Tag Archives: American Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers in Nesting Habitat

They may not have been nesting, but this is the type of terrain American Oystercatchers make their nests, as seen from a boat on my recent excursion into Charleston Harbor.

American Oystercatcher
American Oystercatcher

This section of Shutes Folly, an island in Charleston harbor, is mostly shells, with a depression in the middle where some grass has managed to grow.

American Oystercatcher
American Oystercatcher

Their nests are difficult to spot, just a divot in the ground, which is one of the many reasons nesting grounds are closed to humans during breeding season.

American Oystercatcher
American Oystercatcher

Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.

Other posts from this adventure 

Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023

Nesting Oystercatcher

American Oystercatchers make “divot” nests, basically a depression in the ground which in this case was a mound of shells.

Oystercatcher on Nest
Oystercatcher on Nest

While one adult sat on the nest the other paced around…

Oystercatcher on Nest, Mate on Walkabout
Oystercatcher on Nest, Mate on Walkabout

…what else is there to do until the young hatch?

Oystercatcher on Walkabout
Oystercatcher on Walkabout

I didn’t get a very good picture of the overall scene, but this gives you an idea of how vulnerable these birds are.

Oystercatcher on Nest, Mate on Walkabout
Oystercatcher on Nest, Mate on Walkabout

Marsh edge of Kiawah River, SC
June 1, 2022

American Oystercatchers, Bulls Island

A pair of American Oystercatchers were standing on a dike between two brackish ponds, with no oysters in sight for their breakfast.

American Oystercatchers
American Oystercatchers

They didn’t stay long, and is sometimes the case when photographing birds in flight, they were too close to cut one out of the picture, and too far apart to make a really pleasing composition. But it is birds in flight and you can see their eyes so I went with it.

American Oystercatchers In Flight
American Oystercatchers In Flight

One of the birds was banded, a project of The American Oystercatcher Working Group (http://amoywg.org/).

American Oystercatcher In Flight
American Oystercatcher In Flight

Bulls Island is an uninhabited 5000 acre barrier island off the coast of South Carolina with multiple ecosystems including maritime forest, fresh and brackish water impoundments and salt marsh.

April 2, 2022

Matching Steps

Not just people like walking on the beach.

Oyster Catcher Walking the Beach
Oyster Catcher Walking the Beach

There’s something about having sand between your toes that is satisfying.

Oyster Catcher Walking the Beach
Oyster Catcher Walking the Beach

Oystercatcher U5 was reported to the American Oystercatcher Working Group.

The American Oystercatcher Working Group seeks to develop, support and implement range-wide research and management efforts that promote the conservation of Atlantic coast American Oystercatchers and their habitats through individual and partnership-based initiatives guided by recommendations of the Working Group’s membership. http://amoywg.org/

American Oystercatcher Flying Over Surf

This American Oystercatcher had been standing in the surf. He got a running start then smoothly took off with one full beat of his wings.

American Oystercatcher in Flight
American Oystercatcher in Flight

It was just after dawn and he was flying directly into the sun, which I think must not affect birds’ eyes the way it does mine.

American Oystercatcher in Flight
American Oystercatcher in Flight

The incoming tide created a nice series of waves behind the bird.

American Oystercatcher in Flight
American Oystercatcher in Flight

He let out a  squawk for good measure before he disappeared down the beach.

American Oystercatcher in Flight
American Oystercatcher in Flight

American Oystercatchers in the Surf

The American Oystercatchers I featured in yesterday’s post, American Oystercatchers Flying In, landed fairly close to me but back lit by the just risen sun. I continued down the beach past them, then turned back to see what they were up to.

American Oystercatchers in ocean surf
American Oystercatchers in ocean surf

They were strutting around in the low surf. True to their name, they mostly eat oysters or will probe for other food.

American Oystercatchers in ocean surf
American Oystercatchers in ocean surf

There was no oyster bed here and these two didn’t seem interested in hunting. They soon took off.

American Oystercatcher Taking Off
American Oystercatcher Taking Off

American Oystercatchers Flying In

American Oystercatchers tend to announce themselves in flight with a high pitched call which is good for the photographer wanting to capture flying action.
American Oystercatchers in Flight
Pair of American Oystercatchers in Flight over ocean

Just after the sun came up on Sunday I heard these two coming and fortunately for me they were flying towards the sun.

American Oystercatchers in Flight
American Oystercatchers in Flight

They flew out over the ocean, past part of the dead tree “boneyard” before touching down in the surf.

American Oystercatchers in Flight
American Oystercatchers in Flight

Click on any image for a larger view.