Regular readers of my blog will know that I hae been monitoring, photographing and recording the events at a White Throated Dipper - (cinclus cinclus) nest site since the end of February. My almost daily visits and a total of well over 100 hours have recorded many interesting facts and I have gained a real understanding of the behaviour of this most iconic and interesting species. I am attempting to put together a book, a "Devon Dipper Diary" which will be published either in the traditional way or/and online as an iPad app or online book. Things were going so well until yesterday when 20.8mm of rain fell near to the river's source miles up stream which led to an almost, flash flood. The water level rose at an unbelievable rate, flooded in to the nest and prevented the parents from gaining access. The water level quickly receeded but by then the damage was done and the chicks were cold and lifeless in the nest. However, at that point they were not dead. I warmed them with my own body heat until they became active and then, having made a new access hole to the nest, above the water line, replaced them. The parents quickly returned, and now able to get in to her chicks, the female tried to brood them and the male continued to bring food. Sadly all to no avail as this morning, with the river level down 2 feet again, the chicks at 7 days old were dead in the nest. Their eyes were just about to open and pin feathers were about to emerge from their wings.