Spoonbills return

[FUDGEY]

Last year at a bay on my door step Spoonbills successfully reared 3 young for the first time ever in Scotland. Great news today as I got a text at 5am saying one has returned. This is almost to the day that the 1st bird was seen last year and I am hoping the female is once again on a nest somewhere. Last year no one knew that they had bred until the 3 fledged birds were seen feeding on the estuary with their parents. I am totally buzzing this morning. Pics courtesy of Keith Kirk.

[Tringa]

That's great news. Always interesting to see how far birds, which were rare some years ago, have spread.

[Fieldfare95]

Brilliant!
Great pics and I hope they nest again

[Tursiops2]

Excellent news, I remember reading about these last year. Let's hope it's the first stage of more widespread recolonisation.
T2

[Hobjob]

I saw the parents last year - before it was realized that
they wre breeding; have family up that way, and was
"on my own" for the day.

So glad they are back.

[Dogghound]

Ive seen one this year but just a migrant passing through.

[FUDGEY]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

I saw the parents last year - before it was realized that
they wre breeding; have family up that way, and was
"on my own" for the day.

So glad they are back.

You are the only person I know who seen both adults before the young had fledged, well done. I was down the estuary last night and saw the male feeding. I am sure the female is on a nest and I have a good idea roughly where it is, but I will not be going near it. once the young appear this year I am going to set my hide up and get some photos so I will post them on here.

[FUDGEY]

Reports just in of 2 adult and 3 juvenille Spoonbills landing at Carlaverock nature reserve earlier today. Carlaverock is about 25 miles from me as the crow flies, but they are different birds from the ones that bred by me last year. More good news!