Seal pups have been born at a South Cumbrian nature reserve – around a month earlier than usual.
South Walney Nature Reserve said the first pup was spotted on August 31 and a second pup was born on September 17.
The pupping season in Cumbria generally runs from October to mid-November.
Beth Churn, marine conservation officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “The first seal pup was a lovely late summer surprise! It’s not the first time that we’ve seen seal pups this early in the season, but generally we spot them from October through to November.
“There are various possible reasons why the first pup arrived early. It could be climate change effecting prey availability and sea conditions.
“The pupping season varies from region to region so it may be that the mother has come from a nearby colony, for example North Wales or the Isle of Man, where it’s not so unusual to see pups earlier.
“This year, unusually early grey seal pup births have also been recorded in Cornwall and on the Isle of Man so It seems like this may be a UK-wide trend.”
“We encourage anyone who wants to see the seal pups at South Walney to watch our live sealcam and keep an eye on our social media channels for videos and photos. Please note there is no access to the beach where the seals haul out.”
Early pups are not unusual. In 2021, the first pup was recorded on August 27.
Earlier this year, Cumbria Wildlife Trust announced that a record number of grey seals – 563 – had been counted at the colony at South Walney Nature Reserve.
The previous highest grey seal counts were 518 in 2021, 483 in 2019 and 360 in 2018.
This is the 11th year running that pups have been recorded for Cumbria’s only breeding grey seal colony.
The seals started breeding at South Walney in 2015 and pups have been recorded every year since. This success story isn’t accidental but is the result of concerted and ongoing efforts to minimise disturbance of the seal colony.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust works hard to make the site safe and secure for the seals, so that they feel able to return here to breed. This includes keeping disturbance to a minimum.
The best way to see the South Walney seals and their pups is to follow Cumbria Wildlife Trust on social media and watch the live sealcam.
Alternatively, visitors to South Walney can watch the seals in the sea at high tide from a safe distance in Groyne Hide, although they will need binoculars or a viewing scope to see them.
There is no access to the beach where the seals haul out.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust has appealed to all sea users, including kayakers, anglers, jet skiers and boats, to maintain at least 100m distance from the seal colony at all times.
Generally, you’ll know if you’re too close because the seals will start to look at you and move nervously. If this happens, you should immediately start backing away quietly to avoid further disturbance. More guidance is available here Marine & Coastal Wildlife Code.
South Walney Nature Reserve near Barrow is open daily from 10am to 5pm (4pm in winter). Visitors are welcome. The visitor cabin is open with information and activity packs for children and a monitor streaming the live sealcam.
Dogs are not allowed on the nature reserve, apart from assistance dogs.
