Twenty-five years ago they were a rarity in the UK but in recent decades, sightings have grown steadily, including on the south coast - and particularly the Solent’s rich network of wetlands and estuaries – which are an attractive stopover.  

These exotic winter visitors have just started to arrive again at Solent’s wetlands. Often gathering in small flocks, glossy ibis use gentle calls to keep in contact as they sweep across the wetlands together in search of food. With long, slender legs, an elegantly curved beak and feathers that glisten with iridescent greens and purples, this striking bird is easy to identify.  

Climate change may be the reason why the glossy ibis is becoming an increasingly familiar visitor, mirroring an increase in their breeding population in southwest Europe. With summers in southern Europe become hotter and drier, and UK winters milder, we may see glossy ibis settling here more regularly. 

Despite their exotic appearance, these birds are perfectly at home in Hampshire. Using their long, sensitive bills, glossy ibis probe through mud in search of invertebrates such as beetles and dragonfly larvae, though they’ll also take the occasional frog, newt or even lizard. It’s a feeding behaviour that makes them a key part of the delicate balance in wetland ecosystems.

What makes the glossy ibis so captivating is its beauty in motion. At first glance, it may look like a dark heron, but a shaft of sunlight reveals shimmering feathers in shades of copper, green and violet. When seen in groups - known as a ‘stand’ of ibises - they create a spectacle that feels almost tropical against the wintry skies of the Solent.

Ringed birds spotted in the UK have been traced back to wetlands in Spain’s Doñana National Park and France’s Petite Camargue, evidence of the incredible journeys these elegant travellers make each year. The increasing frequency of glossy ibis reflects their continued increase in these countries as well. Many of the birds arriving now are young - sometimes just months out of the nest – embarking on their first migratory adventure. 

The return of the glossy ibis is a reminder of how our local habitats connect with landscapes far beyond our shores. For the best chance to see them, head to the coast.