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A rare glossy ibis has been spotted in a previously unknown area scotlandWhich is an important first achievement for this sector. The sighting follows a significant increase in the species’ presence across the country.
Typically, the glossy ibis is a occasional visitors to britainPrefers the warm climate of Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and Southern Europe.
However, recent years have seen more frequent attendance, with 2025 seeing a particular surge. RSPB Scotland has reported that Glossy Ibis are now appearing across Scotland this year in “never seen before numbers”.
Seven birds were recorded at RSPB Scotland’s Baron Hough nature reserve in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire on 9 October and another was seen at the RSPB Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve on the Island of Islay later this month.
On Saturday 18 October a Glossy Ibis was seen for the first time in history at RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, the first recording in Renfrewshire.
It is thought that the greater presence of birds in Scotland may be due to climate change resulting in milder winters, although the reason for this is not yet clear.
Paul Walton, head of habitats and species for RSPB Scotland, said: “Although bird population declines are familiar to everyone, sometimes a bird species will undergo rapid population growth and range expansion.
“The Collared Pigeon was a species that was rare in Scotland in the early 20th century but is now a common breeder.
“The glossy ibis appears to be the likely second.”
He said: “Until recently a rare occurrence in the UK, numbers have been rising and, this autumn, have reached hundreds.
“The birds now being seen in Scotland are leading the expansion.
“This species has increased in southern and western Europe in recent years.
“The reasons for this expansion are not yet clear – and time will tell if the species becomes more established in Scotland.
“But this autumn’s records are remarkable and there is a new sight to enjoy in RSPB nature reserves and beyond.”
The glossy ibis, slightly larger than the curlew, is named for its iridescent or “shiny” feathers, which glow green and purple.
This species has been successfully bred in Britain cambridgeshire In 2022 but Glossy Ibis have never been known to attempt nesting in Scotland.
RSPB Lochwinnoch Warden Dan Snowdon said: “It is always exciting when a rare bird appears in the area, and we were really hoping to see one of the Glossy Ibis during the recent influx.
“Many people were on the lookout, but Andrew James was the lucky birdwatcher who first saw a bird over Barr Loch on 18 October.
“This was a first ever record for Renfrewshire, our second such first this year after a pair of avocets visited our wetland scrape in the spring.
“It will be interesting to see whether the glossy ibis becomes a more regular visitor following its recent breeding success in England, like the heron species in recent years.
“We now have a great white heron in winter for the second year in a row, which would have been unimaginable not long ago”.