Eurasian Oystercatcher / haematopus ostralegus. Frampton, Lincolnshire. 11/04/24.

'CHOOSING.' (1)

The Oystercatcher pair had made their way slowly across the top of the island, female always leading. When I made this image, she had stopped, raised her tail and the male made a half-hearted attempt to copulate, but failed. She then corrected her posture and both turned their attention to the ground. I thought at first the pale shape under her chin was an egg, but now I think it was a rounded stone!
Perhaps they were in the process of choosing a nest site?

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Eurasian Oystercatcher / haematopus ostralegus. Frampton, Lincolnshire. 11/04/24.

'CHOOSING.' (2)

When I first spotted this behaviour, I thought the Oystercatchers were interacting at their nest. Now I realise what I mistook for an egg, was actually a large rounded stone. They were more likely choosing a nest site.

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Eurasian Oystercatcher / haematopus ostralegus. Frampton, Lincolnshire. 11/04/24.

A pair of Oystercatchers photographed whilst they were in relaxed, silent mode. The female, (left) rested with beak firmly tucked into her back feathers and one red eye ever watchful. The male stood in the water and preened for some time.

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Eurasian Oystercatcher / haematopus ostralegus. Frampton, Lincolnshire. 11/04/24.

'SYNCHRONISED DEFENCE.'

The pair of Oystercatchers had been resting and preening in a very relaxed manner at the edge of a small island. Suddenly, all hell broke loose when a Black-headed Gull made the mistake of venturing too close to them. They sprang to their feet and defended their space. Seen here, they have adopted typical threat postures with extended necks and open beaks whilst calling loudly.
It worked too, the gull backed off.

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Eurasian Oystercatcher / haematopus ostralegus. Frampton, Lincolnshire. 11/04/24.

'COME NO FURTHER.'

A pair of Oystercatchers calling and adopting threat postures when a Black-headed Gull ventured too close to them.

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