The chicks have hatched at the second nest; the female is spending most of her time in the nest today making them just a couple days old; she makes feeding trips out every hour. When she goes hunting she always goes down stream away from the first nest, or she stays near her nest. The male seems to be spending more time helping. He shows up every half an hour or so, makes 4 or 5 feeding runs (with female in nest or not) and goes back to first nest, where he still spends most of the day. The emotional bond seems to be much stronger with the first female, than he has with the second female. This situation is a researcher's dream, too bad I am the only one in the area.

Feedings at the first nest are sporadic, the male mostly will get the female out of the nest and both for about 10 minutes make several food runs.; they made 20 in 15 minutes. Then it slows down and a few are made over the next 10 minutes and stops. The male sometimes goes to the second nest; the female will spend sometime with herself or go back into the nest for a few minutes.

These birds preen themselves very regularly, like at least every hour. It maybe they are being extra careful to keep parasites out of the nest, or it is natural for them to be so vain. Their preening will go on for as long as ten minutes. The dippers also use their wings like a comb, to brush their backs.


I have gotten some emails with folks asking where they are, as many of you know I am protective of the area, but I will show certain people where they are and let you sit with them, when conditions are met. Anyone who thinks they know where they are, and takes it upon themselves to find them, be advised the nests are on private property, and I have made arrangements with the property owner to protect the location. Anyone trespassing will be treated as a trespasser and dealt with harshly.


Don Wallace
Sequim
don at e-picturebookdesigners.com