Subject: [Tweeters] American Dipper 05/07 Fledge day 8
Date: May 7 21:11:43 2012
From: Don Wallace - don at picturebookpublishing.com


Again today, one of the fledglings was visiting its step mother, but he doesn't seen to stay too long. The step mother was a little reluctant to feed the fledgling yesterday, but this kid could get an extra week of feedings before anyone gets wise. I almost wish the second brood would fledge tomorrow, it would give them a few days to interact with the first bunch.

The efforts by the parents to get the kids to hunt on their own has really stepped up. The parents are luring the chicks farther and to waters that are swift, but shallow and has an easy escape. The parent is diving, dunking under showing them how to look and hunt for the real food, and the parents are taking their time when giving the kids food to eat. Trying to encourage them to take care of themselves. I watched one younster working the edges for food and following mom, but was always waiting for mom to deliver the good stuff. The kid was not about to get in the middle of the channel. They all are still letting the folks do most of the work. Yet, they are getting much better at getting the small stuff, and catching a fly, or two.

There is one pair that is still spending a great deal of time at the home roost, but the other pair maybe out of sight in the next day or two. One is very lazy, he laid out on a log in the middle of the river; feeling the fresh fragrance from the water, the gentle breeze coming through the trees, and the warm sun on its back. I had never seen a dipper lay down before, so I had to get pictures. I had to wade out into the river, I had on rubber boots, but I went a little too deep, and I took on a little water, but as soon as I got wet, he stood up and started preening. So I stood in the middle of the cool river and waited to see what it would do next. Five minutes later he laid down again, and just took life easy laying in the sunshine.

The parents work so very hard to get their kids off on their own; they know the quicker to independence the more likely the youngsters will survive. When a bird loves its environment, as much as dippers do, it must be hard to get the kids to take it too seriously.

The second nest should be fledging any day now. When they come out they will probably end up on a log ram, that is manmade. I have looked this jam over it closely, is teaming with life, shallow pockets with fish and invertebrates , just right for young growing dippers. They will do well there, and the river will carry them right where they need to go.



Don Wallace
Sequim
don at e-picturebookdesigners.com