Gannet, Morus bassanus

Local status: Rare passage migrant

Most records of this large seabird in the York area are of wandering juveniles in September and October. Three records fall outside this period. An adult that flew over York City Centre in March 1980 must have been a fine sight! There have been two influxes, in 2007 and 2013 when stormy conditions on the east coast pushed many birds up the Humber and inland

Records:
2020: Bank Island, 17th September. immature flew east
2017: A19 near Riccall, 30th April. sub-adult east
2016: Hagg Wood, 7th June, an adult found dead
2013: Milford Common, 7th November. Juvenile.
2013: Wressle, 14th October. Taken into care.
2013: North Duffield Carrs, 12th October. Taken into care and released at coast.
2013: Lower Derwent Valley, 11th October. Juvenile.
2012: Hopgrove – Heslington East, 24th June. Immature.

2012: Bank Island, 17th September. Juvenile.
2009: East Cottingwith Lock, 11th October. Juvenile.
2007: North Duffield Carrs, autumn, but date unspecified. Two juveniles.
2007: Stockton-on-the-Forest, 2nd October. Juvenile.
2007: Shipton, 28th September. Juvenile.
1989: Selby, 11th September. Two juveniles flew southwest.
1986: North Duffield Carrs, 27th September. Juvenile.
1980: Wheldrake Ings, 2nd September. Juvenile flew east.
1980: York City Centre, 21st March. Adult flew east.
1975: High Catton, 13th October. Juvenile found exhausted.
1974: Holtby, late September. Juvenile.
1967: Newton on Ouse, 15th September.

Unsubstantiated records:
2007: Wheldrake Ings, 27th September. Juvenile (Birdguides).
2006: Low Catton, 29th December. Juvenile flew south (Birdguides).