A Dipper seen on the River Aire just downstream from the railway bridge at Shipley had been reported on several occasions as being of the European race (cinclus). However, rather than having a totally black belly it had a distinct rusty-brown band below its white bib. Whether this is within the range of variation of cinclus or whether it's a case of the bird being misidentified, is open to question. It was very confiding, perching close-by on a rock in the river and preening for a long period. Being so approachable might indicate it to be a foreign migrant but the presence of the rusty colouration on the upper belly wasn't entirely convincing. Either way, it was a nice bird to see and especially so at such close range.
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