31st of December: Happy new year (and latest pup count)

The National Trust Norfolk Coast team would like to wish all readers of our blog a very happy new year.

It was a lovely bright and clear day at Blakeney today. We conducted a Grey Seal pup count on the Point, recording 23 pups born since our previous count. This takes our running total to 2,362 live pups, which is 19 more than the last year's total.

Photo: Ian Ward

Best wishes for 2017,
 Ajay [Ranger]

22nd of December: Happy Christmas (and latest pup count)

The National Trust Norfolk Coast team would like to wish all readers of the blog a very happy Christmas.

Today, we conducted our last pup count before Christmas, which takes the total up to 2,339 pups. This is just three less than last season's total and we still expect a few more births over the next couple of weeks.

The count included one pup that had literally just been born...

Cow with newborn pup (A. Tegala)

Our next count will be between Christmas and New Year.

Pup resting on the beach (A. Tegala)

If you are thinking of visiting Blakeney Point during the Christmas holidays, we recommend Bean's and Temple's seal ferry trips that go regularly from Morston Quay.

White 'puppy' fur shed by a pup (A. Tegala)

If you are thinking of walking up the Point, please visit our web-site for advice and information on responsible viewing, and follow on-site information.

-Ajay

15th of December: Seal pup update

Today, the ranger team were out checking the Grey Seal colony on Blakeney Point. A large number of pups are now weaned and have been left by their mothers. But pups are still being born daily.

Young pup with mother (Jemma Finch)

There are pups in various states of moult...

Moulting pup (Jemma Finch)

A number of the weaned pups are stretching their flippers and moving around the dunes, some straying out of fenced areas and onto paths. Please give seals a wide berth, including any adults that may be outside of the fenced areas too. With bulls fighting over territories and trying to mate with cows, the colony is a dramatic but dangerous place.

Cow (Jemma Finch)

Bull (Jemma Finch)

Today's pup count takes our running total to 2,242 (plus two in the care of the RSPCA). Pupping is slowing down but will continue into the new year. We will keep you updated with our counts.

Ajay and Al totting up figures (Jemma Finch)

Seals are not the only wildlife stars of Blakeney at the moment. This week, over 400 Pintail were counted in the harbour. Other notable wildfowl records include Scaup, Goldeneye and a few dozen Red-breasted Mergansers. The Shorelarks haven't been seen for a few days, but up to 20 Snow Buntings are still being seen daily.

- Ajay Tegala (Ranger)