Port Phillip Bay Gannets
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 7:39 pm
Pope's Eye is three sides of a square, built of rocks, rising up from the floor of Port Phillip Bay between Portsea and Queenscliff. It was originally planned as one of four similar facilities to act as a defensive fort against the Russians in the late 19th century, but was never completed. Sand has largely filled in the square since that time, and it has become a very popular diving destination. It also now supports a breeding colony of gannets. (There are no breeding colonies between Pope's Eye and Portland in western Victoria.) Gannets are magnificent sea birds with white bodies, distinctive yellow heads, and large, powerful beaks. They dive into the water at great speed from great heights to catch their prey.