but down the other side – as the beck runs parallel with the A170. So I crossed the road and instinctively checked the weir no sign. So I scanned up the beck … and YES …. there it was!!!. Such a smart white bib too!! A few frames were fired off as record shots, would it stay put…No….it flew back up stream to its favourite perch – a log that had been washed down in the recent floods – a few seconds then it was gone: it had flown back under the bridge!! I then crossed back over the road and looked over the bridge….and Yes… there it was perched by the beck side and in full song !! A real bonus!! What an amazing bird- and it was showing off the white nictitating membrane that protects its eyes, when it submerges completely underwater when searching for food… Despite giving me the run-a-round for nearly half an hour – I finally managed some decent shots … What a great afternoon!!
