Scolder
Eurasian Oystercatchers have no fear. They’re happy to make the lives of any other bird, or even human, a misery with their constant alarm calls and physical attacks. Here’s one harassing a Great Skua.
Here on Westray, in Orkney parlance, it’s a Chaldro chasing a Bonxie.

Bonxies will happily pluck a bird out of the air and kill it. Does that worry an Oystercatcher?

Not a bit of it. It’s the Great Skua which is high-tailing it out of there.

It’s the perfect welcoming party to Westray. Personally I’ll be steering well clear of both of them.
More Oystercatchers
Like pebbles on a beach Every beach on Westray has a different character. There are pure white shell sand beaches which wouldn't be out of… read more
Scolder As soon as I walk anywhere on the coast of Westray, there's a noisy complaint. The Shaalders, or Scolders, are… read more
Oystercatcher in sunshine Sometimes Oystercatchers call out in alarm as I approach. Sometimes they fly and harass me. Sometimes they just sit and… read more
Return to Oystercatcher beach I can't resist their orange good looks. Birds with red plumage have enhanced vision in the red of the spectrum.… read more
Attention-seekers Waders. They're either nearly invisible, clad in the most extreme camouflage possible, or they're Oystercatchers. This Oystercatcher was attempting to… read more
Old Carrot-Face is noisy today Oystercatchers are a noisy fact of life here on Westray. There's not a spot of coastline which isn't guarded by… read more
2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 2) August in Orkney can be quieter than May, June or July when it comes to bird life. In 2022, August… read more
2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 1) 2022 was a very happy time for me on my visits to Orkney. I spent hours on the low cliffs… read more
The divine right of kings and wildlife on the menu I've discovered the fabulous menu of a dinner fit for a king, eaten in 1625, served in a local house… read more