In December Yorkshire's beaches are windswept and bleak. And yet this is when grey seals come to shore to give birth to their young pups. Its bitterly cold, but the light is absolutely perfect for filming so I wrap up and head to the shore. It’s really important not to disturb seals when they are pupping. These animals are nervous when on land and are known to stampede when one gets frightened. With such young pups about this is dangerous. I stay well back so that I can watch them from a distance.
Grey seals
Britain’s coastline holds 40% of the worlds grey seal population and in autumn the females return to their favourite beaches to give birth to their pups. No one really knows why this is, but it has been suggested that the seals spend the rest of the year feeding up on fish to be ready.
Seal pups
Seal milk is rich in nutrients. It has more than 10 times the fat content of cow’s milk. Seal pups will suckle five or six times a day and grow fast - putting on up to two kilos a day. But this is also the time when seals breed. In fact almost as soon as the females have given birth they become fertile again.
Male seals
Males are much larger than females and can be identified by their larger arched noses. Females have straighter noses. The biggest and strongest males are known as beachmasters – and these have dominance over a group of females, or harem. Each beachmaster seal controls its own section of the beach and is so intent on defending it and breeding that it doesn’t feed for well over a month. But their territories can be disputed by rival males… and their fights can be ruthless. The dominant males try to breed with as many females as possible and male seals hormone levels are high so unions can be violent.
Seal pups born
Amongst the chaos, seal pups are still being born. One right as I am watching. Listen to the seal pup’s first calls, these early sounds and smells are important for establishing strong bonds between mother and pup. Knowing these calls and understanding its unique smell will help the mother locate her pup if they get separated. As I watch a pup is stranded on a rock, the tide coming in fast around. This pup is too young to swim. Also Its white, fluffy fur is not yet waterproof and it is in danger of getting very cold.
It’s fascinating to see how the other seals react. They seem to be concerned about it and gather around. A male goes up and they touch noses. But just then there’s a big wave and it washes the poor pup off the rock.Incredibly, the pup makes it back to shore… after confusingly heading in the wrong direction -and is reunited with its mother. This is why the bonds between mother and pup is so important. Its incredible to think this drama was unfolding right here on my Yorkshire doorstep.
