Montaña de Oro State Park - Danger Sign Site - Update on Black Oystercatcher (Bloy) monitoring. Thirty-one days have passed since I began monitoring the Bloy pair at Danger Sign. The shale formation they are inhabiting is close to the bluff but not connected. Most of the time, with the exception of very low tides, it is surrounded by water. Numerous formations that jut into the sea protect the pair's rocky home from the pounding surf.
Beginning May 21, I have monitored the site eight times. On June 10th, as I neared the site, I could hear alarm calls. More than likely the pair were chasing off Oystercatcher intruders. Within a couple of minutes the pair returned. Neither of them settling onto the nest. Perhaps there had been a successful hatching. One of the pair flew off, soon to return with a white morsel clutched in its bright red bill. A chick appeared for a few moments. At the same time I thought I might have seen a smidgen of a second chick. Yeah!!
Two days later I was back. There were two chicks. The parents were occupied in full-time provisioning. One was usually standing guard while their mate was off gathering food.
My last visit was on Friday the 19th. - Two chicks - Parents bringing in the food. One chick was visible, the other one mostly hidden. When both parents are foraging both chicks remain out of sight.
In the above photo, this adventuresome little chick is about nine days old. My next monitoring date is Tuesday the 23rd. Can hardly wait.
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