eurasian oystercatcher

I had to go to Forfar so on the way back paid a quick visit to Kinnordy. The hides aren't open and there was nothing showing on the feeders so I drove along to the west end to see if anything was moving there. A pair of Oystercatchers one on each ex-gate post, so this is one of them.

Oyster Catcher

Oystercatchers are one of the first birds to be seen on the shores at the beginning of spring migration at Trondheim, Norway. Doc Duck and I went to look for them on Sunday, no luck. After several kilometers of hike along the fjord, I finally found a group of about 15 today. I tried to crawl up...

Oystercatcher

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Oystercatcher

Another day along the river and in the same place as the Crow I showed you the other day was an Oystercatcher.

I've never seen Oystercatchers on top of the sheltered housing complex before, various other species but not them. Sometimes I hear these calling in the middle of the night as they fly over during early Spring and presume they're off to the moors for breeding. So I guess these two have just...

There were plenty of shells lying about, but perhaps they were all already emptied? Anyway, I just wanted to make sure Daniel Birdwatcher got a good look at the leg color on our Oyks. I hadn't noticed the American ones' pale legs before, but suddenly when I saw one of his photos that struck me...

This Oystercatcher couldn't seem to make up his mind. And neither can I. Can't decide which shot is better (well, less flawed), so posting them both.

Or telling us off for coming so close? Or telling the chicks to stay hidden? Whatever s/he's actually saying, the calls of Oystercatchers are among the most joyful-sounding bird calls of summer here. But that wasn't why our guides had stopped there. We'll get to that tomorrow when I begin the...

the guides stopped in a small cove surrounded by islets (the municipality name "Smla" means "crumbs" (smulene in modern Norwegian) - a reference to the innumerable tiny islands of the archipelago). I wasn't sure why at first. Was it for the Oystercatchers in their colorful setting?

as bad weather, only poorly preened plumage. This Oystercatcher was patiently waiting out an icy rainstorm, wearing well-preened plumage so all the cold and wet stayed on its surface.

An oystercatcher takes a break in the port of the lovely island of Wangerooge (German sector of North Sea)

we're used to seeing these guys in ones or twos so a whole squadron in formation is a real treat. Tough to keep the camera still when the tide's coming in......

Or maybe just looking for worms - just as nutritious and you don't have to open the shells. On a lawn by the parking lot near the ferry slip at Brekstad. Oh, and I've begun using my "big" camera again, at least some of the time. I'm finally back in good enough shape to carry the...