Dippers

I spent some time recently looking for and checking out the local Dippers. I've not been to see them since before Christmas, but I knew that at this time of year, they should be pairing up and looking for nest sites. Always a good bird to see, but not always the easiest, as they are spooked easily and they only need sight of you before they're off. So it was no surprise that on my first visit I didn't find one. I went back the next morning and I found a pair, and even better, I was able to watch as one was plucking moss from the rocks and taking it away to a potential nest site, which was great news. I then had the pleasure of watching and listening to one sing as it stood on a rock in the brook. Truly magical, and I look forward to following their progress in the coming weeks and months.

You can see my Dipper adventures here on my YouTube video:

Dipper

This male Pheasant kept me company 

A pair of Red Kites flew over, but the light was poor for good shots.

The Delights of the Derbyshire Dales

I spent a very cold frosty morning in Derbyshire, just a short drive from home, watching some really great birds. The forecast was for blue skies and sunshine, and for once it was correct. My first stop was up on the moors above Bakewell to see a Great Grey Shrike that had been wintering in the area. I got onto it without even getting out of the car, as it perched on a bush about 100 yards away. I was looking right into the sun, and it didn't move much, as I think it was just warming itself in the first sunlight of the day. I left it after about half an hour. A great start to the day.

Great Grey Shrike

I moved on to an area of woodland where I knew some Crossbills had been seen recently, and as luck would have it, there was a flock of about 10 right above my head in the trees where I parked my car. I've not been able to see these birds properly for a few years following a change to there habitat where I usually watch them, so it was great to catch up with them properly again.

 Female Crossbill

I moved onto the canal at Cromford, hoping for a possible Hawfinch, but had no joy. I was pleased though to be able to watch a pair of Dippers potentially nest-building under a bridge.

Dipper

The Dippers were joined by a Grey Wagtail on a log.

Dipper

I've been to some of my favourite places recently with the hope of photographing the Dippers. They never make it easy to photograph them, so keeping a low key is crucial. As soon as they see you they will fly off down stream, well away from you. So you need to be extremely cautious, and keep out of sight. This is good for everyone. Especially the bird, that is busy feeding and looking for food, and then for me who can get to take some pictures, if I'm lucky.

Dipper

Dippers on the River Goyt

A first visit of the year to the Goyt Valley on the Cheshire Derbyshire border was long awaited. As is my way, I was there early, to hear the chorus of bird song and hopefully catch wildlife in it's pre-human disturbed state.
Thankfully it was dry and bright, which made a change from what has seemed like an eternity of weekends of wet and grey weather. There were lots of birds to listen to. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were pairing up, as were Nuthatch and it seemed like there were hundreds of Coal Tits. Down on the river Goyt, the water level was well up but I managed to find a Dipper up stream.
I've not cropped or zoomed in on any of these pictures, just to give a sense of how I saw it. Binoculars are always around my neck, but this was easy to pick out on the rocks.

Dipper - Greater Manchester

I've enjoyed watching a pair of Dippers recently on the River Roch in Heywood. They have been in the area for some time, but I've noticed them more regularly in recent months. I'm pretty sure that they bred last year, but didn't spend enough time watching them to confirm.
A week ago I heard one of them in song as it sat atop a large stone in the river. They have a very melodic song but it is quite tricky to hear over the sound of rushing water. Fingers crossed they are gearing up for some breeding, and if they do, I hope to be on hand with the camera.

Most likely to be looking a Cadisfly larvae.

The Bollin Valley

I've recently discovered the Bollin Valley less than a mile from my front door. It runs for 25 miles from Macclesfield to Partington, following the River Bollin and is a real wildlife hot spot. How I've not come across it in the last 3 years, I have no idea.
I've only walked a couple of miles along the route, but have seen Kingfishers, Dippers, Buzzards, Woodpeckers and Bullfinch, to name just a few species of bird. Dragonflies, insects, fungi and Longhorn cattle all add to its appeal. A stunning place that needs a lot more investigation by me and my camera.

One of the weirs in Wilmslow.

A great surprise to see this Dipper on the river.

In the very sandy banks of the river I came across this Digger Wasp.

Longhorn Cattle are free to graze.

Grey Wagtail

Dipper - Macclesfield

The Macclesfield Forest area is probably now my favourite local(ish) birding place. Although recently, there's not been a great deal about. It's that time of year when most things seem to go to ground. Gradually though they are coming back. I'd not seen a Dipper in the usual places for good will. I'm sure they were there but I had no luck. So I was delighted to catch up with a couple the other day on a stretch of river. Both were pretty oblivious to me, so I'll put this down to good field craft. I had the pleasure of watching and listening to one sing. It's rather unusual to try and strain your ears over the sound of fast running water, but I could see the throat warbling and it was a sweet tune too.

Let me just stretch this wing a little.

Macclesfield Forest

I've taken myself away to Macclesfield Forest a few times just recently. Such a peaceful place if you pick the right times of day. You can be left to yourself and nature for ages. The other night I ended up almost face to face with some red deer. That will serve me right for hiding myself away and waiting for things to come to me. They actually did. Always nice to see, but unusual to catch them out in the open.
I also managed to catch up with a family of Dippers. Two juveniles were out and about and looking quite healthy too.

Lovely Bluebells out in flower too.

Juvenile Dipper

Dippers, again

Well it all seems very quiet on the birding front of late. This morning I went out with high hopes of seeing many different varieties, but struggled to find anything out of the ordinary. I did manage to come across more Dippers though. So I spent most of my time trying to photograph these again. I realise my last post was about Dippers too, but they're not easy to capture, so I make the most of it when I do. Here are a few of my shots.

Dipper de doo dah....

I came across a family of Dippers on Sunday. I wasn't expecting them as I got out of the car, but I soon picked up on their call and tracked them down. I think this is a well developed juvenile. I've not come across one with such an unusual white marking, very low down. Any suggestions are gratefully accepted.
It does seem to have a rather unusual orange digit on it's left foot. It appears to be a bit swollen and hopefully it won't cause it too many problems. It certainly seemed fine when I was there.

This was taken at Etherow Park earlier this year. You can really see the difference in the plumage of both.

A Kestrel waiting patiently for movement in the grass below.

Etherow Park

I took advantage of the good weather again this morning by making a trip to Etherow Park. There's always lots to see and a good range of birds. I particularly like watching the Dippers skimming up and down stream, and today one individual posed nicely for a few minutes for me.
The hide also allows good opportunities for birds at close quarters. While I was there this morning a Coal Tit came and sat on the window ledge no more that a foot away, while I froze and stared straight back at it, it must have wondered what I was up to.
Mandarin ducks seem to be everywhere you look at Etherow these days. On the lake, on the canal, in the woods on the grass. They're not a favourite by any stretch of the imagination but they are particularly colourful. I just hope they don't become like Himalayan balsam and take over our parks and waterways.

Nuthatch at the hide

Dipper

Grey Heron

Mandarin (one of many)