Northern gannets steal the show from whales in Tadoussac

In recent days, gannet observations almost overshadow those of whales, at least as far as I’m concerned! They number in the thousands, and are especially numerous southeast of the Batture aux Alouettes, offshore from the villages of Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Catherine.

Here are some field notes on these wonderful birds and a few photos that I felt like sharing.

On August 17, before our bewildered eyes, a “cloud” of gannets glides with the wind blowing from the southwest. I count almost 2000 individuals! Suddenly, hundreds of gannets “drop out” of the flock, fold their wings and dive at breakneck speed toward the water. Without a doubt, large schools of fish must be moving in the area, close to the surface. The birds attack repeatedly as they partake in this veritable smorgasbord. Also in pursuit of these fish are hundreds of kittiwakes, double-crested cormorants and herring and great black-backed gulls. What excitement! Not to mention several groups of gray seals and a handful of minke whales.

What a joy to see these gannets flying high in the air and hovering between two large waves. They have become masters of the skies in our area for a few days.