The barrier beach neighborhood in eastern Queens is known as the Rockaways and the far eastern part is known as the Far Rockaways. Though the names might not be very original they are very nice to visit on a sunny June day, especially when you place your visit just to the east of the large Least Tern colony which also features breeding Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers. Though in years past both Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers bred in this area the Least Terns are, so far as I understand it, a new arrival, having moved several miles down the coast from their previous colony in Breezy Point. I assume that this change of venue has to do with the damage that Hurricane Sandy wrought but, interestingly, the large Common Tern and American Skimmer colonies remain in place at Breezy Point.
a Piping Plover in its proper place
Anyway, our little family of Daisy, Desi and I, joined by Daisy’s sister Stephanie, enjoyed an afternoon at the beach on Sunday. What we didn’t know when we placed our beach blanket down on an unassuming stretch of sand was that we were at pretty much the line that separated the feeding territories of two pairs of American Oystercatchers. Or, at least, we were at about the spot that one of the pairs of oystercatchers thought the line should be while the other pair seemed to think that another fifty meters or so of beach, as well as the next jetty, should be their exclusive feeding territory. It made for an entertaining time between eaten sand-laden sandwiches and keeping Desi from walking on rusty-nail-covered boards and the occasional other bit of debris left over from Sandy.
Oystercatcher War!
A pair of American Oystercatchers chase a solo bird that dared cross into what they felt was their territory. This went on for quite some time.
This bird gave up the chase but when it came back around again it got right back into it.
Eventually, each pair landed on opposite sides of the jetty and and took a break from fighting to feed. (Click on that shot above to make it bigger.)
All that flying and yelling makes an oystercatcher hungry!
Eventually, though, the chasing started again and these two were left the sole possessors of the jetty. They celebrated by yelling at their retreating opponents.
Oystercatcher wars! A good time was had by all. Well, except for the losers.
…
Major crushing. Ive never gotten that close to AMOY anywhere.
Amazing photos! What wonderful eyes and bills on these “carrot smokers.” Here on the West Coast, the Black Oystercatchers like their privacy. However, several years ago I remember walking on the beaches in Auckland and the abundant NZ oystercatchers were very comfortable with people. Still, I didn’t get any photos like yours!
You must be about to head into Oystercatcher breeding season-just like here! All the more reason to be “at each other”!
@Felonious and Wendy: These birds were so intent on each other that they did not even seem to notice me.
@Clare: Many already have young running around. I’m not sure if the two pairs I watched were unsuccessful this year or if they had young elsewhere for whom they were trying to gather food.