Oystercatcher & Gulls

BigAl

Two from my trip tp the coast last year.



The obligatory gulls



regards

alan

Angelo

YIKES, what the...

I've never seen a bird like that! (#1)

BigAl

Hi Angelo, it's a Black Oystercatcher. I think it's restricted to the south western coast of Africa (will check). It's pretty endangered because it lays it's eggs just above the highwater line (a little hollow in the sand) and the yobbos in their off-road vehicles tend to squash eggs, chicks and adults without even knowing (or caring).

regards
alan

Harryb

Hi Al,


The first shot was excellent and a difficult exposure too.

Kirwin

Love the Oystercatcher... always like seeing something new and different!

BigAl

Harryb wrote:

The first shot was excellent and a difficult exposure too.

Thanks Harry. The sucker kept walking away from me. Had to use a bit of digital zoom for the shot.

regards
alan

BigAl

Kirwin wrote:

Love the Oystercatcher... always like seeing something new and different!

Thanks Kirwin. Wait until I get into my slides - then you'll really see different stuff

regards
alan

hichuz

Great Oystercatcher shot! Just so you know, we have them here too (Oregon coast). Unfortunately, we also have the "yobbos"...

BigAl wrote:

Hi Angelo, it's a Black Oystercatcher. I think it's restricted to the south western coast of Africa (will check). It's pretty endangered because it lays it's eggs just above the highwater line (a little hollow in the sand) and the yobbos in their off-road vehicles tend to squash eggs, chicks and adults without even knowing (or caring).

regards
alan

bfjr

Yeah we got those here on the pacific too



never seen one with oyster in his beak though

BigAl

Thanks Ben & Hichuz for the info on the American Black Oystercatcher . His legs are a bit paler than his African cousin.

Thanks for looking & commenting!

regards
alan