Gille-Brighde birds.
Today is St Bride’s Day and in Gaelic oystercatchers are called Gille-Brighde or St Bride’s servants. (St Brigit)
Yesterday I had seen hundreds roosting and managed today to get a photo of a few flying (extra) with some on the sand. It is a fairly large bird and quite distinctive with its striking black and white plumage and long bright orange beak and strident piping calls and is usually found near the sea.  The tide was extremely high this afternoon so it was impossible to walk right along the beach and the huge waves and strong wind reminded me of one of the legends about oystercatchers. When St Bride was becalmed at sea, oystercatchers flew to her boat and by the beating of their wings, filled the sails of the boat so that she could sail safely to land.   Since then St Bride has sent them to guide sailors to safety in rough weather!