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The Gannets Return Amidst the noisy calling and flapping of wings, every January/February the Northern Gannets return from Africa to Bass Rock, the world's largest single rock gannet colony--the colony deserted at the end of October comes alive and ready to host the mating, nesting and birthing of new chicks. The behavior of these of these beautiful sea birds is comical as they "bow" to warn others of their chosen nest site, collect and sometimes steal seaweed and other nesting material from neighbors, and fence with their bills with their mates. They are territorial and usually mate for life and share parental duties. Each year they reclaim their old nesting site, fix it up, and get ready to parent again.
These birds are spectacular divers, plunging into the ocean at high speed, with their bodies completely straightened out like an arrow before striking the water. If a fish is taken after diving, gannets swallow the fish underwater before surfacing. Although they are strong and agile fliers, they are clumsy in takeoffs and landings. The video below shows just how amazing these birds are. While the eggs and nestling have several predators including gulls, ravens, ermine and fox, the only known natural predator of adults is the Bald Eagle, though large sharks and seals may rarely snatch a gannet out at sea.
The Bass has an interesting history itself. It is an island in the outer part of the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. This steep-sided volcanic rock, is now uninhabited by humans, but historically was settled by an early Christian hermit, and later was the site of a castle which was used as a prison. A lighthouse was constructed on the rock in 1902, and the remains of a chapel are located there. The Bass Rock features in numerous works of fiction, including Robert Stevenson's Catriona and The Lion is Rampant by Scottish novelist Ross Laidlaw. The Bass is one of a small string of islands off the East Lothian coast.
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They
have light blue eyes and light bluish bills,
and during the breeding season, their heads
and necks are a delicate yellow-beige. They
are incredible divers, plunging into the
ocean ar high speed, their bodies straight
like an arrow. Any fish caught is
immediately swallowed underwater. They are
superb flyers but clumsy in takeoffs and
landings.
You
can schedule a trip out to Bass
Rock through the Scottish
Seabird Centre. If you check out
their website you will see they
have live webcams where you can
watch several kinds of marine
mammal and birdlife.
San Diego Scottish Highland Games & Gathering of Clans