Alderney welcomes back returning gannets

Thousands of gannets have begun returning to Alderney's seabird colonies, with the first birds landing earlier than expected this year.

The Alderney Wildlife Trust said the first gannets touched down on Les Etacs on 6 February, about a week earlier than in 2025. The seabirds usually return to the island's gannetries closer to Valentine's Day (14 February).

The trust said the returning adult birds were likely to be the same individuals seen year after year, as gannets were known to show strong loyalty to their breeding sites once established.

The seabirds are also traditionally faithful partners, often pairing for life and returning to the same mate each breeding season.

The gannet colonies form part of the Alderney West Coast and Burhou Islands Ramsar site, which was designated in 2005 due to its internationally important seabird populations.

The trust said the return of the gannets highlighted the importance of protecting Alderney's marine environment and the habitats that supported seabirds and other wildlife.

People could follow the nesting season through the Alderney Wildlife Trust's live gannet cam, available online, staff said.

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