Arthur Morris
07-16-2008, 03:35 PM
In this thread, http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?p=114365#post114365, Grace Scalzo wrote, "As an aside to the photography discussion, there are probably 40 adult oystercatchers at Nickerson, yet only 3 chicks." Axel responded by suggesting that this was not a very good adult to chick ratio, and that is surely true.
I made the point that it was highly likely that only the one pair attempted to nest there and that the rest were just roosting there, possibly as failed or finished nesters or as non-nesting birds. Oystercatchers do not nest colonially, i.e., in groups and are often but not only found nesting in the vicinity of tern or skimmer colonies. It;s the same with Piping Plover.
Now surely our beach nesting birds are under tremendous pressure from human development, beach-goers, fisherman, and the rest.
My point was that oystercatchers often gather in large groups in areas where they do not nest.
Any additional light that might be shed on such situations would be appreciated. Thanks.
I made the point that it was highly likely that only the one pair attempted to nest there and that the rest were just roosting there, possibly as failed or finished nesters or as non-nesting birds. Oystercatchers do not nest colonially, i.e., in groups and are often but not only found nesting in the vicinity of tern or skimmer colonies. It;s the same with Piping Plover.
Now surely our beach nesting birds are under tremendous pressure from human development, beach-goers, fisherman, and the rest.
My point was that oystercatchers often gather in large groups in areas where they do not nest.
Any additional light that might be shed on such situations would be appreciated. Thanks.