I have recently had some interesting correspondence with a researcher in Iceland involved with an Oystercatcher colour-ringing project. A young non-breeding Icelandic bird Niger over Green left leg; pale Grey UY right leg was seen in Pembrokeshire last winter and last spring.
This particular bird was reported from Carew/Cresswell, where I photographed it Dec. 2020, from the Gann by Dave Astins in April 2021 and from Kilpaison, Angle Bay by Mike Davey in May 2021.
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| UY was roosting near Black Mixen in Dec. 2020, another colour-ringed bird nearby would only show one tarsus and so could not be identified. I'm sure they stand on one leg just to annoy observers! |
They are keen to know if any other Icelandic Oystercatchers are possibly wintering in our region. The Carmarthen Bay area would seem to me to be a likely location, so hopefully Carmarthen birders will be on the lookout for them there. Young Oystercatchers normally stay away from Iceland for the first couple of years apparently before returning there.
This is the gist of an email received today:
"I have had two sightings at Ginst Point (March 2021), both juveniles. So, if you know anyone who is reading rings in Camarthen Bay, please let him be on watch for Icelandic oystercatchers. Most of our Oycs are seen in Ireland and Northern Ireland but we also get sightings in N (NW) Wales".
Böddi
Sightings can be sent to sightings@waderstudygroup.org
or via
https://app.bto.org/euring/lang/pages/rings.jsp
Bob