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Thread: Common Seals

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Lybster
    Posts
    679

    Default Common Seals

    I looked through the back blogs and found that grey seals and Common seal were not listed.
    Grey seals i'll list later.
    Common seals at this time of year have just about finished having their pups.
    The Common seal gives birth at sea and mates at sea.
    So we dont get to see the action like that of the grey seal.
    Common seals do have a cream coloured fur coat but this is lost before birth.
    The Common seal is much smaller than the Grey seal and the nose is more turned up.
    The last ten years as seen a 40% drop in common seal numbers
    Scientist are still working on the cause.
    This year i'm glad to say i've found quite a few pups, 6 at Gills Bay compared with just one last year.
    The local BDMLR group have also picked up 3 pups, 2 Caithness 1 Sutherland and 1 imported from Inverness area.
    These are all doing well at the Highland Rehab facility in Caithness.
    Last year no Common pups were picked up by the local group.
    Because the pups are born at sea they are a lot weaker than their parents and do get seperated and come ashore to rest.
    The pups should be left to rest and will if fit ,go out with the next tide.
    Providing they have moisture rings around the eyes that should be clear, have no cough or discharge from the nose or serious looking injuries.
    Observe and leave alone.
    If you have any doubts contact the BDMLR or call Richard on 07768315216.
    Richard is the local BDMLR coordinator and will give advise over the phone or arrange a marine mammal medic to attend the seal.





    The difference in the face on last pic is because half the face is dry.

    Colin
    Last edited by Seabird; 24-Aug-08 at 01:13.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Caithness
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    5,424

    Default

    Thank you once again seabird.
    Am I right in thinking that common seal mothers and pups haul out together?
    If so there were about 5 pups at Mey beach when we were up, saw 4 at Gills, couple at Brough and couple at Ham all on the same day.
    Have some pictures but they are not as clear as some of the ones you post!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Lybster
    Posts
    679

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LIZZ View Post
    Thank you once again seabird.
    Am I right in thinking that common seal mothers and pups haul out together?
    If so there were about 5 pups at Mey beach when we were up, saw 4 at Gills, couple at Brough and couple at Ham all on the same day.
    Have some pictures but they are not as clear as some of the ones you post!
    They will stick with mum until fully weaned, but they will haul out together even after that, because seals haul out in groups at regular haul out locations.
    You mentioned most of them.

    Colin

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Lybster
    Posts
    679

    Default Common seal pup 13-10-08

    This little seal was with 2 other little pups feeding in a small Harbour.
    Pic taken late evening.



    Colin

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Wick
    Posts
    4,815

    Default Seals

    Very informative and great photos ,thank you Colin.
    A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.

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