I returned to my well known Dipper territory in early February. My plan was to build a well hidden hide over-looking last years nest site, under the river bank which has been washed out and eroded by flood water over years and years. Dipper are known to use the same site annually and the monogamous pair stay together for life. It will be interesting to get a close look at the female bird of "my" pair because last year the bird appeared to have a damaged eye which made it easy to identify her. In that way I will be able to recognise her again. I made a good job of the hide which I completely covered with leaf litter to make it totally invisible, I returned the next day and tucked myself inside the hide. I was thrilled to see two birds together behaving exactly the same as they were last year. The male bird, always the more extrovert in behaviour called as he flew by followed by his female, silently in tow. After a short wait the male flew to a nearby midstream rock and I managed to get some photos of him. I haven't noted any nest building behaviour yet nor have the birds been on to the rocks directly in front of he nest but I interpret this as positive behaviour because last year I noted that the birds kept well away from the vicinity of the nest unless they were visiting with nesting material. Only time will tell if they use last years nest but if I was a betting man I would be willing stake a tidy sum on that.