Visitors flock to see 'rare' Glossy ibis

Glossy Ibis have been arriving in "unprecedented numbers" in the UK

The Glossy ibis, a bird that was once a rare visitor to the UK, has been spotted in Kent.

Hundreds of visitors have arrived in Dungeness to see the birds after 19 were seen in the area with more sighted further along the south coast of England.

They have a long, curved bill and iridescent feathers and are most commonly spotted in hotter climates in continental Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Africa.

Craig Edwards, site manager for RSPB Dungeness and Worth Marshes, said that "climate change" was responsible for the "unprecedented" number of Glossy ibis arriving in the UK.

"We've had hundreds of visitors over the last week to come and see them, and they've been really excited because the birds are so nonplussed about us, really, so they can get really close," he said.

"We've had an excavator in here this week doing work to rewet the site, and they've been following him around looking for worms in the wet mud; it's been amazing to see."

Glossy ibis sightings in the UK have steadily increased over the last decade, and with this recent spike - the RSPB said "hundreds" had been spotted across England - scientists suggest they could start breeding here over the next few years.

Glossy ibis were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt.

Ibis were worshipped in Ancient Egypt in the form of the God of Wisdom Thoth, and they were a popular hieroglyphic.

Nowadays, Glossy ibis can be seen in temperate climates, often along the banks of rivers where they look in the mud for grubs and worms.