Lu and I walked the dog along the cycle path, after work this evening. This flock of 10 Glossy Ibis dropped over Mudbank, from an easterly direction, and continued their journey fast, upriver. A quick scramble for the camera and I managed to secure some record shots. Having only seen Glossy ibis for the first time in Exmouth, last September, I was pretty chuffed. A sight that could so easily have been missed, but one which will hopefully become more frequent as the species becomes more and more common.
Another late and brief, post-work spell of birding yesterday evening. Maer Rocks - 1 Little Egret, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Turnstones and 6 Purple Sandpipers. That's the seawall at Dawlish Warren in the distance. It's a lot further away than it looks.
Matt, did you know that James Diamond saw 10 Glossy Ibis heading SE out of Exminster Marshes at 08.27 yesterday morning and from the Stuart Line boat in late afternoon we had 5 fly low over the water heading back towards Exm Marshes. Seems like a regular movement to a feeding ground somewhere east of the Exe - the Otter maybe???
ReplyDeleteHi Dave - hadn't heard that but assumed it was the nine (plus one) that have been seen on the Otter and Exe. Agree they're probably commuting between the two sites (had therm again this evening), but would have thought they'd be picked up on the Otter as it's pretty well-watched. I guess there's every possibility they've found a quiet, marshy spot somewhere between. There are some possible sites in the Maer valley but I've not seen them on the occasion I've checked. Good to hear from you. All the best. Matt
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