UK Seas

Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores

UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.

Gannet

Morus bassanus

Type

Birds

Description

Magnificent, athletic seabirds, mostly white with pale orange head, steely blue bill and black wing tips. Young birds are mostly brown.

A gannet diving into water is an awesome sight, plunging at high speed to catch fish.

Location

Bass Rock and St Kilda, Grassholm, and Bempton Cliffs are hotspots - but may be seen all around the UK in flight.

Habitat

Open ocean