Black Oystercatcher

With a mussel that it ran with in anticipation of a great snack. The Oystercatchers will take food from each other, we saw one poke another in the rear that caused it to open its bill, you know the rest. I have never seen an Oystercatcher with an Oyster : )

Searching

We went up island for the Herring Run which sadly seems very quiet this year. The sea lions were there, not many Eagles, no waterfowl in large numbers, no sign of Herring eggs washing up. The commercial fishing boats were idle which tells me the Herring aren't there. (I hope I am wrong so many species rely on them) Department of Fisheries received over 50,000 signatures in a petition to stop commercial Herring fishing and egg gathering... maybe it is too late.

Time for a pedi?

The Black Oystercatcher has fascinating colours. You can't miss the bright orange bill, pink legs and black nails.

Black Oystercatcher Preening

Working on feather details.

Black Oystercatcher Preening

Black Oystercatcher

The upside of laying in one spot for long periods is shorebirds may think you are a log or something dead, lol. The downside, the ground is hard and cold.