The first grey seal pup of the year has been born at England’s largest grey seal colony, two weeks earlier than last year, the National Trust has said.
Rangers anticipate around 4,500 new arrivals to Blakeney Point, North Norfolk coast, this season.
According to the conservation charity, the first seal pup born there was 34-years ago in 1988.
Since then, the site has grown to become England’s largest grey seal colony, with seal pup numbers increasing from just 25 pups in 2001 to 3,012 in 2019.
This is thought to be due to low levels in disturbance and mortality during the first few weeks of a person’s life as well as a lack natural predators.
Duncan Halpin is a ranger with the National Trust on North Norfolk Coast. “The colony at Blakeney has now become so large that it is almost impossible to record the number of pups precisely.
The first grey seal pup of the year has been born at Blakeney Point in Norfolk, England’s largest colony (Hanne Siebers/National Trust Images/PA)
“Until a few years ago, the pups were counted individually by rangers and volunteers walking carefully through the colony, but from 2019, numbers of new-borns and weaned pups – which will have moulted their white fur but will be much smaller than the adults – were recorded in just one specific area to give an indication of the overall size of the colony.
“The first pup of the season is always a special moment in our year.”
Female grey seals can live up to 35 years.
At three to five years, they have their first baby.
They return to the same location each year after having their first litter.
“Our job over the coming weeks is to ensure that the seals remain undisturbed so the females can give birth and the pups can feed in peace to maximise the chances of survival,”Mr Halpin.
Grey sea bulls and cows at the water’s edge at Blakeney Point (Hanne Siebers/National Trust Images/PA)
“Seals are wild animals and can be dangerous, particularly if they feel threatened.
“We therefore ask visitors to keep their distance.
“Bring binoculars to help you see the seals better.”
According to the National Trust, there are approximately 400,000 grey seals worldwide. About 35% of them live in British and Irish waters.
For details on how to see the seal pups on Blakeney Point visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blakeney