White-faced Ibis, Beaver Swamp WMA

A White-faced Ibis flew in to Beaver Swamp WMA with a dozen Glossy Ibis at 5:40 this evening. The bird was an adult, with a bright white border to the face, obvious even in flight. White-faced Ibis was formerly viewed as a big-time spring rarity through the beginning of this decade, but has since become an increasingly regular and expected visitor to east coast marshes during the month of May.

The high water levels at Beaver Swamp aren't leaving a whole lot of room for anything to land, and the White-faced and its companions eventually put down in the back corner of the millpond, making it pretty much impossible to re-locate. Hundreds of ibis pass through and/or stop by this location every evening during the spring.

To learn more about discerning White-faced and Glossy Ibis in the field, be sure to check out Michael O'Brien's ID article , featured in Tigrina Times this month.