We were watching a juvenile ring-necked duck on Loch an Ail in the north of
the island when we got news from the local WhatsApp birders group that a flock
of 9 glossy ibis had been seen flying north along the coast near Brevig, heading in our direction. Sure enough 10 minutes later they
appeared over the hills behind the loch before disappearing north into the
mist. We spent the next hour trying to relocate them.
The ring-necked duck was just as worthy of our attention though and should not be lightly dismissed. A juvenile on the Outer Hebrides in autumn, feeding actively, is surely as good
as it gets for a new arrival from North America, especially in the days following an unprecedented fall of North American passerines. I can't think of any ring-necked duck I've seen with better wild credentials than this bird.
Our first sighting of the glossy Ibis, heading north over Bruernish from Loch an Ail.
Our next sighting of the ibis was near the airport at Traigh Mhor. They
alighted briefly near the phragmites behind Compton cottage before flying
north again. It seemed inevitable that they would finally settle on the
flooded fields at Eoligarry, which looked perfect for them, so we set off
after them again.
As expected they were on the marsh at Eoligarry which is where they settled for the day and showed well at times.
This is only the 3rd
record of glossy ibis on Barra and both of the previous two were single
birds. It's also the largest single flock that I have seen in the UK.
Other birds today included a few lesser redpolls and an adult white-tailed
eagle.
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