#523: Seal webcam on Blakeney National Nature Reserve

A webcam has been set up on Blakeney National Nature Reserve to observe the seal pupping season on the end of the Point. This is a relatively local place, which is easy for me to get to the end of the Point, but there is no public access to the reserve itself.

Some companies continue to operate at this time of year, taking visitors to the end of the Point.

The National Trust site describes it as follows:

Blakeney Point, on the Norfolk coast, is home to England’s largest colony of grey seals. Each winter thousands of seals haul out on to the beach and dunes for the pupping and breeding season. Until recently, a boat trip was the only way to see this remarkable wildlife spectacle – but nestled among the dunes we now have a solar-powered wildlife camera bringing you a live stream from the heart of the colony.

The webcam YouTube page provides further information. Click to view.

Thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies for funding this livestream. 

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS AN UNFILTERED LIVE CAMERA AND VIEWERS MAY SEE FIGHTING, MATING AND SCENES OF A DISTRESSING NATURE. 

The cameras will be live until mid-January 2026 when the seals and the new generation of pups will return to the sea. During that time we estimate around 9000 pups will be born. 

It's one of England's most extraordinary wildlife spectacles. Edward Stubbings, the National Trust’s Area Ranger for Blakeney Point, said: “Last year we trialled the seal camera for the first time and had some great feedback from those who viewed the livestream, as watching the seals can be both fascinating and relaxing. Some of the highlights included a live seal birth, cows suckling their pups and bulls vying for dominance and the chance to mate with the females.” 

The long-term growth of the Blakeney Point seal colony is also now confirmed thanks to the latest data from biologists at the University of St Andrews. 

Latest figures published by the Seal Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) estimate that: 

• Pup numbers have increased by more than three-quarters (77%) in just five years from 5,036 in 2018 to 8,946 in 2023. 

• Over the past decade, pup production has increased more than five-fold from 1,614 in 2013. 

• With no natural predators, growth at Blakeney Point has outpaced national increases, making it England’s largest grey seal colony 

Because of the sheer size of the colony, manual counts are no longer practical or safe.

Image: Seals at Blakeney Point - Alan Parkinson, shared on Flickr under CC license.

#515: Norfolk oysters and lobsters

Norfolk has some excellent seafood and some very good places to buy it.

Think Norfolk and you think of Cromer crabs, or brown shrimp caught by boats which head out from the Fisher Fleet in King's Lynn.

There are several projects aimed at developing 

Norfolk Oysters

Oysters are getting a new reef off the Norfolk coast where they can live and grow according to a report from September.

This is a man-made structure, but will help the oysters grow.

Norfolk Lobsters

This project is rearing lobsters and then releasing them when they are still very small, so that they can repopulate the Wash off the coast of Norfolk.

Discover the Wells Harbour Lobster Hatchery, where we’re dedicated to sustaining the local lobster population and preserving Wells’ rich fishing heritage. Through our innovative rearing practices, we boost lobster survival rates and support a sustainable fishery, benefiting both the marine ecosystem and local fishermen. Our hatchery is also a centre for research, education, and community engagement, offering tours that provide a unique glimpse into marine conservation. Join us in our mission to protect Wells Harbour’s marine life for future generations.

Both of these projects are aimed at increasing the sustainability of the local seafood industry. A whole variety of coastal pubs and restaurants are keen to secure fresh produce.