Bass Rock 2018

Maggie Sheddan: Bass Rock

Gannet guru and expert guide, Maggie Sheddan, shares her insights on a very unusual season on the Bass Rock.

The ‘Beast’ was ferocious; however, it was the unrelenting easterly storms that not only brought destruction along the coast line but also contributed to the mortality of returning seabirds, in particular shags and guillemot.

Surely the Bass gannets could ride out the bad weather? We knew they were late in returning but we were somewhat taken aback when, landing on the 20th April, not only were birds not settled, but many had still not returned. Nesting should have been in full swing with the odd egg being seen, but there were significant gaps in the colony. Several of the study birds were just standing around, alone, waiting.

These birds were weighed and found to be significantly underweight. Would this impact on their ability to breed successfully?

Over the next few weeks the dynamics of the colony were very different to the norm.

The first eggs were laid in early May, however, nests were scarce and unstructured. There was almost a feeling of apathy over the colony. If not in peak condition the mature birds will take a year out from breeding and, given the delay with nesting, would that be the case this year?

Finally, in June and early July, we started to see the chicks hatching on the Bass but the nest sites themselves were still very poor. Without the security of a strong nest the eggs were under increased threat of predation or simply rolling out of the nest territory and being abandoned or crushed.

Late July saw the first serious rain of the season. Young chicks are vulnerable in such conditions particularly without the mounds of seaweed nests that would usually protect the eggs and young. The gannet is about the territory, with the ritual and bonding between the breeding pair, centred around the nest. It’s a wonderful spectacle to see strings of gannets purposely flying toward the rock, seaweed hanging from their bill. Had the early season storms churned up the seabed so much that there was none around for nest building?

Interestingly, seaweed started to re-appear in July with ‘non-breeders’ returning to sites, but for many breeders the young endured ‘Gannet Glastonbury’ in mid August. Water cascaded down the rock gathering mud and creating landslides. Several young without the protection and confinement of the nest were displaced.

A couple of healthy if somewhat mud-caked gugas were taken back to the mainland into the care of the SSPCA team. There is a fine balance between interfering and rescuing a bird that you know, with care, may survive.

Heading out early September only two gugas were spotted on the sea. On landing, where normally we would be freeing dozens of young trapped on low areas, there were none! Down-covered young confirmed that fledging was late. The beginning of November saw a handful of gugas remaining, parents still returning to feed while the rest of the colony had left.