Gannets

[redman41]

Gannets have been quite prolific around Llandudno lately and have been fishing close to the shore and near the Pier.
It would be nice if a breeding colony was established on the Great Orme as it would be an ideal location for them.
Some Photos below.

http://www.flickr.com...02196/in/photostream/

[Milvus]

Fantastic shot Redman. They ere spectacular to watch, sadly I never see them live yet. I always thought that fishing amongst them looked pretty hazardous. Do you wear a crash helmet?

[redman41]

Crash helmet is the order of the day Milvus !
I'm keeping tabs on one or two of the North Wales Bird Forums just to see if anyone reports that Gannets have formed a colony and are breeding on the Great or Little Ormes, Llandudno.
The main and as far as I know, the only breeding colony in Wales is off the coast of South Wales. keeping my fingers crossed for N.Wales in the future.

[Milvus]

I think you are right. Only one breeding colony in Wales. I wonder what would make them move to the Ormes? Do they only return to their birthplace to breed? I suppose they could try translocation as was used to regenerate Kites and Ospreys, but you would have to move an awful lot to start a new colony

[Chaffinch]

Fantastic photo, I do think Gannets are such beautiful birds, sadly never seen one in real life (live too far south!)

[redman41]

Yesterday one person reported that a Gannet was flying parallel to his car as they were driving through the road Tunnels towards Conwy on the Coast road.
They seem to be everywhere at the moment, good for North Wales as plenty of food obviously.