Oldest oystercatcher ever in the Netherlands

This video shows an oystercatcher in Norway.

On the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam a birder this week has spotted an oystercatcher that is at least 46 years old. Never before has such an old oystercatcher been seen in the Netherlands, reports Sovon bird research in the Netherlands.

The animal was ringed on Texel on March 3, 1972 when it was at least two years old. The previous record was 43 years. Oystercatchers rarely get older than 20 years.

Incidentally, things are not well with this bird species in the Netherlands. Since 1990, the number of oystercatchers has decreased by 65 percent. …

This year, according to Sovon, there are 40,000 to 70,000 breeding pairs.

Norway’s oldest oystercatcher, over 34 years: here.