Tag Archives: Black Oystercatcher

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I love Black Oystercatchers and I feel fortunate that they nest on the Mendonoma Coast. Their nests are found above high tide on rocky shorelines. Neil Silverman recently photographed one.

Pink legs, orange-red beak and yellow eyes - what a great combination! Oystercatchers call when flying; a friend once deemed them "chatterly." Here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to listen for yourself: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Oystercatcher/sounds

With sea level rise, many are concerned about Black Oystercatchers and how they will be able to adapt to the rising waters. Fun Fact: The Black Oystercatcher pairs stay together year-round.

Thanks to Neil for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Neil's nature photography, here is the link to his website: https://silvermansphotography.com/

Foggy along the immediate coast, but sunny and mild here in Anchor Bay - a beautiful Spring day.

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Black Oystercatchers nest just above the high tide line on rocky areas on the coast. Craig Tooley recently spotted this mother with her eggs.

We hope people will be careful exploring the rocky shoreline this time of year, for the sake of these and other nesting birds.

Some years ago Craig got a photo of two Black Oystercatchers mating. Look at the voyeuristic Harbor Seal in the background!

This photo made me laugh! I hope you enjoy it too.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share  his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

We have a lot of clouds today but it is still warm.

Spring doesn't know...

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Karen Wilkinson noticed this Black Oystercatcher taking a vigorous bath.

It was a VERY thorough bath as you can see below.

Karen said it made her laugh to see this. It makes me smile to see her photos!

Thanks to Karen for allowing me to share her photos with  you here.

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Gary Hopkins photographed this Black Oystercatcher on her nest off The Sea Ranch.

These shorebirds nest on rocky areas just above the high tide mark. This keeps them close to their favorite food in the ocean, mussels and limpets.

They have a whistling call, once described to me as "chattery," which makes me smile. You can hear it here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Oystercatcher/sounds

They have pink legs, red-orange beaks and red circles around their eyes. Craig Tooley photographed this Black Oystercatcher "dancing," or perhaps just landing. Craig's photos shows off those pink legs!

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Thanks to Gary and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Craig's wildlife photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Craig Tooley photographed a Black Oystercatcher feeding her chick. Can you see the tiny, well-camouflaged chick? Follow the mother's beak down to the chick's tiny beak. There is a second chick on the left side of Craig's photo.

Black Oystercatchers are so distinctive with their long orange-red beak and pink legs! They nest in rocky areas above high tide. They are being studied to see how they cope with sea level rise.

They are talkative birds. One contributor to my column described them as "chattery." You can hear their call at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's great website, allaboutbirds.org. Here's the link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Oystercatcher/sounds

Here is one of my favorite Oystercatcher photos, which was taken by Craig, a "dancing" Black Oystercatcher.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com