The UK pupping season has begun, so wrap up warm, keep your distance and enjoy these lovely creatures in their natural habitats

Great British Life: Seals relaxing on offshore rockSeals relaxing on offshore rock (Image: Archant)

On sea and land – the grey seal has perfected coastal living, writes Sue Sayer of the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust.

We are lucky enough to share the coastline that the South West Coast Path follows with a globally rare marine mammal – the grey seal. The UK has a third of the world’s population of these charismatic creatures (although, they are still outnumbered by red squirrels!)

One thing we share with grey seals is a need for both land and sea. We depend on the sea for every second breath – from oxygen made by phytoplankton. Seals need land for key parts of their lives. Here they rest, digest and restore emergency oxygen supplies after deep 120m dives – and have their pups.

Regular coast path walkers will be well aware of seals. These dog-like mammals sleep on rocky outcrops, bob about at the surface, follow kayaks or explore fins with sensitive muzzles and cat-like whiskers. During the summer and autumn months seals are at critical stages in their seasonal cycle; in summer they feed up ready for the challenges of the breeding season that peaks in October.

Great British Life: Sue SayerSue Sayer (Image: Archant)

Most males are non-breeding. Only a few have the ‘X factor’ needed to be a dominant male. Known as Beachmasters, dominant males protect their chosen females and father the next generation of seal pups. They are not always the biggest or strongest males, but the most adaptable to the rapid changes taking place around our coast. They are the smartest leaders demonstrating patience, empathy and respect. Beachmasters must build up their energy reserves to get ready for the pupping season, which runs from August to December. This allows them to fast for a few months to avoid leaving their chosen females.

Seal mums are at the top of seal society, ruling even powerful Beachmasters. They will reject any amorous advances until they are ready to mate. This happens three weeks after giving birth when they wean their pups. Seal mums only feed their pups for three weeks before they are weaned. During this time, amazing fast food transfer takes place. Pups grow from 10kg skin and bone, newborn pups into 40kg barrels. By this time, they have lost their long white fur replaced with a patterned grey coat. At around the same time as weaning, the now emaciated mother will mate with her chosen male and start her next pregnancy. As she is near starving herself, the fertilised egg remains dormant and only if she is able to feed well enough to get fat and fit will the egg implant and start to develop. This is called delayed implantation. Effectively seal mums can be pregnant 24/7 all year round!

Life at sea is tough for grey seals with mortality as high as 75% in the first 18 months. This is why summertime is critical and is a time when adult seals must build up their fat reserves. Without energy stores, a Beachmaster may lose his dominance and territory. Females, who pass a third of their body weight onto their pups, may themselves starve just to feed their young and give them the best chance of survival. Even slightly underweight pups will not live beyond their first few months, because they do not have enough energy stores to survive the time it takes to teach themselves to feed.

So, if you’re out walking and see a resting seal, please stay on the coast path to give it an extra wide berth. The consequences of changing its behaviour can have serious consequences for the seal and its offspring particularly during summer and autumn. Please remember to give wildlife space as disturbance is damaging, so always stop and think about your behaviour around these incredible wild creatures. Disturbance interrupts rest and causes stress – it is always a waste of energy, sometimes results in injury and is occasionally fatal. If you back off and stay out of sight you can continue to enjoy magical moments with our awesome marine life for longer. It is normal for seals to rest on land, so you need to be respectful of them, this is their coastline too. Seals link the ocean to the land. They bring an early warning of invisible changes taking place at sea.

Great British Life: Seal hubSeal hub (Image: Archant)

So, we need seals to thrive, but seals need us too. The grey patterned coat of seal pup, is unique like our fingerprint. It is a marker for each individual seal for life. Over 20 years, the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust has recruited hundreds of volunteers into 25+ community hubs. These volunteers can recognise the fur patterns of seals on their patch. Our network has shown that seals from Devon, Cornwall , Somerset and Dorset move across national borders. Seals from the south west have swum to the Isle of Man, Wales, Ireland, France, Belgium and Holland. No-one knew south west seals were so well travelled! In 20 years, the CSGRT have done 35,000+ surveys, processed more than one million photos resulting in 72,000+ seal identifications. We have built up individual seal life histories. Seals we first met in 2000 have been re-identified in 2020. Our evidence is shared globally to shape planning, policy and legislation to protect our oceans for seals and people.

Every seal counts, but so does every person. Last year at more than 159 events, our marine rangers connected with over 12,000 people visiting our amazing pop-up mobile marine centre exhibition. We want to inspire everyone with our ocean optimist messages. Rangers share ideas about the daily actions we can all take at home, work and play to make the oceans cleaner and healthier. We must keep this momentum going to give seals a voice, so we can all share our seas successfully.

You can join in our citizen science project, by telling us about the seals you see around the coast path. Send the date, location and number of seals in the sea/on land to sightings@cornwallsealgroup.co.uk – photos are a bonus!

This article is reproduced courtesy of the South West Coast Path Association

Great British Life: Skin and bone newborn pupSkin and bone newborn pup (Image: Archant)

Great British Life: Beachmaster named Tamfire gently caressing his chosen female called KelpBeachmaster named Tamfire gently caressing his chosen female called Kelp (Image: Archant)