Double-brooded tree-nesting

Oystercatchers in Galloway

For eight years, a pair of Oystercatchers has nested in a mossy indentation in the branch of an oak tree overhanging a river at the bottom of a private garden in Dumfries & Galloway. The nest is about six metres above the water, but only two metres above the level of the garden. This year they raised three chicks.

On 17 May 2023, at about 11:00 hrs, the parents left the nesting branch and flew to the far side of the river, and called constantly for about half an hour. One parent bird then flew under the branch which held the nest, dropped its feet in the water and made a ‘trail’ across the river to its mate on the far shore and landed beside it.

About five minutes later, the first chick dropped down into the water and paddled across to the parents, followed about 25 minutes later by the second chick. To the two observers, both chicks appeared to follow the exact same line of the now vanished ‘trail’ made earlier by the adult’s feet. All this time the parents continued to call.

Finally, about 45 minutes later, the reluctant third chick dropped into the river, seemed disorientated and turned twice before paddling like mad on what appeared to be the same line taken by its two siblings to join its parents.