Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Unmistakable black-and-white wader with long red bill and noisy piping call

Habitat: marshes, estuaries, shores and wet grassland

Widespread resident on all coasts; eastern and northern birds migrate south and west

Black-and-white upperparts with pink legs and long orange bill

Often seen feeding along shoreline where they may gather in large flocks; flies strongly with loud piping calls

Eats molluscs and worms; chisel-shaped bill is designed to open shellfish, and especially mussels.

Nest is a scrape on ground

1 Brood Mid-April – June; 3 buff eggs blotched black