Out Of Bounds Dipper

This superb photo of a colour ringed Dipper was taken by David Talbot on the River Kent in Levens Park on January 10th during the height of the cold spell. We have tracked it down to one ringed by Peter Mawby in his Dipper Study area which is centred on Sedbergh where he ringed 123 nestlings last year.

Although the movement is only about 16 kms it is the first time a Dipper has been recorded moving from the Lune and its tributaries to the Kent. Peter suggests that it seems probable that this winter's severe weather caused more young birds to move away than usual. He also reports that on recent visits to Sedbergh that the breeding territories are only very slowly being occupied. This time last year, despite the cold spell, nesting was well under way.

The BTO Migration Atlas shows that the average dispersal of young Dippers is only about 2.5 km and invariably within the same river system so this Dipper is quite unusual.

Peter would be very grateful for any other sightings of colour ringed Dippers. Please report them to this site.

John Wilson