Andrew Clarke
Well-known member
Greetings seawatchers
I heard a story from a local fisherman recently which I find quite intriguing. Apparently he was shore fishing near Pwllheli last week when he noticed an adult Gannet dropping seaweed into the water from a height then flying down and picking it off the surface, taking it back up several metres and dropping again... and so on.
The bird continued doing this for some time when the chap decided to get back to concentrating on his fishing.
He's at a loss to explain the behaviour - his main idea being that the bird might be using the weed to disturb the water surface and attract fish.
Although I'm aware of seaweed being a component of the nest I have never seen Gannets carrying any away from the breeding areas. The nearest colony is way down in Pembrokeshire so this does not apply here.
Have any of you ever come across or are aware of similar behaviour and do you have any comments on the meaning of this?
Any feedback would be most welcome.
Best wishes
Andrew
I heard a story from a local fisherman recently which I find quite intriguing. Apparently he was shore fishing near Pwllheli last week when he noticed an adult Gannet dropping seaweed into the water from a height then flying down and picking it off the surface, taking it back up several metres and dropping again... and so on.
The bird continued doing this for some time when the chap decided to get back to concentrating on his fishing.
He's at a loss to explain the behaviour - his main idea being that the bird might be using the weed to disturb the water surface and attract fish.
Although I'm aware of seaweed being a component of the nest I have never seen Gannets carrying any away from the breeding areas. The nearest colony is way down in Pembrokeshire so this does not apply here.
Have any of you ever come across or are aware of similar behaviour and do you have any comments on the meaning of this?
Any feedback would be most welcome.
Best wishes
Andrew