Attention Fairhaven Birders: American Oystercatcher Volunteers Needed

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the nesting success of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), a shorebird which is thought to be increasing in Massachusetts, in what is likely a reoccupation of former breeding range. These large-sized shorebirds are perhaps the most striking bird one finds along our shoreline - the trademark red bill used for prying open shellfish in inter-tidal zones unmistakable.

Their nesting habitat of sandy shoreline areas is similar to that of plovers and terns, and oystercatchers suffer similar stresses to rare shorebirds including nest overwash, predation, and human disturbance.

Oystercatchers by nature are a more secretive bird that mostly avoids larger public beaches used by the endangered shorebirds. Instead they prefer secluded sandy areas, often sand spits at inlets to salt marshes. Fairhaven, including West Island and many surrounding small coves and inlets, offers many such locations where 3-4 estimated breeding pairs nest.

The oystercatcher nesting season runs mid-march through August, eggs often present in early April. The shy oystercatchers are less defensive of nests, so finding eggs can be more challenging.

Even though the American Oystercatcher isn't endangered, population decline due to low productivity is a concern. This and the fact that relatively little breeding data exists has resulted in inclusion of the species in the state's Coastal Waterbird Monitoring Program.

Each year we monitor numbers of pairs and nesting success for territories we're able to locate. We suspect however, that pairs are also nesting on privately-owned waterfront areas, which are accessible only via nearby private property. This is where we need your help. Do you have AMOY nesting “in your backyard”?

Anyone suspecting American Oystercatcher nesting activity on or near their property, and would either like to allow a site visit by qualified biologists, or provide documentation of the breeding activity, are urged to contact us.

Please call Research Associate Jamie Bogart at 508-990-0505 x 23 or email jbogart@lloydcenter.org if this applies to you and you wish to help us track oystercatchers!