Conservation

AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER NEST - EXTENDED STORY

Posted on the 8th August 2018

Draft the introductory comments largely based on information from the BLSA poster & BLO brochure on our campaigns.

Brief description of "piping". Image Andrew Jenkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief description of the weird and wonderful, but often very vulnerable places where oystercatchers breed.

Cliff face at Die Plaat, Overstrand. Image provided
Rocks right at high water mark. Image Carin Malan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing Jenny Parsons and focusing on her dedication to document this nest at Pringle Bay ethically, without interfering on the birds

1. Adult on nest. Focus on incubation period of 27 to 39 days, emphasising the fact that this period plus the 52 days from hatching to fledging documented here, makes for a very long time that nest needs to be protected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The egg beginning to hatch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first chick has hatched - day 1

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very limited Overstrand municipal signage

 

 

 

Happy family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dad as sentry
Protection under the wing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing my first mussel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 9 - adult brings the mussel

 

And gently hands it over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And off I go with it - Typically downy chick on day 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on black lines through eyes & crown
& attentiveness of at least one adult

 

The two chicks on day 16. Note the black tip to the bill

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Describing development & growth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ugly as hell on day 28. Note food item

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 Classic image of adult feeding
and collecting a food item

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 Replacing down with feathers

 

28 again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 teaching the youngster

 

 

 

 

28 & being attentive & caring

 

 

 

On day 32 - chick chilled & taking it easy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adult chilled on day 32
Day 42 and see changes in the chick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

practising those wings
and preening - nearly there

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 44 - Just about ready to fly. Note very little down left

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 52 - they have fledged. Note the black tip to the red bill typical of the juvenile birds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy endings
and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a conclusion I now need to drive several of the important issues home.

Describing the success of the NVT research and development work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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