Glossy ibis and water vole

Visit Mark Fellowes Nature Photography

Taking a risk with the weather, and not missing the opportunity of a rare quiet afternoon, the current triumvirate of scarce west Berkshire birds was the target for the day - dipper, great white egret and glossy ibis. All were within a few miles of each other, and started with the great white egret being seen flying over and landing in a tree as we drove down a country lane - very unexpected but welcome. Our first stop was for the overwintering dipper at the weir in Welford. The bird showed quickly, but views were poor in the rain, and I regretted not taking a scope as views were distant. Given the short afternoon light and the rain, we headed to Great Shalford for the great white egret, where there were a few little egrets, but no sign of the GWE. We made this a brief stop, but were happy that we'd at least caught sight of it.

The highlight of the day was the glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus (click any image for larger) at Freeman's Marsh. The weather cleared, and on occasion there was even a little winter sunshine. The first view of the ibis was as it flew over disturbed by a dog walker, landing in a tree to preen. Little egret foraged in a stream while a kestrel waited on the overhead cables. After a while the ibis headed back to its preferred foraging place, where we were initially over cautious in approaching - the ibis was unconcerned about people passing by. It provided great views as it hunted among the cress beds, catching a miller's thumb as we watched, and illustrating just how appropriate its name is.

Glossy ibis

It wasn't only glossy ibis that caught our attention in this corner of the brook; a foraging water rail skulked among the bankside vegetation, while this water vole Arvicola amphibius fed, ignoring the audience. It's not every day that you have such success is such a short period of time - an afternoon full of highlights!