Friday, 23 January 2009

Dipper on the Clarach River


Yesterday I went to the Clettwr to look for Dippers and was duly rewarded. But today was even more pleasing for, much to my surprise, when looking out of my study window which overlooks the garden and is bordered by the Clarach river, I saw a Dipper on the river bank. I managed to get a few pics but was hampered somewhat by the overhanging branches.The bird remained around for at least a couple of hours - regularly diving and feeding on aqautic insect. This is the first Dipper I have seen for over thirty years on this river and is an encouraging sign of an improvement in water quality. Pollution by sewage and sheep dips has decimated the insect and fish population in this past. I would be interested to know if any one else has records of Dippers on the Clarach or its tributaries.