Here is a few notes and info regarding our endemic oystercatcher, but I guess it will be the same for most of them:
In SA, Margaret & Resin, there are less than 5000, which means they are rare as Southern right whale.
The oystercatcher, which mate loyally for life is vulnerable for a number of reasons: It’s nest is a scrape in the dune. Two eggs are usually laid during summer at the height of the holiday seasons. The eggs and nest are not easily visible to the untrained eye. Restricting pedestrian movement on their breeding ground, or clearly marked nests is of essence, because the eggs can easily be trampled on. (I refer you to my previous comment)
Although they may live for 35 years, the birds, which eat limpets and mussels and not oysters, do not breed until they are three years old. The birds can only feed at low tide and do so at day and night. Because of their highly selective feeding area they are much more susceptible to human activity than most shore birds. Disregarded or entangled fishing line is lethal to oystercatchers as they become entangled in it.
It seems to me as soon as you get these factors mentioned above combining in a species, they do not do so well. We do see them, because they are endemic (African Oyster), but in terms of the world total, 5000 is not much!
This message was edited Jul 9, 2008 6:19 PM
