Haematopus ostralegus
This Eurasian Oystercatcher was present at Lushes Bight (Notre Dame Bay) from May 15-23, 2019 – the fourth record for Newfoundland & Labrador and the fifth for North America. (Photo: Jared Clarke, May 23 2019)
Status: Very Rare (< 5 records)
Origins: The “old world” counterpart of American Oystercatcher, this species is widespread across much of Europe, Asia and Africa and breeds commonly in Iceland.
Record Details: Five records for Newfoundland: (1) Tors Cove, May 22-25 1995; (2) Eastport (Bonavista Bay), April 3 – May 2 1999; and (3) St. John’s, August 5 2006 (identified from a photograph). (4) Lushes Bight, May 15-23 2019. (5) Elliston, April 5-8 2020. The only other North American record occurred on Buldir Island, Alaska (Western Aleutians) in May 2012.
This Eurasian Oystercatcher was first discovered at Easport, Bonavista Bay on April 3, 1999 and stayed for several weeks. It was the second record for Newfoundland and North America. – Photo: Ken Knowles (April 16, 1999)
* NOTE – This website is not an official account and “may” contain incorrect information and/or details of unconfirmed records. *
