10 April

The latest from the Dipper nest.

I went to check the nest at around 5.pm. The river has risen at least a foot and is running faster than it has for the last 6 weeks. Glad to say that it would still need to rise another 18 inches before it flooded out the nest, not totally out of the question but a possibility. I waited for the female to leave the nest so that I could check if the eggs had hatched. I was slightly concerned, there was no sign of the male and I had no idea if the female was in the nest. As I lay watching and waiting I surveyed the scene in front of me. My "pile of logs hide" was no more, just a few logs remained. All the birds favourite boulders were completely submerged and the river was a torrent and still no male. After not too long, the female emerged from the nest and flew upstream, I quickly checked the nest……… no eggs yet, it took me 10 seconds and I was away from the scene almost as quickly. I went back to the river crossing and went over to the cover tucked away in the holly bush to watch for a while. The sun was shining brightly and a was thrilled to see that, as spring has progressed the position of the sun at this time of the evening was actually illuminating the nest hole. That is a real exciting development because it means that there is going to be a window of opportunity when the nest is going to have enough light on it to allow some proper photographs, very exciting to be truthful. But, still no male! Then just after I had whispered "come on Dipper", there he was. The only remaining boulder perch was just a few feet in front of me, he had no alternative to use it. He seemed confused with the change of scene. I didn't have my camera with me, but not to worry there is always tomorrow.