Bonaventure Island
Gaspé Peninsula
Quebec, Canada

 Visit 2008
Susan Sellers and I spent several days with Northern Gannets, they dressed in crisp,
white wings trimmed in black and heads tinged with a yellow wash. They were
diving at every vantage point on the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec.
 
Northern Gannets are swift and powerful fliers. Their legs are short with
large, webbed feet that make them awkward in landings and take-offs. We
witnessed that less than graceful activity at the breeding colony on Bonaventure
Island. We watched them glide for hours just above the breaking waves, rarely
moving their wings. Their long wings have an angular look. The wing tips, head
and tail make four points in flight. They are fascinating to observe because
they hover momentarily prior to their vertical dives. These birds can sustain
the force of the impact of their spectacular dives due to special adaptations
and are designed to be superb divers. Their thick skull acts as a hard-hat, and
it's the reinforced skull that cushions the impact. Air sacs [bubble-wrap like]
are strategically located in the neck and shoulder areas; they are inflated
during the plunge-dive. Lacking external nares limits the risk of intake of
water during the dive. They also close their pale, blue-gray
bill very tightly so water doesn't enter their mouth. This streamlined,
torpedo-like body is nearly resistance free.
 
From a good height, these birds glided above the swiftly moving water, and with
their binocular vision, they spied the scaled and slippery prey in the turbulent
water. Once they had visually located their next meal, they began the descent.
With wings tucked and back extended, they entered the water. The head-first
dives at amazing speed enthralled us. As they plunged into the water, these
aerialists drew us in. They were under and then resurfaced. We were students of
this vertical diver as we watched intently. The magnificent and dramatic sight
of these accomplished fliers with hollow bones and air sacs continues to
intrigue us. The wedge-shaped head and the bill which is stout at the base and
narrows to the tip are almost arrow-like. Their wings and feet aid in pursuit
of herring, mackerel, capelin and squid underwater.
 
While on Bonaventure Island, we watched these birds on their breeding ground.
Their feet are totipalmate with all four toes united by webbing. We studied the
pale, green lines along their legs and each of their toes. Both sexes look
alike, lacking sexual dimorphism. Males and females share incubation of a lone,
light, bluish white, kelp-stained egg with their feet since they lack brood
patches. Year after year, they occupy the same nest as it becomes a heap of
feathers, kelp, fish bones and droppings.

We spent hours with the birds, lured by their ice-blue eyes, their dives and
their crisp plumage. We witnessed billing, copulation, allopreening, nest
construction and nest material delivery.
 
 
Bonaventure Island ~ Northern Gannet Colony Data
We spent some time with some Canadian Wildlife Bird Surveyors and gleaned much
from them. They were conducting surveys off the Perce area and shared the
following with us:
 

1914 8,000
1938 14,000
1961 26,500
1966 42,000
1995 60,000
2004 106,000
 
These gentlemen told us that the next survey of Northern Gannets on Bonaventure
Island is scheduled for 2009 at which point they expect it to be the largest and
most easily accessible Northern Gannet colony in the world.
 

Logistics
 We took an early morning boat but there there are several trips daily. We
circumnavigated the Bonaventure Island viewing the birds on the steep cliffs,
landed and hiked to the colony. The hike is about 40-45 minutes on a well
manitained trail. There are observation blinds at end of the trail and a fenced
observation area which affords close observation of the Northern Gannet nesting
site. We also had wonderful looks at Perce Rock.
 
We took the 97 passenger Captain Duval II operated by Les Bateliers de Perce,
Inc. Phone: 1-877-782-2974
Tickets range from $17 - $20 Candian
 
We stayed at Le Pic de L"Aurore which has chalets, a small motel and one house
they rent. We rented a a small chalet with a
kitchenette, fireplace and was very affordable, clean and comfortable. We had
wonderful views of whales, dolphins, Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island.
 
Le Pic de L"Aurore: www.percechalet.com phone: 1-866-882-2151



Sue McGrath
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
Newburyport Birders
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-4785
newburyportbirders@comcast.net
www.newburyportbirders.com
 

The sea arch taken from a boat on the way to Bonaventure Island.