Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus
UK Amber ListEasy to see📍 Windermere
Season
Year-round. Breeding on lakeshores.
Best time of day
Morning. That peep. Black and white.
Lake District
Lakeshores. Windermere. Ullswater. That peep. Black and white. Red bill. Common. Noisy.
UK population
Around 110,000 pairs. Declining.
Overview
Oystercatchers peep. That call. Lakeshores. Windermere. Ullswater. Black and white. Red bill. Common. Noisy. Unmistakeable.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Haematopodidae |
| Habitat | Lakeshore · Riverbank · Coast |
| Diet | Worms, insects. Probes with bill. |
| UK population | Around 110,000 pairs. Declining. |
| Lake District | Lakeshores. Windermere. Ullswater. That peep. Black and white. Red bill. Common. Noisy. |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Lakeshores. Windermere, Ullswater, Bassenthwaite. That peep. Black and white. Red bill.
Identification
Black and white. Red bill. Red eye. Peep call. Unmistakeable.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Lakeshores. That peep. Common. Noisy.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.