Why Are There Seals At Horsey?

Come mid October heavily pregnant seals begin to arrive on Horsey Beach, the day after arrival they give birth. Then the bull seals arrive to help feed and protect the mothers and pups.

Are there seals in Horsey now?

Horsey is a quiet village of around 100 residents. Miles of golden sandy beach nearby has made it a popular family holiday destination in the summer. The ever-growing seal colony has become a winter tourist attraction as well, especially from November to the January, when the seals give birth.

Why are there so many seals in Norfolk?

One of the main reasons that the seals in Norfolk are here in abundance is the huge expanse of flat sand and shallow waters which is perfect for giving birth, as well as the dunes that protect them.

What is the best time to see seals at Horsey?

The Best Time To See The Seals
The seals at Horsey usually start to have their pups in late October/early November and carry on until early February so there’s a big window of opportunity for you to visit.

How many seals does Horsey Gap have?

Beautiful wild beach with wild seals basking after their feeding. We saw a group of over 70 seals on the beach with many more playing in the sea.

Are there seals at Horsey in March?

The beach is full of Grey Seals between November to March/April each year which make it their home during their ‘pupping’ and moulting seasons.

Why do seals come to shore?

Seals are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend some of their lives in the water and some of it on land. They haul out on rocks or the shore to warm and dry in the sun, molt, give birth, or sometimes just to rest. Seals don’t need to stay wet and can go days without eating.

Are seals friendly?

Seals are typically nonaggressive animals, incredibly inquisitive and playful. Like dogs, they tend to investigate everything with their mouths, whiskers and front flippers.

Can you swim with seals in Norfolk?

During the summer months, Brancaster beach is a good spot to see seals in the water and you can swim here.

Are there sharks in Norfolk?

The coastal and marine areas off Norfolk are not renowned for their clear water and teaming sea life. Dolphins, whales and sharks are not a common feature of our offshore area.

What time of day are seals most active?

When it’s hot and sunny, the seals typically leave the beach each morning by 7:00 or 8:00am at the latest. They’ll gradually return to the sand in the late afternoon or early evening, once the shade and/or tide has cooled off the sand.

Why do seals point their heads up?

They often haul out along the Pacific Coast from the Bering Sea to Baja California, sometimes in large numbers at established colony sites. Harbor seals are curious animals when in the water, and often lift their heads out of the water to look around.

Can you see seals in Norfolk without a boat trip?

If you want to see the seals in their natural habitat without taking a boat ride, Horsey Beach (also called Horsey Gap) is going to be your best bet. It’s one of the more wild beaches on the Norfolk coast, as there are no facilities, but there are plenty of seals in the winter months.

Can you walk to see the seals in Norfolk?

The best way to get close and personal to the wildlife on Blakeney Point, is to book a trip on one of the locally operated ferry trips departing from Morston Quay. Please note: it is not possible to walk to see the seals on Blakeney Point.

What to do if you find a seal on the beach?

A healthy seal should be left alone. Do not approach a seal, or allow children or dogs near it. Seals are wild animals and although they look cute, they will defend themselves aggressively if necessary. After stormy weather and / or high tides, seals will haul out on beaches to rest and regain their strength.

When can you see seal pups in Norfolk?

In Norfolk you can find common (harbour) and grey seals and the majority have their home in a prime spot on Blakeney Point Nature Reserve. The common seals have their young between June and August, and the pups can swim almost immediately.

What time of year are seals at Angel Bay?

Angel Bay can be found on the end of Little Orme and the main pupping season is around late October to early November, though you may be lucky to see them as early as September. The pups can be camouflaged by the large stones so take some binoculars to get a good look.

Which beach in Norfolk Can you see seals?

Horsey Gap/Horsey Beach
Famous for its unique seal colony, a visit to Horsey is a must. Behind the beach you’ll find a breathtaking heather-lined coastal footpath, and in fact this stretch of coastline is part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, renowned for its stunning scenery and wildlife.

Are seals out in April?

During late March or early April, these “weaners” teach themselves to swim. At first hesitant and awkward in the water, the young elephant seals spend increasing amounts of time in the shallow water near shore. During the last weeks of April, these young elephant seals will swim, one by one, out to sea.

Do seals present a threat to humans?

While seal attacks on humans are rare, as seals are naturally not aggressive animals, they can still bite in defense when they feel cornered or provoked. Seal bites are often non-fatal to humans but can cause serious infections.

Why are you not supposed to touch seals?

They will bite – and serious infections can be transmitted to you or your pet. Seals are mammals, as are we. They are susceptible to and can pass on nasty viruses such as herpes. Zoonosis — infectious diseases of animals that can naturally be transmitted to humans — is the biggest threat.