Oystercatchers
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Read the article below and answer the questions.
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Oystercatchers are shore birds that nest in the sand above the high tide line. It was summer time and we knew that at this time of year the oystercatchers at the beach were likely to have either eggs or young chicks. As we walked up the beach I saw a pair of oystercatchers standing together on the dry sand but as we drew closer to them they ran off in opposite directions. As we continued walking towards the spot where I had first seen the birds they began to get agitated. They started squawking loudly and flying directly at us, only swerving away right at the last moment. They repeated this performance several times. It was really quite scary.
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| As we continued on in the direction of where I had first seen the birds their behaviour changed. Instead of “dive bombing” us one bird was now acting as though it had a broken wing. It flapped around on the ground very close to us. It looked as though it would be very easy to catch! Then, by chance, I looked down and there on the sand right by my foot, standing absolutely still, was a fluffy young oystercatcher chick. Its grey mottled down made it almost impossible to see against the sand. | |