Glossy Ibis – Dublin

After seeing reported sightings of Glossy Ibis on Irish birding since Monday, I was finally able to make it over to Portmarnock today (Saturday) to try and see them for myself. Photos on Irish birding showed a ringed adult and a juvenile. Very cool.

On the way over, I quickly stopped off at Baldoyle Estuary first to see if anything unusual was showing.

There was a flock of about 200 Oystercatchers, other than that, not much.

Texaco garage, Portmarnock - hardly a fitting location for a rare bird, but that's where the Glossy Ibis have been clearly seen, daily, for the last week.

Since they weren’t there when I arrived I had a wander around.

Saw quite a few Little Egrets, Curlews, Black headed gulls, Herring Gulls, Oystercatchers, Hooded Crows, Herons and Mallards.

Little Egret in flight

Black legs, yellow feet, Little Egret.

From the grass opposite Texaco you can see waders feeding on the grass between the streams - the adult and juvenile Glossy Ibis were feeding on both the left and right of these birds

Glossy Ibis flying up from the grass

Glossy Ibis, I'm not sure where people think this one has come from - maybe South Spain?

Glossy Ibis - you can see that it's not actually black, but coppery brown. I think this might be the juvenile as it doesn't have its leg ringed.

Glossy Ibis flying over a Dublin bus

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis, silhouette

I was really grateful to have seen the GI and said my little thankyou to the powers that be. Once it flew over I hoped it would hang out in front of Texaco so I could get some decent shots, but it flew back into the long grass near the water and stayed there for long enough to make me think I might head over to Rogerstown estuary where 10 had been seen.

On the way over to Rogerstown, I stopped at Portmarnock beach and saw a flock of about 100 Ringed Plovers.

Howth head from Portmarnock. I usually see it from the southside, so it was cool to see it from the northside for a change.

Ringed Plover on rocks

2 juvenile Ringed Plover (left) and 2 adult Ringed Plover (right).

Wheatear, Portmarnock

When I got to Rogerstown Estuary the main gates were locked (I knew the hide isn't open until October-March, but I don't know why the gates to the road up to the hide have to be locked?), so I parked my car in the car park before the entrance to the Hide and walked up.

Now, I’m not too good at waders and apparently there was a Curlew Sandpiper there today, but I didn’t see anything or anyone at Rogerstown – some moulting Shelducks, Terns, Godwits, Oystercatchers, Mallards, Cormorants, Herons and loads of Gulls and waders in the distance – but no Ibi. A huge rainstorm passed over and after I took shelter under that little roof next to the hide it was time to move on, it was about 5.30pm at this stage and already getting dark.

I stopped off at Malahide harbour and saw a few Turnstones.

Turnstone

Turnstone in flight

After Malahide, I went back to the Texaco garage and waited about 20 mins. No-one else was there and it was getting quite dark so I left, stopping off at Bull island, just for a quick look.

At Bull, there's usually loads of Hooded Crows ..

but this evening there were about 200 Jackdaws...pretty cool

There were also plenty of Redshanks, Lapwings, Curlews, Godwits and Gulls

Last year I saw a one legged Redshank at the Bull, tonight I saw a one legged black tailed godwit (far left). I watched it as it hopped around moving for food for about 10 minutes - it was definitely one legged - I've several photos!

Bull island 7pm - getting dark already.

Lapwing

Lapwing - closeup.

Starlings preparing to roost.

Just as I turned round to get in my car to head home, Rhona pulled up so we got chatting. She told me she’d just got great closeups of the Glossy Ibis on the grass outside the Texaco garage about 10 minutes ago – and that no-one was there at all, so she had the birds all to herself. I told her I must have just missed her (and the Glossy Ibis!!) and she showed me her great photos …eventually she’ll put them on her blog- so keep checking here for good photos of the Glossy Ibis.

So that was my day, I can’t do any birding tomorrow but if anyone reading this gets the chance – go spend some time hanging out in Portmarnock – great rewards to be had.