WNJ Exclusive: Northern gannets swarm over Sandy Hook
The northern gannet - a seabird rarely spotted in large numbers anywhere from land - was spotted by the hundreds today off the western coast of Sandy Hook, diving into Raritan Bay in search of prey. Mark Gallagher captured the above shot of the flock of gannets.
For those not familiar, here's a closeup shot of a northern gannet (NOT taken today in Sandy Hook), which has a light blue beak, yellowish head,huge 6-foot wingspan, and black-tipped wings on an otherwise white body.
Photo credit: Ocean Wanderers blog. (Photo NOT from today in Sandy Hook.)
Photo credit: Ocean Wanderers blog. (Photo NOT from today in Sandy Hook.)
A previous story on gannets and other seabirds encountered on a New Jersey pelagic trip can be found at:
More information on the northern gannet can be found at:
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 4/8/2010 5:20 PM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Birds
Tags: Raritan Bay Northern Gannet Sandy Hook birds
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Birds
Tags: Raritan Bay Northern Gannet Sandy Hook birds
Thanks for sharing the info and pix! I wish I could have seen it myself!
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