No Oysters near here! Our Oystercatchers all have stabbing, probing bills and specialise in mudflat invertebrates such as lugworms. They were practically the first bird I heard as I pulled up for my first day back at work on Tuesday with a tight, noisy flock of six birds tailgating each other madly over the river and pools in an exaggerated display flight of sorts.
The sound carries a great distance and it is not unusual to hear birds that are actually having a bit of a Stromness on the other side of the river! They always look grumpy and full of attitude... ready to argue with the world!
Thanks to Lawrenece Rogers for his ever better pictures....
9-5-13
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer
I know what you mean, I was surprised to hear a calling Oystercatcher at Asda in Dagenham on Tuesday morning. About half a mile from the Thames.