The first grey seal pup to be born this season at South Walney Nature Reserve in Burrow has been spotted using a hidden camera — and the pictures are adorable.
Captured on Cumbria Wildlife Trust's 'seal cam', the fluffy white seal can be seen curling up next to its mother on the shingle island reserve. As numbers of the species have increased, this marks the fifth year running that the pups have been born there.
During the 1970s and 1980s, a single seal was a rare sight around Walney island but gradually, over the years, hundreds have come to the reserve as a safe place to raise their young.
The fluffy white pups are born between September and December. After they have been nurtured by their mothers, the young seals will shed their thick fur before heading out to sea to forage for themselves.
"We're really excited to see our first seal pup of the season at South Walney Nature Reserve and we hope to have a few more pups appear over the next month or two. Sadly, we also spotted a still born pup, which is not uncommon in large seal colonies," Dr Emily Baxter, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Senior Marine Conservation Officer says.
"This seal colony is the only place that seals haul out in large numbers on to the beach in the North West and is a precious new colony that has grown rapidly over the last ten years. Staff, apprentices and our placement students are all involved in surveying the seals – it’s a real team effort. In February this year 483 seals were counted, the highest number yet."
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On the Walney nature reserve, interaction with seals is off-limits to humans to protect the young. "We are seeing disturbance coming from kayakers and other boats coming too close to seals resting on the beach. When seals are disturbed, they flee into the sea using up important energy stores. It is especially important that mums and pups are not disturbed while mums are still feeding," Emily continues.
While visitors are forbidden to take a look, you can see the seal's progress on the live video feed below. It's incredibly sweet!
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8 native British animals to look out for in winter
Mountain hares
A true winter spectacle, mountain hares shed their brown fur in late November, turning their coats a blueish-white until April. This makes them much easier to spot running in the fields, especially to predators like Golden Eagles.
Where to spot them: The Peak District and Upper Pennines in England, Snowdonia in Wales and the Scottish Highlands.
Starlings
Starlings take centre stage at this time of year too. Marshlands and reed beds are transformed as thousands of birds return to roost. Before they bed down for the night, the starlings perform a special dance (known as a murmuration) in the sky at dusk. A seriously special sight.
Where to spot them: The RSPB has a helpful list of locations on its website.
Robins
With their bright red plumage, robins provide a much needed splash of colour in the winter months which can be easily spotted in gardens and on woodland walks. Listen out for their distinctive song from the trees and bushes as they hunt for worms.
Where to spot them: Gardens and woodland across the UK.
Woodlarks
A close relative of the very vocal skylark, the woodlark flexes its vocal chords in the winter months with a delicate and fluting song. February and March are when you're most likely to catch a glimpse.
Where to spot them: The New Forest, heaths in Surrey, Berkshire and Suffolk, Hampshire, Devon and East Anglia. Visit the RSPB website for more information, and to hear audio of their call.
Red squirrels
Red squirrel numbers are sadly in decline, but you can still catch a glimpse of this charming creature as they venture into nature reserves and woodlands to feed from bird tables and peanut feeders.
Where to spot them: Three-quarters of the dwindling population are found in Scotland and Ireland, along with the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Northumberland. The Wildlife Trust has a full list of locations on their website.
Short-eared owls
Owls are majestic yet elusive creatures. Now's the time to try and catch a rare glimpse of short-eared owls in the wild as they head to wetlands and coastal marshes in search of food. They're one of the few owls that hunts in daylight, and isn't put off by fellow birds, so you may well be in luck!
Where to spot them: WWT Wetland Centres can point you in the right direction. Try Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, or Leighton Moss in Lancashire.
Foxes
A short four-day mating season brings foxes out into the open with their distinctive piercing mating call. Some say it sounds like a scream, while others compare it to a howl, either way, you can't miss it!
Where to spot them: Wooded rural areas and urban backstreets after dark.
Green woodpecker
January and February are the nosiest months for this native bird as they nest in the trees to mate. The largest of the three British woodpeckers, their distinctive colour and call, along with their preference for feeding on the ground, means you should be able to catch a glimpse.
Where to spot them: In gardens and woodlands nationwide, except for the far north and west of Scotland and Ireland.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
