Grey seal mother and her pup at South Walney Nature Reserve © Emily Baxter
How you can help seals on the coastline from the shore and from the water
Grey seals at South Walney Nature Reserve
South Walney Nature Reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria, which can be seen all year round. This is their only haul-out location in Cumbria. 'Hauling out' is when seals leave the water to rest, molt, breed and give birth. Seal pups spend their first six weeks on land; these six weeks are critical and the most important of a seal's life.
Disturbing the seals can be catastrophic, causing stress, stampeding, injuries and sometimes fatalities. When seals feel threatened, they retreat into the sea where they feel safer. This impacts their time spent resting and feeding their pups and takes up vital energy needed for molting, breeding and giving birth.
Find out below how you can help seals on the coastline.
1. Give seals space
You can help seals by avoiding the beaches around South Walney Nature Reserve. There are beautiful public beaches nearby at Biggar Bank and at West Shore. If you’re in the water, avoid coming onto shore and make sure to stay at least 100m away.
2. Bring binoculars
Want to see the seals close-up? The best way to do this is to bring binoculars along with you. This will allow you to observe from a safe distance without causing any disruption.
3. Use the hides
You can enjoy watching the seals from Groyne Hide and Braithwaite Hide (at high tide) without disturbing them and the delicate ecosystems that thrive on the coast. You can also enjoy watching the seals from the comfort of your own home on our seal cam.
4. Walk your dog elsewhere
At South Walney, there is a no dogs policy (assistance dogs are allowed). You can find out which nature reserves allow dogs by heading to the nature reserve webpages.
5. Spotted a seal in distress?
Contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDLMR) on 01825 765546. Remain a safe distance away from the seal to avoid causing further stress and possible injury to yourself. The seal is likely on land to rest so do not chase the seal back into the water. If you have any questions, you can check out our FAQs page, or contact us via email: marine@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
Watching from the water: paddlers
Pass the seals as slowly and quietly as possible, and sideways on.
Paddle parallel to the shore.
Stay at least 100m away.
When a large number of them are sitting up, looking directly at you, back off slowly until they relax again.
Speak quietly and avoid paddle splash.
Watching from the water: jet skis and motorboats
Travel at no wake speed within 200m of the seals.
Stop out of sight.
Approach slowly, steadily and side on with a low engine sound.
Stay at least 100m away.
Leave as slowly and quietly as you arrived.
Rob Jordan/2020VISION
Grey seals
The grey seal is the larger of the two UK seal species. If you catch a good look at them you’ll see how they got their scientific name Halichoerus grypus – it means hook-nosed sea pig! These mammals spend most of their time out at sea feeding on fish. They return to land to rest and can often be seen ‘hauled out’, lying on British beaches. Grey seals give birth to fluffy white pups in the autumn. These adorable pups stay on land until they have lost their white coats and trebled their body weight.