Cornwall Seal Group’s investment in Photo ID is paying off!

Despite the three lowest seal counts since December 2008, seal group members remained positive, as their photo identification work began to pay dividends! In July’s survey alone, five seals were re-identified on the Isles of Scilly and three seals were identified from St Ives Bay on the north Cornish coast, clearly demonstrating the links seals make between mainland Cornwall and the islands.

In total, twenty one different seals have been seen in both the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. Of particular note was an adult female called N13 ‘Sheepdog with butterfly ears’. Entangled in storm damaged or discarded net, N13 was first seen on the Western Rocks in 2008 and then on 15th October 2009 and then amazed CSG members by turning up near St Ives Bay on 27th February 2010 and 3rd March 2010. Despite her obvious injuries, she was thought to be making her return to Scillies on 14th April 2010, when she was photographed hauled out on the Brisons off Cape Cornwall. Sure enough, on 30th June 2010, N13 was back on the Eastern Isles having been away to the mainland on a short break! Not only do seals take trips away from the beautiful Isles of Scilly, but they seem to do so on an annual basis.

One seal, S62 ‘Man with a horse and cart’ has made two return trips from St Ives Bay to the Isles of Scilly. Going the other way, S62 seems to take her short break in the Isles of Scilly in Spring – what a sensible seal!