On Thu, 8 Feb 1996, Wes Jansen wrote:
> I saw several American Dippers while floating down the Skagit the day
> before the big snow hit. I actually found that more satisfying than the
> seventy or so bald eagles we saw. Does anyone know how far south in
> Western Washington American Dippers typically are found? I have seen
> them on the river near Granite Falls.

Wes, they go all the way south to *Mexico*. If you're talking about
contiguous distributions, then at least to California. Within
Washington, they can be found on fast-flowing streams and rivers in most
forested landscapes throughout the state. Confirmed BBA nesting records
are found south to Mt. Adams, and other 'possible' records exist all the
way to the Columbia. In the Blue Mts., Weber and Larrison (1977) list
them as 'uncommon' breeders. Sharpe (1993) has found them breeding
at 5100' in the Olympics, and Jewett noted them above Paradise on Mt.
Rainier (above 5000'). Dippers move downhill in winter.

-------------
Michael R. Smith
Univ. of Washington, Seattle
whimbrel at u.washington.edu
http://salmo.cqs.washington.edu/~wagap/mike.html