One of the great sites over the past 2 days have been the large numbers of northern gannets. This impressive seabird can have a wingspan of over 2 metres. All of the gannets we have been seeing are immature (below), the won’t reach their adult colours until 4-5 years of age. One of the most amazing things about watching gannets is the main way they feed. They are plunge divers, sometimes diving from over 100 feet in the air down into the water to catch fish. Their streamlined body has air cells between the skin of its neck and shoulders and the muscle beneath. When a gannet prepares to dive these air cells will inflate and cushion the body as it strikes the water. Gannets are also one of only a few birds to have binocular vision, therefor both eyes can see forward at once. 
Thanks for checking in, the weather forecast is better for tomorrow, we are all keeping our fingers crossed. Northern Gannet information provided by: “Hinterland Who’s Who – Northern Gannet http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=58
