Do I have to walk to see these birds or can they be seen easily from a roadside?

2-3.30 today

Really outstanding views of the four Glossy Ibis in the "4D Gully" - feeding as if there was no tomorrow. Another Lifer for me and really amazing to be watching them down to about 4m, apparently oblivious to our presence. All four took flight at one point as a kestrel appeared, being harried by two corvids - but the Ibises simply landed again a little further up the field once the commotion was over.

It was pleasant to then go off up George's Lane and visit the Black Redstart again, which showed well but fairly briefly on nearby fenceposts and rocks, along with two very nicely marked Wheatear.

Another fantastic afternoon - thanks to all who have kept us posted on the Ibises. I was in London for the weekend and just hoping they would still be around!!


Paul


PS: An observation - was a bit nonplussed to see two guys actually in the pony field by Mast Road, presumably trying to get closer to the Black Redstart for photos. The bird DOES come very close to the fence sometimes if you wait around and keep still, and it seems to me counterproductive to be climbing through fences - both in terms of making the bird nervous, and possibly antagonising the landowner. I love to get good photos too, but .......
Just my two-penn'orth.

Sorry that should have been 4D.
Dave Ousey

Three of the wonderful Ibis are still present in fields by 4D design, across the road from the Bob Smithy pub, at 11.40am.

Info from Alan Warford / Simon Johnson

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Tuesday 1st of October 2013 12:09:44 PM

Black Redstart still present this afternoon by the bottom of Mast Rd, feeding on, around and under boulders between the road and the water compound

Thanks for all the updates guys, managed to get there for about 1-30 and could only stay until 2-30 but managed to see all 4 glossy ibis, 2 in field beside pub, before they flew south and 2 feeding in the gully beside 4D garden design, they also flew south after being disturbed by a loud police car siren, also treated to a flyover from a peregrine.

still there 10.45 moving to back and side of pub comming in very close as before

All 4 Glossy Ibis currently present in the 4D Garden Design field a bit further down and on opposite side of the road from the Bob Smithy pub.

5.45 pm
All 4 Glossy Ibis feeding in watery gully by entrance road to Grundy Fold Farm also signed as 4D Garden design

All 4 Glossy Ibis currently showing very well in the field at the side of the Bob Smithy pub.

No Glossy Ibis as yet.

Great views of the 4 Glossy Ibis at 3.30pm and also juv Black Redstart at Winter Hill

After missing out yesterday I was amazed they came back today instead of going on to Marshside or somewhere. Great views and cracking birds. I only knew about their return from Ian's text service. If you want immediate news of local birds before any other service (and I've checked) a mere 10 quid to Ian will be the best tenner you ever spent.

Enjoyed cracking views with Paul Hurst around midday. My first views of this species and found them slightly smaller than Id expected. Fantastic that they hung around for so long.

Also tried for (and failed to find) the Black Redstart.

5 hours up at the Glossy Ibis
They left for a while at 1 pm, and everyone went, then 5 min's later they were back and later gave spectacular views from the main Chorley road in brilliant light showing off the plumage well and down to 20 feet, and at points all 4 stood together, for almost half an hour giving great photo ops nipped up to the Black Redstart for a while ,but couldn't find it, but glad I did go because it made me go back and look at the Ibis again and the fabulous view, and educated many of the public who were stopping in cars and coming to have a look from the pub -Magic
Still showing well at 3.30 pm

Unbelievable views of 3 of the Glossy ibis this am - thanks to Ian's early text. Well done to Ken Haydock for finding the birds.
I then moved on to the fields off mast Road. Black Redstart seen but a little way off, on the stone walls. Also nice views of Sparrowhawk and Kestrel in the same field.
Good to see so many site regulars too. Cheers.

Cracking views down to 12 feet this morning of the three Glossy Ibis behind the Bob Smithy pub just as I arrived. They moved more into the centre of the field though as more birders arrived. A nice throng of GM birders present with many familiar faces plus nice to meet a few new ones too.

Black Redstart still present in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road at 10:30 this morning.

Info thanks to Karen Foulkes

Now 3 Glossy Ibis present at the rear of the Bob Smithy pub.

They had come back to yesterday's feeding area right by the road but were once again spooked by a passing horse and have moved further out into the middle if the field.

Amazing close views of 3 Glossy Ibis feeding right by Walker Fold Road. 9.15 to 10 this am.
Crowd of birders present including, and with thanks to, the finder Ken Haydock.

-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 28th of September 2013 11:03:10 AM

Anyone know anything about the Corncrake reported on Birdguides ?

I noticed there was an Unconfirmed sighting in Cornwall at the weekend of 4 together, could be the same birds, wished id fired up from penny when I got the message, but never mind, great that some pics have been taken as well-well done Den :)

No further sign of the Glossy Ibis' up to 2pm.

Superb birds. Very hungry. Non stop feeding as already mentioned. A dinnertime twitch for me and the lucky birders who also got to see them. Im not used to Glossy Ibis ageing as its not a bird we get to see but one of these 4 did seem darker. More glossy and had more defined markings round the base of the bill than the other 3. Just an interesting note.
Cheers Dennis