Dippers are attractive, plump birds with a low, whirring flight. They have a characteristic bobbing motion when perched on rocks and a distinctive white throat and breast, which contrasts with its dark body plumage. Feeding on insect larvae and shrimps in fast-flowing rivers it can actually walk under water in search of food. It is mainly found in upland areas of the county.

Nest sites are used by successive generations of birds. The RSPB reports that one site is said to have been used continuously for 123 years! They are usually located in a natural crevice in a stream-side cave or waterfall, but birds will use man-made structures such as bridges, walls, weirs and culverts.

Many of the bridges within the dippers range in Carmarthenshire are used for nesting but unfortunately when these are replaced or repaired the crevices and ledges used by dippers for nesting are lost.

Now the Carmarthenshire Bird Club and the Bridges Section and Countryside Section within the Council are working together to help dippers. When bridges are repaired or replaced by the bridge engineers, dipper boxes will be provided, made by the Countryside Section with the help of volunteers to provide valuable nesting sites for these birds.

During the summer Bird club members throughout the county will be asked if they know where dippers used to breed until the bridge was replaced. A list of sites will be drawn up and then boxes installed in early winter ready for the spring. Monitoring of the sites will be carried by bird club members.