Golfing oystercatchers

The young oystercatchers are now flying around with their parents so I am very used to their squealing piping calls as they wheel around over the house.  The prolonged hot dry weather has made life difficult for them but the greens on the golf course are well watered.  The third green is nearest to my house, and to their nesting roof, so they are often there before the first golfers arrive or after the last have gone.

The youngsters were hatched with camouflaged feathers but now have plumage similar to their parents.  They are slightly smaller, have slightly lighter colour and a shorter bill with a dark tip.

The birds are especially attracted to a small puddle around the sprinkler head where they can bathe.

The youngsters seem to be attempting to find food for themselves but the adults are still feeding them as well.  This one is bringing what looks like a leatherjacket.

Here is another adult bringing a leatherjacket while the youngster preens.  They often seem to wash to food in the puddle before it is eaten.

Within a few days I expect they will all move off to the coast and then won't be back until next spring.