Oystercatchers Were Busy Too!
The Male Oystercatcher keeps an eye out for trouble.
For the last several years a pair of Oystercatchers have called South Beach at Compo home where there are few natural predators and have nested and attempted to raise their families. Chicks have hatched in years past but it is not well known what their success rate is as to their survival. Named Oyster catchers in 1731 by english naturalist Mark Catesby their diet includes different shellfish species indulging mussels, clams and crabs. The Amrican Oystercatcher is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the state erects "fencing" wire and signs warning viewers and beachgoers to keep their distance to allow for successful breeding.
On Sunday the pair had their hands full. As the photos here show the female was sitting on her nest when a seagull came to close for the male's comfort. He instinctively approached the seagull and then lured him away from the nest. If that was not enough of a disturbance, a third Oystercacther approached the pair and both male and female chased off the unwelcome bird returning to the nest a short while later.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph
Tonight
A slight chance of showers between 9pm and 3am, then rain after 3am. Low around 54. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Rain before 9am, then a chance of showers between 9am and 3pm. High near 71. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Robert Darefsky, 61, Died; Westporter
Robert J. Darefsky, 61, of Westport, CT, husband of Amy (nee Brown) and father of Jordan and Carlie, passed away at home on May 11, 2022.
Rob grew up in West Hartford where he attended Hall High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Vermont and later received his MBA from the University of Chicago. Rob was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers' Business Recovery Services practice before becoming a senior managing director at FTI Consulting.
Rob is survived by his wife, children, mother Rosalyn Darefsky of West Hartford, sisters Marla (Mark) Severance of Stamford and Elyse Darefsky of Bloomfield, and niece Kayla (Josh) Jarnagin of Phoenix, Arizona. He was pre-deceased by his father, Leon Darefsky and nephew, Jared Bergman. Graveside funeral services were held on May 12, 2022 at The Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery in Wethersfield, CT.
The family is observing a private mourning period. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice or the Jared Bergman Scholarship (New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY 10801).