Birding The Nothe
Oystercatcher
2003 - Not so many as last year, particularly early on - perhaps because of the building works along the south shore. However, there was a remarkable and noisy gathering there of 14 birds, a record max, on 25 Mar. Otherwise no sign of display or breeding in the vicinity, but we live in hope... Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 4 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
2002 - More than last year, particularly in winter, but fewer noted in summer. A pair were displaying and mating on 8 Mar - do they breed on the breakwater? Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
2001 - Not as many as last year, but breeding display noted on 4 Jun, with max 8 on 3 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
2000 - Records show a definite increase since the 70s and 80s. Present almost throughout the year (least in Nov/Dec), with max 9 on 31 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Records from Bird Reports
1997 - 120 counted in Weymouth Bay on 22 Feb