They are distinctive because of their bright white bodies with black wing tips. You will see them circling before deciding to dive at great speed (up to 60mph) into the water to catch fish. Gannets mainly feed on mackerel, herring and sand eels, and after their catch will eat their meal on the way back to the surface. Their bodies are specially adapted to high-speed plunge diving in various ways, including internal ‘airbags’ which cushion the impact. The Orcadian name for gannet is Solan Goose.
Gannet diving © Mike Pennington
