2009/10 HORSEY GREY SEAL ROOKERY REPORT

The season’s count of pups born was again conducted by Annabella H Rundle assisted by Robert J T Jarvis on behalf of Natural England and the Broads Authority.

The centre of activity was between Crinkle Hill Gap 473234 and Bramble Hill Gap 481224 but as in the previous two years, there was an extension north towards Horsey Gap 465242 and this year the rookery spread south to Somerton /Winterton Ness Gap 487217, the area of the new rock groynes. This meant an extended walk for the counters who had to start their south to north count at Somerton rather than Bramble (2 miles each way).

The first pup was still-born about 12^th October 2009, 21 days earlier than last year’s first still-birth, but the peak count was on 16^th December, the same date to last year (Dec 14^th in 2007). The last birth was between 3^rd & 6^th January, 10 days earlier than last year. The approximate distribution of births in the three zones delineated by the four Gaps referenced above, is indicated by the peak counts on 16^th December:- North 74 (40 last year), Central 130 (104 last year), South 52 (1 last year – area of new groyne construction) .

20 dead pups were observed, and our policy was to leave them on the beach – carrion eaters observed in action were turnstones, lesser black-backed gulls and carrion crows. A special diary (attached) of the dead was kept – it had been hoped to measure them all, but in the event this would often have entailed too much beach disturbance: the measurements which were possible gave us a good idea of prematurity – the first still-birth was well below size. 2 dead harbour porpoises were also recorded for the first time this year.

During the period of observation several adults with ‘necklaces’ were noted, and one such juvenile was observed several times in the same location (37) early in the new year, and was assessed as worth attempting to catch and de-necklace. However, before our attack could be launched, she was observed to have lost her stricture, and it is thought that the Winterton seal sanctuary may have dealt with her (unfortunately we have no lines of communication with them).

Another trip was organised to the RSPCA Seal Hospital at East Winch early in the season, and we were warned by their director, Alison Charles, that owing to the economic recession and the consequent reduction in charitable donations, the Association would find it difficult to mount beach rescues as they had in previous years, and the consensus reached was that we would use the Seal & Bird Rescue Trust from Ridlington for this function as they are able to offer temporary shelter and transport on to East Winch where appropriate. The Counters visited Bev Cossé and her team and the liaison established proved to be very useful during the season. Mobile ‘phone feedback from wardens on duty was also very useful, and we were able to obtain serial reports on areas of concern, using the team as our eyes and ears, and saving us unnecessary extra visits to the beach.

A vet and another volunteer from the Ridlington Trust attended to assess a possibly abandoned and injured pup on 3^rd December, but this proved to be a false alarm although a useful exercise in communication and team work, and we had various subsequent conversations concerning problems reported to them by the public etc. One significant problem was that, following high rough tides late in December, both adults and weaned pups persistently came over the Crinkle Hill Gap onto the track and even on to the adjacent field! A certain amount of gentle herding plus adjustment of the gates closing the Gap (they were wriggling under these!) dealt with the problem, and David Bane from Burnley Hall was also very helpful and available to assist us if needed. On 21^st December a newborn pup was observed by a warden up in the dunes attempting to suckle a friendly weaned pup in this area. There was a cow on the beach with blood on the surrounding sand, and following discussions it was decided to advise marking the pup with sheep paint spray and return it to the beach for the team of wardens to continue monitoring. It was later that day seen feeding from the cow and again on subsequent days, apparently in good condition. The paint was very useful, but rubbed off its front flippers rather quickly – we will advise spraying the back in future.

No pups were born in the dunes this year – rather disappointing as we had hoped that last year’s would have returned to the same spot to demonstrate Breeding Site Fidelity!

Fewer harbour seals were seen, and none after 3^rd December. Grouped haul-outs of non breeding seals became noticeable in early January as the weaned pups and breeding cows departed

The total number of pups born can be approximated by adding to the peak count figure of 272 the number of pups born, live and dead, after the peak count (13), plus the number of pups which had left the beach before the peak count (9), giving the total figure of 294. The number of pups departed before the peak count represents disappeared pre-peak dead pups (9–nine of the previously recorded 18 were still on the beach on peak count day) plus a retrospective estimate of mature weaned pups which have left the beach before the peak count (none again this year).

Annual peak counts: 1991(4), 1998(24), 2002(45), 2003(55), 2004(66), 2005(103), 2006(115), 2007(143) 2008(179) 2009(272); with estimated total births of 2002(50), 2003(62), 2004(78), 2005(105), 2006(135), 2007(168) 2008(202) 2009(294).