A Dipper, of the race 'cinclus' (Scandinavia / northern Europe), known as 'Black-bellied Dipper'.
The British Birds Rarities Committee, which assess records of very rare birds seen in UK has the following to say about this subspecies:
"Dipper Cinclus cinclus cinclus, ‘Black-bellied Dipper’
BBRC has not previously assessed records of ‘Black-bellied Dippers’, but we aim to do so at least until status issues are further clarified. Only birds that completely lack any hint of chestnut on the breast are likely to be acceptable, although a limited/narrow brown band is not unusual in this race, while some nominate cinclus show a narrow chestnut band at the breast–belly interface. Birds showing chestnut on the underparts probably cannot be distinguished from darker individuals of the British forms C. c.gularis and C. c. hibernicus, or from C. c. aquaticus from central Europe, which has occasionally been suspected here. Informal reports of any unusually dark birds which seem to fall short of classic nominate cinclus are welcome, especially when accompanied by good photographs."
So, we're looking for a completely black belly without a hint of chestnut colour:
Looks good to me...
Yep, still convinced.
No doubt.
A Google Image search for 'Dipper' gives a quick but useful idea of how chestnut-bellied UK birds are.
The bird was first seen on 19th October and these pictures are from 22nd November. More information soon, along with a review of both October and November visits.
If accepted it will be about the 15th occurrence in Yorkshire, the most recent was near Tophill Low in winter 2007/8. Nationally only one or two are recorded each year, though it is possible some go unnoticed in upland areas where resident Dippers are common.
Edit 26/03 - It's a male. Apparently it has been singing!
http://northernrustic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/black-bellied-dipper-harpham-east-yorks.html
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2 comments:
HIafter seing your blog ,I check i fairly regularly ,as i cover the area when i can ,,Isaw your dipper record and went to check it out on the 10 february,I identified it as a black bellied ,and sent some photos to bret to get a second opinion,he then went down to see it and confirmed the identification,ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WENT TO CHECK IT OUT ,WAS ON 20 FEBRUARY 2012 ,THERE WAS A DIPPER IN THE SAME AREA.WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A BLACK BELLIED,I CHECKED THE AREA FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS ,BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF IT ,SO IT WENT IN MY NOTE BOOK AS BLACK BELLIED DIPPER QUESTION MARK ,COULD THIS BE THE SAME BIRD ,OR IS IT A COINCIDENCE CHEERS ARNIE
I gather they are very loyal to wintering territories so it'd be surprising if the same one hadn't appeared in the intervening period. Mind you, a Dipper at any time at Harpham is unlikely so why not!
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