24/04/2023 Yarrow Valley County Park, Chorley, Lancs

Dipper: I've been keeping an eye on this marvollous little birds, after seeing several images coming out of Yarrow Valley CP I made a visit several weeks ago and found an active nest site. 

Both parents were actively feeding the young in the nest and very active foraging up and down the small stretch of the River Yarrow.

The young must have fledged the nest within the last week, they were photographed on the 18th of April carrying food and now they are rebuilding their nest.

The Dipper is the UK's only aquatic songbird and it's underwater feats are quite amazing, they can hold on to the wet rocks in fast flowing rivers while foraging under water.

The pair were coming back and fourth with a beak full of grass, twigs and moss and I observed them foraging and catching aquatic invertebrates. 

Dippers nest very close to water, using cavities in banks, holes in walls or trees. Both sexes build the nest which is large and domed and made from mosses, grasses, leaves and hair.  

Dippers lay 4-6 white eggs in March or April which are incubated by the female for 14-16 days. Males may feed the female at the nest and the chicks are fed by both parents and fledge at 20-24 days. 

06/04/2012 Loggerheads

Dipper: This smashing little bird was the only good bird of the day as me and Dawn spent the day at Loggerheads it was seen on the River Alyn just along the footpath. The bird was showing really well and didn’t seem at all shy as it was feeding and preening right in front of us.






I am sure they are a common sight along the river at Loggerheads but I guess it can be a challenge to see them especially on a bank holiday weekend or a summer’s day. There were packs of dog walkers, many owners letting their dogs bounce around in the shallow water




I am surprised any Dipper would want to take up residence in this dog play pool, and alas the dipper was eventually sacred off after a Labrador came down for a dip. Greater Spotted Woodpecker was heard and there were lots of common tits, Chaffinches and Nuthatch also seen.

16,17,18/03/2012 Coniston Lake District

Great Spotted Woodpecker: A three night stay at a beautiful cottage in Coniston with Dawn and friends turned out to be one of the best birding trips I have had in a very long time.

In the garden of the cottage there was one feeder and we where supplied with bird feed which turned out to be very productive. Almost as soon as it was topped up we had a visit from a GS Woodpecker and a vast array of garden birds who stripped the feeder in hours.

Nuthatch: Nuthatch where also very active on the feeders theses guys are very fast and I never really realised how big they are, compared to the other garden birds.

Coal Tit: A first for the year for me and great to see so close up. I was really impressed with the garden and feeder.

Dipper: on the second day we all took a trip to Coniston Lake and came across a fast flowing stream where there was two very active dipper possible a breeding  pair as I saw them collecting nesting material.


This bird was another lifer for me and what a star bird. Supurb.


Great Tit: Taken from the window. This was a gret place to drink tea in front of thetal haeting and set great close shots.

Willow Tit: After spending hours awaiting a glimpses  of one of theses guys at Martin Mere is was really pleasing to see so many so close up at the cottage.

At least 3 Willow Tits where regular visitors and where not shy as they fed off theround around my feet and off the bench right in front of me.

Willow Tit & Coal Tit: Another picture taken from the window with a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea while standing infront of the heating.

Siskin: This female was only seen once on the first day for only a few seconds and then on the last day as we were leaving so it was a quick dash for the camera.




The stunning yellow male was hanging around the bushes but did not go to the feeders. It was such a shame but still great to see the female at close quarters.

Tawny Owl: On the first night i got the whole house in to the garden to listen to two Tawny Owls calling which inspired me to get up at 5.30am on the last day.

And what a great decision, as I saw three Tawny Owls very close up perching and in flight and hared them making some hell of a noise, possibly a territorial or threat call.

Willow Tit: Other birds of intrest where 2 Kingfisher, 1 female Goosander, Golden Eye, Tuffted Duck and  GC Grebe on Coniston Water.


And thanks to Sam we spotted a Deer along the roadside we think it might of been a Roe Deer. Great find in s stunning place.

Snow Bunting: After a gruelling climb up The Old Man of Coniston I was delighted to see a flock of Snow Bunting at the summit.


Unfortunately the weather closed in just as I reached the top, behind Dawn I may add so they pic was a bit fuzzy but sill great record shot of a great bird in a great place.