Summary

The Gannet Word on the Week 20th September 2025.
The Gannet is our largest seabird. Its feathers are whiter than white with only its two wing tips jet black. Its head is a light yellow colour which is not often noticeable. On the other hand, its steely blue eyes and sharp conical beak give it a formidable appearance.
In flight, often in a long line with others it became an unmistakable part of my youth. Flying 300 metres off shore, caught in the sunlight its little wonder the fishermen named them a string of pearls. They patrolled the East coast of Scotland looking for fish.
Many live on the Bass Rock situated where the Firth of Forth meets the North Sea. It is a tall spherical lump of basalt which is home to the biggest gannet colony in the world numbering 150,000 birds. Smaller gannetries are found around our shores including those on the Saltee and the Skelligs in Ireland.
Gannets have been successful in extending their numbers contrary to many other species of sea bird. They lay a single egg on a nest of rotten seaweed built on last years’ nest as a foundation. Their call a loud Ura, Ura, Ura make for a noisy greeting which, in the breeding season rises to a crescendo.
Gannets have few enemies but I have witnessed a fight which went the wrong way! A gannet came up from a successful dive with a large fish. As it flew off it was attacked by a Great Skua (a piratical bird which gets its food by attacking other birds) both falling into the sea where the fight continued neither wishing to give way.
The fish made its escape only to be caught and quickly eaten by a smart Herring Gull while the fighters exhausted themselves for no purpose!
The Gannet’s great eyesight enables to see fish at a distance. It then folds its wings and plummets downwards hitting the surface at 80 feet per second. The dive takes it 15 feet into the shoal. Its nostrils have migrated into the closed beak so that no water is driven up them to distract making a catch.
The 3Kg bird hits the water surface at 80km and would disintegrate if it were not for a series of air sacs which inflate on the dive and cushion the bird as it enters the water. As soon as it hits the water the air is expelled permitting the pursuit of fish under the surface to take place!
The glories of the Lord’s creation are on display (John 1 verse 3). Every dive proclaims His handiwork (Psalm 8).
In a similar way the glories of redemption are displayed. Every sinner who repents and puts his faith in Christ becomes a new creation (2 Corinthians 5). To God be the praise.