Oyster catcher

Mike went to Avoch to have his haircut and while I waited in the car this oyster catcher was busy pulling up and eating worms.We had a heavy frost ever night but it also rained so it had all disappeared by the morning so I think it was quite easy for the oyster catcher to find a worm. They are not known to eat oysters  even though their name suggests otherwise but prefer mussels and cockles . In the 70's it was believed that they were causing problems for fisherman and permission was given for thousands to be destroyed on certain parts of the West Coast. Numbers are increasing now but slowly with many birds wintering on the coast with birds from Norway and Iceland. There are actually 12 different species worldwide , all very similar but with slight differences in plumage , bill and legs. One species became extinct in the 20th century and more are currently on the endangered or threatened list . 
They start breeding at the age of four and have one clutch of two or three eggs. They have been known to 'egg dump' in other birds nests including gulls, leaving them to incubate and raise their chicks. The incubation period is a long 25 days meaning that many are destroyed or eaten  especially as they tend to nest on the ground. I have seen them nest on flat roofs and posts. They usually live to 12 years but one has been recorded as living to the grand age of 40 years 1 month and 2 days (2010). I quite like their old name of sea pie.
Looking forward to having pancakes tonight :)