Wanted: First winter Oystercatcher who goes by the name “LV.”

This bird is wanted regarding a series of stabbing attacks on cockles in the Tramore area. LV (1) was ringed by members of the Dublin Bay Birds Project (DBBP) team in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow in July and was last seen on Newcastle beach, Co. Wicklow in August, sporting the colour rings.

This photo of LV was taken during routine reconnaissance shortly after ringing. Ornithologists believe that LV, having undergone a partial post-juvenile moult, has changed considerably in appearance since then.

LV (right) pictured at the Breaches, Kilcoole,
Co. Wicklow on 8th July Niall Keogh

It was initially thought that this serial cockle killer may have absconded on a southward migration, possibly to France, but yesterday evening, thanks to a tip off from a member of the public, ornithologists have learned that LV is still at large in Ireland.

Birdwatcher, Clare Scott, who encountered LV on Garrarus beach, near Tramore in Co. Waterford on Wednesday, told ornithologists:

“It was only when I saw the blog that I decided to report the sighting.”

Kilcoole-ringed Oystercatcher, possibly "LV" Clare Scott

An eye witness at the scene managed to snap this photograph of these three suspected mussel murderers, thought to be accomplices of LV, as they fled.

Oystercatchers on Garrarus beach, Co. Waterford Clare Scott

A BirdWatch Ireland spokesperson stated that ornithologists “are following a definite line of enquiry” regarding the ecological requirements of the birds.

A source close to the DBBP stated that a sting operation, code-named “cannon-net”, is being planned for 2014, when a number of waders will be apprehended and fitted with radio transmitters in order to keep tabs on their movements and activities:  

“This radio tracking work will allow fine-focused observations at an individual scale, which will be used to support conclusions drawn from observations of larger flocks.”

The source added:  

“Surveillance of these (radio-tagged) birds will allow their ecological requirements and any threats they face to be investigated. It will also allow us to track these birds during the hours of darkness … when it is thought that they exploit different foraging areas.”

More information on this case will be posted to the BirdWatch Ireland Facebook and Twitter pages as it comes to light. Members of the public are encouraged to remain on the lookout for colour-ringed birds and to report any sightings to ntierney@birdwatchireland.ie