Scolder
As soon as I walk anywhere on the coast of Westray, there’s a noisy complaint. The Shaalders, or Scolders, are out, and they want to make it clear they’re not happy with me being there.
Oystercatchers are flashy birds and you could even describe them as ostentatious.
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-1-725x725.jpg)
They’re fearless and will peck any bird which they view as a danger. Here’s one seeing off a Great Skua:
And you may be the largest Gull in the world, you’re still going to get pecked:
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-8-725x483.jpg)
And taking its portrait, obviously.
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-14-725x483.jpg)
More Oystercatchers
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-300x200.jpg)
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-300x200.jpg)
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-9-300x300.jpg)
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-8-300x200.jpg)
![2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 2)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-2-1-300x157.jpg)
![2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 1)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-1-300x157.jpg)
![Limes at Forde House - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David B](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Limes-at-Forde-House-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-300x225.jpg)
![Oystercatcher - Ladybird Book of British Birds](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Oystercatcher-Ladybird-Book-of-British-Birds-7499-300x233.jpg)
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-4-300x200.jpg)
![Great Black Backed Gull and Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/GBB-and-Chaldro-The-Hall-of-Einar--300x200.jpg)
![Bonxie and Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bonxie-and-Oystercatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-300x200.jpg)
![Oystercatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-18-300x200.jpg)