Gould commented 'We cannot but be amazed at now and then meeting with solitary Dippers among the waters of the flat, fenny marshy country of Norfolk, a locality which must be ill-adapted to the habits and economy of a bird of this peculiar form...How is it that they are found here? ...The chances are that they are wanderers from Scandinavia - they have wandered seawards, and ultimately landed on the coast of Norfolk...the nearest point of the British Islands.'

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds in Palaearctic, between 70°N and 28°N. Essentially non-migratory. Considerable geographical and colour variation and many races described though few now recognised as valid