Burt the Black Oystercatcher: My Unexpected Beach Buddy- March 21, 2025

I found myself sitting quietly on a local rocky beach, wrapped in the gentle hush of waves and the soft hush of the wind under a sky brushed with white, fluffy clouds. The kind of sky that makes you breathe a little deeper and look a little longer.

As I watched the tide roll in and out, a pair of black oystercatchers landed not far from me. Sleek, black silhouettes against the rugged shoreline, they wasted no time splitting up and getting to work, searching the sea-soaked rocks for their dinner.

One of them, in particular, caught my eye. I decided to name him Burt the Black Oystercatcher. There was something about the way he moved—methodical, focused, but not in a rush. He knew I was there. He looked at me several times, not startled, but curious. And every time he glanced my way, it felt like a silent conversation between two souls just trying to make sense of the day.

Burt was striking. His bright orange beak contrasted beautifully against his dark feathers. His eyes, a brilliant mix of yellow and orange, seemed so alive, almost alert with personality.

Long legs carried him gracefully across the rocky shore, his black nails clicking lightly as he stepped between barnacles and seaweed.

Did You Know?

Black Oystercatchers use their long, bright orange beaks like precision tools to pry open mussels, limpets, and other shellfish hidden in the rocks! With excellent eyesight and a sharp memory for tide patterns, they search the shoreline at just the right time to find their dinner. Despite their name, they don’t eat oysters very often—but they’re masters at foraging in rocky intertidal zones!

"As I watched the black oystercatchers comb the shoreline under a sky brushed with clouds, the noise in my mind softened. In their rhythm, I found stillness. In their presence, I remembered how healing it is to simply witness the wild carry on."

In a nearby tidal pool, some Goldeneye ducks were doing their own dinner hunt. I was hoping to catch a moment—maybe a beak-full of fish or a crab—but before I could, a dog bounded down the beach and startled them.

Did You Know?

Goldeneye ducks are expert underwater hunters! They dive beneath the surface to catch aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Using their strong legs and compact bodies, they can swim swiftly through tidal pools and coastal waters, grabbing prey with their bills. These diving ducks can stay underwater for up to 30 seconds while they forage!

They took flight in a flurry of feathers and motion. I did manage to catch one of them mid-takeoff, and I made a quiet note to keep practicing my in-flight photography.

I turned back to Burt. He hadn’t flown off. Instead, he continued his shoreline patrol, back and forth in front of me, still casting the occasional curious glance.

 It almost felt like we were sharing the beach together, two observers of each other’s world. There was a mutual stillness, a sense of simple understanding.

Moments like this remind me of the quiet strength of wildlife—the way they adapt, survive, and continue, no matter the elements or interruptions. Watching Burt reminded me that there’s resilience in the natural world that I can learn from. Sometimes, all it takes is one bird on a beach to remind you. Life has harsh elements, but it has a whole lot of beauty and wonder.