Redcar beach is the only place that I have been where oyster catchers seem totally at ease in the proximity of people. They do move out of the way as you approach them but they are certainly not panicked. As I sat sketching they came very close almost within touching distance. Oyster catchers are my favourite bird, their presence and plaintive call is essential to the whole coastal experience. I regularly paint the seabirds around the coast but only as water colour sketches, this was my first attempt at an oil painting. They are lovely to watch on the ground but quite spectacular in flight.