Two Variable Oystercatchers living the high life at Mt Maunganui and fitting right on in with their human neighbours. They were quite happy checking out various towels and blankets, stabbing holes in rugs and picking up towels in their bills. I suspect they could hear sand hoppers underneath.
I think these two OC's must be 'Harry & Sophie', they nested on the Main Beach at the Mount but both their chicks were abandoned not long after hatching (one was checked and found to have abnormalities). There are two eggs in an enclosed area nearby but it doesn't look like they are interested in incubating them. There was also a random white egg in the roped off area as well.
Mount Main Beach Oystercatchers
- FlyingKiwiGirl
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Mount Main Beach Oystercatchers
NZ Forest Birds on Flickr
Look out for the Wetland & Waders, & Seabirds sets too.
Look out for the Wetland & Waders, & Seabirds sets too.
- FlyingKiwiGirl
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Re: Mount Main Beach Oystercatchers
And a couple more...
NZ Forest Birds on Flickr
Look out for the Wetland & Waders, & Seabirds sets too.
Look out for the Wetland & Waders, & Seabirds sets too.
- FlyingKiwiGirl
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Re: Mount Main Beach Oystercatchers
And the eggs...
NZ Forest Birds on Flickr
Look out for the Wetland & Waders, & Seabirds sets too.
Look out for the Wetland & Waders, & Seabirds sets too.
- boneywhitefoot
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- David Riddell
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Re: Mount Main Beach Oystercatchers
There was a pair of VOCs roosting regularly among the caravans in the oceanside camping ground last summer. Would that be Harry and Sophie? Great to see these birds on the Mount beach. I saw a wrybill near Tay St in February 2016 too, though I don't think it stayed long.