Black Oystercatchers

[Joemeche]

Spectacular day to be on the water and spend time with oystercatchers and their now four-week-old chicks. I had to walk across the muck to launch my kayak but I was right on the feeding grounds, as it turned out, with the -0.3 tide. The birds flew right to my feet to do a little clamming!
The pair of adults made repeated trips into the cove and back to the hungry chicks.

*The adult in these photos is the female that was banded in the Gulf Islands.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Good shots, Joe. You have found the solution to the heat wave problem by having the birds land at your feet.

 

[squirl033]

great stuff, Joe! i've only seen oystercatchers once, out on the coast at Bandon... would love to get some decent shots of 'em!

 

[Deka]

Ummm - Maybe this is a new species - That is a cockle clam not an oyster it's feeding on so maybe they should be called cocklecatchers.
BTW: I'm just kidding. Please forgive my warped sense of humor.

Deka

 

[Joemeche]

Ummm - Maybe this is a new species - That is a cockle clam not an oyster it's feeding on so maybe they should be called cocklecatchers.
BTW: I'm just kidding. Please forgive my warped sense of humor.

Deka

Not a problem.
I already suggested on another site that they might be called Clamcatchers as well.

 

[Joemeche]

Out on pretty choppy waters in my kayak around 8 PM last night to check on the BLOYs and their pair of six-week-old chicks. Everyone's looking good.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Have you been able to track down any background info on the oyster catcher through its band?

 

[Joemeche]

Have you been able to track down any background info on the oyster catcher through its band?

Yes, she was banded in the Gulf Islands as a chick in May of 2007.

 

[Terry O]

Fantastic shots, Joe!!