Record Grey Seal Pup Births at Suffolk's Former Cold War Site
A record number of grey seal pups have been born at a remote shingle spit on the Suffolk coast that was once a Cold War weapons testing facility. The National Trust has reported that the count for this pupping season at Orford Ness stands at an impressive 430 pups, which is almost double the previous year's total of 228 arrivals.
Colony Growth and Origins
The first 200 adult seals arrived at Orford Ness in 2021, coinciding with significantly reduced visitor access due to extended closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the colony has grown steadily each year. In the 2021-22 season, 25 grey seal pups were born, followed by 66 in 2022-23, 133 in 2023-24, and 228 in 2024-25. It is believed that the seals initially moved from well-established colonies in Norfolk, such as those at Blakeney and Horsey, making this Suffolk's first breeding grey seal colony.
National Trust Insights
Matt Wilson, countryside manager for the National Trust's Suffolk and Essex coast portfolio, stated, "This year, our peak counts have included 803 adults and 430 pups, which is by far the highest numbers we've seen since the grey seals' arrival in 2021." He added that this marks the fifth consecutive year of successful breeding at the site, with some adults now having pups that were born there in earlier years. "It's a good sign that the habitats are healthy, with enough fish stocks to keep them sustained throughout the winter, and the shingle ridge providing shelter from storms," Wilson explained.
Reduced Human Disturbance
Orford Ness closes annually from the end of October until spring, which aligns with the seal pupping season. This closure greatly reduces the likelihood of human disturbance, contributing to the seals' overall health and wellbeing. Wilson noted that this factor has undoubtedly helped the colony thrive in its new environment.
Challenges in Monitoring
Tom Allen, a ranger at Orford Ness, highlighted the difficulties in counting the seals due to their increasing numbers and typical wintry weather conditions. "Seals are wild animals and therefore move around, which occasionally means we're unable to even get to some of their locations without the risk of disturbing them," he said. The team uses telescopes and binoculars to monitor the colony from a safe distance, but as the colony expands, counts may become estimates rather than precise figures. Allen emphasized their efforts to be as accurate as possible, though some seals might be missed.
Grey Seal Biology
Female grey seals, known as cows, typically return to the same location each year to give birth. Newborn pups weigh around 13kg (two stone) and are covered in thick white fur that keeps them warm but is not waterproof. They remain on the shore until they shed this coat at about three weeks old, revealing sleek grey fur underneath. During this period, they feed six times a day, and their weight triples by the time they are weaned.
The success of this colony at Orford Ness underscores the importance of protected habitats and minimal human interference for wildlife conservation. With continued monitoring and care, the National Trust hopes to see further growth and stability in this burgeoning seal population.
