Each spring, the return of seabirds to Wales’ coast signals the start of something extraordinary.
5 min read
As the season gathers pace, the real spectacle begins. Out at sea, beyond the Pembrokeshire coast, Grassholm is once again coming to life.
The skies above the island are now filled with movement. Thousands of Gannets circle overhead, their white bodies flashing against the blue as they glide, turn and dive. Below, the colony is a dense, restless patchwork of birds, each one jostling for space on the crowded cliffs.
There is little stillness here. The air is alive with sound — calls, wingbeats and the constant exchange between birds arriving and departing. For those at sea nearby, it’s an unforgettable experience. This is seabird season at its most intense.
Gannets are built for drama. From high above the water, they plunge at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, folding their wings tight before slicing into the sea in pursuit of fish. These dives are fast, precise and relentless — repeated again and again throughout the day.
Back on the cliffs, the pace doesn’t slow. Pairs greet each other with ritualised displays, stretching their necks and tapping bills. Nests are defended, rebuilt and refined, often just inches apart from neighbouring birds.
Every movement is part of a delicate balance — a crowded, competitive world where space and timing matter.
For all its energy, this is also a vulnerable moment.
In recent years, seabirds across the UK have faced significant challenges, including outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. On Grassholm, the impact on Gannets has been stark, with numbers still far below historic levels.
And yet, each bird that returns is part of something resilient.
Despite the pressures they face, thousands continue to arrive, reclaiming their places on the cliffs and continuing a cycle that has played out here for generations. The island is also supporting growing numbers of other seabirds, including Guillemot, adding to the sense that this is a place still rich with life.
What happens on Grassholm is just one chapter in a much bigger story.
Seabirds depend on healthy, productive seas — and their fortunes are closely tied to the condition of the marine environment around them.
As the weeks go on, the drama will continue to unfold across Wales’ coasts, from offshore islands to mainland cliffs.
And while the sights and sounds of seabird season are among the most spectacular in nature, they also offer a powerful reminder: these moments matter, and so do the places that make them possible.
.jpg){kind=small}
