Gannet  (Morus bassanus)

Britain supports internationally important numbers of gannets (5); at present the British breeding population represents 60-70% of the world total (8). Most nest on Scottish offshore islands, there is also one colony on the east coast of England at Bempton Cliffs, and one on Grassholm, off southwest Wales (8). In winter the breeding adults disperse in home waters, and can be seen from most parts of the British coastline, although a minority migrate to warmer areas, as do most of the young (6); these individuals can reach as far south as West Africa and the western Mediterranean (2). Globally, gannets are restricted to the North Atlantic, most breeding colonies are in the East Atlantic, including Britain, Ireland, France, Iceland, Norway and the Faeroe Islands, but there are also colonies in Newfoundland and Quebec (8).

This seabird usually breeds on uninhabited islands, but occasionally on mainland cliffs (8).