Pied Oystercatchers

Australian Pied Oystercatcher at Cooee Beach. (Photo Credit: Ray Turnbull)

(Photo Credit: Ray Turnbull)

The Rubicon Estuary, a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), is a stronghold for Pied Oystercatchers.

Since 201 3, yearly coordinated counts have been undertaken, and usually the Rubicon Estuary KBA Interest Group counts around 400 Pied Oystercatchers at various sites in the Rubicon Estuary. This year there were only 293 recorded, meaning that around 1 00 birds were not sighted.

The population estimate for Australian Pied Oystercatchers is 1 1 ,000. One percent would equal 1 1 0 birds, which means the Rubicon Estuary supports a significant population in a small area.

Pied Oystercatchers have previously been sighted roosting at the Port Sorell boat ramp. Currently, the boat ramp is not favoured by the birds as a comfortable roost. They may have found alternative roosts in pasture or other areas.

We would appreciate reports from the public on sightings of Pied Oystercatchers to find out where they are currently roosting in the Rubicon Estuary. Please keep an eye out for any new sites the birds are using and let us know. We’d be very interested to hear from you. Call Julie Ann on 03 6428 6405 to report a new roost site.

Article contributed by Julie Ann Serafin

Fast facts

The Australian Pied Oystercatcher is black with a white breast and belly. All oystercatchers have a bright orange-red bill, eye-rings and legs and a red eye. Oystercatchers prefer feeding on extensive intertidal mudflats, especially in Tasmania and Victoria. They can be seen probing the sand or mud with their long bills in search of sandworms, molluscs or crabs. Oystercatchers breed on beaches in the Cradle Coast from September to April.

Pied Oystercatchers breed in pairs with a breeding territory of 200m which is defended by both birds. Nests are built on sand, shell grit or shingle, just above high-water mark on beaches, sandbars and along estuaries and lagoons and they lay 2–3 eggs.

Walk on the wet sand to avoid crushing the eggs or disturbing the chicks

KBAs in the Cradle Coast region and around the world have been identified as globally important for the preservation of wildlife. The BirdLife Australia KBA approach to conservation relies on local experts, community groups and other partners to identify, manage and monitor these sites.