I saw a couple of Oystercatchers this past Sunday near the end of the jetty at Barnegat Lighthouse. They were walking on the beach, finding shellfish to eat, not minding people approaching to take their pictures. One was banded with “T2” clearly visible.
A pair of Oystercatchers.
Oystercatcher T2 inspecting mussels.
Oystercatcher T2 had pierced through a partially opened mussel and was carrying it around.
Oystercatcher and mussel.
The other Oystercatcher walked right by some mussels without touching them.
neihtn 
Great shots, It’s always neat to see a banded bird, even more so when you can read the band letters/numbers! Did you get a chance to google to see if you could find any info on the band number?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for the late post, Donna. T2 band is yellow, indicating that it was banded in Massachusetts or New York. However, it could have started as an orange band, meaning it was banded in New Jersey, but faded to yellow with time. There is an image of T2 dated 2010, and it was fully grown at that time. According to Allboutbirds.org, the oldest Oystercatcher was at least 23 years and 10 months old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How very cool! Thanks for the info, Hien, I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Nice images and story Hien. I don’t know the coastal systems very well so look to blogs like yours to be enlightened!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nick! These two Oystercatchers are famous on that beach area, part of which is roped off to help Piping Plovers and Oystercatchers. T2 is the male and his mate is named Linda Hamilton by a blogger. They may be expecting some babies this year.
LikeLike
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these Oystercatchers through your lens – vivid birds with interesting personalities. Walking right by the stack, well aren’t they picky foodies!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mary. Maybe some Oystercatchers want to stay true to their name and look down on mussels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great captures, Hien! Makes me wonder about these mussels. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy! Maybe those mussels had been out of the water too long.
LikeLike
So fascinating. So you suppose there was something wrong with the mussels the bird walked right by? the color of the beaks is amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sue, the one that walked right by those mussels was overheard saying: “I don’t want no stinking mussels!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I love that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The name of that bird is Lady Hamilton, very classy indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s amazing 🌼😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome 🌼😊
LikeLike
Wonderful photos, Hien. I see it is as lovely as ever there at Barnegat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jet! Barnegat is indeed very nice and I’ve been going there more often than in the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person