Monomoy Oyster Catchers Have Arrived

A great sign that Spring is on the way! Yesterday, April 2, 2018 I saw my first Oyster Catcher of the 2018 season. There was only one and he was working the shoreline for food. Today, April 3, 2018, I am pleased to report that upon arriving into Monomoy I saw four Oyster Catchers! They were in pairs and working opposing flats with the receding tide. The temperature was about 35 degrees and steadily increasing as the sun rose. As you can see from the photo, it was flat calm. and not even a hint of wind. Shellfishermen call this "flat ass calm" or say "it was like glass." This set the stage for a loud and very audible cacophony of yapping from these four Oyster Catchers as the flitted around and looked for food. Later, on my way back to Chatham port today around 1:30 p.m., I was surprised, and indeed gladdened, to see eleven (11) additional Oyster Catchers congregated on what I am now going to call Oyster Catcher point - This because, last year around this time, there were also eleven or so Oyster Catchers grouped in the exact same location. Same ones? Who can tell.... Anyway, the arrival of Oyster Catchers is an environmental notice, signaling to us that we are getting close to the bass!