The great migration of birds is in full swing. Also over sea. Small birds fly almost desperately over the large lake and sometimes rest on a boat or a piece of land. There are also large birds, who see the sea as their 'home'. They only come ashore during the breeding season. Such a bird is the Gannet. And because the Gannets do not breed in the Netherlands, the only possibility to see them here is by boat in the North Sea and hoping for a nice encounter!
On 8 October 2021, I left the harbour of Lauwersoog at 5.30 a.m. in dense fog. The fog did not lift until 11.00 am. Then there were only some seagulls and a distant Guillemot to be seen. At 3 p.m., they were suddenly there: the Gannets! Young birds in beautiful black/brown dress and adults in white. The young gannets are completely brown/black in their first year and completely white after 4 years.
Once they were there with a whole family, they circled around the boat and showed themselves beautifully. It was a great experience.
