Looking out toward the Bristol Channel, I could clearly see the outline of Lundy Island, the place where just six years ago I met someone and fell in love. It seemed so far away from where I was sitting just above Kitchen Corner overlooking Worms Head. She changed my life in every way possible and she never knew it.
Scrolling on to 2022, the one I fell in love with, I never saw again… or have I?
She was a North Atlantic Grey Seal and one of many that visit our Gower coastline throughout the year. These seals are globally rare, and are often seen hauled out on rocky ledges or sleeping vertically in the water around Rhossili. I have been surveying seals for Gower National Trust for the last few years and have built up a photographic catalogue held in the UK’s largest database at Cornwall. These seals have fur patterns that are as unique as our fingerprints – allowing us to identify and monitor their movements around the Celtic Sea. Gower, and in particular Rhossili, has sustainable fish stocks and the presence of seals confirm this… no fish no seals!
So, the question is are our Gower seals permanently resident here? The answer is – probably not. Seals can easily travel 80 to 100 kilometres in a day, so nipping off to Devon, Cornwall or Pembrokeshire for the day is quite possible. We can track seals as they explore the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea by matching up individual photos of their fur patterns.
Seals are very large animals but, surprisingly, they are easily spooked and very sensitive to human disturbance. They have incredible senses and are always looking for potential threats. Watching wild seals as they travel our coastline is fascinating, however, to get the very best experience just follow a few simple tips:
- keep your distance and use binoculars or the zoom on your camera or phone
- keep quiet and low down as they’ll see and hear you
- if you can, stay downwind – this is not always possible
- always keep your dogs on a lead to avoid them biting or being bitten
- never fly a drone near wildlife.
By following these few simple tips, you are reducing the risk of seals injuring themselves whilst doing your bit to protect wildlife. This way you can get the very best experience from watching animals in the wild.
Rhossili Community Hwb in partnership with Gower Seal Group is committed to protecting all wildlife that visit us. Regular updates, photos and interesting facts will be available for you to enjoy and amaze your friends with.
Going back 6 years ago to Lundy Island and the love of my life, I wonder if she’s ever visited Rhossili.
I’d like to think so.
Gareth Richards – Gower Seal Group
Read more about Gareth’s devotion to our Gower seals in this Wales Online article published on December 27th 2022.