While exploring the picturesque Cotswolds, a couple was astonished to spot a vibrant and unusual bird—a scarlet ibis—gracefully landing in a nearby meadow. The bird’s striking red plumage, a rare sight in the UK, captivated them and inspired Nathan T Bettell, a 32-year-old wildlife photographer from Wiltshire, to capture this unexpected encounter.
Nathan, no stranger to the Gloucestershire countryside, has spent years photographing local wildlife around the Cotswold lakes and reserves. His portfolio includes kingfishers, finches, deer, owls, and hares. However, spotting a scarlet ibis—native to South America and the Caribbean—was an extraordinary first.
Reflecting on the moment, Nathan shared, “One early June evening, my girlfriend and I were walking through Whelford, enjoying the last warmth of the sun. Suddenly, I noticed a bird with an incredibly vibrant scarlet hue across a meadow. I grabbed my Canon R7 with a 100-500mm lens from my backpack, knowing I couldn’t miss this opportunity.”
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As Nathan carefully approached, the scarlet ibis took flight, gliding over the meadow and past nearby trees about 100 meters away. “It was simply breathtaking. I had never seen anything like it in the UK,” he said. Believing the bird might have escaped from a zoo or wildlife park, Nathan contacted Cotswold Wildlife Park, who confirmed the ibis was not from their collection.
Despite its unusual appearance in England, Nathan feels fortunate to have witnessed and documented this rare sighting. “It was all about being in the right place at the right time. My girlfriend and I were left in awe—it was an unforgettable moment bathed in sunshine.”
The scarlet ibis begins life with black feathers that transition to grey as they mature, eventually developing the brilliant scarlet feathers around age two. With a slender bill adapted for hunting insects and small fish, the bird stands about 63 cm tall with a wingspan of roughly 56 cm and weighs just under one kilogram.
For Nathan, this encounter is another thrilling chapter in his passion for UK wildlife photography. “I always carry my camera—it’s essential for capturing moments like this and sharing the beauty of our natural world,” he added.