Ibis added to Cameron’s collection of ‘firsts’

Cameron Moore was at a promising viewing point close to Larne Lough as part of his monthly contribution to the Wetland Bird Survey, which monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the United Kingdom, when his eye was drawn to an unusual sight.

Speaking to the TIMES on Monday, Cameron said: “Once a month a group of us do bird surveys and that’s what we were doing. People had reported to me about this bird and it was my conclusion that it was a glossy ibis.

“I had been looking for this bird for the last three weeks. It is a matter of going out and looking where you think that the bird will be. We were doing the bird count yesterday (Sunday) and we could not believe it. It was on its own.”

“It is the first time for it to be recorded in County Antrim from records began.”

Explaining the glossy ibis is associated with the Mediterranean and the east coast of America, he added there have been sightings in Downpatrick and County Fermanagh.

“It’s a medium sized bird. It’s like a curlew but much bigger. Its plumage is a dark rusty brown colour.”

Cameron was accompanied by WeBS survey colleagues Nigel Smith and Crystal McClean at the time of the sighting with fellow enthusiasts quickly making their way as word spread.

“A lot of other birdwatchers were down seeing it, even from Lisburn,” continued Cameron, who has notified the Northern Ireland Birdwatchers Association.

Earlier this month he photographed a rare blue phase snow goose in Islandmagee close to the shore of Larne Lough.