Monday 20 July 2015

Oystercatchers

Sitting on our deck yesterday afternoon we noticed quite a large group of birds on the big rock in our little bay.  They were definitely black oystercatchers and I could not believe when I counted that they were seventeen in total.  When we moved into our house we were absolutely thrilled to see two of them.  This was obviously quite a long time ago, but to now count seventeen is phenomenal.  

The following text and photos are by the dedicated conservationist Peter Chadwick who has 30 years experience in terrestrial and marine protected area management.

African black oystercatchers are resident to the West Coast and Southern Cape, with occasional birds moving into KwaZulu- Natal. In the early 1980s their numbers plummeted to around 4 500 birds. Through conservation efforts, including banning off-road driving on beaches, the population now stands at around 6 000 birds.
Resplendent in smart, all-dark plumage, with bubblegum-pink legs and dagger-like bills the colour of a Bloody Mary, African black oystercatchers are among the most charismatic species of South African and Namibian coasts.  They frequent the ever-changing interface between land and ocean, foraging in spray-soaked intertidal areas pummelled by breaking waves. The birds time their movements to the millisecond, dashing forwards to snatch tasty morsels, then taking flight as the surf breaks dangerously close. They do not eat oysters, despite their name, but mussels, whelks and limpets. African black oystercatchers are thought to reach the grand old age of 35. They reproduce slowly, in common with most long-lived birds, raising one brood per season. The birds nest along the coastline of South Africa sometimes in just a depression of sand on the beach, on a dune or among pebbles usually with good surrounding views so as to avoid predation.

African Black Oystercatcher
Conservation Status
Near Threatened

african Black Oystercatcher landing on a wave smashed rock by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick


African Black Oystercatcher flock by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick


African Black Oystercatcher incubating on nest by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick

7 comments:

  1. I love the winter and your description of the weather is like my perception of a beautiful winter morning, i can almost imagine the coldness of the beach!

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  4. These birds look awesome. The blackish color of their body makes them unique. click here

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  5. Love the images. They are so beautiful! free quote

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