I never expected to see juvenile oystercatchers at the Dunedin marina. I was out for a walk in late June and was glad I had my camera in the car. The above were almost fully grown. They still had a little black tip on their beaks and their backs feathers were still pale gray. Although I shouldn’t be too surprised since I have seen a pair on the nearby causeway pretty regularly. They must have found some secret place to nest because this area is very populated.

One parent was nearby and was showing the young ones how to look for food along the oyster beds around the jetti in front of the marina. They did find a few morsels. The other adult that was with them stayed farther away and I couldn’t get them all in the same shot.

Twins hanging out together.

Eventually they all took off together towards the causeway.

While watching the oystercatchers a reddish egret flies by.

The purple martins were still there and the babies were almost grown and learning to fly. At some point in in early July they all left until next spring.