It's now 2 weeks since I discovered the "new" Dippers nest, close to where they had built last year. I have watched the nest develop from a slight hollow recess on a vertical moss covered bank , in to a cosy structure of moss the size of a volley ball. I have no idea of the internal measurements but I am guessing that it is a warm well insulated, secure nest, now almost ready to receive a healthy clutch of eggs. If everything continues successfully, I am going to have the pleasure and privilege of watching parents bringing food to hungry chicks and then the fledging of healthy baby Dippers. Both birds, and this deserves recording as it is contrary to previous information that I have read, have taken an equal part in the construction of the nest. They have worked tirelessly for at least 4 hours each day and probably much more, that's a total of at least 48 hours work so far, carrying an endless and constant supply of nesting material to the nest. The nest has been formed from the inside with mostly moss but some leaves and dried grasses have also been utilised. This has been pushed and woven in to the existing structure as more material has been added from the inside. The entire structure spreads outward and around to form a ball with a small entrance hole at the front. This is held together by the sodden moss and the more material added the more compacted and secure it becomes. Made from the same moss that covers the entire bank, the structure is almost invisible and it's presence is only given away by the birds flying in and out. Today was a milestone, both birds brought mainly beech leaves to the nest to line the cup, this is the final stage of building and an indication that eggs will soon be laid. I also noted that the female spent some extended periods in the nest alone, not just the usual two or three minutes. The male is still "full of the joys of spring" and not only started to sing whilst on the wing but also sang loudly from inside the nest again, this time while the female was with him. I wonder if mating occurred on the nest?
I made an error of judgement today, I was caught out in the open as I prepared to come away. Both birds flew in to the boulder in front and carried on as they normally do as I stood there. I took this as a sign that they are accepting of my presence now and used to me being around as I come and go, as long as I do not get too close. It is worthy of note that the male flew aggressively towards a Grey Wagtail perched near him, this didn't develop in to a chase once the male Wagtail had moved on but it is the first time I have seen even an acknowledgement of this different species in the Dipper's territory.