Many protected coastal birds benefit from the replenishment of Galgeplaat and Slikken van den Dortsman. In each newsletter, we highlight a species that benefits from the elevation of the nutrient-rich mudflats and sandbanks.
This edition: the oystercatcher, with its black-and-white plumage and orange-red beak, is a striking sight on the Zeeland mudflats.
Colorful Piet
We may not initially associate the oystercatcher directly with the sandbanks and mudflats of the Oosterschelde. Many know the image of a black-and-white wader diligently pecking into the ground in grassy areas or on the local sports field in search of worms. An image we still see, although the numbers are decreasing. Besides its striking plumage, perhaps its call is even more characteristic. ‘piet’, ‘piet’, ‘piet’, it often sounds loudly when an oystercatcher is nearby. Therefore, the oystercatcher, which can be seen as an ambassador among the birds in Zeeland, has a nickname: colorful Piet.
Different types of utensils
For the oystercatcher, the sandbanks and mudflats in the Oosterschelde are of great importance. As soon as the first mudflats and sandbanks dry out, they hurry to ‘the roadside restaurant’. There they feast on tender mud worms. Their beaks are long and pointed, handy utensils for the mudflats.
If you pay close attention, you will see that not all oystercatchers have the same type of utensils. Oystercatchers are also fond of shellfish such as mussels and clams. It takes quite a bit of strength to crack open shellfish. As a result, the beak eventually becomes blunter and is used as a kind of chisel. Just as hard as the beak of an oystercatcher wears down, it also grows back just as hard.
Breeding
Although the Oosterschelde is an important place to search for food, they mainly breed inland. Occasionally, an oystercatcher makes a brave attempt on the dike slope or one of the bright white clam beaches, but most oystercatchers breed behind the dike.
Historically, the farmland there was extremely suitable for this, but due to the intensification of agriculture, there are hardly any nests to be found anymore. Oystercatchers are mainly found in wet nature reserves, such as Plan Tureluur on the southern coast of Schouwen. Where nature is scarce, oystercatchers are increasingly moving to (gravel) roofs of houses to breed.
Sand replenishments
In addition to the breeding locations, the food-seeking areas are also under pressure. The disappearance of the sandbanks in the Oosterschelde is a significant cause of the decline of the oystercatcher. Therefore, replenishments of sandbanks such as Roggenplaat and Galgeplaat are crucial for the survival of the oystercatcher.
