As soon as I got to the nest site this morning I could sense that something was different and that's the way it turned out. The nest is finished now, I sat there for an hour but without a visit from a Dipper! This is quite a departure from behaviour on previous days when they were building and almost constantly in front of me. I have to confess to some slight concern but having checked last years records, I note that the few days before the first egg was laid there was the same kind of behaviour. I crossed the river to check the nest for the first egg. This was not going to cause any disturbance because I had already ascertained that the pair were safe and well and feeding together, way up-stream, 500 yards away. The nest contained wet leaves giving me the impression that some had been added in the early morning before I had arrived, however there are no eggs yet. Fingers crossed that all is well and hopefully egg laying will begin very soon.
I went back in the late afternoon, anxious to confirm that everything was OK. I took up a position with a good clear view of the nest and the territory all around. It wasn't long before the male turned up, just as I had hoped and expected he would, but I was still relieved and pleased to see him. At this time of the day I have noticed that the male will patrol his territory, take up a position near to the nest and sing loudly, proclaiming his patch. He had read the script and turned up on cue!