Seal colony now thriving on the Suffolk coast
The country's first breeding colony of grey seals is thriving at a former military testing site on the Suffolk Coast, after arriving on the nature reserve back in 2021.
While this is the fourth consecutive year of successful breeding at the coastal site, there has been a steady increase in the number of seal pups born each year – all thanks to a "lack of human disturbance."
This winter's breeding season at the site, known as Orford Ness, has seen 80 pups already born with many more expected.
According to the National Trust (which took over the site in 1993) said: "Disturbance, which can include any human activity, is one of the biggest threats to grey seals on UK shores as it can cause them to change their natural behaviour."
So, it's telling that the colony is now thriving as visitors respect the location where the seals have set up home.
The 10-mile-long vegetated shingle spit, which is joined to the mainland just south of Aldeburgh, is now home to around 400 seals. Matt Wilson, the trust's countryside manager for the Suffolk and Essex coast, hopes that this is just the beginning.
When speaking to the BBC, he said: “We're really lucky. It's a real privilege to have them on this site and a responsibility, too, for the team here."
Since 2021, their numbers have been steadily increasing. In fact, about 200 have been born over the past three years.
Even though the public can visit during the summer months, they are not allowed to get too close to the colony, which Matt believes has been a "great factor" in the colony's success.
Orford Ness’ Property Operations Manager, Glen Pearce, is keen to keep it that way. He explains: “We’re asking people to refrain from visiting out of season and to avoid using drones or other aerial equipment in the area. It's important people remember that unauthorised access, by foot, boat or drone, is not only illegal, but also dangerous because of the unique and remote nature of the former military site.”
Over the next few months, the team will be sharing still and moving images from the colony – all recorded from a safe distance – as well as updates on the number of pups and any observations that they have.
“We really hope visitors will continue to work with us to help protect the colony, which is such a brilliant wildlife success story for Suffolk,” Glen concludes.
Matt also commended the spit's ridges and dips, which add a "natural shelter barrier" against bad winter weather. “We're certainly hoping it will become one of the hotspots for grey seals around the UK coast,” he continued. “It is such an enormous potential; it is a great environment for them.”
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