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We are introducing a recording system for wildlife on the Path, which walkers will be encouraged to use. More information will be available shortly, but in the meantime here are some facts about seals.
Both Harbour and Grey Seals were well recorded from the Ayrshire Coastal Path in October 2024. Sometimes it can be difficult to be sure what species you are seeing and to save any fall out we have decided to make both species our first joint winners!
Harbour Seals, the smaller of the two, are often referred to as "Common Seals". They are widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, but their numbers have been in decline since the mid-1990's. In the UK this seemed to especially affect the East and North coasts, so it is good to see records from Ayrshire. Thanks to Alan Kelly at Ayr Harbour and Marko McGinty at Skelmorlie for their observations last month.
If you see a seal with a shorter, rounded face, with eyes more to the front (said to be more dog-like) you are probably looking at a Harbour Seal. If they are out of the water they will sometimes lie with both head and tail in the air at the same time - pretending to be a banana!
Their young are born in the summer and because they have shed their white coats in the womb can swim immediately. Life span on average is 20-30 years.
Grey Seals are larger, with some males up to 3m in length and 300kg in weight. They have a more restricted distribution and this means the population present around Scotland's coast is internationally important. They were recorded as far apart as Turnberry Bay and just south of Skelmorlie last month. They tend to spend most of their time well out at sea, travelling long distances to forage. At this time of year they can be closer to shore where their longer head, with its sloping Roman-nose profile and eyes more to the side of the head, will hopefully clearly distinguish from a Harbour Seal.
Pups are born October to December at traditional "haul-out" sites. They will remain on land for a few weeks until they have gained weight and moulted their white coats. During this time they are at risk from disturbance.
Average life-span is thought to be 30-40 years. Both species are vulnerable to many threats - pollution, climate change affecting food supply, disease etc. so it is interesting to both see and record these marine mammals if you get the chance to do so.
