First gannet chick hatches at Cape Kidnappers

The first chick of the Bay's great gannet colony has hatched, albeit a few weeks early.

Gannet Beach Adventures owner-operator Colin Lindsay said the chick was spotted at the Black Reef colony by an English couple enjoying the tractor tour to Cape Kidnappers on Sunday.

"It's quite amazing because not only is it earlier than usual in the season, but this chick looked like it was a few days if not weeks old," Mr Lindsay said.

The first gannet chicks typically hatched about November 20, he said.

"We usually keep a close eye on the colony to see the first chick of the year so we were beaten to it by a visitor this time. But that's fine, we like to send home happy people from the tours."

He said the colony boasted about 12,000 breeding pairs.