Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United Kingdom
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Home
  2. Bing Gallery
  3. United Kingdom
  4. 2020
  5. July 28
  6. Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) in flight, Troupe Head RSPB Reserve, Aberdeenshire
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) in flight, Troupe Head RSPB Reserve, Aberdeenshire

July 28, 2020

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) in flight, Troupe Head RSPB Reserve, Aberdeenshire

© Dave Pressland/Minden Picture

Ready to dive in. The spectacular dives of the northern gannet

Soaring high over the cliffs of Troup Head in Aberdeenshire, these northern gannets are on the lookout for something to eat. These striking creatures are the UK’s largest seabird, with wingspans of up to 2m, and yet are also incredibly aerodynamic. Known for super-fast plunges into the sea from a great height, they fold their wings back as they hit the water at up to 60mph. Torpedoing up to 10m beneath the surface, they snatch herring, mackerel and sandeels in that dagger-like beak and swallow them before resurfacing and taking to the air – all in the space of a few seconds. Despite hitting the water at break-neck speed, their necks usually remain intact, thanks to some special muscles and air sacs in the face and chest which act like bubble wrap, helping to cushion the blow.

Northern gannets can be spotted around our shores between January and August, before they head south for the winter. Troup Head is Scotland’s largest mainland gannet colony, which is saying something as the UK is home to between 60% and 70% of the world’s gannet population, the bulk of which live around Scotland’s coast. Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth is one of the most famous gannet-spotting places, but be warned: It’s said you can smell its colony ten minutes before you arrive, so it’s not for the faint hearted - or those with sensitive noses.

bird water animal outdoor seabird goose wave swimming

Related Images

Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, AustraliaMona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Gaztelugatxe islet, Basque Country, SpainGaztelugatxe islet, Basque Country, Spain
Strokkur geyser in IcelandStrokkur geyser in Iceland
Porthcawl lighthouse, South WalesPorthcawl lighthouse, South Wales
Tateishi Park, Kanagawa Prefecture, JapanTateishi Park, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Grand Prismatic Spring at sunrise, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USAGrand Prismatic Spring at sunrise, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Seawater cascades over an ancient coral reef, Hang Rai, VietnamSeawater cascades over an ancient coral reef, Hang Rai, Vietnam
Humpback whale, Disko Bay, GreenlandHumpback whale, Disko Bay, Greenland

Today on Bing

Bathing huts on the beach in Skåne County, Sweden

Bathing huts on the beach in Skåne County, Sweden

Jul 28, 2024
San Blas Islands, Panama

San Blas Islands, Panama

Jul 28, 2023
Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

Jul 28, 2022
School of sea goldies in a coral reef with feather stars, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

School of sea goldies in a coral reef with feather stars, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Jul 28, 2021
Carhenge, created by Jim Reinders, in Nebraska, USA

Carhenge, created by Jim Reinders, in Nebraska, USA

Jul 28, 2019

Related Tags

wave water nature outdoor sky ocean beach landscape sea mountain seascape cloud spring sunset painting coast smoke clouds lake tree
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.