Poole Harbour is an important site for common seals, and they have been present in the harbour for a number of years. Compared with grey seals, sightings of common seals are not as widespread throughout Dorset with almost all the common seal sightings restricted to Poole Harbour and adjacent waterways.
How many seals are in Poole Harbour?
five
The common seal, also known as the harbour seal, is one of approximately five residing in and around Poole Harbour, according to Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT).
Are there seals in Dorset?
Two species of seal are native to UK waters, grey seals and common (or harbour) seals, both of which can be encountered in Dorset. The UK is important for both species, home to almost 40% of the global grey seal population and around 30% of the European subspecies of the common seal population.
Where can I see seals in Dorset?
“They tend to be on the open coast and are the ones you’ll see in Portland, Kimmeridge and Swanage. We also sometimes get harbour seals in Poole Harbour.”
Do you get seals in Bournemouth?
Many residents and visitors have seen seals on the beach in recent weeks, with many believing it is the same animal. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue is the UK’s leading marine mammal rescue charity. They said seals often haul themselves out on beaches to rest.
What is special about Poole Harbour?
Harbour Information
Poole is Europe’s largest natural harbour and a stunning location for all types of watersports fringed with unspoilt woodland and coastal walks. The harbour is a site of nature conservation, a wetland teeming with wading birds with many international protections in place.
Is Poole Quay the same as Poole Harbour?
Poole Quay lies at the northern edge of Poole Harbour. In the middle of Poole Harbour you can find Brownsea Island, to the east is the Sandbanks Peninsula. The Sandbanks Ferry takes you across the entrance to the harbour to the Studland Peninsula.
What time of day is best to see seals?
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.
What beaches have seals UK?
Best seal-spotting locations in the UK
- Orkney Islands, Scotland.
- Blakeney, Norfolk.
- Various locations along the coast, West Cornwall.
- Donna Nook, Lincolnshire.
- Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire.
- Monach Isles in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
- Farne Islands, Northumberland.
- Horsey Gap, Norfolk.
Where are harbour seals found in the UK?
The Harbour seal Phoca vitulina is widespread around the shores of the UK, but population density varies greatly from place to place, with low numbers at many sites. Harbour seal are found from Northern Ireland and the southern Firth of Clyde clockwise round the coast to the Thames estuary.
What time of year is best to see seals UK?
See them for yourself
The pupping season for grey seals starts as early as August in Cornwall, then September-October in Wales and November-December in Scotland and down the East coast of England.
What do you do if you see 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.
Where is the largest seal colony in the UK?
Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve
Blakeney Point, home to England’s largest grey seal colony, is celebrating another successful, record-breaking seal pupping season. Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve has been in the care of the National Trust since 1912.
Do sea lions go on shore?
Seals and sea lions come ashore to rest and nurse their young, often in busy beach areas. In some areas, mothers leave their pups on the beach while they feed out at sea. Close encounters with people can be harmful.
Where is the best place to see seals?
Where to see seals, sea lions and walruses on tour
- Antarctica: Leopard seal. don’t let the sleepy face of this fierce predator fool you as you cruise by on zodiacs.
- Iceland: Harbour seal.
- Galápagos Islands: Sea lion.
- Arctic: Walrus.
- New Zealand: Sea lion and fur seal.
Can you touch a seal UK?
Remain calm and don’t swim with them or touch them. Both grey seals and harbour seals are spotted around the Dorset coast. Encounters with seals are exciting but remember they are wild animals and protected by law, so their wellbeing is the top priority.
How deep is the deepest part of Poole Harbour?
The harbour has a long history of human settlement stretching to pre-Roman times. The harbour is extremely shallow (average depth 48 cm [19 in]), with one main dredged channel through the harbour, from the mouth to Holes Bay.
Poole Harbour.
| Designations | |
|---|---|
| Ramsar Wetland | |
| Reference no. | 1005 |
Is Poole Harbour deep?
Poole Harbour, the largest natural harbour in the world since Sydney harbour reclaimed so much land from its harbour. With an area of approximately 14 sq miles, extremely shallow with an average depth of 48cm and only one main channel through the harbour from the mouth to Holes bay.
Is Poole the biggest harbour in the world?
Poole Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world. Much of the harbour is incredibly shallow meaning that ferries have to negotiate specially dredged channels.
Can you walk around Poole Harbour?
You can walk all the way round Poole Harbour on six linear walks making up the Poole Harbour Trail. Here, ready for printing, are some circular walks varying from 1.5 to 7.5 miles in length that take you to a view point or some other point of interest.
Is Poole Harbour bigger than Sydney harbour?
Poole Harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe, but Sydney Harbour is the largest in the world.