Gannet on the water
I’m used to seeing Gannets flying at head height. Since their colonisation of Noup Head cliffs, their numbers have soared like a Gannet and the cliffs are alive with their calls.
One view I’ve never had up close is of a Gannet on the waves. They ride surprisingly high up. They’re very buoyant.
It’s a glorious view from the Orkney ferry to Westray. Current mood: buoyant.
More glorious Gannets
A precarious life on the edge of a precipice Who would have guessed that Gannet chicks could be so cute close up? Their white downy feathers are not quite… read more
Bonxies on a boat Great Skuas, Stercorarius skua, are known as Bonxies in Orkney. Their flashing go-faster white wing-stripes are a familiar sight as… read more
Gannet missile technology As I child I read a book called Magic of the Senses by Vitus B. Droscher, a popular science exploration… read more
The Great Skua and the Gannet’s tail Gannets are big birds. On the cliffs they dwarf their Guillemot neighbours. They have fearsome beaks and could easily do… read more
Solan Goose There's time for a quick trip to Noup Head. Dramatic cliffs, tens of thousands of seabirds, breathtaking views over the… read more
Gannets and Bridled Guillemots with a side order of Seal sausages Clamour. That's the best word to describe it. That's if you're talking about sound. Pungent would probably the thing that… read more
Bridled Guillemot Visiting Noup Head on Westray is always exhilarating. It's even more exhilarating the closer you get to the edge of… read more
Bempton birds – Gannets displaying When two Gannets fall in love, they like to let each other know about it: I like the final one.… read more
Bempton birds – when you know you’re being watched Many birds are perfect parcels of protein. There are plenty of predatory species which would treat them as a tasty… read more