FAUNA

The information on these pages was compiled by Alness Academy Enterprise Group

Oystercatcher

In the early 1970s there was a great deal of public debate concerning the oystercatchers or 'sea pie'. Chiefly, it was all bad publicity for this very attractive shorebird, for where they assemble in vast numbers on cockle and mussel 'lays' they were said to be threatening the livelihood of local fishermen.

In 1974 Permission was granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for numbers of oystercatchers on certain parts of the west coast to be reduced by several thousands. Personally, I found it rather sad that so many of these colourful birds had to be destroyed.

During the past 40 years or so there appears to have been a general increase in numbers of oystercatchers, and today big flocks can be seen on favourite sand-banks and mudflats, paddling about in search of shellfish and small crustacea. But why this bird has been called oystercatcher is not very clear, since there is hardly any evidence that they are capable of opening a fully developed oyster. Oyster beds where young oysters are matured are as carefully looked after today as are game preserves, and it

does not seem that the 'sea pie' has been one of the enemies.

It is an attractive bird to watch, either on the bleak mudflats on a grey winter's day or along the warm stretches of sand and shingle in summer. The black and white plummage of the oystercatcher is pleasantly relieved by its orange-red bill, crimson irides and rosy-pink legs and toes. Even the darker upper parts of its plumage show purple and blue and bronze-green reflections.

Throughout my long association with Breydon Water I have always had a special attachment for the oystercatcher. I have watched its steady increase as a bird of the mudflats as well as observing its nesting activities on the adjoining marshland.

At the turn of the century it was by no means a common wader on the mudflats, the late A H Patterson in his book 'Nature in Eastern Norfolk' (1905) considered it worthy of a mention when up to a half dozen oystercatchers were present on Breydon. Quoting from his book, Patterson goes on to say: 'That it is very seldom seen on Bredyon and when met with on the mudflats it is generally in the spring and singly. I observed one as late as June 20, 1902 as it was probably a non-breeder.'

Bringing the status of this bird up to date on Breydon, it is now by no means unusual to see flocks of between 40 and 50, and they seem to find plenty of food in the form of cockles, mussels and smaller shellfish. Although there are many winkles on Breydon, I have never seen the oystercatcher take them.

In earlier days most of these shellfish, and including clams, were gathered for human consumption. But this practice was later condemned as more and more untreated sewage flowed into the rivers, so today all the shellfish is left to the oystercatchers and other waders to enjoy.

Breydon marshes' history as a nesting site is relatively short. I was fortunate to be able to record the first nest of oystercatchers on a marsh adjoining the North Breydon wall in June, 1940.

The late Dr B B Riviere, of Norwich, author of the 'History of Birds of Norfolk,' came over to Breydon to see this new nesting site of the oystercatchers — which was the first record for these birds nesting on grassland away from the coast in Norfolk. H F Witherby, editor of 'British Birds', considered this nesting record was worthy of mention in that journal, and it is recorded in Vol XXXIV No. 9, page 201.

As this was the first time that the oystercatcher had come so far from its more conventional nesting habitat on the shingle beaches and sandhills close to the sea, one wondered why. It could have been the result of the considerable activity then going on along the coastline by defence preparations, with the laying of landmines and barbed wire entanglements. Perhaps these oystercatchers had flown inland and found things more peaceful around Breydon Water.

Mute Swan (size 145 to 160 cms)

Mute swans feed on aquatic plants. They breed on lowland fresh water, beside slow rivers, ponds and lochs and also by sheltered tidal waters.Mute swans are white with an orange bill with a black knob at the base.

Greenshank

Many an enthusiastic bird-watcher has become a keen collector of the fascinating series of books written by Desmond Nethersole-Thompson. Some of his earliest titles are very difficult to find today. Such publications as The Snow Bunting and The Greenshank have become collectors' pieces because of their rarity. As a result of the latter monograph, followed 28 years later by Greenshanks, the bird's breeding biology is probably better known than any other wader.

I always enjoy seeing greenshank. Visiting Hardley Flood alongside the river Chet I found a group of four busily feeding, one and then another dashing through the water with head outstretched and half-opened bill partly immersed. Tiring, all alighted on stranded tree trunks swept into the shallows by winter storms.

Later and despite being hundreds of miles from breeding grounds, two greenshank performed flight dances in which they turned and swerved at speed over the Flood. Higher and higher the dark specks climbed before disappearing into a cloud when their wild piping was only faintly heard.

The following day we visited Welney Reserve in the Fens. Here too greenshanks were on show. Watching from the splendidly constructed Buxton and Allport observation hides we feasted our eyes on parties of up to half a dozen. One individual decided to bathe: a most energetic affair. Thrashing the water with opened wings, the bird repeatedly disappeared completely underwater.

Greenshank spend the summer in wild country, haunting the great flows of Sutherland. In northern Europe they nest in Scandinavia and Russia, being found in coniferous forests, in birch and willow zones and in the great forest marshes dotted with large and small lakes.

At this season in recent years fortunate observers have recorded impressive flights of greenshanks including 45 on Breydon, 25 at both Holkham and Welney and 20 at Gunton Park Great Water.

The 'autumn' return which usually commences in early July (and exceptionally during late June) is usually on a more impressive scale extending to 36 at Snettisham, 39 at Holme, 40 at Burnham Norton, Blythburgh and Blakeney, 45 at Breydon and at Titchwell, 49 at Holkham, 60 at Cley and a massive 84 on Havergate Island.

Common Redshank
Tringa totanus
Redshank, Kedidi Kaki Dian/Merah (Malay)

Common Redshanks are quickly identified by their red legs, but confusion can occur if their legs are mud-covered. And juveniles may have greenish-yellow legs.

During the breeding season, Common Redshanks hunt insects, spiders, worms. The rest of the time, they also eat molluscs and crustaceans, and sometimes small fishes and tadpoles.

Common Redshanks patrol rocky, muddy or sandy shores walking in an easy continuous fast pace, regularly pecking at the surface. They find their food by sight and only rarely probe into the mud or sand.

Common Redshanks patrol rocky, muddy or sandy shores walking in an easy continuous fast pace, regularly pecking at the surface. They find their food by sight and only rarely probe into the mud or sand.

They may also sweep their bills through the water. They follow the outgoing tideline, even wading or swimming into the water to be first to scour the emerging mudflats. They feed both during the day and at night, whenever the tidal situation best suits their foraging style.

Common Redshanks feed in dense flocks for safety, especially on open areas (mudflats or flooded grasslands) and at high tide. But at low tide, they spread out. Some adults may also defend feeding territories. They also roost together in large flocks, often with other waders.

Wary and nervous birds, Common Redshanks are often the first to panic and give noisy alarm calls to other nearby waders. When disturbed, they constantly bob their tail. They prefer marine habitats and only visit freshwater wetlands when high tides submerge coastal roosts.

Breeding (April-June): Common Redshanks breed across the Pelearctic: Iceland, Britain, much of Europe, the Middle East, and temperate Asia (e.g., the Himalayas up to 4,500m). Common Redshanks are monogamous and pairs will return to the same site and same partner. Male courtship display includes a rising and falling "yodelling" song flight during which he vibrates his wings held downwards below the horizontal.

Common Redshanks nest on a wide variety of inland and coastal wetland habitats. They are usually breed in high density at coastal saltmarshes, inland damp grasslands, but are also found in swampy moorlands and high grass steppes. They may form loose breeding colonies and are not strongly territorial. In fact, when a predator attacks a nest, all the adults gather from a wide area to mob it.

The nest is just a shallow depression on the ground, concealed near or under vegetation, e.g., at the base of long grasses, with the grass stems forming a roof. The male builds the base and the female lines it with twigs and leaves. 3-5, average 4, eggs are laid. Both parents incubate, usually 22-25 days. The About a day after they hatch, the young disperse from the nest to feed themselves, although the parents keep a watchful eye on them. Initially, both parents look after the young. But the female usually leaves the breeding site first. The male remains to look after the young until they fledge at about a month old. Sometimes, the parents split up the chicks between them, raising them separately.

Migration: Common Redshanks can be seen in large numbers during migrations, in flocks of up to 80. They are, however, less migratory than others of the Tringa species. Migration distances range from 500 to 6,500km one-way. They usually migrate at night. Some populations in Western Europe and Iceland are resident. Others winter in areas from Africa to the Philippines. In Singapore, they winter on muddy coasts, occasionally inland swamps, avoiding inland and freshwater areas. Their numbers peak around September.

Status and threats: Common Redshanks are not considered endangered. However, their numbers are falling primarily due to the loss of their breeding grounds as these are converted for agriculture and other human uses. On the other hand, grazing by domestic cattle actually helps to create suitable low-grass areas for Common Redshanks to nest.

http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/greenshank.htm

http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/oystercatcher.htm

http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/redshank.htm

Home Guide Book Departments Calendars Staff Area Pupil Area Library N.C.S.