A pair of Black Oystercatchers nesting on Indian Island since early May hatched two of their three eggs on June 3.
The island now has two new small, gray, fuzzy babies.
It will be another month before the chicks can feed and fly on their own, so the volunteers of the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory ask anyone visiting the island to stay on the existing trail, and keep a distance of at least 75 feet from the Oystercatchers.
“Oystercatchers are shy, and if the chicks are left unattended even for a few minutes, they may be snatched by eagles or other predators,” said representative Russel Barsh. “Black Oystercatchers have been declining in recent years, and it is believed that there are only about 200 pairs still nesting in western Washington. Every healthy new chick is very important for their survival!”
Visitors to the island will also see that the south end of the trail has been closed for a few weeks to protect another nest on the island.
“With a little extra care, we can ensure that Eastsound remains the home of some of Washington’s most unusual and threatened birds,” he said.
