seal.watch / uk

United Kingdom · 2000—2026

Grey and harbour seals

Seals around the United Kingdom.

Follow public seal observations from the United Kingdom. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.

Meet the grey seal → · Meet the harbour seal →

Total reports
764
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Public records archive

11 January—31 January

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All areas

Markers represent named areas, never exact sighting positions. Circle size reflects report counts; numbers match the area list. Select an area to filter the archive.

9 of 9 reports mapped · 1 area

N ↑London · 9 reports1

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Mapped areas North to south

  1. London9 reports

Map: Natural Earth.

Reports over time

All dates

Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.

  1. 12010
  2. 22013
  3. 12015
  4. 22016
  5. 12018
  6. 22019
  7. 62021
  8. 42022
  9. 22024
  10. 42025
  11. 2342026

Months in 2026

  1. 9Jan
  2. 14Feb
  3. 49Mar
  4. 33Apr
  5. 26May
  6. 41Jun
  7. 24Jul
  8. 24Aug
  9. 14Sep
  10. 0Oct
  11. 0Nov
  12. 0Dec

Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.

  1. at the point on Canvey next to Canvey Yacht club London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5572 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I was walking the dog along the sea wall and saw a black ball in the sea and as i got closer it turned and looked at me . . it was just floating and was not bothered by me at all . it then went under and cam up in front of me and again just watched me walking . My dog did even see it.

  2. At night on the river near Tate Modern before Blackfriars and after the Globe London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5571 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was at night so hard to see but 100% a seal. It came very close to the pier we were standing on. We saw its dark head and whiskers out of the water as it swam. Eventually after 1 min or 2 it dived underwater and disappeared.

  3. Opposite Watcombe Cottages, just upstream of Oliver’s Island, in Kew London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5570 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Big dark grey, almost black looking Roman nosed seal. I saw it swimming around in the centre of the river. I saw its head & then body as it ducked under the water. It resurfaced three times in 10 minutes & swam to the bank on the Kew side (by me). I saw it face on, watched it doing something like blowing bubbles & it was watching me. It had semi beached itself & was resting for awhile. Very relaxed & then swam back out into the river. Observer notes: Yes! So exciting! I hope to see more of him! I bought the house overlooking the Thames Path last week & have come from the countryside. I was sad about leaving so much biodiversity behind. To see a seal opposite my new bedroom window has made my year! I’ll keep an eye out. I have a good track record with animal sightings. Next time I’ll be sure to take better photos for you.

  4. Opposite Capt Kidd public house/Marine policing unit HQ London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5569 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: A black head and body appearing out of the water.

  5. Laying across the Thames path London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5568 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Long greyish brown body, long muzzle, light brown/cream around the neck and on the tips of the flippers

  6. Teddington Lock London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5567 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Longer thicker muzzle than grey seal, dark/black in colour

  7. 500 metres downstream of Tower Bridge, on the southern side of the river near Butlers Wharf. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5565 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head and nose poking out of the water looking around.

  8. I was walking across Putney Bridge and saw the seal in the middle of the water, not far from the bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5564 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The seal was initially looking away from me and then turned whilst swimming towards the bridge and then it dived under the water and didn’t resurface that side of the bridge as far as I could tell Observer notes: Sorry I’m not sure what type of seal it was but it was definitely a seal, looking at photos I think it was more likely a grey seal due to the nostril shape

  9. Seal London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5566 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Seal, very definitely but not clear if grey or harbour. It was swimming and came out of water on to the beach in typical seal movement.