A New Life on Horsey Beach
This little Grey Seal Pup was less than an hour old when I took these photographs on Horsey Beach in December 2025. His fur was still damp, and the afterbirth was still present (although the gulls were doing their best to feast on it – nothing is wasted in nature!)
Photographing Norfolk’s Grey Seals
The photos were taken with a zoom lens from a safe distance in the viewing area is which is manned by wardens from Friends of Horsey Seals, a group of local volunteers who work tirelessly over the winter period to protect the breeding population from disturbance.
Restricted access is crucial for the survival of the newborn pups. The wardens also cover nearby Winterton beach, another popular part of the coastline for the seals.
Norfolk’s coast has wide, sandy beaches and offshore sandbanks that are perfect for giving birth and nursing pups and these areas are usually high enough to stay dry at most tides, reducing the likelihood of the pups being washed away.
A Brief but Crucial Time with Their Mothers
The shallow waters of the North Sea are rich in fish, so the adult seals can feed efficiently while staying close to their pups.
The First Weeks of a Grey Seal Pup’s Life
Grey Seal Breeding Season in Norfolk
The pups will only stay with their mothers for around 2-3 weeks, feeding on the super-rich, high-calorie milk. After this time, the mother seal will leave the pup to its own devices. Once fully weaned, the all white pups will live off their fat reserves before entering the sea and learning to hunt for themselves.
The breeding season in Norfolk occurs between September and January, with the peak of activity in November and December, presenting a true Norfolk spectacle.
