Alan was again on the road this week and his travels took him east over to the Cambridge/Suffolk border. Work done for the day there was still enough day light for some birding. With news of a flock of Glossy Ibis on the nearby Ouse Washes there was never any doubt where to head for. Navigating the narrow fenland lanes he arrived at Sutton Gault, a tiny hamlet at the southern end of the Ouse Washes, a famous birding location of flood meadows between the Rivers Delph and New Bedford. Parking by the Anchor Pub Alan headed off north along the flood defence bank on the east side of the river. Up ahead he could see a small group of birders all looking in the same direction, always a good sign. On the east side of the raised bank lay a shallow pool which was teaming with birds. At the near end mostly Teal with a sprinkle of Eurasian Wigeon and Shoveler but towards the far end were a group of large dark wading birds, looking good! Switching from binoculars to telescope it was soon clear the six Glossy Ibis were still present. Walking further Alan joined the other birders for closer look at these dark green birds with their long decurved bills. The Ibis looked right at home in the wet field and were feeding avidly, pushing their stout bills into the soft mud. Two of the birds sported some bling, in the form of white colour rings. These rings were applied by researchers in the Coto Donanna National Park in south-west Spain earlier this year. The birds were ringed as nestling this Spring and some reason this flock has chosen to move north from Spain and into the UK. They are not alone, a large influx of Glossy Ibis has occurred in the UK in September 2009. A flock of 25 birds reached Carmarthenshire in South Wales early in the month and many more sightings have occurred across the southern part of the UK. While Alan was in East Anglia a flock even reached North Wales! Sadly this flock was very mobile and denied many birders a chance to see them. Twelve birds spent just a few minutes on the Alaw Estuary, Anglesey, in the company of a Baird’s Sandpiper! Perhaps ten of the same flock then flew south over Bardsey Island, Gwynedd the next day, the 18th. This flock was then relocated later in the day in Pembrokeshire! How many more Glossy Ibis remain to be found in some damp field perhaps near you?