Butakovka, Jubileiny.

Dippers are common inhabitants of Butakovka. In this place they are not fear the people. They allow to approach closely therefore the observer has the possibility to see much of the life of these unique birds. Today I have a glimpse of one White-bellied Dipper but it rapidly flew away. But almost one hour I observed Brown Dipper. In Butakovka area, in the section of Little Almatinka river always can be seen as one Dipper at least. Today I saw three ones. I speak confidence because saw all three ones at once. Usually calling Dippers rush along the river therefore their correct quantity can't be count. As it is assumed in autumn Brown Dippers most time fed. They searched large worms between the stones under water. Searching the food in the ice-cold water is not light process. Dipper finds one worm of every three-five minutes average. After finding Dipper eat the worm sitting on stone. It seemed me (see video) that Dipper washes worm in the water before get down it. May be Dipper cleaned food from sand. From time to time frightened Dippers torn away and fly strictly along the river-bed. In fly Dippers call sound like "dzzzin-dzzzin". Often one flying Dipper allures another one and next they together fly and shout.

Today pair of Dippers flew over third one. Third Dipper did not fly off but it continued to sing. Then the flying pair stopped near third Dipper and began passive see its affairs. One time in winter I taped on video the song of Siberian Dipper. Ust Kamenogorsk's Dipper simply chirped. Song was melodious and is calm. No motions were accompanied. But today's Dipper lift up head, crane out neck, opened tail as peacock, and lowered it, played wings. In general accompanied singing by ritual motions. Other two Dippers did not participate in this dance-singing. Unfortunately I did not videotaped this moment but photos you can look. Then all three Dippers flew away at once. Somewhat later same process was repeated approximately thirty meters from the first place. It was already far to photograph. But I saw both the same song-dance of one Dipper and observing pair. The purpose of ritual is incomprehensible to me but possibly the three Dipper were the parents and their grown nestling requested food on habit. Was third bird nestling or not I don't know but plumage of this Dipper was already the same as of adult birds.

Besides Dippers and common Carrion Crows and Magpies I saw several Wrens. One of Wrens inspected the crust of poplar almost just as Treecreeper. But it only moved upward along the stem not on the spiral but along the line.

Many birds usually wintering in the apple-tree gardens over Jubileiny village. But may be yet so warm therefore today I met only Chaffinches even in a small quantity.

1. Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallassi)

2. Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallassi)

3. Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallassi)

4. Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallassi)

5. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone orientalis)

6. Northern Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

7. Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)