Gannets

The Northern Gannet (Morus Bassanus) is a seabird found nesting in large colonies on North Atlantic coasts. These images were created at the great RSPB Bempton Cliffs reserve in North Yorkshire which is the home to the largest mainland colony on gannets in the UK.

"Pairing" - Northern Gannets live in tightly packed colonies on steep coastal cliffs. Bempton Cliffs in North Yorkshire is home to the only mainland colony in England. Gannets pair for life and their courtship involves ritualised preening, bowing and head-pointing. - July 2017, Bempton Cliffs, North Yorkshire, UK.

Juvenille Northern Gannets start life being dark grey in colour, over their first 4 or 5 years of life the plumage becomes gleaming white. They fish by diving into the sea from up to 40m, folding their wings back like an arrow.