This weekend, I went for a walk near a stream in the Lake Geneva basin. As I approached the stream, I spotted a small ball of feathers fidgeting nervously on a rock. It was the 𝗟𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘂𝗿. This very discreet bird with its shrill cry dived into the turbulent water and I saw it emerge 15 seconds later.This is the only 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 capable of diving. He's not afraid of the freezing cold in winter or the spring floods to jump into the water. It will always come out dry, protected by its brown plumage. When it is underwater, the Cincle settles on the bottom and rises against the current. Using its beak, it lifts up pebbles, revealing 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲́𝗯𝗿𝗲́𝘀, which it grabs before the current carries them away.To 𝘀𝗲́𝗱𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲, the Dippers exchange food with each other. They then build a nest in cavities in the banks or behind a waterfall. These veritable walls of water protect their offspring. When the chicks foul the nest, the Dipper moves the excrement away to fool 𝗽𝗿𝗲́𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀.Not very comfortable in the air, the Dipper prefers to float down rapids 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁. In winter, it can be found on the banks of the 𝗟𝗲́𝗺𝗮𝗻. However, don't expect to see it anywhere near 𝗳𝗿𝗲́𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲́𝘀.
Information taken from the website BirdLife Switzerland
Photo credit: photosbygreenwood, ASL photos
