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Rare Glossy Ibis Spotted in Record Numbers Across Scotland
21 Oct
Summary
- Glossy ibis, a rare visitor, now seen in "never-before-seen numbers" in Scotland
- First-ever sighting of the species in Renfrewshire
- Milder winters due to climate change may be behind the birds' increased presence
In a remarkable turn of events, Scotland has witnessed a surge in sightings of the rare glossy ibis across the country. The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) has recorded a significant increase in the presence of this species, which is typically an infrequent visitor to the UK.
Over the past year, glossy ibises have been spotted in several new locations in Scotland. In October 2025, seven of the birds were observed at RSPB Scotland's Baron's Haugh nature reserve in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, and another was spotted at RSPB Loch Gruinart nature reserve on the island of Islay. Most remarkably, a glossy ibis was seen for the first time in Renfrewshire at RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve on October 18.
Experts believe that the milder winters caused by climate change may be behind the birds' more frequent appearance in Scotland, though the exact reasons are still unclear. Paul Walton, head of habitats and species for RSPB Scotland, noted that the glossy ibis is undergoing a "rapid population increase and range expansion" in the region.
While the species has not yet been known to breed in Scotland, the recent influx of sightings suggests that the glossy ibis may be on the verge of becoming a more established visitor to the country. As the RSPB's Dan Snowdon remarked, "It will be interesting to see whether glossy ibis becomes a much more regular visitor after its recent breeding success in England."
