GRASSHOLM ISLAND
The most impressive wildlife sight in Pembrokeshire is the Gannets of Grassholm, one of the largest colonies in the world of its type. The Gannet has a wingspan of almost 2 metres, making it the largest North Atlantic seabird. During the breeding season, April to September, more than 34,000 breeding pairs nest on the northern side of the island, protected from the prevailing South Westerly winds. Over many years, their bird droppings have stained the rock white. In consequence, when you approach the island by boat, having travelled 10 miles offshore, it looks very much like a bun sitting on the ocean with icing sugar on top!

Stunning photographs of the Gannets can be obtained while anchored off Grassholm. You will see the birds gracefully circling overhead, busying themselves on the congested rock, finding their nests with pinpoint landings, and feeding their young. The adult birds have gleaming white bodies, long narrow wings with black tips, and a pointed tail; this makes them visible at great range. Juveniles are dark and fluffy, becoming lighter as they mature at three years of age. At sea, these magnificent birds plunge-dive from heights of up to 100 feet, making an eye-catching splash, emerging sometime later with their fishy meal safely tucked away - an amazing sight to behold.

Whats more, Gannets challenge not only the visual senses: theres the smell of Grassholms guano, which can be overpowering at times; plus, as you can imagine, the mechanical arrah arrah chorus that so many Gannets make is comparable to sitting in the middle of a modern wildlife discotheque!

As for "Greedy Gannet", there's only one way to discover where this phrase came from: challenge all of your senses and cruise to Grassholm with Pembrokeshire Boat Charters to find out for yourself! We guarantee that you won't be disappointed.