Seal Group Walk and Talk : Seals turn up on cue!

Sunday saw the third Seal Group Talk and Walk. Organised by Sara Dowler for National Trust Members, the talk was held in a popular and well known cafe where the event began with hot drinks and cakes for all. This was the first time Sue had shared the information learned by the Seal Group about the breeding and pupping of Grey Seals in Cornwall. Illustrated with many photographs and video clips recorded locally, the audience were able to see some of the many crises and dramas that play out in the lives of our seals on remote shores every winter. For some seals, the ending is good, for others a much sadder tale unfolds.

Sue and Terry leading the talk (Left) : Sara outlines health & safety issues before we head out (Mid) : National Trust members (Right.)

(Photos by Dave Jarvis)

After questions and answers fielded by Seal Group members Sue, Terry, Dave and Lesley, the party headed out in search of seal pups. As luck would have it, our timing was perfect. A few minutes earlier and the pup had been hidden in a cave, but as we arrived, he emerged to be fed by mother for everyone to see. Mum played with her pup, saw off the male and did all things sealy, before her pup headed back to the safety & shelter of the cave. How lucky we were to catch such a precious view of some private moments in the lives of seals.

Many thanks to Sara Dowler for organising the event, cafe staff for their excellent refreshments and National Trust members for turning out early on a cold Sunday morning.