Dippers (Cinclus cinclus) (1 Viewer)

[originalspykid69]

I remember some years ago I posted on this very forum about where I could find Dippers in my local area , (Bristol) , and got some advice on various locations , including South Wales , which seemed to be the closest place to a good sighting.
An update on this is that I've now located 3 places in and around Bristol that support My favourite bird!

To find a Dipper within walking distance of Bristol city centre is something of a revelation for me , something I thought I'd never find locally.
Reading up on them for the past 3 years , they seemed to be a bird of "upland streams and rivers , located in the north , Ireland and Wales , and in the South West,(which to be honest , I wouldn't class Bristol as) , but there you go!
Bristol doesn't really have any "fast" water as such , just a few brooks and streams which always "looked" ideal for Dipper , and certainly supported Grey wagtail. "Where there are Grey Wagtails , there will be Dippers" was my motto for all of that time!

I think this says something for the Water quality locally which surely has improved as Bristol now has Otters too being seen often ,even into the floating harbour in the centre of the city!

I'm so chuffed that I've found Dippers. They're Just so perfect. Urban Dippers rock! Lee.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

Where were you seeiing them Lee? They seem to be doing ok at Snuff Mills/ along to Eastville Park this year, was it round there or somewhere else?

 

[originalspykid69]

Where were you seeiing them Lee? They seem to be doing ok at Snuff Mills/ along to Eastville Park this year, was it round there or somewhere else?

Indeed Larry. Snuff mills was a place I went to often , but never saw them , although some people had , so I went to Willsbridge mill , where they are "often" seen.....Nope!

So , off to Pensford and Woolard then , every weekend.....Bingo!
My Girlfriend and I got very excited with finding them locally , and then last weekend I went off to chew and my girlfriend went to Eastville park for a look around. She found a dipper on the Frome , right under the M32!

And Brislington brook has a pair too , but i've yet to find them....or the brook!

 

[Clive A]

Great stuff Lee, up here in Derbyshire we probably take these
amazing birds somewhat for granted. Good to see them in an unlikely area.

 

[originalspykid69]

Great stuff Lee, up here in Derbyshire we probably take these
amazing birds somewhat for granted. Good to see them in an unlikely area.

I just find them fasinating! Your lucky to have them in numbers if you do up there in Derbyshire. I even had one singing last week , brilliant!
By the way. Silly question but it is just the cock bird that sings in all bird species as I've always been curious about that?

Cheers , lee.

 

[Clive A]

I just find them fasinating! Your lucky to have them in numbers if you do up there in Derbyshire. I even had one singing last week , brilliant!
By the way. Silly question but it is just the cock bird that sings in all bird species as I've always been curious about that?

Cheers , lee.

Something I have often wondered too, probably mainly, if not exclusively, the males I would guess. Dippers will sing right through the winter though.

 

[originalspykid69]

Something I have often wondered too, probably mainly, if not exclusively, the males I would guess. Dippers will sing right through the winter though.

Cheers for information. I've yet to find any difference between Male and Females too. sexes exactly the same? and of course , look closely and the beak is slightly upturned. Amazing little birds.:t:

 

[Jambo_Cops]

Great stuff Lee, up here in Derbyshire we probably take these
amazing birds somewhat for granted. Good to see them in an unlikely area.

Would agree the same for your noisy Neighbours Yorkshire.

I saw one on the top of a pub roof before it flitted down to the river in Hillsborough, Sheffield, a week or so ago, and if any of you know Hillsborough you will know it's a very built up area with shops and houses etc.

While walking up the Rivelin valley last year we had one more or less following us up the river for a good mile or so.

Agree that they could be taken for granted. So really chuffed you have found the places you have.

 

[Merlin]

Came up from Devon today and saw seven at Lynmouth, went through Cheddar Gorge on the way to Chew Valley and saw them by the garden for the blind. Stopped for a quick pint with the family and had a sneaky look at Snuff Mills and surprise, surprise Dippies everywhere!

regards

Merlin

 

[originalspykid69]

Came up from Devon today and saw seven at Lynmouth, went through Cheddar Gorge on the way to Chew Valley and saw them by the garden for the blind. Stopped for a quick pint with the family and had a sneaky look at Snuff Mills and surprise, surprise Dippies everywhere!

regards

Merlin

Thats unreal! We tried Cheddar the other week but it was a Saturday and very busy so I think they'd flown down to their hiding place!
Snuff Mills is another place we looked at , and never saw any! Another visit soon I think if they are numerous......Ten minute journey for me. Hope you liked Snuff mills? it's a nice little place.:t:

 

[Fozzybear]

Came up from Devon today and saw seven at Lynmouth, went through Cheddar Gorge on the way to Chew Valley and saw them by the garden for the blind. Stopped for a quick pint with the family and had a sneaky look at Snuff Mills and surprise, surprise Dippies everywhere!

regards

Merlin

Lynmouth is the only place I've ever seen Dippers, while on holiday a few years ago I saw them from the balcony of our apartment overlooking the river in the middle of the village. That was before I got into watching birds but I'd known about Dippers and seen them on TV and had a real thing for them even though I didn't even consider that I'd ever get to see. I nearly had a fit when I saw my first one, I was so excited! ||