The Glossy Ibis
It wasn't too long ago that folks in Ireland excitedly reported rare sightings of the Little Egret
This bright white heron-like wader with yellow toes is now commonplace. Then during the COVID years, reports of the rare Glossy Ibis began to appear. This bird looks rather like a dark Curlew but is in no way related. In the Summer sunshine it sports a purple irridescent sheen living up to the name 'glossy'. The Glossy Ibis is a visitor from Southern Europe and North Africa and seems to be increasingly happy to visit Ireland.
The video below was filmed at White's Marsh, Clonakilty on 17 January 2025. I noticed a dark shadow moving around deep in the reeds when at last it came out into the open.
Also featuring in the video are Wigeon with their beautiful plumage and golden crowns; Teal - showing early signs of courtship displays and a massive 'congregation' of hundreds of Golden Plover.
