The Solan Goose

We had a great sail out from North Berwick Harbour in the Sula. To Craigleith first to see the last remaining Puffins, before they depart on their annual migration. Then to the Bass Rock to see the largest existing colony of Northern Gannets. They absorb three of your senses: first you see the hundreds of them flying round the Bass; then your hear their screeches; then you catch the odour. We were warned by the boatman to put on hats or pull up hoods, "If anything white falls on you from the sky, it sure won't be snow."

The chicks are now huge; in some cases larger than the adults, balls of white fluff with black faces - you can see one sitting under its parents in this picture. The two adults here are fencing - crossing their beaks in a courtship display.