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: Dark head sticking out of the water, initially thought to be a buoy though after watching for longer and seeing it move could identify the head shape, very dark and more angular head so concluded was grey seal, unable to see full body shape as Thames was very brown
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5777 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
20 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Seal face above water, then dived under when it got level with the bridge
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5775 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
20 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Head well out of water. Blowing air from nose. Long roman nose, big head.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5773 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
19 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: We saw its head floating as it was swimming along the water went under then came back up before diving down
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5774 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
18 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Saw the head bobbing along the surface. Black with white spots on the body which we saw diving under
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5779 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
18 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Swimming downstream, mid river, swam along surface and bobbed up and down breathing a dozen times times and then dived and we lost sight
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5769 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
14 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Large, dark seal, it came up to surface and I was the whole of it as it “arched” up. Head, fins, back and tail Observer notes: It was a brilliant moment!
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5771 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
14 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Seal, large, long muzzle
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5768 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
12 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Saw a large seal that had spots on it and a very long face. It was very dark and floating in the water, then turned so we could see its face, before diving under the water. Observer notes: We’d loved seeing it! :)
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5770 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
11 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: Head and back. Nostrils above water and whiskers were clear to see. Black eyes. Smooth head. Back was slate grey and smooth. Observer notes: I was surprised to see it at first. I saw it for less than a minute. It was facing north just above the surface of the water. I assume it was breathing air in before diving down again.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5767 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
09 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: We saw a nose appearing and disappearing. We observed for an hour.
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5766 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
09 Jul 2026 · LondonObserver description: I saw the head poking above the water
Source: ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5765 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/
07 Jul 2026 · London