Great excitement as the seals return to their beach haul out

This week has seen the return of the seals back to the haul out beach. A much anticipated event, Seal Group members were excited and delighted to find the early return of seals to the haul out beach first witnessed last year, has been repeated this year. Since detailed observations began, seals have moved from their Summer haul out on the rock ledges below the island, to the relative shelter of their beach to haul out for the Winter. Significant haul outs back at the beach have taken place on the following dates:

• 08/10/2000; 07/10/2001; 05/10/2002; 04/10/2003; 28/08/2004 and now 25/08/2005

The reason for the seals moving from their Winter to Summer haul outs is unclear. Recent theories suggested by Seal Group members focus on temperature changes. Both haul out locations experience direction sunshine in the Summer, although the beach is sheltered from prevailing winds and surrounded by high black cliffs that appear to absorb the heat of the sun, whilst the island rock ledges are more exposed to the cooling effects of the prevailing winds and sea breezes. Perhaps the beach haul out becomes too hot for the seals in the Summer? If the trigger is linked to temperature then the reverse may be true in the late Summer when the seals move from the Summer back to their Winter haul outs. The move this year appears to have coincided with a particularly cold night after a wet day. Obviously the trigger may not be simply related to the weather. Previously it was thought that daylight hours may have played a significant role in triggering the move of haul out locations, but the change from October to August seems to rule this out. Other factors could include sea water temperatures. For the first time this year, we have noticed a possible link with the hatching of large numbers of flying ants at the clifftops. Research into this on the internet suggests that this takes place on a warm still day after a wet one, but we will have to wait another 12 months to check out this theory!

The amazing sight from the clifftop (Left) : 30+ seals hauled on the beach (Middle) : Zooming in on the seals (Right.)

Old friends DP41 & DP59 with net ab ring (Left) : As yet unidentifed seals (Middle) : Younger friends S92 (Right.)

Whatever the trigger, there is no mistaking the the excitement that the seal's return to the haul out beach has caused, both amongst Seal Group members and the public. On Saturday afternoon visitors and locals alike made their way to the clifftop, only to be amazed at the sight of over 30 seals hauled out on the beach below them. It it such a pleasure to see so many people displaying a genuine and considerable interest in the seals. If you go to see the seals in the near future, enjoy your visit and try to be as seal friendly as you can by:-

Keeping:-

• a low & still profile on the clifftop, avoid breaking the horizon - lying or kneeling can help (seals have good eyesight)
• quiet on the clifftop (seals have very good hearing)
• yourself safe and a close eye on your children and close control over pets.