How rare ibis could soon be as common as a dove

A RARE tropical bird most commonly found in the hot climates of Asia, Africa, South America and Australia has been spotted in a part of Scotland for the first time.

- By Lucinda Cameron

RSPB Scotland said that glossy ibis have been appearing in “never-before-seen numbers” across the country this year.

Seven of the birds were recorded at the charity’s Baron’s Haugh nature reserve in Motherwell on October 9 and another was spotted later this month at RSPB Loch Gruinart nature reserve on the island of Islay.

And on Saturday a glossy ibis was seen at RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve for the first time in its history, marking the first recording in Renfrewshire.

Increase

It is thought that milder winters because of climate change may be behind the birds’ more frequent appearance in Scotland, though the cause is not yet clear.