Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers are known as Shalders in Shetland are very common arriving back in Shetland during April 

Lots about on the beach this week, these must be non breeders as others are sat on eggs at the moment

 On Sunday there was a flock of 68 Oystercatcher at the south end of the beach and 55 today . These have been joined by Dunlin(8) Ringed Plover (6), Redshank (6), Curlew (1) Turnstone (58) again the latter in breeding plumage

 Oystercatcher are regularly seen beside of the road feeding but also in fields and on the beach

 Their call is striking and I always enjoy the sound as they fly over the house.

Other birds on the beach include Pied wagtail, Twite, Starling, House Sparrow, Wheatear and Eider. Yesterday a large amount of seaweed had been washed up on a high tide and this attracted more than 20 Common Gull, 7 Herring and 2 Gt BB gulls.

Using a distraction technique, so this may have had a nest on the beach

A Light Phased Arctic Skua was chasing Arctic Terns just off the beach and two Red Throated Diver in the bay