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Environmentalist Kerry Leonard writes the next in
his series of exclusive wildlife reports for Breathing Places.
Super Seal Pups
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"As we walk down towards the shore several pairs of suspicious eyes view us from the water.
Adult seals, with just their snouts and eyes showing above the surface, float close offshore watching our every move.
At least we know we are in the right place to find what we came to see - seal pups.
These are Atlantic Grey Seals on the Copeland Islands, and during September and October they give birth to their small white pups on the rocky shore.
Very young pups are indeed nearly helpless and we approach
one animal which was probably born during the night. It
lies motionless, asleep and probably exhausted from its
exertions, the raw end of its umbilical cord still projecting.
I can approach down to touching distance, but something
always holds me back from touching them, even when asleep
– it seems rather rude to wake a sleeping seal by
prodding it. In any case older pups are not quite so benign
and can turn their bodies surprisingly quickly to reveal
incredibly sharp teeth that could remove unwary fingers.
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In Northern Ireland Atlantic Grey Seals are mainly found
on the east and north-east rocky coasts, and the Copeland
Islands are probably the largest single breeding site with
up to 30 or 40 pups each year, although this number varies.
In contrast the other species of seal, the Harbour (Common)
Seal is present in reasonably large numbers, particularly
on the Co. Down coast. Strangford Lough is very important
for the Harbour Seal. Another good site to see the species
is at Ballykinler, near Newcastle. The seals rest on the
relatively undisturbed sandy shore of the Military base
but can be observed from the National Trust property at
Murlough National Nature Reserve ."
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