Northern Gannet (Fou de bassan) Colony on Île Bonaventure, Québec

     We returned last night from a short trip to Québec (justifiably called La Belle Province) where our main quest was to witness the grand spectacle of the colony of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) located on Île Bonaventure just offshore from the easternmost regions of La Gaspésie.

     This bird, surely one of the marquee species of all seabirds, is nothing short of magnificent, and the colony one of nature's awe-inspiring events. The sights, sounds, and yes the smell, are unforgettable. For a bird lover this is an exercise in sensory overload!
     Miriam and I were joined on our trip by Franc, Carol and Judy, and as usual we are counting on Franc for the best selection of pictures, and doubtless Miriam will have many fine images too; in the meantime I hope you will enjoy a few from my less than perfect results. A full report of this trip will be posted within a few days.
     The range of behaviours displayed by Northern Gannets is quite remarkable; from vicious attacks on intruders, to tenderness between pairs. This couple solicitously preened each other with loving care. It is not hard to anthropomorphize about these birds.

     This youngster was alone in a grassy area, perhaps having strayed from its nest. It is certainly not a good idea to roam in so dense a colony, rendering it difficult for devoted parents to locate their young when returning with food.

     In the same manner that adult birds engage in allopreening, great attention is also paid to the young. Whether this is a comfort mechanism or a sanitation practice I am not sure.

     Birds are very densely packed together but as long as each pair keeps to its own small space tranquility reigns.  Any bird straying into the territory of another risks prolonged and serious attack from its owners. 
     This individual has decided that a log is a fine place to perch.

     Conditions in such a crowded colony must at times be difficult and an individual here has somehow collided with a branch, or has in other fashion become entrapped, hanging there in mute reminder that life is sometimes brutish and short.

     As soon as one lifted one's eyes from the immediate concentration of birds practically at one's feet, the size of the colony was once again revealed.

      Headland after headland contained countless thousands of birds from mature adults to recently hatched chicks, and everything in between. In fact one bird was still sitting on an egg. In the picture below you can see a bird on a nest to the right of the bird with its head pointed skyward.

     Below, if you looks carefully, you can actually see the egg, as the sitting adult raised up to turn it.

     This pair seemed bonded by ties as strong as any human attachment.

     Whenever I decided that I had taken enough pictures I set about taking a few more!  Who can resist?

     I do not have a great deal of experience with Northern Gannets, but I am fairly sure this is a third year bird, with strongly marked upper wings and a yellow suffusion starting to appear on the nape.

     Franc, our consummate photographer, will have many fine shots of birds plunge diving into the water, and flying in formation across the waves, taken from the boat as we crossed from the mainland to the island, and I will look forward to sharing those with you, in addition to many other details about our trip.
     À bientôt!