Breeding season for seabirds on Helgoland island
The cliffs of Helgoland island, Germany, are home to numerous seabirds, including gannets.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Malte Florian/Dreamstime.com
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Transcript
The seabird cliffs on the small island of Helgoland in the North Sea - northern gannets have arrived for the breeding season. The elegant birds are recent arrivals to the island. The first pair nested here in 1991. Today there are over 150 breeding pairs.
The 60-meter-high cliffs are tightly packed with nesting seabirds. Space is at a premium and disputes with the neighbors are sometimes unavoidable. The gannets use discarded nylon fishing nets to build their nests. The consequences are often deadly if they or their chicks get entangled in the mesh.
The kittiwakes prefer more traditional nesting material, whilst guillemots lay their eggs precariously on the bare rock ledges. Even the intimate process of mating can be a delicate balancing act at these heights. But soon every pair will have staked out their little corner and the serious business of breeding can begin.
The 60-meter-high cliffs are tightly packed with nesting seabirds. Space is at a premium and disputes with the neighbors are sometimes unavoidable. The gannets use discarded nylon fishing nets to build their nests. The consequences are often deadly if they or their chicks get entangled in the mesh.
The kittiwakes prefer more traditional nesting material, whilst guillemots lay their eggs precariously on the bare rock ledges. Even the intimate process of mating can be a delicate balancing act at these heights. But soon every pair will have staked out their little corner and the serious business of breeding can begin.