Thas A Fact?

2011 is proving to be a bumper year for grey seals pups on Blakeney Point.

Blakeney Point’s grey seal breeding season for winter 2011 has already broken the records, with more than 750 pups born from early November to mid-December.

Grey seals on Blakeney Point, north Norfolk. ©National Trust

There continues to be a meteoric rise in the grey seal population, with the first recorded seal pup  born in 1988 and by 2001 an established breeding colony of 25 pups born on Blakeney Point. Since then, the population has increased year on year to some 779 new pups born in 2011, with the number expected to exceed over 850 pups.

Graham Lubbock, one of the National Trust’s warden’s on the north Norfolk coast, is delighted with the season’s success,  “The number of seal pups born this season is amazing, we have already recorded 779 pups, which means including mothers and bull seals we have some 1800+ seals on Blakeney Point. In the last three years the pup count has increased year on year by almost 100 pups, and an incredible 31-fold increase since their first year of breeding, 11 years ago.”

Grey seals were the first mammal to be granted legal protection in the UK, so this is a good success story in terms of population doing well following protection.

Grey seal breeding numbers at Blakeney Point:

2011 – 779 (& still counting)
2010 – 700
2009 – just under 600
2008 – 413
2007 – 278
2006 – 213
2005 – 175 (estimate)
2004 – 100
2003 – 80
2002 – 50
2001 – 25

“Grey seals take four to five years to reach breeding maturity, and like to return to the place they were born to breed. At some point, they’ll reach capacity, both in terms of space on the beach and food supply.  We were expecting to see the number of new born pups level off from year to year but there is no sign of that happening yet.  It is such a success story for the grey seal.”

Seals are incredibly sensitive to human disturbance; land-bound pups may look ok if they are approached, but they can be distressed by the experience. The females will defend their pups if they perceive any danger, but the bulls are there to mate, so will defend the females, flattening pups in their wake.

The seals are much loved feature of the Norfolk coast, and a very important part of what makes Blakeney Point so special. The recommended way for people to see them is by taking a seal boat trip from Morston Quay. By boat you can get really close to the seals without causing any disturbance.  However, if people do decide to walk the 3.5 mile walk along Blakeney Point to see the seals then they are encouraged to be extra vigilant for the seals and their young pups which are now dispersed across the property and easily disturbed.  Seals can be aggressive and can bite so should be treated with respect. Visitors with dogs must keep their dogs on leads for the safety of the seals, their pups and the dogs.

A combination of high tides and recent windy weather has resulted in a number of young pups appearing in less remote locations such as Morston Marshes and Blakeney Quay.  The National Trust received over 20 telephone calls last weekend alone.  The generally accepted approach is that this is a naturally functioning seal population which will have some mortality, although the National Trust says they do respond to welfare concerns raised by the public and proactively liaise with the RSPCA.

The majority of young pups are healthy and if left undisturbed will be ok and their mothers will come and find them.

With more high winds predicted over the coming days, the National Trust is asking the public to be mindful of young seals appearing in less remote areas away from Blakeney Point. If any seals have obvious signs of injury or welfare concerns then please contact either the National Trust on 01263 740241 or contact the RSPCA’s hotline number on 0870 55 55 999.

Grey seal pups - a windy day on Blakeney Point. ©National Trust

Blakeney National Nature Reserve, on the north Norfolk coast, features 1,097 hectares of wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of this natural and dynamic coastline. Saltmarsh, sand dune and shingle habitats are home to a wealth of breeding birds, and Blakeney Point is famous for its seabird colonies, Grey and Common seals. In 2012 the National Trust will be celebrating 100 years since the acquisition of Blakeney by the National Trust, the first nature reserve in Norfolk.