Grey seals on the Farne Islands

This was my first autumn trip to the Farne Islands.  I go out once or twice each summer, mainly to see the birds but we usually get to see a few dozen grey seals as well.  The first seal we saw on this visit was asleep at the top of steps on Staple Island, at least until we approached.

As we got nearer it set off down the steps but was then put off by the drop to the water because the tide was at it its lowest.  It decided not to dive into the shallow water and was relieved when we moved away.

As we toured around the islands we saw hundreds and hundreds of seals.  They were spread along the rocky shores of most of the islands.  The Farne Islands population is about  5000 - 6000 at this time of year and I think we must have seen most of them.

Although they are called grey seals there is great variation in their colour.  Males are larger and darker in colour than females.

Some of them were very interested in the boat and kept a close eye on us as we passed.

Others hardly bothered to look up.

Grey seal pups are born from September to November but there had been only a few when I went out last week. Neonatal mortality is high - around 30% - and several of the earliest born this year did not survive.  The first one we saw was newborn and was lying not far from its mother above the high tide line.

I expect several of the seals lower down the beach are females due soon to give birth.

Last year there were 1500 pups.  About 1000 survive the first month and around 750 live beyond a year.  A few metres from the first live pup we saw was one which didn't make it.

A bit farther on was another newborn, again asleep above the high tide line.  It is top left in this photo.

Many more pups will be born in the next very few weeks.  Newborn pups weigh about 14kg, four times heavier than a human baby, and they are milk fed for only 18 days, in which time they quadruple their weight.

Adult survival is 20-25 years for males and 30-35 years for females so for those pups that make it through the first year the prospects are good.