Gannet (Morus bassanus). Adult. Taken at Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks, on October 26th 2022.
Adult. Taken at Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks, on October 26th 2022.
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) 
Gannet (Morus bassanus). 3rd-year. Taken at Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks, on July 1st 2014.
3rd-year. Taken at Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks, on July 1st 2014.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) 
Gannet (Morus bassanus). Adult and juvenile. Taken at Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks on August 23rd 2010.
Adult and juvenile. Taken at Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks on August 23rd 2010.
(1/250th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description
L: 81 - 110 cm; WS : 165 - 180 cm
Gannets are large white birds with black wingtips. They are distinctively shaped with a long neck and long pointed bill, long pointed tail, and long pointed wings. The head is golden-buff or yellowish.
Outside the breeding season Gannets are pelagic and mobile, with some reaching the Mediterranean and others west Africa. They are common around western European coasts in winter.
The biggest mainland breeding colony in Britain is at Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire. The other mainland colony is at Troup Head in Scotland. There are also large island colonies on St Kilda, the Northern Isles and Bass Rock in Scotland, and Grassholm in Wales. About 218000 pairs nest in the UK.
At sea they flap and then glide low over the water, often travelling in small groups. They feed by flying high and circling before plunging into the sea for fish.
This species is on the UK amber list, due to breeding in significant numbers at only a few locations.
Sightings
| 26-Oct-2022 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | |
|
| 21-May-2019 | : | Little Minch, Scotland | |
| 19-May-2019 | : | Little Minch, Scotland | |
|
| 12-Mar-2018 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | (1) |
| 10-Mar-2018 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | (4) |
|
| 20-Sep-2017 | : | Portland Bill, Dorset | (80+) |
| 19-Sep-2017 | : | Portland Bill, Dorset | (1) |
|
| 05-Nov-2016 | : | Playa de Los Lances, Spain | (3) |
| 05-Nov-2016 | : | Trafico, Spain | |
|
| 17-Jun-2015 | : | Lynton/Lynmouth, Devon | (6) |
| 16-Jun-2015 | : | Heddon Valley, Devon | (8) |
|
| 01-Jul-2014 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | |
| 08-May-2014 | : | Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire | |
| 06-May-2014 | : | Martin's Haven, Pembrokeshire | |
|
| 20-Apr-2011 | : | Sea off Penzance | (1) |
|
| 23-Aug-2010 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | |
|
| 02-Mar-2009 | : | Tenerife, Canary Islands | |
|
| 04-Jun-2008 | : | Farne Islands, Northumberland | |
|
| 25-Aug-2006 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | |
|
| 12-Jun-2003 | : | Isles of Scilly | |
|
| 13-Jul-1999 | : | Isles of Scilly | |
