Black-bellied Dipper
Cinclus cinclus cinclus (Linnaeus, 1758) (12, 19)
Photo © By Estormiz - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89002057
Sub-species
STATUS
Europe and Fennoscandia.
OVERVIEW
Birds of the nominate race C. c. cinclus are subject to medium or long-distance partial migration, while the British race C. c. gularis is sedentary, breeding mainly in the northern and western uplands of Britain, but also on lowland fast-flowing streams.
All records prior to the first acceptable record, which occurred in Shetland during November 1898 (BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 229), are found not proven.
It is known that some Black-bellied Dippers can show a narrow chestnut band on the breast belly join (British Birds 99: 634).
The records below have been published as such and most have not been critically examined.
RECORDS
1). 1898 Shetland Loch of Spiggie, Mainland, seen, 27th to 28th November when shot.
(T. Henderson, jun., Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 110; Scottish Naturalist 57: 29; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955; BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 190-240).
History T. Henderson, jun. (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 110, says: 'On the 27th of November last, a Black-bellied, or Scandinavian race of Dipper, the Cinclus melanogaster of C. L. Brehm, was observed on the shores of Loch Spiggie, in the south of the main island of the Shetland group, and was shot the next day. There was a moderate gale from the north at the time, with frost and snow. Mr. T. E. Buckley informs me that this is the first known occurrence of the Dipper in the Shetland Islands.'
Evans & Buckley (1899: 78) say: 'A specimen of the Black-bellied form (C. melanogaster, Brehm) was shot by Mr. T. Henderson, Jun., at Spiggie on November 27th, 1898, and was sent to Captain Lea-Birch, Greenock, for his collection.'
Admitted nationally in the 9th Checklist as the first for Britain of the race cinclus (BOURC (2018) Ibis 160: 229).
2). 1909 Norfolk Coltishall, shot, 10th February.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1910: 123; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 4: 27).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1910) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIV. p. 123, says: 'February 10th. A Black-breasted Dipper shot at Coltishall, where it had been for several days (S. H. Long).'
H. F. Witherby (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 27, says: 'On February 10th a Black-breasted Dipper, presumably Cinclus cinclus (L.), was shot at Coltishall; an interesting record which would be made far more valuable were the bird carefully compared and identified, so that we might know to what geographical race it belonged.'
3). 1911 Yorkshire Near Bridlington, shot, December.
(F. Boyes, Field 23rd Dec., 1911: 1395; Eds., British Birds 5: 254).
History In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 254, they say: 'An example of this north European form of the Dipper (Cinclus c. cinclus) is recorded by Mr. F. Boyes (Field, 23.xii.1911, p. 1395) as having been shot near Bridlington, east Yorkshire. The bird was brought for Mr. Boyes' inspection on December 16th, 1911. Well authenticated examples of this form have been recorded a good many times from Yorkshire and Norfolk.'
4). 1915 Norfolk Potter Heigham, obtained, 10th November.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1916: 263).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1916) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XX. p. 263, says: 'November 10th. Mr. Saunders received from Potter Heigham a Black-breasted Dipper, not showing any tinge of chestnut.'
5). 1919 Norfolk River Tud, Costessey, seen, 5th November.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 13: 259).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 259, says: 'On November 5th a Dipper, no doubt of this race, was watched on the little River Tud at Costessey.'
6). 1919 Norfolk Runham, shot, 12th November.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 13: 259; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 11: 589).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 259, says: 'On the 12th the same, or another, was shot at Runham (E. C. Saunders).'
Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1924) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XI. p. 589, under 'Additions to Part XI (Eighth List) 1919-23'.
7). 1919 Norfolk Hempstead, undated.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 14: 246-247).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. pp. 246-247, says: 'In addition to the two recorded last year, there was one on the little stream at Hempstead. All the Norfolk Dippers seem to be of the Scandinavian race, although one or two have shown a tint of chestnut, but the presence of Cinclus c. britannicus in Norfolk has not yet been proved.'
8). 1920 Norfolk Aldborough, late February.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 14: 246).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 246, says: 'Mr. Davey reports one at the end of February on the Aldborough stream, where it stayed for some time, generally roosting on the fly-wheel of the mill engine.'
9). 1926 Norfolk River Wensum, Norwich, seen, late autumn.
(S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 12: 714-715).
History S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1928) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XII. pp. 714-715, under 'Additions to Part XI (Ninth List) 1924-28', under 'Black-bellied Dipper', say: 'In the late autumn of 1926 one or more Dippers were seen on the River Wensum, a mile or so above Norwich. These were probably of the Scandinavian form as this is the usual race that occurs in Norfolk. Only two examples of the British race have been recorded for the county.'
10). 1931 Norfolk Castle Rising, seen, 15th to 16th December.
(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 25: 348).
History B. B. Riviere (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 348, in the 1931 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'One was seen at Castle Rising on December 15th and 16th by Mr. C. T. M. Plowright.'
11). 1934 Fair Isle No locality, female, obtained, 30th March.
(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 56: 63; Eds., British Birds 30: 231; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 64: 55-56; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History In an Editorial (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 231, they say: 'Fair Isle. - Mr. G. Waterston gives details (Scot. Nat., 1936, pp. 61-64) of a number of interesting birds, which have occurred in Fair Isle and have not hitherto been recorded. Amongst these we may mention the following: - Black-bellied Dipper (Cinclus c. cinclus). - A female was got on March 30th, 1934.'
12). 1936 Shetland Vats Houle Loch, Whalsay, male, shot, 30th March.
(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 29; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955).
History George Waterston (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 29, under 'Bird Notes from Shetland', says: 'Black-bellied Dipper. - Mr. Tom Bruce obtained a fine male beside Vats Houle Loch, Whalsay, on 30th March 1936 which I examined in his collection. The previous single record of the occurrence of this race was in 1898 (Harvie-Brown's Fauna, 78) when a specimen was obtained at Spiggie on 27th November.'
Comment Evans & Buckley were the authors of A Vertebrate Fauna of the Shetland Islands in 1892.
1950-57 RECORDS
13). 1950 Fair Isle Gully, 19th to 20th March.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (1): 1; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1950: 14-15; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 64: 55-56; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History K. Williamson (1950) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (I). p. 1, says: 'A Black-bellied Dipper, here March 19-20th (wind backing from SW gale through SE to NE 5, 18/19th) has been reported to most bird observatories. Second record for Fair Isle and apparently fourth for Scotland (all Shetland).'
K. Williamson (1950) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, pp. 14-15, says: 'Pat Robertson had very close views of a Black-bellied Dipper, C. c. cinclus (L.), showing no reddish-brown on the underparts, in the Gully on 19-20th March. The wind had backed from a SW. gale through SE. to NE. at force 5 on 18-19th. This is the second record fro Fair Isle and apparently the fourth only for Scotland (all from Shetland).'
14). 1950 Essex River Colne, Chappel Bridge, Fordstreet, 10th November to 31st December.
(Eds., British Birds 45: 369; G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Watching and Preservation Society Report 1952: 31; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).
History In an Editorial (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 369, they say: 'We have received records from a number of observers showing that there was a small-scale invasion of Dippers (Cinclus cinclus) in the autumn of 1950, many of them being satisfactorily identified as the Black-bellied, Continental, race, Cinclus c. cinclus. The majority were seen in the eastern counties. They were first seen in November, 1950, but it is possible, as Mr. A. E. Vine suggests, that they came in with the great rush of migrants on October 21st and 22nd (cf. antea, Vol. XLIV. p. 247). It is impossible to say how many individuals were involved, but a few remained into the spring of 1951, when others occurred in Shetland and at Fair Isle.
Mr. R. S. R. Fitter and Miss J. M. Ferrier who watched the bird at Aylsham, state that its black belly was very distinct, Mr. Fitter remarking that the black was much more intense than is indicated in the illustration in The Handbook. Records received include: Essex. - One, R. Colne, Fordstreet, Chappel, Colchester, November 10th, 1950 (A. E. Vine).'
G. A. Pyman (1952) in the Essex Bird Watching and Preservation Society Report, p. 31, adds: 'Fordstreet: one identified by River Colne on November 10th (A.E.V. in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 369). This is the first recorded occurrence of this continental race in Essex, but the Dipper (not subspecifically identified) seen by the late Miss D. J. Brooks at Chappel Bridge, about 2 miles North-East, on December 31st, 1950 (1950 Report, p. 9) may well have been the same bird.'
Accepted locally (Cox 1984; Wood 2007).
15). 1950 Norfolk River Wensum, near Norwich, 11th November.
(Anon., Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1950: 26).
History Anon. (1950) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 26, says: 'One by a disused mill on the River Wensum, near Norwich, on November 11th is the first recorded in the county for a number of years. It was slate-black above merging to dark brown on the head, with white chin, throat and upper breast and blackish lower breast and belly. There was no trace of a chestnut band on the lower breast. It was very tame and was seen by several observers (M.S.).'
16). 1950 Norfolk/Suffolk Hoxne, 21st and 25th November.
(Anon., Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1950: 26).
History Anon. (1950) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 26, says: 'One seen at Hoxne on November 21st and 25th where the River Waveney forms the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk. (R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley.).'
17). 1950 Norfolk Taverham, November.
(Anon., Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1950: 26).
History Anon. (1950) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 26, says: 'Major Lloyd of Taverham Mill also saw one in November.'
18). 1951 Shetland Mill Burn, Scousburgh, Mainland, 4th January.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (1): 16; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 64: 56; Eds., British Birds 45: 369; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955; Williamson, 1965).
History K. Williamson (1951) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (I). p. 16, says: 'Tom Henderson, of Spiggie, had excellent close views of a Black-bellied Dipper Cinclus c. cinclus, on a burn near the loch on January 4th, 1951. This is the fifth occasion on which this subspecies has been recorded in Scotland - twice at Spiggie, twice at Fair Isle, and once on Whalsay.'
K. Williamson (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. p. 56, says: 'There are two records from Spiggie in Dunrossness, the most recent of which concerns a bird watched at close quarters by Mr. Tom Henderson on 4th January 1951.'
P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) does not list January among the spring or autumn periods for acceptable records.
19). 1951 Suffolk Euston, early March.
(Eds., British Birds 45: 369; P. R. Westall, Suffolk Bird Report 1952: 87).
History In an Editorial (1952) in British Birds Vol. XLV. p. 369, they say: 'Suffolk. - One, Euston, for a few days early March, 1951 (per A. E. Vine).'
20). 1951 Fair Isle Gully, trapped, 28th April; same, 4th to 6th May.
(K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 64: 55-56; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (2): 21-22; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955).
History K. Williamson (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. pp. 55-56, says: 'In the early morning of 28th April, 1951 a Dipper Cinclus c. cinclus was found haunting the burn which flows through the gully. In mid-morning the bird was caught in the small Heligoland trap which spans the burn above a waterfall. It was released at North Haven after ringing and examination, and returned to the stream, where it stayed throughout the next day. It was not seen during the first three days of May, but was on the burn again from 4th-6th May inclusive.
In the field, even at close quarters, I could see no trace of reddish-brown between the white breast and the black belly. The contrast was sharp and clear. In the hand, however, a few brownish fringes could be found on the uppermost black feathers, and these were not reddish in tone but nearer the coffee-brown colour of the bird's head. When I held the bird I was surprised at the strength of its clasp on my fingers, the sharpness of the claws, and powerful fluttering of its short, rounded wings as it struggled to be free. These attributes, like the continual blinking of the yellowish-white nectitating membrane, must be useful adaptations in a bird specialised for under-water feeding.
The Dipper weighed 60.2 g. The tarsi were grey with a purplish tinge, and the irides hazel. The wing-length was 82 mm., which is 3 mm. below the minimum Handbook (3: 221) range for females of this form. The bill, measured from skull, was 20 mm. and the tarsus 28 mm. Mallophaga were collected, and were kindly determined by Mr. W. Stirling of the Royal Scottish Museum as Philopterus cincli (Denny).
The bird's anxiety note was a low, sharp, tuneless "tchik". When released, it flew off with a series of louder and shriller notes recorded as "tchwik", perhaps a more emphatic variant of the anxiety note.'
K. Williamson (1951) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (II). pp. 21-22, says: 'A Black-bellied Dipper Cinclus c. cinclus arrived on April 28th, when I found him early in the morning haunting the burn which flows through the Gully, at the head of which are two of the traps. One of these is directly above a waterfall and adjacent to the now ruinous clack-mills whose horizontal water-wheels supplied the power that ground the island corn until 30 years ago. This trap the Dipper obligingly entered, only to escape, alas through a breach in the wall of the trap where a space had been left for the flow of the stream! I spent a busy half-hour blocking this opening with rubble and stones, bits of wire-netting, and part of the tail of a Junkers 88 which crash-landed on the moor during the war....'
21). 1951 Fair Isle Gully, 18th, 25th to 27th November and 24th December.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (5): 11; J. Stout, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (6): 44; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 64: 56; K. Williamson, British Birds 45: 232; Pennington et al., 2004).
History K. Williamson (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. p. 56, says: 'In late autumn the gully burn was again haunted by a bird of this subspecies. It was first seen by James Anderson on 18th November, and his identification was confirmed a few days later by James A. Stout. Both had excellent close views of it on several occasions during a number of days as they attempted to drive it into the mill or gully traps: it entered the former on one or two occasions, but would not leave the stream to go to the box, doubling back each time and flying out over their heads. The bird was still on the isle in late December, and is perhaps attempting to winter there. Its visits to the gully were then irregular, and on a number of occasions it was found by one or other of these observers feeding in the drainage ditches on the Sukka Moor a mile and more upstream. These ditches, cut by the islanders last winter, are about 2 feet in width and depth, and their course is fairly straight, an unusual habitat for a Dipper.
These supply the sixth and seventh Scottish records. A Black-bellied Dipper haunted the same burn on 19th-20th March 1950, and there is a previous Fair Isle record for 30th March 1934.'
J. Stout (1951) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (VI). p. 44, adds: 'The bird which arrived on Nov. 18th was last seen on Dec. 24th.'
22). 1952 Fair Isle Easter Lother, 13th October.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (9): 37; K. Williamson, British Birds 46: 423; Pennington et al., 2004).
History K. Williamson (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 423, says: 'A bird of the Black-bellied race (C. c. cinclus) was seen on the beach at Easter Lother on October 13th.'
23). 1952 Norfolk Aylsham Mill, 16th December to 9th March 1953.
(Anon., Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1952: 18; R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley, British Birds 47: 28; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1953: 39).
History Anon. (1952) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 18, says: 'One first seen on mill pool, Aylsham, Dec. 29th, is still there at time of writing, January 8th (M. Rust.).'
R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 28, says: 'From early January 1953 for several weeks I had the opportunity of watching a Dipper of the Black-bellied race (Cinclus c. cinclus) at Aylsham Water Mill, Norfolk, where it stayed for almost three months. For the purpose of photography a hide was sited on a projecting spit of gravel which was separated from the north bank of the mill pool by a small shallow bay with a stony bottom.
The bird fed regularly round the shore of this bay but on four or five occasions it was seen feeding underwater, walking without apparent difficulty along the bottom. The water, which eddied gently round the bay at about 2 feet per second at the fastest, was from 9 inches to 1 foot deep where the bird was watched underwater. A summary of the main points observed is as follows: - (1) The bird always began its underwater foraging excursions by swimming out and diving. (2) It moved in either direction relative to the stream and sometimes turned across it. (3) Movement was somewhat faster with the stream and when moving in this direction there were fewer pauses to explore under the larger stones or pieces of broken tiles. (4) Wings were only used when submerging or when making a sudden spurt to catch some moving aquatic creature. (5) It emerged by stopping and bobbing up with what appeared to be a cork-like buoyancy. It was difficult to see if the wings were used in this process of re-emergence. (6) Once the initial dive had been made the head was always held forwards and downwards and the beak maintained very close to the bottom. (7) Three underwater excursions were timed as 17, 20 and 23 secs. The water was very clear and there was little interference with observation by reflection.'
[It is interesting to compare these observations with those of Dr. J. W. Jones and Mr. G. M. King (antea, Vol. XLV. pp. 400-401) and with the remarks made by Lt.-Col. H. G. Brownlow (antea, Vol. XLVI. pp. 73-74). One of Mr. Bagnall-Oakeley's photographs of this Black-bellied Dipper - not walking underwater - is reproduced on plate 8. - Eds.]
M. J. Seago (1953) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 39, adds: 'Aylsham Mill: One arrived December 16th, 1952, and stayed until March 9th. Filmed and song recorded. This song, as well as the bird's alarm note, were broadcast.'
24). 1953 Norfolk Aylsham Mill, 29th October 4th November when two, one of these a first-winter, trapped, 6th November, ringed bird stayed until 30th March 1954.
(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1953: 39; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1954: 39).
History M. J. Seago (1953) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 39, says: 'A single bird arrived arrived October 29th and was joined by another November 4th. One of these, a first-winter bird, ringed November 6th for Cley Obs., stayed until the end of the year (several observers), and roosted on a girder-flange beneath a foot-bridge (R.A.R.).'
26). 1953 Fair Isle Near Burrashield, 9th December; presumed same, Chapel Brae, 17th December.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 110; R. K. Cornwallis, British Birds 47: 428; Pennington et al., 2004).
History K. Williamson (1954) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 110, says: 'On 9th December, when a big influx of Woodcock and Turdidae took place, James Wilson heard and later saw a Dipper on the wet ground east of Burrashield. On the forenoon of the 17th James Stout watched a Black-bellied Dipper near Chapel Brae - perhaps the same bird.'
27). 1954 Fair Isle Gully, 28th March.
(J. A. Stout, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 151; R. K. Cornwallis, British Birds 48: 429; Pennington et al., 2004).
History J. A. Stout (1954) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 151, says: 'James Anderson found a Black-bellied Dipper haunting the Gully Burn on March 28th.'
28). 1955 Kent Hythe, 27th February.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1955: 2; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984; N. Hudson e-mail).
History E. H. Gillham (1955) in the Kent Bird Report, p. 2, under 'Introduction', says: 'Among the rarities were: single Black-bellied Dippers at both ends of the year.'
Taylor, Davenport & Flegg (1984) say: 'Since 1955 there have been seven records...and all were of the nominate race C. c. cinclus that occurs on the ontinent.'
Comment The species is not listed in the systematic list in the Bird Reports 1955-57.
29). 1955 Kent Sandwich, 20th November.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1955: 2; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984; N. Hudson e-mail).
History E. H. Gillham (1955) in the Kent Bird Report, p. 2, under 'Introduction', says: 'Among the rarities were: single Black-bellied Dippers at both ends of the year.' Taylor, Davenport & Flegg (1984) say: 'Since 1955 there have been seven records...and all were of the nominate race C. c. cinclus that occurs on the Continent.'
Comment The species is not listed in the systematic list in the Bird Reports 1955-57.
30). 1956 Fair Isle Gully, 29th March to 5th April.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 3: 129; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1955-56: 21).
History K. Williamson (1957) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 129, and in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, p. 21, says: 'A Black-bellied Dipper haunted the Gully burn and waterfall from 29th March until April 5th.'
31). 1957 Norfolk Lexham, 27th December to 9th February 1958.
(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1957: 40; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1958: 39).
History M. J. Seago (1957) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 40, says: 'One at Lexham, December 27th (A.McL.) until February 9th, 1958 (W.G.B.). Full details received.'
NOT PROVEN
0). 1803 Berkshire Newbury Mill, male, October.
(Lamb, Zoologist 1880: 321).
[Radford, 1966].
History Dr. Lamb (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 321, says: 'Sturnus cinclus. - A male of this very rare bird flew into Newbury Mill in Oct. 1803.'
Radford (1966: 130) lists this as a British Dipper.
0). c. 1849 Suffolk Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, undated.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
History Babington (1884-86) says: A well-marked specimen of the Black-breasted form (C. melanogaster) was shot some years ago at Lowestoft, and is in Sir John Crewe's Collection.'
Ticehurst (1932) says: 'No specimen has occurred, so far as is known, since Babington wrote. He gives the following instances: One, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, about 1849 (Connop collection) was satisfactorily determined.'
0). c. 1850 Suffolk Boulge Hall Park, shot, undated.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
History Babington (1884-86: 48) having seen the specimen, says: 'One of the black-breasted form shot about thirty-five years ago in Boulge Hall Park, in possession of Mr. Joseph Smith of Thorpe Hall, Hasketon (Moor MS., Joseph Smith in litt.).'
Ticehurst (1932: 173) says: 'One, Boulge Hall Park, about 1850 was satisfactorily determined.'
0). 1855 Norfolk Foundry Bridge, Norwich, male, shot, November.
(Stevenson, 1866; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).
History Stevenson (1866 (1): 69-70) says: 'I have at different times examined six or seven examples, all killed in this county, which, with one exception to be hereafter mentioned, exhibited no trace of chestnut on the under parts, but were identical with a Lapland specimen in the Norwich museum (No.40.b), collected in that country by the late Mr. Wolley. We may naturally suppose, therefore, from this circumstance, and the season at which our few Norfolk specimens invariably appear, that they are chance stragglers from the Scandinavian peninsula....Of more recent occurrence, I may notice a male in my own collection, which was brought to me in the flesh, having been shot in November, 1855, whilst hovering over the river between the Foundry bridge and the ferry.
It is not a little singular that a bird so accustomed to the clear running streams of the north, and the quiet haunts of the "silent angler", should be found as in this case, almost within the walls of the city, sporting over a river turbid and discoloured from the neighbouring factories, with the busy noise of traffic on every side....All these birds were shown me in the flesh, and had black breasts like my first specimen, and were in good plumage and condition.'
Accepted as the first for Norfolk (Dye, Fiszer & Allard 2009).
0). 1860 Norfolk Near Beeston, obtained, 25th December.
(Stevenson, 1866).
History Stevenson (1866 (1): 70) says: 'Mr. Cremer, of Beeston, has one killed in that neighbourhood, on the 25th of December, 1860....All these birds were shown me in the flesh, and had black breasts like my first specimen, and were in good plumage and condition.'
0). 1860 Norfolk No locality, obtained, undated.
(Stevenson, 1866).
History Stevenson (1866 (1): 70) says: 'Another in the possession of Mr. Hubbard, a bird-stuffer, in Norwich, was also procured in that year [1860]....All these birds were shown me in the flesh, and had black breasts like my first specimen, and were in good plumage and condition.'
0). 1861 Norfolk No locality, obtained, 29th January.
(Stevenson, 1866).
History Stevenson (1866 (1): 70) says: 'A third, in my own collection, on the 29th of January, 1861. All these birds were shown me in the flesh, and had black breasts like my first specimen, and were in good plumage and condition.'
0). 1864 Norfolk Buxton Mills, shot, 24th November, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(Stevenson, 1866; Gurney, 1884).
History Stevenson 1866 (1): 70) says: 'From the winter of 1861 I know of no others either seen or procured in Norfolk until the 24th of November, 1864, when a male bird was shot at Buxton by Mr. J. Gambling, who very kindly presented it to the Norwich museum (British series. No. 40. c).
This specimen, which was brought to me in the flesh, is the one before alluded to as slightly exceptional in plumage, as, when fresh killed, there was a decidedly reddish tinge below the white on the breast, but by no means so bright or so extended as in two Scotch skins in my possession. This tinge, however, has much faded since the bird was preserved, and I do not, therefore, think that my previously expressed opinion respecting our Norfolk specimens, is thereby upset. Mr. Alfred Newton, to whom I referred this point, is of the same opinion, and remarks - "All birds vary, and they vary so as to resemble allied races or species. Therefore, this may yet be a Scandinavian example, and if so it would only go to prove that in the Scandinavian form the black belly is not a constant feature".
On dissecting this last, I found the stomach filled with the remains of insects, nothing else, consisting of fragments of the elytra and legs of a little water beetle, and of some small Notonecta.'
Gurney (1884: 9) says: 'A pair in the Norwich Museum were obtained at Buxton Mills, in 1864 and 1869, by Mr. J. Gambling, who has since seen two more. The Bure here is rather rapid, but not deep.'
0). 1869 Norfolk Buxton Mills, obtained, undated, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(Gurney, 1884).
History Gurney (1884: 9) says: 'A pair in the Norwich Museum were obtained at Buxton Mills, in 1864 and 1869, by Mr. J. Gambling, who has since seen two more. The Bure here is rather rapid, but not deep.'
0). 1871 Lincolnshire No locality, undated.
(Cordeaux, 1899).
[Lorand & Atkin, 1989].
History Cordeaux (1899: 6) says: 'Between 1871 and 1889, eight of the northern form with the black breast-band, and as near as I can ascertain six of these in October at the time the woodcocks came.'
). c. 1873 Nottinghamshire River Greet, near Southwell, shot, undated.
(Whitaker, 1906; Whitaker, 1907).
History J. Whitaker (1906 (1): 160) in the Victoria County History of Nottinghamshire, says: 'The only specimen obtained in Nottinghamshire was shot near Southwell about 1873.'
Whitaker (1907) says: 'The only specimen obtained in Nottinghamshire was shot by the side of the Greet near Southwell and taken to Schumach from whom I bought it. Date circa 1873.'
0). 1874 Yorkshire Welwick, obtained, 24th October, now at Yorkshire Museum, York.
(F. Boyes, Zoologist 1877: 53; W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Naturalist 1884: 151; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
History F. Boyes of Beverley (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 53, says: 'In my communication to the Zoologist on this variety of the Dipper (2nd ser. 1871) I expressed my opinion that the very few Dippers which had been procured in this district would probably turn out to be Cinclus melanogaster. Knowing that a Dipper had been shot at Easington, and preserved by Mr. Lawton [sic], of that place, when in that neighbourhood a short time ago I called in to have a look at it, and my surmise, in this instance, turned out to be correct, as it is a fine specimen of the Black-breasted Dipper. It was shot on the 24th October, 1874.'
W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck (1884) in The Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 151, say: 'Seebohm having expressed a doubt as to the occurrence of this species or race in Britain, Clarke forwarded him the Welwick specimen for examination, with the result that it was considered an undoubted example of this form.'
0). 1875 Yorkshire River Hull, Beverley, obtained, 29th October.
(F. Boyes, Zoologist 1876: 4871-72; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
History F. Boyes (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. pp. 4871-72, says: 'On the 29th of October last a Black-breasted Dipper, which I believe to be the Scandinavian variety (Cinclus melanogaster), was shot on our river by a person named Priestman.
The Dipper (C. aquaticus) is not a resident in this part of the country, and it is a most unusual thing for one to be shot here. Whether or not the two or three that have occurred in my recollection have been of the C. melanogaster form, I cannot say, as I have not seen them; but I suspect it will turn out to be so, as C. aquaticus is rather a stationary bird. Delighting as the dipper does in swift and rugged mountain streams, there is little wonder at its absence from here, where our streams are slower and flow generally through a flat chalky country.
I am not aware of any locality for the Dipper in East Yorkshire, though it is not uncommon in the West and North Ridings, where the country is much more hilly, and where our chalk is replaced by hard rocks. I shall be glad to be corrected on this point. The Rev. G. H. Tuck, in the Field, mentions the occurrence of C. melanogaster at Filey, and Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jan., also possesses a Yorkshire specimen of this type.'
Addenda. - It will be noticed that I am not quite certain in the identity of the above bird, because I have not seen the Scandinavian variety. I only know the bird has no chestnut on the breast; but then, again, I do not know the autumn plumage of the young common Dipper. A fine old bird in my collection I shot last June on a mountain stream in Sutherlandshire, near Inchnadamph, where they were common. I saw both old and young flying about. I also saw a nest - empty, of course, so late as June.'
0). 1875 Yorkshire Flotmanby, near Filey, obtained, 8th December.
(J. G. Theb, Field 1st Jan., 1876: 22; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).
History J. G. Theb of The Old Vicarage, Ebberston (1876) in The Field of 1st Jan., Vol. XLVII. p. 22, says: 'A Black-breasted Dipper was shot at Flotmanby, near Filey, on the 8th.'
). 1879 Lincolnshire Great Cotes, at least 15th April.
(Lorand & Atkin, 1989).
History Lorand & Atkin (1989) say: 'From 15th April 1879 one was seen for several days at Great Cotes.'
0). Pre 1884 Suffolk Lowestoft, obtained, undated.
(Ticehurst, 1932).
History Ticehurst (1932) says: 'One, Lowestoft, many years ago (Crewe collection) was satisfactorily determined.'
0). c. 1884 Lincolnshire Louth, shot, autumn.
(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 1890: 8; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 362; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).
History J. Cordeaux (1890) in The Naturalist, Vol. XV. p. 8, says: 'Mr. Kew, of Louth, has a very good example of the northern form, shot somewhere in the marsh district, east of Louth, a few years ago, in the autumn.'
J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 362, says: 'One shot in the autumn, about 1884, in the marsh district below Louth, is in the collection of Mr. H. T. Wintringham, The Abbey, Grimsby (Nat. 1890, p. 8).'
0). 1885 Lincolnshire Humber Estuary, Stallingborough, shot, 24th October.
(J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 7: 40; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891:362).
History J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1886) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1885, 7th report, p. 40, say: 'October 23rd, E. and N.E. gale, one shot on morning of 24th. Humber Bank, in Stallingborough parish, great flight of Woodcock at the same date.'
0). Pre 1889 Kent Folkestone, shot, undated.
(Dowker, 1889; Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett, 1907).
[Ticehurst, 1909; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984].
History Dowker (1889) and Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett (1907: 93) say: 'On the authority of Mr. G. Dowker, in his Birds of East Kent, 1889, and that of Mr. C. Gordon, one was shot at Folkestone, and is now in the Folkestone Collection.'
Ticehurst (1909) adds: 'There are several specimens of the common British Dipper there, but I have been unable to find any trace of this bird.'
0). 1889 Lincolnshire No locality, undated.
(Cordeaux, 1899).
[Lorand & Atkin, 1989].
History Cordeaux (1899: 6) says: 'Between 1871 and 1889, eight of the northern form with the black breast-band, and as near as I can ascertain six of these in October at the time the woodcocks came.'
0). 1894 Norfolk Aylsham Watermill, shot, 25th October, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1895: 101).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 101, says: 'A Black-bellied Dipper, Cinclus melanogaster, a bird which the late Mr. Stevenson associated with severe weather, was shot at the back of Aylsham watermill, as I learn from Mr. Southwell, who adds that its gizzard contained elytra of the Whirleygig Beetle (Gyrinus). It was afterwards presented to the Museum, when I had the opportunity of noting that the whole of the white breast was suffused with specks of brown, doubtless the last indication of immaturity. There was not a tinge of chestnut on the underparts. This interesting species is now reckoned almost an annual visitant to Norfolk.'
0). 1896 Norfolk River Bure, shot, 9th November.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1897: 137).
History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 137, says: 'November 9th. A Black-breasted Dipper shot on the River Bure (B. Dye).'
0). 1919 Norfolk/Suffolk Fritton Lake, seen, 24th November.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 13: 259).
[Ticehurst, 1932].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 259, says: 'On the 24th a third was seen by General Upcher on the little stream which runs from Fritton Lake.'
Ticehurst (1932: 173-174) lists this record as not determined to race.
