Glossy Ibis

R and I went to Slimbridge this morning, to collect the Boy Wonder for a sleepover, and as we approached the car park we could see a group of photographers standing in the gateway of the field which the local avian celebrity had recently vacated when I went looking for it last Monday. Parked up, I grabbed the camera and trotted round there, to find the Glossy Ibis - surely the most photographed bird in Gloucestershire right now - quite close to the gate, and unconcernedly probing the marshy ground for Invertebrates.

The British Trust for Ornithology has this to say about the Glossy Ibis:

"This rather smart bird, with its glossy green and purple-brown plumage, is not much bigger than a Curlew, something that surprises many encountering the species for the first time. [You can say that again - Ed.]

"The Glossy Ibis has become more familiar to birdwatchers following a series of mass arrivals in the 2000s. Increasing numbers of reports since then mirror an increase in the breeding population located in the south-west of Europe. There have been a number of breeding attempts here, and it is likely that more regular breeding will be a feature in the future.

"Climate change is thought to have supported the growth in visiting Glossy Ibis to Britain, with milder winters aiding their survival and enabling individuals to attempt breeding... the following year."

This is a first-winter bird, and therefore looks rather more drab than some on line photos of the species would lead you to hope it might, but there was just enough light on this overcast morning to reveal a slight iridescence on its plumage. One other fun fact about the Glossy Ibis, courtesy of Wikipedia, is that both parts of its binomial name, Plegadis falcinellus,  refer to its curved bill: plegados (Greek) and falcis (Latin) both mean 'sickle'.

After taking charge of the Boy, the rest of our day passed in a flash. He's a charming child (even though his superpower is arguing), and it's a delight having him to stay with us. The thing that delighted him the most today was discovering dark chocolate Hobnobs, which are apparently the best biscuit of all time. "Mmmm," he said. "The oaty part is very good. But I always eat oaty biscuits, don't I? The chocolate is really good - better than Buttons! Can you get these with pale chocolate as well? Anyway, I really like these ones. Will you buy them again, Grandma, please? So whenever I come and see you now, you can always give me one? Will you? Will you buy some more next time you go to the shop? Mmmm - that's really nice. Can I have two more?"

If anyone from McVitie's is reading this, I can probably negotiate a live endorsement, at a price. A regular monthly supply of Hobnobs should just about cover it.