Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7246

The glossy ibis was once a rare vagrant to the UK but recently it is appearing more and more.  Here in the Somerset Levels we are particularly blessed.

Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_1967

One

I had just cycled through water a foot deep on Westhay Moor Drove.  When with very wet feet, I stumbled across a glossy ibis in a field next to the road.  We both had wet feet.

The light was directly behind, but this did add some sparkle.

Glossy Ibis – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_6084

Two

Soon there was two.  I’m not sure how they do this, but they can pluck a worm out of the ground with the tip of their beak then effortlessly throw it into the back of their months.

Glossy Ibis – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_6926

Three

Suddenly there was three.  All heads down, beaks in the water.

Glossy Ibis – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_6745

The cattle were well feed but kept to the one dry corner of the field.

Feeding Station – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7761

The good news is that they found a patch of grass, and were quickly followed by a flock of cattle egrets.

Cattle Egrets – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8062

And finally…

I was once lucky enough to watch a pair of glossy ibis infront of the amazing backdrop of thousands of starlings.

Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_2192

Update

I returned a few days later.  The flood water had drained away but the ibis we still pottering about.

Glossy Ibis – Westhay Moor, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_2962