Alkborough Ibis fest

 Was quite chuffed to find a Glossy Ibis at Alkborough this morning then it flew and landed well away mobbed by Black-headed Gulls; turning I then saw an Ibis behind me and could not work out how that bird had moved that distance so quickly but as I watched it a flock of 7 flew past so 9 at least - then a flock of 10 got up and flew into a different field - sat one point I thought I had 11 but they were spread out and elusive at times so I left it at 10 but tonight 11 were confirmed - not a bad morning with a Great White, the Green-winged Teal still around and a couple of Spoonbills - needless to say the biggest flock of Ibis ever recorded in Lincolnshire but maybe just a refection of the ongoing destruction of the Coto Donana through legal and illegal water extraction to grow tomatoes for our supermarkets! 

The usual problems with heat haze and harsh light

Purple Heron and Glossy Ibis show at Alkborough

 The flock of two Glossy Ibis at Alkborough had increased to three today but the 2cy Purple Heron was a new site record - found by three passing birders yesterday in a reedbed where I had done 5 hours surveying I could see how I missed it having spent another 5 hours in the last two days knowing exactly where it was and still not being able to see it until it flew - The same 2cy bird seen at Blacktoft on the 7th it has clearly been skulking in the Alkborough reeds all week 

Glossy Ibis getting more glossy

 The long-staying Alkborough Glossy Ibis has moulted most of its plumage and now looks a rather fine and glossy adult - managed to get some images of it this week after several failed attempts

Glossy Ibis again

 a few better images from last week after a session lying in the wet grass and sheep poo! 

Glossy Ibis

 a bit better luck with the Ibis at Alkborough though they are still a small bird and 300m is a long way off

Clearly a 2cy bird with the worn brown coverts shown well when flushed by a passing farmer