Before you start reading this entry please be aware that I am a registered member of the BTO's nest recording scheme.

It's now 17 days since the first Dipper egg was laid in the nest at the territory that I have been keeping a close watch on since the beginning of February. This week is a crucial one. It is said that incubation will not begin until the last egg of the clutch is laid and there are 4 eggs in this clutch. It is likely that incubation commenced on the 25th March which coincided with the 4th egg, however as part of my records and individual observations of this pair, I need to confirm that this is the case. There are several possibly variables. Apart from the above there is the possibility that incubation could take 16 days or even less. It is also possible that incubation could have comenced after the laying of 3 or even 2 eggs. Only discovering the date that chicks hatch can this be confirmed. The earliest date that hatching could have ocurred is today. It was important that I checked the nest contents today. I can confirm that there are still four eggs in the nest and as yet no chicks. My method of checking, in accordance with the laid down procedure and advice from the BTO, is to sit unobserved, watching the nest. When the female has departed the nest is the time to make your move. My observations for the last 17 days have shown me that the female, after leaving the nest, has the habit of flying away upstream and is away for 8 minutes. This is ample time to quietly and without fuss, check the contents of the nest, but after first confirming that male is away from the area with the female. To check this nest requires a wet foot as it is situated above water on a vertical moss covered bank.