Beware the Oystercatchers
It’s that time of the year again when the extremely threatened African Black Oystercatchers are breeding along the southern coast line.
The critical concern in the oystercatcher’s annual cycle is between November and March.
All sorts of things can go wrong at this time from unattended eggs cooking in the sun to chicks succumbing to dogs. If humans keep the following guidelines in mind, the chances of breeding failure can be minimised:
The behaviour of the adult birds is the best indication that you are close to eggs or chicks. They become agitated, running up and down the shore, or flying in circles around you, often calling loudly.
If you are close to such agitated birds, move away far enough so the birds calm down. Do not try to find the eggs or chicks – both are well camouflaged and can easily be trampled by accident.
Use a leash and control your dogs on the shore (only those designated for dogs!). Many eggs and chicks are lost annually to dogs. As lovable an animal as your dog may be, his/her natural instinct are predatory. Also, avoid walking on remote stretches of shore at this time of the year – often these are the only places where oystercatchers have a reasonable chance of breeding successfully.
Breeding adults are easily stressed and they may even desert their nests if they are disturbed too often. Disturbance create an opportunity for kelp gulls to prey on eggs or chicks.
Fishermen in particular, be aware of the behaviour of oystercatchers around you. If there are agitated birds in the area, you may well be in danger of causing chicks to drown in an incoming tide.
When adult birds sense danger, they call to their chicks who then hide under boulders or run into gullies to hide.
The young will only come out of hiding when adults indicate to them that the danger has passed, and as a consequence they often drown when the tide comes in.
Please advise others if you see a problem arising.
For more information contact the Western Cape Nature Conservation via the Goukamma Nature Reserve on 044 383 0042.
Source: Knysna-Plett Herald