Oystercatcher

The Oystercatcher is a large, stocky, black and white wading bird. It has a long, orange-red bill and reddish-pink legs. In flight, it shows a wide white wing-stripe, a black tail, and a white rump that extends as a “V” between the wings.

Oystercatchers breed on shingle and rocky beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes and on the grassy tops of small islands. Over the last 50 years or so, they have also started to breed inland on shingle banks of rivers, lakes and gravel pits. In winter, large flocks can be seen on major estuaries in the UK.

Date: 7th June 2007

Location: Loch Spelve, Mull, Argyll