Susan Kirby

I've seen American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) at Marine Park in Brooklyn, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Breezy Point in Queens, and Wolfe’s Pond and Mt. Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island. I’ve also seen them at Nickerson Beach on Long Island. They are delightful birds that chatter and fly around, showing off those long orange beaks and those red and yellow eyes. They nest at Breezy Point and at Nickerson, and I imagine other places around New York City as well.

Nickerson Beach Baby Birds

The summer of 2023 was fantastic for the oystercatcher families at Nickerson Beach. This slideshow has some some of the marvelous parents and kids I was able to see. These shots are from June 5 and July 13, 2023.

I was able to visit Nickerson Beach in 2021 and see some of the newest oystercatcher kids on the beach.

The nesting oystercatchers and their little chicks are chronicled in two Filming the Feathers videos. Part I covers May 2-June 12, 2019, and Part II covers June 12-July 30, 2019, both videos filmed on Nickerson Beach, Long Island.

This slide show has photos of the oystercatcher kids from June 4 through July 9, 2019.

These photos of the adult oystercatchers were taken at Nickerson Beach May 2 through July 30, 2019.

This oystercatcher was seen on Staten Island in March 2019. Scroll down for more Staten Island oystercatchers.

Can You Spot the Ringer?

On October 2, 2018, a young black skimmer was seen hanging out with American oystercatchers on the beach at Breezy Point, Queens. The little bird seemed to be just trying to fit in. The video and photos show the oystercatchers on October 2 and 9.

Staten Island Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers in Brooklyn and Queens

I've seen American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) at Marine Park (May 30, 2017) and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (June 1, 2017). I was able to take a few photos and add a Filming the Feathers video. I didn't get to see them cracking open oyster shells, but I hope to soon!