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
Latest observation

Public reports · newest first

Public records archive

3 February—28 February

Reset filters

14 of 764 reports

Loading public records…

Explore by area

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.

15 of 15 reports mapped · 2 areas

N ↑London · 14 reports1Dorset, England · 1 report2

Scroll the map sideways to explore the whole coast.

Mapped areas North to south

  1. London14 reports
  2. Dorset, England1 report

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. Between Southwark and Tower Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5587 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw the whole form going under at one point but a few times the head pop up. I do alot of wildlife photography so I am absolutely certain it was a seal but I can’t say which due to not having my camera, only an iPhone unfortunately with no zoom lens. Observer notes: Sorry for the appalling photos but it was definitely a seal based on shape and behaviour pattern.

  2. On the slipway next to Poplar rowing club London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5586 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was patchy brown colours with dark brown/ black flippers

  3. Next to Crown Pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5585 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head and face. Was bottling asleep.

  4. By Blackfriars Bridge - train station bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5583 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head clearly. Body was more submerged. Observer notes: Maxwell my 10 year old son spotted the seal. He was the first on the train station bridge to spot it. I am filling this form in on his behalf.

  5. In the river next to Waterloo bridge, by the RNLI London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5582 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Muzzle, eyes watching us

  6. Millennium Bridge, close to Bankside pier. mid channel London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5581 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: We saw the seal swimming against the tide maintaining position. Diving occasionally but retuning to surface in roughly same spot. Observer notes: viewed from 11th floor riverside house

  7. South of Eel Pie Island, bank and towpath London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5579 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Fawn/brown mottled coat. Dark grey muzzle. Told it was a young female, underweight. Observer notes: British Diver Marine Rescue were amazing. Medics turned up and assessed and decided to no action as resting. Concern as underweight. Think young female but not confirmed. Not been seen in area before. Original location description: South of Eel Pie Island - on the bank in morning, returned afternoon. Resting, moved onto towpath. BDMR informed/attended. Named Ohana. No action just monitoring. Back in water sometime during night on 16 Feb.26

  8. On the river path between Thames Young Marriners base and Teddington Lock London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5580 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey.

  9. Syd’s Quay, Eel Pie Island London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5578 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Seemed small, slim nose, had brownish head with darker grey nose area, spots on his back Observer notes: Was lying on a area with shallow water, the tide was a little low, it then swam off towards Teddington

  10. Next to Blackfriars bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5577 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The shape of the head, eyes and nostrils

  11. In the Thames close to sanders nest view point, island gardens London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5576 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Saw his head, he kept coming to the surface to breathe

  12. Under Tower Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5575 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Long round muzzle, round head. Black patches on body

  13. Thames path around Rotherhithe London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5574 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Face out of the water looking around until eventually rolling down under the surface

  14. Next to Blackfriars bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5573 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Its head and then its back as it dives down