I have just had Javier Hidalgo as a guest prior to a visit to Skomer. Javier lives in San Lucar de Barrameda adjacent to the Coto Donana and is involved with ornithological conservation there.
We were discussing the Glossy Ibis invasion into the UK over the last few years and he explained that conditions are disastrous in Spain this year. The driest winter for decades and no rain since means that the marismas are bone dry providing no food for herons, spoonbills and ibises. The usual large colonies near the Valverde Centre have been abandoned and very little nesting if any is taking place leaving the birds to wander extensively. These conditions could happen again and so populations of Glossy Ibises could start nesting further north. Indeed I have just heard of a pair nesting successfully in western France.
This species could well follow the Great White Egret and be nesting in the UK.
Derek Moore
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