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.
- Total reports
- 764
- Latest observation
Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
1 January—18 November
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21 of 764 reports
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Explore by area
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.
16 of 21 reports mapped · 3 areas
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Map: Natural Earth.
Reports over time
All datesSelect a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Months in 2020
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified adamdturner — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table records one seal in Swanage Bay; species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table records one seal surfacing and submerging over a 20-minute observation. It says grey, possibly speckled; species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table records one seal near Ulwell Road, about 2 metres offshore; species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Michael Baker — iNaturalist (michaelb287)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as grey seal (Halichoerus grypus atlantica).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified STV News, 7 July 2020 — https://news.stv.tv/video/seal-enjoys-its-catch-while-floating-along-river-clyde
Observation: Two walkers filmed a seal drifting on its back while eating a fish near the Gorbals.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table identifies one grey seal in the bay at Chapman's Pool.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table records one seal alongside a sunfish (the log says 1+1); only the seal is included here.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified MyLondon, 11 August 2020 — https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/mysterious-unexpected-downright-weird-things-18753507
Observation: Canoeist Leo Murray recorded one seal swimming near him in the Thames at Brentford. The report dates the encounter to 7 June 2020 and says the seal surfaced close to the canoe before swimming away.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table lists one seal swimming close to shore. It describes the animal as grey and male but does not identify species.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified MyLondon, 15 April 2020 — https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/watch-cheeky-seal-sunbathes-river-18093329
Observation: Hannah Hart filmed one seal in the sunshine at about 13:30 on 14 April. MyLondon reports that it rested on the Thames with a bird Hart nicknamed “Geese,” then dived underwater. Hart also mentioned seeing a seal near Brentford late the previous week; this draft covers only the dated Strand-on-the-Green encounter.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: The Durlston table lists one seal at Hedbury Quarry at 17:00; species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one grey seal at 11:15; described as swimming and surfacing with a long nose.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one grey seal; time is unspecified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Surrey Live, 20 February 2020 — https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/seal-spotted-taking-breather-river-17772855
Observation: A seal was filmed relaxing among tree trunks and branches in the river. The article describes the visible head as a grey seal; the source identification is retained with uncertain confidence.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Alexandre Orban — iNaturalist (nymeria_sand)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one common seal; time and observer identification are uncertain in the log.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table identifies one common seal; photo noted in the source log.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one grey seal; time is unspecified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table records two seals; species and time are unspecified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2020 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one seal; species and time are unspecified.