Shovelard
The Medieval name for the Eurasian Spoonbill was the Shovelard. That makes me laugh, every time.
I’ve seen them in Italy before, but never in the UK:
There’s one here at Riserva Statale Pantani dell’Inferno. Its bandy legs are wonderful.There’s no danger of this one’s ‘knees’ (really ankles) knocking together.
![Spoonbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Spoonbill-The-Hall-of-Einar-7504-725x483.jpg)
Spoonbills were probably far more common in the UK in Medieval times than they are now. Maybe the Medieval Warm Period had something to do with that.
I find them very exciting.
This one was on its own and spent a pleasant time feeding briskly and then preening.
Which reminds me; I need to eat something and brush my hair.