Two years ago, I decided not to skip my classes when the Aitkin Glossy Ibis was found, and never had the chance to see it before it was gone. So, given a second chance, I did indeed skip my afternoon classes today and drove to Lac Qui Parle County to see the Glossy Ibis with its White-faced cousins.
I arrived to the spot at 2:30 this afternoon and found the group of ibises in the wetlands on the east side of 211 St., just north of its junction with CR 14. This is to the northwest of their original spot where they were seen by others this morning. The Glossy Ibis stood out among the 13 or so White-faced Ibises by its noticeably larger size. As soon as I put my scope on it, it walked away from the White-faced Ibises, and for the half-hour that I remained there it probed the mud away from the others, as if it was embarrassed that I had initially seen it with the White-faced Ibises. A cool bird, even if it is a bit stuck up. All ibises were still there at 3:00 when I departed. Yours truantly, Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County
