The arrival of birdwatchers in the West Pennine Moors last week has sparked memories of another rare wildlife spectacle in Lancashire, when four unusual birds caused a stir among twitchers.
Birdwatchers have recently been flocking to the Rivington area after reports of a rare pallid harrier, a bird normally found in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
But more than a decade ago, another rare visitor attracted similar attention when four glossy ibises appeared near Bob's Smithy Inn on the edge of the West Pennine Moors.
The sighting sparked a frenzy among bird enthusiasts, with people travelling from across the region to catch a glimpse of the distinctive birds.
But what made the sighting particularly unusual was that four of the birds had appeared together.
Glossy ibises are distinctive birds with long, downward-curving beaks and dark feathers that shimmer with shades of green and purple in the sunlight.
They are typically associated with warmer climates, including southern Europe, Africa and Asia, and were considered rare visitors to Britain at the time.
Their appearance in the West Pennine Moors was part of an extraordinary autumn for the species in Lancashire.
According to the Lancashire Bird Report for 2013, four glossy ibises were recorded at various locations across the West Pennine Moors between September 27 and October 27 that year.
The birds were also recorded circling over Rivington on September 29.
Across Lancashire, an estimated 23 glossy ibises were recorded during 2013, making it a particularly remarkable year for sightings of the species.
The birds are usually found around wetlands, marshes and shallow water, where they use their distinctive curved bills to search for insects and other small creatures.
Although glossy ibises have become more frequent visitors to Britain in recent years, their unusual appearance can still attract considerable interest among wildlife enthusiasts.
More than a decade after the four birds appeared near Bob's Smithy Inn, the sighting remains a fascinating example of the unexpected wildlife that can turn up across Lancashire's moorland landscapes.
And for birdwatchers across Lancashire, it is a reminder that even the rarest visitors can sometimes appear in the most unexpected places.
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