Not Dipping on Dipper

A Black-bellied Dipper was found yesterday at Sywell CP and this county rarity was reason enough for only my second visit to this site. Alan Shorrock and I joined a goodly number of other appreciative admirers that had gathered at the outflow stream from the dam. Luck appeared to be with all of us as the bird showed well giving good views. Although it was flushed by a barking dog at one point it soon returned to what seemed to be its favourite spot. We left it feeding before going for a stroll around part of the reservoir and so missed the dipper narrowly escaping from a hunting Sparrowhawk. Hopefully the bird will get over its shock and continue to show for any late comers.

Star of the show, Black-bellied Dipper.

The country park was very popular with non birding people too but we managed to find a few other birds of which the pick was perhaps a singing Cetti's Warbler. A small number of tits and other passerines were feeding on seedy hand outs but they were constantly being flushed by passers by. There was not a great deal of interest on the water with the commonest duck being Tufted. We checked through a decent number of Black-headed Gulls but couldn't find any Meds or other goodies and so headed back towards the dipper. Hearing about the bird's narrow escape and subsequent disappearing act was reason enough to persuade us that it was time to head off homewards.

A few of the other characters from today.