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
14 February—7 December
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15 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.
10 of 15 reports mapped · 4 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 2022
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified UPI, 7 December 2022 — https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/12/07/scotland-seal-pup-rescued-Stonehaven-town-center-Scotland/3491670435771/
Observation: A young seal returned to land in town after a harbour sighting the previous night and was collected by Kirkton Veterinary Centre.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified UPI, 7 December 2022 — https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/12/07/scotland-seal-pup-rescued-Stonehaven-town-center-Scotland/3491670435771/
Observation: A young seal was seen in the harbour Tuesday night, then returned to land in town Wednesday morning; likely the same animal.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2022 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one seal in the bay and by the pier over several hours; species not specified. Count follows the single listed animal.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Tony Mitchell-Jones — iNaturalist (tonymj)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as harbour seal (Phoca vitulina).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, public sighting (reported by Alec) — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
Observation: ZSL description: The observer saw the seal’s muzzle and head.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified YorkMix, 24 August 2022
Observation: reports one seal on the riverbank at Clifton Sands, photographed via Chris Pegg. Species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2022 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one seal at 13:30 at Chapman's Pool; species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2022 table)
Observation: Durlston table records one seal at 07:30 at Ballard Down shoreline; species not specified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Southwark News, 15 August 2022 — https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/rotherhithe-man-delighted-to-finally-spot-seal-swimming-in-thames/
Observation: Photographer Kam Hong Leung reported seeing and photographing one seal swimming near where the Rotherhithe Tunnel passes under the Thames during his daily walk.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, public sighting (reported by Amy) — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
Observation: ZSL description: A seal pup was on the foreshore and had left by 21:30.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified von36 — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified RSPB South East Essex Local Group, 11 July 2022
Observation: field log lists one Harbour Seal during Sue Lusk's 06:00–06:55 Fambridge walk.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified SWLondoner, “First seal sighting of 2022 in Barnes” (25 February 2022) — https://swlondoner.co.uk/life/25022022-first-seal-sighting-of-2022-in-barnes
Observation: One seal was seen swimming near Barnes Railway Bridge; it surfaced once and then disappeared.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified davidecocco — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Kingston Nub News, 14 February 2022 — https://kingston.nub.news/news/local-news/large-seal-spotted-in-thames-near-kingston
Observation: A seal surfaced briefly near the line of moored boats, then disappeared. The report also quotes local enquiries confirming a seal had been in the area for several days; those undated sightings are not entered separately.