Horsey Seals - End of Season

Following a wild, really wild start to 2014, the seals on Horsey may not have had the easiest of breading seasons with extremely high tides sweeping along the coasts through December & January. I took a trip out with a couple of friends a few days ago to see what remained and again, the beach did not disappoint. 
There were a few maturing pups dotted along the beach and two large groups of adult seals basking, sheltered by the groynes and beach defences close to the shoreline. But as we approached the end of the accessible dunes we came across something rather special.
I have never seen a jet black seal pup, and was informed this had never been seen in this colony of grey seals. This one, I was told by a very helpful volunteer was around 6 weeks old and had already malted from it's white fur, so had not followed the normal colour sequence.
A very pretty creature and a real pleasure to come across.

Along with the anticipated high numbers of Skylarks in the fields bordering one side of the path which I admit I listened to for ages but did not take any photos of, the dunes on the other were occupied by what I think were Stonechats and Snow bunting, two birds I had to look up once I returned home. Also a Dor beetle (i think) on the path.