Black Oystercatcher surveys

Oystercatcher populations are vulnerable to natural and human disturbances because they are confined to a narrow band of shoreline habitat. Major threats include predation of eggs and young by native and introduced predators; coastal infrastructure development; human disturbance (e.g., induced nest abandonment, nest trampling); vessel wakes, especially when they coincide with high tides; and larger scale effects like oil spill contamination and global climate change.

In 2007, we expanded our research expanded in 2007 to look at movement between populations and between winter and summer habitats. Some birds in each area have received coloured leg bands, helping us to detect seasonal movements, nesting site fidelity and inter-population dispersal.

In addition to leg bands, satellite and radio tracking devices are being used on birds in Pacific Rim National Park and Alaska for collection of more detailed movement data.

Parks Canada is guided by The Black Oystercatcher Conservation Action Plan which guides our efforts toward better understanding of adult and fledgling survival, regional population size and trends, seasonal movements of individuals and inter-population mixing.

Population surveys and associated research are being done in collaboration with British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California agencies as well as the Pacific Wildlife Foundation and Laskeek Bay Conservation Society.

Since 2005, we have seen an increase in the numbers of nesting pairs of black oystercatchers. Since 2009, the number has been more or less stable. This is great news because the availability of suitable nest habitat is likely a limiting factor for the species. It highlights the significance and sensitivity of these nest sites. For that reason, protection of islets used for nesting is critically important to oystercatcher conservation and underscores the importance of park conservation actions.