White Ibis in New Jersey (2 Viewers)

[mbaumser]

Maybe I haven't been paying attention but this is the first time I can recall seeing White Ibis in NJ. And not just one but a lot of them.
Have I been oblivious for years (always a real possibility)? Not hanging out in the right spots (BTW this was Longport NJ not far (as the crow flies) from Edwin b Forsythe NWR)? Or is heading this far north a relatively new behavior brought on by climate change?

Thanks

Marc

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

White Ibis started nesting at the Ocean City Visitor Center 5-10 years ago, but the numbers have exploded in the past few years. And that's only 3-4 miles from Longport.

 

[mbaumser]

White Ibis started nesting at the Ocean City Visitor Center 5-10 years ago, but the numbers have exploded in the past few years. And that's only 3-4 miles from Longport.

Thanks for the information.
After posting I looked at the Cornell Labs page it's outside their normal range but sightings are as far north as Nova Scotia

White Ibis Range Map, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

White Ibises gather in groups in shallow wetlands and estuaries in the southeastern United States. At each step, their bright red legs move through the water and their curved red bill probes the muddy surface below. As adults, these striking wading birds are all white save for their black...

www.allaboutbirds.org

White Ibis Sightings Map, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

White Ibises gather in groups in shallow wetlands and estuaries in the southeastern United States. At each step, their bright red legs move through the water and their curved red bill probes the muddy surface below. As adults, these striking wading birds are all white save for their black...

www.allaboutbirds.org

I think the "range" map may need to be updated.

Marc

 

[Farnboro John]

Interesting change in status given the individual at Sevenoaks a few years ago....

John