United Kingdom · North Atlantic
United Kingdom · stories
Read recent published observations from the United Kingdom. Each entry keeps its original source attribution and a link back to the archive.
Observer description: Look to be a bigger seal. Just saw the head, bobbing up and down, and realsied that it wasnt a log. We double checked with the bonoculers to make sure.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5790 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
05 Aug 2026 · LondonObserver description: Could not make out any distinguishing features as we were around 45m away, just saw him pop up very briefly. Observer notes: Just found this site, I operate as staff out of SCC so will report any future sightings (will often be on a Sunday if I do see any)
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5789 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
02 Aug 2026 · LondonObserver description: Small head and spotted body as it dove down, did not see it reappear
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5788 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
02 Aug 2026 · LondonObserver description: Saw its head bobbing on the surface and it dive a few times Saw its body and tail as it dove
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5787 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
01 Aug 2026 · LondonObserver description: As per the videos. It would poke its head above water for 10-20 seconds then gracefully dive down. Observer notes: It spent the whole time going first upstream then downstream and then upstream between Westminster bridge and Charing Cross bridge. We were spending the afternoon on Tattershall Castle so best ever sight to watch with a few glasses of wine! Was still there when we left.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5783 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
27 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Gray, spotted seal, small to medium size, I saw the muzzle, head and some of the body when it was coming for air.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5782 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
26 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: About every 10 minutes we saw the head for a few minutes before the seal dove and we saw its back. Every time it came up it would be moving closer to tower bridge. Head was grey-seal shaped, back was dark with some light markings.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5784 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
26 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: I poked its head out of the water, swam a bit against the tide, and dived under - I saw its back - and disappeared. It did that 3 or 4 times.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5780 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
25 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: The large dark coloured seal had red possible blood around its neck area Observer notes: I regularly see these animals
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5781 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
25 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: I saw the back of a seal as it breached the water. So I saw the entire back come out of the water and go back in. Unfortunately I didn’t see the face so couldn’t get an identification based on the muzzle/snout. It was without question a seal.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5778 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
22 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: only its head. close enough i could hear it breathing. it went back under and came back up about 20ft further along.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5776 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
21 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Face and body
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5785 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
21 Jul 2026 · London