Since hearing that the first pup had been born on Blakeney Point on the North Norfolk coast at the beginning of the month, I've wanted to get over to the more accessible Horsey Beach, near Caister to see the beginning of the Grey Seal breeding season.
Although this will be my forth year of visiting this beach during the breeding season, this is the first time I've walked the beach this early.
On a gloomy Saturday morning I drove over with a friend and spent a couple of hours walking from one viewing point to another.
Between November and February a section of beach, approximately a mile is roped off and volunteers work shifts to monitor the seals and try and discourage dog walkers from allowing their dogs from running free on the beach.... more for the safety of the dogs.
Even at this time we were not the only visitor and due to the increase in public interest over the past couple of years, the beach car park and access road has been resurfaced and restrictions put in place to encourage better behaviour, thus more capacity.
It's not easy to tell
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| This isn't as tranquil a scene as you might think. The bull (in background) could well try to mate with the female, ready for next year's breeding. This would put the pup in mortal danger as the bull may crush it as he tries to get to the mother. |
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| This pup was only hours old, laying close to it's mother in the dunes |
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| suckling pup |
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| We are not alone |
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