20th December 2023
Horsey was a little blustery on the count today and at Winterton it was cold and breezy but a dry morning for the counters 4-hour trek!
Seals were all around the usual places, including all the gaps and also in some more unusual spots such as the ponds, ditches, under trees and far back into dunes, especially from the back of Bullitt Hill to Somerton gap. The valley areas around here, from G59 to Somerton gap are still not walkable due to number of seals, and the continued presence of some feeding mums. Plenty of weaned pups and some bulls all over coast paths from Diamond northwards.
Overall, less seals than last week when heading towards South beach, spread mainly from WW11 stones to opposite the lighthouse. Then a small gap, before around 20 seals can be seen when heading towards Hemsby, although no Newborns noted on South beach.
Winterton counters have provided a super picture of our first melanistic pup this year, I’m sure you will agree it is absolutely gorgeous, along with another seven weaned pups counted this week.
Details of the count
Waxham to Bramble Gap G17-51
1134 adults, 121 Newborns, 371 suckling, 824 weaned, 39 dead
Somerton Gap to Winterton G52-59
766 adults, 61 Newborns, 348 suckling, 752 weaned, 78 dead
Totals Week 6
1900 adults, 182 Newborns, 719 suckling, 1576 weaned, 117 dead
