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

1 May—31 May

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26 of 764 reports

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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.

26 of 26 reports mapped · 1 area

N ↑London · 26 reports1

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  1. London26 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. Putney Bridge tube bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5706 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Seal head bobbing up and down heading down stream with tide Observer notes: Seal bobbing up and down heading down river with tide

  2. In the water off the shore at Dukes Meadow in Chiswick London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5709 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head emerging from water and looking around. Seal then dived under, exposing its back above the surface. Seal reappeared 15 mins later and looked around

  3. At the Hurlingham Yacht Club pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5705 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Full seal crawling out of the water, no specific recognisable features

  4. In the Thames at Crossness, between the river wall and the pier at Cory’s Riverside 2 facility London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5704 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head only, popping up three times as it swam downriver: rounded head with forward-facing eyes, nostrils on front of muzzle rather than top, no “Roman nose” as on Grey Seal

  5. In Thames opposite the lands of Syon House. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5703 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Muzzle and head above water for long period of time. Animal was rotating its head from side to side on a regular basis.

  6. Along the river near Sir John McDougall Gardens on the isle of dogs. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5702 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw its head. I kept looking as I wasnt sure but it kept disappearing and reappearing. I stopped and took a closer look and realised it was a seal. As I went under I got the chance to see more of its body and the spotted markings. After 3 or 4 times of going under and quickly back up, it went under and I didnt see it resurface. My son didnt want to hang around for too long. Im 100% certain it was a seal and fairly sure it was a great seal.

  7. on the beach, waters edge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5701 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: seal was splashing in water then came out onto beach in sun. it was bothered by gulls and ducks. went in and out a few times Observer notes: dont think the animal was int any trouble. seemed fine

  8. Just before the the ferry. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5700 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Saw the head lift up above the water, swimming along the Thames side before diving. Dark grey

  9. By Cuckolds point on the exposed beach, round the corner from the A&O hostel. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5699 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey mottled

  10. Middle of the river near Gallions Point Wildlife Beach London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5698 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: just the head above water, followed by arch of back as it returned underwater Original location description: One marine mammal (seal?) spotted surfacing every few minutes in the middle of the river. Possibly another basking on Gallions Point Wildlife Beach, but hard to tell from south bank

  11. In the Thames near the entrance to Chelsea Harbour London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5697 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: A large body with a spotted head, floating on top of the water before diving down.

  12. Millbank Pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5695 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Matched description of grey seal

  13. In front of Crossness pumping station London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5696 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Round head with a distinct snout, brownish. Observer notes: Looked to be going on short foraging/scoping dives

  14. Near the shore/bank of Thames barrier park London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5693 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Spotted dark grey colour Observer notes: Not sure if stranded or just chilling in the water bank

  15. Thames Barrier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5694 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey coloured. Not using left fin. Tail looked injured.

  16. Opposite the World’s End Estate London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5692 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was facing downstream as the tide was receding and floating with the tide. It turned its head and then went under the water.

  17. Chiswick Mall near RNLI lifeboat station London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5691 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Saw 3 times in 10 mins popped up and disappeared then reappeared

  18. Northern bank of River Alde, Aldeburgh (W3W ref: ///negotiators.liberty.rehearsal) London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5690 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Large dead seal floating at edge of river. Appeared to be upside down.

  19. Bishops park fulham London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5689 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I sew the seal come up from the water in the river at Bishops park it came up a few times followed it down the river for around 10 minutes until I had to turn around and go back to work

  20. Snettisham beach toward Hunstanton London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5688 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Sadly it was dead about 30 m from The water

  21. Rotherhithe pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5687 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Copper colored

  22. Seal, swimming past greener cutty Sark up to Canada Water direction London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5686 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was swimming around going up the river..dark grey with dark nose..i saw its head

  23. Just past Chiswick Pier heading downstream London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5683 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head multiple times surfacing and diving with large fish in its mouth. Observer notes: It was feeding on a large fish.It surfaced and dived mulyiple times and I watched all the way to Chiswick Ayot It seemed like a very large seal.

  24. Near Chiswick pier up to the Eyot London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5685 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Definitively rounded head..grey seal . Large. Observer notes: I reported this yesterday and must have hit the wrong button asit came up on your report as a harbour seal. The grey seal must have just caught the fish and kept surfacing with it in its mouth.

  25. In the river near the London apprentice public house isleworth. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5684 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Seal with a bigger muzzle Observer notes: I have taken screenshots from the video please let me know if you want the video and I will share it with you

  26. Close to HMS Belfast London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5682 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Seal for sure