Rare Dipper bird pictured by a birdwatcher in Herefordshire

David Leitch snapped a photo of an amber-listed dipper bird attempting to cool off in the water.

The dipper, a medium-sized bird, is often seen on a stone in a river or stream, bobbing up and down.

Unlike most birds, the dipper feeds underwater, searching for invertebrates such as stonefly and caddisfly larvae.

It uses a special third, transparent eyelid called a 'nictitating membrane' to see underwater.

The species is mostly found around fast-flowing streams and rivers in upland areas, and also in South West England.

The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves to support such wildlife.

In the UK, the dipper is classified as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).