Exciting news over the weekend that a flock of 40+ Glossy Ibis were recorded in Cornwall. There have also been numerous reports from around the UK and Ireland of smaller groups and individuals been seen. In all there may be around 100 birds in the UK.
The Glossy Ibis is a heron- like bird with a curved beak. They breed in southern Europe and a normally a few reach the UK each autumn and some stay over the winter. These birds come mostly from Spain and the Camargue in southern France. At distance they appear dark, but in good light their plumage is iridescent green and purple with a rich chestnut brown body when in breeding plumage.
They are usually found in wetland habitats probing with their long bills for food, beetles and larvae, in the mud. they will also eat newts and frogs .
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