DEAD SEALS 2009/10

1. 13^th October 2009 41/42 found by JW. Measured by RJ on 15^th Crown/Rump 20”, nose to toes 29” compared to range of 35”-42” from a variety of internet sources (presumably nose to toes), so would appear to be premature by size and date of birth, 3 week’s before first live birth. Not seen again (see No 3).

2. 7^th November 2009 42/43 found by Lorna and measured by RJ on 8^th. Length 37.5”. No obvious injuries (Lorna had queried possible hole in back of head – I think this was the ear hole that she was seeing). Visible again curled up at high water approx from dunes on 11^th, and disintegrating on 15^th Nov. Gone on 18^th November, but seen again 22^nd Nov .

3. 11^th November 2009 41/42 rather decomposed but length 34” (26” C/R) therefore not No 1. Still visible from dunes on 15^th November in same attitude parallel to the sea above high water. Still present 18^th November well above today’s spring tide. Still there 22^nd & 25^th Nov. and mummified in low beach dune on Dec 23^rd.

4. 15^th November 2009 38/9 fresh with caul over head reported by John Meachan a few hours after our count. Not found by us on 18^th November (NB – will upset total count of dead by +1).

5. 22^nd November 37/38 Looks fresh from dunes – above tide line with back to us.

6. 22^nd November 39/40 Looks fresh from dunes and caul still intact seen again 25^th Nov and probably washed onto 40/41 on 30^th Nov and again very mangled on 6^{th & 10th & 16th} Dec

7. 22^nd November 45/46 Probably born after we went south before returning – caul intact and mother came and nudged it.

8. 22^nd November 49/50 New to us but eyes gone and could have been missed previously as today was our first close look at the southern breakwaters. Length 41”. Seen again 25 Nov.

9. 25^th Nov 47/48 on Low tide level and looks as if lower half de-gloved and eaten.

10. 25^th Nov 47/48 Higher up the beach, oldish, probably same one high near 48 very old and half eaten on Dec 16^th& 23^rd . On Dec27^th now mid beach and spread-eagled. 30^th Dec higher up beach very decomposed 3’6”

11 25^th Nov 45/46 Cow nearby, and pattern of sand in which it is buried suggests that it has been

nudged since wind from SW built sand up. Also 30^th Nov &3^rd 10^th 13^th &16^th Dec. On 16^th

curled and decomposed.

12 30^th Nov 42/43 possible new dead but might be washed from 41/42 – however that one we think

was more decomposed. Beach too busy to go close!! Also on 10^th Dec &16^th stretched out at HW 3’ 8”

13 3^rd December 39/40 new to us but not fresh. Seen again 6^th Dec on high tide ridge and measured 38” and lightly buried in situ.

14 6^th Dec 35/36 mid beach on high tide ridge; could be the one John and Rick moved from roadway behind dune on 2^nd Dec and which we tried to rescue on 3^rd Dec, but could not safely approach to inspect for back wound etc. seen again 10^th and 13th Dec.

15 6^th Dec 34/5. Fresh with caul intact, blood on beach and mother and immature LBB gulls in attendance (seen again 13^th & 16^th Dec together with another). Also a dead 42” harbour porpoise on 41/2 being pecked by immature LBBs. Further fresh dead porpoise on 50/51, 23^rd & 27^th Dec – against the sea wall and top of head eaten. Shifted a few feet by high tides 30^th Dec. Again 3^rd 6^th Jan 2010 - increasingly eaten by scavengers and turned over: just skin and bones on 11^th Jan and even less on 17^th with solitary immature BBG pecking away! Jan 24^th further down beach and very little other than skeleton left, but big flock of scavenging gulls! Third porpoise 31^st Jan 48/49 60” attended by flock of ?crows (flew off on approach) and immature gulls (?Lesser Black Backs). Both body cavities opened, but still fairly fresh.

16 13^th Dec 49/50 HW mid-beach, fresh looking. Again 16^th Dec.

17 13^th Dec 43/44 HW mid-beach, fresh looking. Again 16^th Dec.

18 13^th Dec 34/5 second dead seal on this beach today – the other seen before, both fairly fresh. Both again 16^th Dec.

19 16^th Dec 38/39 Mid beach & tide with immature LBB gull sitting on top and eating!

20 3^rd January 2010, 40/41. 3’ 6” eyes already pecked out. Again 6^th Jan, and half eaten on 11^th at high water mark, 3’ 3” just skeleton & skin 17^th Jan.