Donna Spots White-faced Ibis At Hammo!

One of our favorite photographers, Donna Johnson Buckley, spotted a White-faced Ibis at Hammonasset Beach State Park Sunday and posted this picture to Facebook Monday. 

Like many local birders, Johnson Buckley says she has been waiting "not-so patiently" for the White-faced Ibis appearance so she could take a picture and Sunday she got her chance. 

She wondered how rare they are and Nick Bonomo of Wallingford, who writes the blog Shorebirder, says they have started to increase in the northeast over the past few years.

 "White-faced Ibis have undergone quite an increase in the northeast over the past decade or so. For instance, Connecticut's first record came in May 1995 when Dave Provencher found an alternate adult at Hammonasset. The current bird constitutes the seventh state record, FIVE of which have come from Hammonasset SP during Apr-May. This is clearly the time and place to find them in CT. But really, any Plegadis ibis at any time of year should be scrutinized for White-faced characteristics," he writes in Shorebirder.

Read the full post in Shorebirder for more information. 

If you've never seen a White-faced Ibis and want to add one to your life list, you might want to head out to Hammonasset Beach State Park. Admission is still free on the weekdays until Memorial Day, but admission fees are now being charged on the weekends.  

As always, if you head out to check out the birds, be sure to keep a respectful distance and don't bother them as they feed or rest. If you want tips on how to bird watch, and capture what you see, stop first at the Audubon Shop in Madison, CT at 907 Boston Post Road, right down the street from Hammonasset.