Gannet Morus basanus

Steeple Claydon - 25th September 2010

Photo copyright John O'Dwyer

This is one of four juvenile Gannets that flew over John's allotment at Steeple Claydon mid-afternoon.  John did well to get a record photograph of one of the birds.  (Many Gannet do fly low even when flying overland).

There was a major movement of this species across mainly midland counties during the day, with a few recorded the following day.  Buckinghamshire recorded the following :-

Gallows Bridge Farm - A probable at 11:11

Gawcott and Calvert Green - a probable at 11:40 seen from a car

Newport Pagnell - 7 immatures flying north at 14:45

Steeple Claydon - 4 flying west at 15:15

Calvert - A juvenile at 18:10

Despite birders visting several lakes during the afternoon and evening, no others were seen, so all of the sightings are north of the Chilterns which provide a natural barrier.

Other counties mainly to the north of Bucks had the following number of sightings on the same day (provisional).

Leiceishire - 2

Oxfordshire - 1

Warkwickshire - 1

Northamptonshire - 3

Cambridgeshire - 10

To see details of all of the 13 previously accepted records for this species click here.