A Grey Seal pup was born this afternoon in one of Ramsey’s caves. This is the second pup born this July and it is not uncommon to get one or two early births before the pupping season gets into full swing in the middle of August.
The cow in the photo was seen circling on the beach yesterday and ‘flippering’ the sand and pebbles. This is very similar behaviour to the ‘nest building’ activity of dogs before they give birth to their puppies. And sure enough by this afternoon she had a brand new pup on the beach beside her. You can tell that this pup is newborn by its deep yellow staining. Over the next few days it will gradually become whiter in colour and the fleshy umbilical cord that you can see here will dry and shrivel up.
In 2012 over 630 pups were born on Ramsey between August and November.
Thanks to residential volunteer Christine for the photo; remarkably clear despite the difficult angle, the distance and a gusty wind!