Grey Seal Pups Born for 12th Consecutive Year at Cumbria Nature Reserve
South Walney Nature Reserve records its first two seal pups of the season, continuing a decade-long breeding trend.
Two grey seal pups have been confirmed at South Walney Nature Reserve in Cumbria, marking the 12th consecutive year that pups have been recorded at the site. The Cumbria Wildlife Trust, which manages the reserve, announced the sighting during a routine seal count.
The reserve hosts the county's sole breeding grey seal colony and serves as a significant haul-out site, where seals come ashore to rest. While two pups were observed earlier in the summer, they did not survive. The newly identified pups are the first healthy ones documented for the current season.
Marine conservation officer Beth Churn expressed optimism, stating, "This is always an exciting time of year for us, and we hope that there'll be many more to come." She noted that the colony regularly sees double-figure pup numbers, a trend that has been improving annually.
Last year, South Walney Nature Reserve recorded a record 14 seal pups. The highest number of grey seals observed at the reserve to date was 563 in December 2024. Previous high counts include 518 in 2021, 483 in 2019, and 360 in 2018, indicating a consistent upward trend.
Grey seals began breeding at South Walney in 2015, with pups being born every year since. Churn attributed the success to "concerted and ongoing efforts to keep disturbance of the seal colony to a minimum." The trust emphasizes its work to ensure the beach remains a safe environment for the seals to return and breed.
While there is no public access to the primary haul-out site, three designated hides around the reserve allow visitors to observe the seals from a safe distance. A new hide at Groyne is under construction and will feature a telescope to enhance viewing opportunities.
The Cumbria Wildlife Trust advises the public to maintain a distance of at least 100 meters (328 feet) from the seal colony to prevent disturbance. "You can get good views of the seals with binoculars from a safe distance, so there's no need to get too close," Churn advised. Signs of disturbance include seals looking at observers and exhibiting nervous behavior, at which point visitors are instructed to retreat quietly.