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)