Thursday was very busy for ma and pa Dipper. The male started showing up, with a mouthful; a minute or two after the female would come out of the nest and the feeding frenzy continued. They were bringing food in spurts, one would reach the nest, the mate right behind, slides into the liquid landing, washes the food one last time, and waits for the other to leave the nest. Thursday and Friday, the only time both adults were in the nest together was when the male interrupted her time brooding with the hatchlings.

Friday the feedings were every relaxed, no pandemonium. Mom is spending less time in the nest, from 10 minutes to nearly an hour, most seem to be around 30 to 35 minutes, followed by a 10+ minute brood.

When they find a good spot for food they will always return to that spot 2 or 3 times in a row, after the first strike. When they find a caddisfly larva they hold on to one end and give it a quick shake, usually the casing flies right off, if not they will slap the larva and shell on a rock, and that will break it loose.

The second nest is still working. I saw the female out of the nest Thursday. She is feeding down river, so the male has kept the territory separated well. The male is spending very little time with her, he looked like he went up there a couple times toady, and was gone for 30 minutes each time. She is spending most of her time on the eggs, but she is having to feed herself most of the time. If the second nest starts to hatch later next week the male will have passed most of the feeding duties with the first nestlings, to ma, and be able to help the second get started of a week or so; then his first nestlings will be fledglings.

A pretty, bright orange salmon egg came rolling down the river, and dipper plucked it up. Held it ever so gentle, and said to me, "look at this, kids are eating good now." She gave me several poses and off to the nest; two seconds later she was out looking for more food.

When dippers dip, they always poop on the upward cycle.


Don Wallace
Sequim
don at e-picturebookdesigners.com