Ryan J Murphy
Leaving the nest
This pair of Black Oystercatchers nested in this same location last year. They are the first to lay eggs in the reserve this year, two this year compared to last year's three. Generally, only 2 chicks make it anyway. Shooting Oystercatchers on their nests requires a super telephoto lens, patience, and a hide... or a camera trap! Oystercatchers rely on the camouflage of their eggs for protection and so leave the nest at the slightest sign of danger. Today after a bald eagle fly-by I hid my camera near the nest and set it to shoot every 15 seconds. I watched to make sure the camera didn't disturb the birds and it went on to record nearly 5 hours of natural behaviour. These shots mostly show the mother returning to the nest after a disturbance (they occurred about 4 times an hour), but out of 12 GB of images there were plenty of egg-turning, thermoregulation (panting), and other behaviours recorded.
Leaving the nest
This pair of Black Oystercatchers nested in this same location last year. They are the first to lay eggs in the reserve this year, two this year compared to last year's three. Generally, only 2 chicks make it anyway. Shooting Oystercatchers on their nests requires a super telephoto lens, patience, and a hide... or a camera trap! Oystercatchers rely on the camouflage of their eggs for protection and so leave the nest at the slightest sign of danger. Today after a bald eagle fly-by I hid my camera near the nest and set it to shoot every 15 seconds. I watched to make sure the camera didn't disturb the birds and it went on to record nearly 5 hours of natural behaviour. These shots mostly show the mother returning to the nest after a disturbance (they occurred about 4 times an hour), but out of 12 GB of images there were plenty of egg-turning, thermoregulation (panting), and other behaviours recorded.