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This was one of 3 just-fledged young found during Carmel River surveys for the Water District on their land. This was the first proven nesting ever reported for the Carmel River. I found other nesting pairs farther upstream during the Breeding Bird Atlas project. I also found a nest just below a waterfall at Tassajara Hot Springs at the 'nude bathing' spot along the creek there. One saw the nest by 'shooting' the natural water-slide and going over the falls into the deep pool. Exhilarating! |
AMERICAN DIPPER is a mostly resident species along rushing streams in California mountains, and best known from the Sierra Nevada. Dippers do nest, however, along some coastal rivers and streams, and they will move into new areas when conditions are good with lots of rushing water.
The only California records are listed below are (1) my personal "state bird" and (2) those with unusual dates or locales. All my other observations are well within normal status & distributional limits. Those preceded by H were vagrants found or co-found by me personally. Within these parameters, these are my personal American Dipper records of interest:
8/26/67 Battle Creek, Lassen NP, LAS (my life bird)See the family page for county abbreviations. All photos & text © 2002 Don Roberson; all rights reserved.
H 5/4/87 below San Clemente Dam, Carmel River MTY (fledgling were first reported nesting for Carmel River)
7/2/99 Corralitos Cr. SCZ adult with 3 just-fledged young (irregular breeding in SCZ)