Bass Rock Gannets
Jun 5, 2014 09:05:14 #
The Bass Rock is a lump of volcanic rock rising about 100m out of the sea about 20 miles east of Edinburgh about two miles offshore between North Berwick and Dunbar. It was inhabited centuries ago by a Christian hermit and subsequently by the garrison of a castle, lighthouse keepers etc. At one time the castle and chapel were used as a prison. It has always been home to a colony of Northern Gannets (Sula bassana or Morus bassanus). The name Bassanus is derived from Bass Rock. Since the island became uninhabited the number of Gannets has exploded. In spring the rock turns white due to the number of birds (and the guano they produce). Currently there are estimated to be 150,000 gannets plus a Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags, Cormorants, various Gulls, a few Eider Ducks and even the odd Puffin although there are no burrows for Puffins to use as nests. Gannets are closely related to the Booby.
But it is dominated by the Gannet colony. There is a hierarchy amongst the gannets with the older birds nesting higher on the rock and younger birds occupying the lower areas. Below them are the other species. The stink is awful. The guano and urine mixes and runs down the rock to form a soup. But it is worth a little discomfort. Described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the wonders of the natural world it is designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI).
But it is dominated by the Gannet colony. There is a hierarchy amongst the gannets with the older birds nesting higher on the rock and younger birds occupying the lower areas. Below them are the other species. The stink is awful. The guano and urine mixes and runs down the rock to form a soup. But it is worth a little discomfort. Described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the wonders of the natural world it is designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI).
Rock looms out of the grey dawn gloom
Gannets continually maintain their nests using seaweed brought in from the seabed
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Position of eyes gives them bifocal vision
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Graceful in flight
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The pair bond is reinforced each time they meet by an elaborate beak touching and shaking
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Mating is a rough business
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Landing is a bit uncontrolled
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That is one of a number of webcams in the background which stream live video to the net
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Jun 5, 2014 09:11:05 #
Jun 5, 2014 09:49:11 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Interesting and enjoyable!
Hello Linda
Thanks for looking and for commenting, much appreciated. Still got a few SD cards to look through.
David
Jun 5, 2014 10:01:52 #
Excellent series & commentary! Thanks for posting.
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Jun 5, 2014 10:06:39 #
naturepics43 wrote:
Excellent series & commentary! Thanks for posting.
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Hello naturepics43
Thanks for looking and for your kind comment and the thumbsup, much appreciated.
David
Jun 5, 2014 12:34:33 #
Jun 5, 2014 13:14:01 #
Great shots David, that must be a wonderful thing to see up close. Thanks so much for sharing
Jun 5, 2014 14:18:40 #
angler wrote:
All excellent shots and narrative David
Hello Jim
Thanks for looking and for your comment, always appreciated.
David
Jun 5, 2014 14:20:41 #
gregoryd45 wrote:
Great shots David, that must be a wonderful thing to see up close. Thanks so much for sharing
Hello Greg
Thank you for looking, really appreciate your comment. It is an awesome spectacle. Glad that you enjoyed.
David
Jun 6, 2014 06:27:41 #
Jun 6, 2014 07:09:56 #
Jun 6, 2014 08:38:03 #
simplesimon wrote:
Brilliant set here David. Reckon it was pretty noisy there too!
Hello simplesimon
Thank you for looking and for your very kind comment, much appreciated. You are right the noise is intense. The birds sitting on the nest stare at the sky for sign of their mate returning. Their greeting ritual is very noisy when they do. They steal nesting material from adjacent nests and squabble with each other over space.
They are beautiful in flight and consummate divers but more or less crash land on the rock often missing their target and upsetting their neighbours. Mating is a very noisy affair.
Fascinating place to visit.
David
Damage to beak probably from crash landing
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Dispute between neighbours. Note the dead bird in the background.
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Jun 6, 2014 08:39:45 #
rlaugh wrote:
What a great set..good job!
Hello rlaugh
Thank you for checking these out and for your very kind comment, really appreciated. Glad you enjoyed them.
David
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