Seal pups spotted at nature reserve for 12th year
Two healthy grey seal pups have been spotted at South Walney Nature Reserve near Barrow, marking the 12th consecutive year pups have been recorded there. The sightings are an encouraging start to the season for Cumbria’s only breeding grey seal colony, after two pups seen earlier in the summer did not survive.
The reserve counted a record 14 pups last year, and its highest overall grey seal count was 563 in December 2024, up from 518 in 2021. Grey seals began breeding at South Walney in 2015; the wildlife trust says limiting disturbance has helped the colony return to breed. Visitors can view seals from hides, and are asked to stay at least 100 metres away.
- Two healthy pups begin South Walney’s 12th year of recorded births.
- Last year’s count of 14 pups was a reserve record.
- Visitors are asked to keep at least 100 metres away.
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South Walney Nature Reserve is on the coast near Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Grey seals have bred there since 2015, making it the county’s only breeding colony.
The nature reserve is managed to give seals space to breed with as little disturbance as possible. Visitors can watch from hides and are asked to keep at least 100 metres away, as getting too close can disturb the animals.
The colony has grown over time: the reserve recorded 14 pups last year, and its highest overall seal count was 563 in December 2024. Pup numbers and survival offer one way to track how the colony is doing.