7th December 2023
Very cold and blustery at Horsey this week, but some fantastic wildlife spotted, including, Red deer, Chinese water deer and Roe deer. A big thank you goes out to the count team for starting earlier due to the Countryfile filming, which is scheduled for the 7th of January 2024, watch this space…. Sally has been out all day filming with them!!
Although cold today at Winterton the sun was shining. The counters tackled their longest count ever this week taking 4 ½ hours! They were up and down the dunes to avoid seals on the coastal path and part way down to Hemsby. Just as well they love it! We are now monitoring the increase in numbers in a new section of the beach south of the car park at Winterton, this will help in the years to come! 😊
Seals in all the gaps, in 3 valleys past Bullit Hill and all along coastal path from G59 to Somerton gap (G52). The path is now best avoided at present as high risk of disturbing nursing seals.
Interesting numbers showing how many seals are on the beach – pups look like they’re moving around all over the place!
Adults – 1572 of which 1120 on beach
Newborn – 207 of which 121 on beach
Sucklers – 725 of which 420 on beach
Weaned – 210 of which 92 on beach
Details of the count
Waxham to Bramble Gap G17-51
2136 adults, 1028 Newborns, 473 suckling, 219 weaned, 37 dead
Somerton Gap to Winterton G52-59
1472 adults, 207 Newborns, 716 suckling, 210 weaned, 48 dead
Totals Week 5
3608 adults, 1235 Newborns, 1189 suckling, 429 weaned, 86 dead
Last Year’s figures for comparison
Pups this year 3224, last year 3326
Adults this year 3608, last year 3059
![](https://www.friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wk5-rotated.jpg)