A Couple More Dipper Shots

[Bluegrass Jim]

I managed to get out today and saw the Dipper again swimming under the water then it came out onto the rock and preened itself. They are brave birds swimming at this time of year!

[PeterBirder]

Re: A Couple More Dipper Shots

I managed to get out today and saw the Dipper again swimming under the water then it came out onto the rock and preened itself. They are brave birds swimming at this time of year!

Thanks for posting more shots of this fascinating bird Jim.

They're not so much brave as hungry. They feed on aquatic crustaceans and have to "dive to survive". They actually "fly" under water using their wings, as do Penguins. Dippers can also walk on the river bed as they are unique amongst flying birds in having solid bones (like humans) which give them more weight. All other flying birds have bones with a honeycomb structure for lightness.

Many thanks for sharing these.

[Bluegrass Jim]

Re: A Couple More Dipper Shots

Thanks for that interesting info Peter, they must be quite powerful swimmers too as it was going in and swimming upstream before coming back to that rock. The water is the River Allan in the centre of Dunblane which is a fast flowing river at the best of times. There were lots of Blue Tits on the trees looking for insects but they hop around so quickly I couldn't get a good photo. I saw the Gooseander again but it wasn't hanging around for me to photograph it today!