It’s been a while since my last update here on The Dipper Diaries. Fieldwork has kept us constantly on the move, but I’m excited to finally share some fantastic news from the streams of the Black Hills.

This spring has already been one for the books. We observed our first nestlings on April 6, ten days earlier than last year! It quickly became an incredibly productive early season. By the end of May, we had already banded 26 fledglings from 11 different nests. To put that into perspective, last year we banded 30 fledglings from 11 nests over the entire summer! I’m grateful to have an incredible team of students (Melissa, Emma, Abigail, and Owen) with me as we try to get those baby dippers banded!

The momentum hasn’t slowed. Many of the birds have already begun their second round of nesting, and I’m optimistic that the 2026 season will surpass the past two years in both productivity and insight. It’s encouraging to see strong early-season success, especially as we continue to monitor long-term trends in these remarkable birds.

However, the biggest highlight came just yesterday. During routine fieldwork, we captured and identified a familiar banded bird.

Last year, he was sighted in May and broke the record for oldest American dipper on record at 8 years 11months. This individual is now 10 years old, and I am absolutely thrilled to confirm that he has survived another year. For a species that faces the challenges of harsh winters, fast-flowing streams, and constant environmental pressures, reaching this age is truly extraordinary.

With second broods underway and plenty of field season left, I’m eager to see what the rest of the summer brings. And of course, we’ll be keeping a close eye out for our record-holder. It’s not every day you get to follow the life of a decade-old dipper.

Stay tuned! There’s much more to come from the streams.