Dipper on the River Coly - 25 January 2008
Unless my memory issues are a lot more serious than I imagine, this is the last Dipper I saw on patch. Four years ago! I have tried since then of course (Oh, how I've tried!) but the many hours of riverbank walking have all been fruitless. There are basically two places where Dipper is realistically possible on the patch - the tiny stream at Branscombe (where I haven't seen one since February 2006) and the River Coly, of which there's about 2 miles within the patch boundary. I think I've scored just twice on the Coly, but considering the bird(s) can range widely and might easily be upstream of the boundary this is not surprising. So, as far as year-listing goes, Dipper is now filed under 'Mythical' with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker...
Right, I have clearly stated on here that my 2012 year-listing is going to be very laid-back. I have every intention of sticking to this leisurely approach for the sake of my fragile sanity. 'Relaxed' is the word I have used on more than one occasion. And what could be more relaxing than a gentle amble along a pretty little river before work? No pressure, just a nice, e-e-e-asy stroll...
I even worked out a strategy - a relaxed one of course. I reckoned I could cover half a mile plus in the time available. There's a stretch starting at Colyton which is very popular with dog walkers. I figured if I joined the river a few hundred yards upstream of that, and then walked to the patch boundary by Ratshole Gate, any Dippers flushed by the dog walkers would fly straight up the river past me. I congratulated myself on a superb plan and set off at 07:30. By 08:40 I had walked my stretch, out and back, coinciding my return with the appearance of the first dog walker coming towards me. Obviously I hadn't seen a Dipper, but I didn't care and had anyway enjoyed a nice flock of maybe 40 Siskins. I climbed back in the car and drove off...
As I approached the spot in Colyton where the dog walkers park I thought "Hmmm, they all head straight upstream from this bridge don't they, so why not pull in and just have a quick look downstream?" I obeyed this uncharacteristic urging, pulled in, got out, walked quickly to the bridge and peered over.
A Dipper looked up at me, horrified!
I don't know which of us was more surprised! It bobbed up and down nervously, so I quickly ducked out of view. I hurried to the car for my camera, came back to the bridge and cautiously poked my head over the parapet. No sign. Very slowly I stood up. Nope. Gone. I leaned over slightly and the Dipper exploded out from directly below, hurtling off downsream, round a bend and out of sight.
"Blast!" I thought, but then realised how handy that I hadn't left the thing sitting on a plate for all my year-listing
Nice one! :-)I especially liked the tactic of saying in the text "By the football pitch in Colyton" There are actually TWO football pitches by the river in Colyton! A friend of mine lives in the cottage alongside the river there and he reckons he sees one most mornings.
ReplyDeleteSuppression! Anyway, I would have said 'Coly Vale' for the other sportsground. Honest. ;o)
DeleteA bird I would love to see in Kent, a nice shot though you have there, I would take that!
ReplyDeleteCheers Marc. I guess yours would have to be Black-bellied...?
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