This seal was probably a year or two old as it was bigger than all the newborns but smaller than the adults, it seemed very curious about our cameras!

Enjoy!

Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus
Length 2.5-3m

Grey seals, also called Atlantic seals, have been breeding on the Lincolnshire coast since the early 1970's. They are probably related to the Farne Islands colonies. Pupping here is less stressful than a rocky shore, with less territorial battles.

The pups are conceived in the shallows, or on the beach, in November. After one week's development, the foetus stops growing for about 100 days, after which it continues to develop and is born the following November.

Pups are born with white coats and suckle from their mother for about 2 to 3 weeks. After that, the mother leaves the pup and goes off to the shallows to mate again for next years pup. The deserted pup sheds its white coat. After a while, hunger drives it to make its way to the sea to look for its own food.