After a weekend away in Yorkshire I returned back to Devon on Sunday night and on Monday with glorious spring-like weather I went back to the river to resume my Dipper observations and study. I took a new "bag-hide" cover that I wanted to try out and it immediately allowed me to get close to a pair of Dipper that were working in the usual place.  Not being completely used to the new hide, when the Dipper perched right in front of me, I banged off loads of shots but hadn't realised that the material of the hide was obscuring part of the lens……… can you believe that for bad luck.  The Dipper was posing perfectly and I blew the opportunity!  A bit of manipulation when I got home to the computer, resurrected one of the shots, but a disappointment never the less. At one point he was quite close to me working in the shallows and in some really nice light.   I took a shot of him crossing the river by swimming along with his head just above the water.

There is now a lot more activity than before with quite a degree of chasing around. The male bird does a lot of singing and it was very pleasant to sit and listen to him as he sang to his mate (perched on a rock opposite). They have a very musical song which would rival most well known songsters. Apart from this song there is no way that I can tell them apart. I have yet to notice any discernible differences in plumage or even behaviour. What I am hoping to observe and photograph is the two birds interacting, such as displaying behaviour or mating. I am hoping to be able to find a nest site by seeing them carry nest material, it should be a simple job then, of just watching to see where they are building.

I also watched a new pair of Grey Wagtail obviously bonded as they were moving up the river together, then surprisingly a male, on his own,  sporting a very bold black bib and looking very smart indeed.