Photographing Dippers in Scotland
Photographing Dippers in Scotland or any other suitable location in the UK can be tough, these charming, plump, and remarkably agile birds, requires a mix of patience, skill, and a touch of luck. These charismatic birds are often found in fast-flowing streams and rivers, making their presence a treat for wildlife enthusiasts.
Dippers over the past year have become one of my favourite birds to photograph.
I have watched and photographed dippers on my local river in Scotland for a number of years now. I usually start my search for Dippers in January as this is when they start to pair up and you can often capture images of the male and female together. Further on in the year spring usually finds me out and about, searching for potential dipper territories and nest sites, where I can photograph birds undertaking activities such as nest-building and feeding.
I look in particular for ‘white water’ areas, where there are shallow, slower-flowing sections of water, in which birds can forage. I also seek out regular perching spots (marked by white streaks and spots), and use binoculars to search as far along the river as possible.
Dippers can be well hidden as the brown of their plumage camouflages well with the dark shadows cast on the water, but, if the Dipper turns to face you the white bib on the front of the bird is very noticeable and makes it easy to see them, seeing them from a distance gives me the best chance to plan a quiet and unnoticeable approach.
Understanding the Subject
Dippers, known scientifically as “Cinclus cinclus”, are small, stout birds with a distinctive white bib on their chest. They are often seen bobbing up and down on rocks near streams and rivers, a behaviour from which they derive their name. Dippers breed and feed along fast flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams, mainly in Scotland and the north and west of the UK, and they have an unusual semi-aquatic lifestyle.
1. Habitat and Behaviour:
Dippers are water-loving birds found in clean, fast-flowing rivers and streams. They feed on aquatic insects and larvae, often diving underwater to forage. Observing their behaviour will help you anticipate their movements and capture unique moments.
Dippers can range over a considerable length of river but being quite territorial birds, they tend to stay close to their breeding site, which they may reuse year after year, often building nests under bridges and behind cascading water. A good way to locate them is to familiarise yourself with their call (a short, sharp single note), which can be heard when they fly up and down the river.
Monogamous pairings are common in the Dipper, with many pairs staying together across multiple breeding seasons. While some pairs remain lifelong partners, others may switch mates between seasons.
This suggests that lifelong monogamy is common, but not all dippers follow this pattern. Factors like environmental conditions, resource availability, and individual health can influence this.
Seasonal Patterns: Dippers are year-round residents in Scotland and the UK. During the breeding season (spring), they are more active and vocal, making it a prime time for photography. Outside of breeding season, Dippers can be more elusive, requiring greater patience.
Diving Habits: Unlike most birds, these birds swim underwater to hunt their invertebrate and small fish prey. This activity is made possible by a transparent ‘nictitating membrane’ over the eye, which allows a dipper to see underwater and they can stay underwater for up to 30 seconds, allowing them to forage along the riverbed. You can often see them diving off a rock and swimming under water before they surface and climb up on to another rock.
2. Timing and Lighting
Like with all wildlife, early mornings and late afternoons can be the best times to photograph Dippers, as the soft, diffused light enhances their plumage without casting harsh shadows. Plus, these are also active feeding times for the birds.
Once you’ve got an understanding of where the dippers are landing and the composition you have in mind it is now important to consider how the light falls at different times of day. For example, if your location is in a valley surrounded by trees, chances are it’s not going to lend itself to that early morning golden light, however dappled light through the trees could be an option, which can create interesting images and will also allow you to shoot in the middle of the day, unlike a more open location. It’s also important to think about the direction in which you are shooting. Does the location offer up backlit image opportunities? Will shooting backlit remove distraction in the image.
I prefer to photograph the Dippers near me when the sun is higher as I love the reflections that the sun casts on the water, there are also lots of large overhanging trees and if you can position yourself where the dappled light shines through the trees on to the rocks or branches you can get some beautiful images.
Equipment Essentials
To photograph Dippers effectively, you’ll need the right equipment:
Camera:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a fast shutter speed capability is essential to freeze their rapid movements.
High ISO Performance: Since Dippers are often found in shaded areas near water, a camera with good high ISO performance will help reduce noise in low-light conditions.
Lens:
A telephoto lens (300mm or longer) will help you get close-up shots without disturbing the birds. Ideally look for a focal length of around 500mm as this will limit the disturbance to the birds and allow you to capture their natural behaviour from a distance.
Zoom vs Prime Lenses: A zoom lens offers versatility, allowing you to adjust your focal length as the bird moves. Prime lenses, on the other hand, often provide sharper images and better low-light performance. I would always shoot with a zoom lens simply because it gives you the flexibility to be able to zoom out and show the Dipper in it’s natural environment or zoom in to include any details of the bird and capture beautiful portrait images.
Techniques and Tips
1. Patience is Key:
Dippers can be elusive and may take time to adjust to your presence. Patience and silence are your best allies. Find a good vantage point and wait for them to come into view.
Stealth Techniques: Wear neutral-coloured clothing to blend in with the surroundings and minimize sudden movements to avoid startling the birds.
Look for rocks in the river that have a lot of green growth on them or fresh white droppings. These are often favourite perches of the dippers and make a good place to wait. I prefer to move into a well-hidden position at water level once the birds, which move around during their territory-holding and feeding activities, have moved away for a while, or whilst they are underwater. I will then wait for the bird to return to that particular area.
My ideal photographic location has the following combination of features: good cover through which to approach, a shooting position near water level to enable eye-level contact with the birds, and some nicely lit areas, such as prominent rocks.
Ideally, there will also be the potential for a nicely out of focus background, i.e., there needs to be plenty of uncluttered space behind the perches. This combination of features can be surprisingly difficult to find.
2. Focus on Action Shots:
Capture the Dippers’ dynamic behaviour, such as diving into the water, emerging with prey, or displaying their signature bobbing motion. Use a fast shutter speed (1/1000s or higher) to freeze these moments.
Burst Mode: Engage burst mode to take multiple shots in quick succession, increasing the likelihood of capturing the perfect action shot.
It is also worth experimenting with slower shutter speeds, such as 1/30th or 1/15th or even 1/5th of a second, in order to blur the water swirling around a perch. This technique can be helped by the use of a tripod or using a rock to support the camera.
3. Composition:
Pay attention to the composition. Include elements of the bird’s natural habitat, such as rocks, flowing water, and moss, to add context to your shots. The rule of thirds can help in creating visually appealing images.
Foreground and Background: Use natural elements in the foreground and background to frame your shots and add depth to your images. Shoot through leaves and foliage to naturally frame the Dipper. This can add interest to an image and draw the viewers attention in to the frame. This can also help with removing any distracting elements in the frame.
4. Use Continuous Shooting Mode:
Dippers move quickly, so using the continuous shooting mode increases your chances of capturing that perfect moment. It also enables you to capture them jumping in to the water, “dipping” on a rock or swimming and surfacing on to a rock.
Continuous Auto Focus (AF-C/AF Servo) : It is likely that the Dipper will move continuously so it is important to be able to track the bird and keep it in focus.
5. Respect Wildlife:
Always prioritize the well-being of the birds. Keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing their natural behaviour.
Ethical Photography: Follow ethical wildlife photography guidelines, such as avoiding nests during breeding season to prevent stress on the birds.
Post-Processing
Enhancing your images through post-processing can bring out the best in your Dipper photographs. Adjustments in exposure, contrast, and sharpness can make your images pop. Be cautious not to over-edit; the goal is to highlight the bird’s natural beauty.
Noise Reduction: Use noise reduction tools to minimize grain in low-light images without losing details.
Selective Adjustments: Apply selective adjustments to enhance specific areas of the image, such as brightening the bird’s eyes or adding contrast or texture to the feathers.
Dippers Come First
I would like to end this article with a reminder for good practice. Firstly, please use as long a lens as possible (ideally over 500mm focal length). Secondly, stay as far back as possible from the dippers. Thirdly, and most importantly, be alert to signs of stress.
Dippers are, like most bird species, vulnerable to disturbance when breeding, and there is a real risk they will desert a nest site if a photographer spends too much time nearby. If there is no suitable cover in which to remain well concealed, search another stretch of river.
Photographing Dippers is a rewarding experience that combines the thrill of wildlife observation with the art of photography. With patience, respect for nature, and the right techniques, you can capture stunning images of these fascinating birds in their element.
If you are interested in joining me on a Dipper workshop then please get in touch
If you have enjoyed this article then why not visit my blog page which is packed full of tips on locations, camera settings and techniques.
Interested in tips on other species then check out my articles on photographing Otters and Ospreys in Scotland