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.