 Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). Taken at Morecambe Bay, Lancs, on June 24th 2022. Taken at Morecambe Bay, Lancs, on June 24th 2022. (1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). Taken at Hunstanton, Norfolk on October 22nd 2015. Taken at Hunstanton, Norfolk on October 22nd 2015. (1/1250th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description L: 39 - 44 cm; WS: 72 - 83 cm The Oystercatcher is a large, stocky, black and white wading bird. It has a long, orange-red bill and reddish-pink legs. In flight, it shows a wide white wing-stripe, a black tail, and a white rump that extends as a 'V' between the wings. Oystercatchers can be found all round the British coastline. They can also be found inland. Their usual breeding habitat is open, flat, stony coastlines. Oystercatchers often gather in large, noisy flocks, especially in the winter. This species is on the British amber list due to its reliance on cockle beds. There are around 125000 breeding pairs in Britain. Sightings | 16-Mar-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 15-Mar-2024 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Jan-2024 | : | Slimbridge, Glos | (4) |
| | 22-Jun-2023 | : | Steart Marshes, Somerset | (4) | | 02-Jun-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 18-May-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 27-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 15-Mar-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 11-Mar-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 05-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) |
| | 28-Oct-2022 | : | Flamborough Head, E. Yorks | (6) | | 27-Oct-2022 | : | Flamborough Head, E. Yorks | | | 26-Jul-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Jun-2022 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (8) | | 24-Jun-2022 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (8) | | 20-Jun-2022 | : | Ravenglass, Cumbria | (3) | | 13-Jun-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 09-May-2022 | : | Whelford Pools, Glos | (3) | | 23-Apr-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 21-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Apr-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Feb-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 24-Feb-2022 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) |
| | 30-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 29-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 28-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 31-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 21-Mar-2021 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 09-Mar-2021 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (2) | | 07-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 28-Feb-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 27-Feb-2021 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | (2) |
| | 27-May-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 25-May-2020 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | (2) | | 22-Mar-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 08-Feb-2020 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (1) | | 05-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (4) | | 04-Feb-2020 | : | Overy Marshes, Norfolk | (6) | | 04-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (2) | | 03-Feb-2020 | : | Thornham, Norfolk | (1) | | 03-Feb-2020 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 02-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (2) |
| | 04-Oct-2019 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (50+) | | 03-Oct-2019 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (250+) | | 27-Jun-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) |
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