Seals prosper in Strangford Lough

Seals prosper in Strangford Lough

1 January 2020

STRANGFORD Lough is proving to be a popular nursery for grey seals.

The largest sea inlet in Ireland can boast having 181 pups born in its waters during last autumn, the most since records began almost 30 years ago. 

The National Trust, which records the number of wildlife visiting the area, revealed there were 282 adults in the lough at the peak of the breeding season last year – something of a turnaround for the protected species. 

In the early 1990s records show that only around six or seven grey seals were born in the area each year. 

Lead ranger at Strangford Lough Hugh Thurgate say several factors have contributed to the growth in numbers.

He said: “The boom reflects the burgeoning population in Scottish waters which is pushing the population down the North Channel and into the Irish Sea and seals are being forced to seek out new places to breed. 

“The shelter of Strangford is a strong draw for seals on the look-out for alternative spots to relax on shore during the breeding and moulting seasons.

Mr Thurgate agrees that Strangford Lough is just the place for them.

He added: “The seals are looking for a safe and protected place to raise their young – somewhere that provides protection from the elements and is relatively free from disturbance – which Strangford Lough offers. 

“Pups are quite vulnerable. Seals give birth on the beach and if you get stormy weather, tidal surges and high spring tides, high pup vitalities can occur because seals are unable to thermo-regulate properly. 

“So, if you have calmer conditions pups are going to have a better chance of survival.”

The mild lough islands of Strangford are a favourite spot for the seals to haul out in large groups, known as rockeries, now a regular sight for boat users. 

Mr Thurgate, who has worked on Strangford Lough for two decades, has seen the population steadily rise. 

He said: “We starting counting seals in 1992. And in 1993, ’94 and ’95 the Trust recorded extremely low numbers of grey seals. Then slowly but surely they increased and by the mid-noughties there were around 40. 

“Then it jumped quite significantly and by 2015 we had 100 pups for the first time. In 2017 they went passed 150 — we actually recorded 172 that year.” 

However, the common seal, cousin to the grey seal, isn’t enjoying the same kind of success on the lough.

The changeable summer weather, followed by deluges and floods in November, proved challenging and the total population is now alarmingly low at under 100.