BASS ROCK- Gannet Photography Workshop

Largest Single Gannet Colony in the World

The north-east of England is arguably the UK's best location for seabird photography. Bass Rock is just 60miles north of the Farne Islands, and can be combined with the Farne Island workshop to provide two days of magical opportunities. Bass Rock is the largest single gannet colony in the world. It is regarded by Sir David Attenborough as one of the “Twelve Wildlife Wonders of the World”.

50,000 pairs of gannets

It is now inhabited by over 50,000 pairs of gannets, plus some 20,000 non-breeders. You may also see shags, guillemots, razorbills, fulmar and puffins, but these birds are very much in the minority. Gannets are our priority today. The Gannets spend most of the year on Bass Rock. From February to the end of October, before departing for the west coast of Africa.

Four and a Half Hours on Bass Rock

Photographers On Safari have chartered a private boat to take you to Bass Rock. This will give you an unbelievable four and a half hours actually on Bass Rock. This is 50% more time than is normally available.

One to One Photographic Tuition

The day begins with a short tutorial on photography, giving an insight into the techniques used for bird photography. Feel free, however, to ask as many questions as you like on a one to one basis throughout the day regarding these techniques. General and/or individual advice will be given each time we choose a new subject. Group numbers will be strictly limited so that everybody gets a great position.

"Chumming"- Gannets diving into sea for fish

We will purchase a large container full of fish for each trip. When we arrive at Bass Rock, the boat will slow almost to a standstill and circle whilst a crew member throws out the fish one by one. This will continue for approximately 10 minutes. For the first couple of minutes we attract mainly seagulls, but these are quickly dispersed by an absolute frenzy of diving Gannets. The water boils, whipped up by incessant diving by literally hundreds of Gannets. All this happens just a few feet from the boat. It is an amazing experience that you will never forget.

Close-up Gannet Photography

You will be able to get amazingly close to the gannets and photographing them protecting and feeding their young will be a cinch. There are also birds constantly in flight, so with the correct camera settings dialled into your camera, sharp pictures of flying gannets should be an absolute certainty. One to one tuition is available throughout the day, so please do take advantage of this to ensure this is a memorable event.

Ornithological Guide

We will also enjoy the company of our own ornithological guide, who will answer all your birding questions. The gannet is Britain's largest seabird with a wing span of just under two metres. When hunting for fish it slams into the sea like a living missile, descending at speeds of over 90 mph and diving to depths of 30 feet below sea level. The impact as it hits the water is so violent that it can stun the fish and swallow its prey whole before returning to the surface. The gannets are designed for high speed impact with more safety features than a modern vehicle. It has a skull like a crash helmet and its throat pouches swell like a drivers air-bag as it crashes into the sea.

Densely Packed Nests

The flat top of the island has fields of densely packed nests, about 3 per square metre. This is just beyond pecking distance, as Gannets are fiercely territorial and can be very aggressive to neighbours and even their mates. Gannets prefer wind blown rocky stacks, as they allow the birds to make vertical takeoffs and landings. Any Gannet attempting to walk to it's nest is battered by host of heavy dagger-like beaks from neighbouring birds.

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