2 hatties for the price of 1.

It was a pleasant surprise to see yellow hat tag 47 again this weekend. This is Clifford who was rescued by staff from the National Seal Sanctuary at Porth Chapel on 23/01/05. After his rehabilitation, he was released from Porthtowan on 10/05/05. Clifford spent some time basking in the sun on the right hand ledges before entering the water, where he spent a lot of time bottling lazily a few metres from the ledges.

For the first time in one day, a second hattie was seen hauled on ledges not far from Clifford. After initial confusion, it became clear that this was yellow hat tag 49. First spotted by Simon on 20/06/05, this is Ermine. Rescued by the SLC in Weymouth on 14/12/04, Ermine spent just over 5 months rehabilitating before being released by the National Seal Sanctuary on 27/05/05 at Port Gaverne. I wonder what Ermine has been doing since she was seen in June?

Clifford basking on the ledges (left) : Floating, asleep in the sea (middle) : Ermine trying hard to hide her identity! (right.)

If you spot a seal with a yellow hat tag, please report your sighting to the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek on 01326 221361.