Homecoming
These Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) have come home to their nesting site in the Kukutali Preserve . When I visited the island this morning, I was treated to a little courtship song and dance. They always leave their nesting site during the winter to join their friends over on Fraggle Rock at West Beach in Deception Pass State Park. But now they are home for the summer to raise a brood of youngsters. Pairs are monogamous and usually return to the same isolated nesting sites every year. I have been observing this pair since 2011. Note that I am taking these picture from a good 100 feet/30 meters away with a telephoto lens. Visitors to the Kukutali Preserve should be respectful of this nesting site. If you come to visit, please be careful not to disturb the birds.