Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus

One of the noisiest waders as well as being common, the Oystercatcher is a familiar bird of a range of coastline habitats, made obvious by its rolling, piping call. They can be found in a patchy distribution from the UK through to Japan, with some populations wintering in North Africa and South Asia. Oystercatchers are large stocky waders at 40-45 cm in length with a bill around 10 cm. They are one of a number of species in the family such as the Pied, Sooty, Variable and South Island Pied Oystercatchers.
 

1-2: Fremington Quay, Devon, 22/09/2013.