Winter Seal Surveys: Winter Winds, Pups, and Persistence

 

The winter months are a magical yet challenging time for seal surveys. But for our team, the beauty of this season is just one side of the story. Winter also marks an exciting period in seal ecology—the birth of pups.

While the snow and frost transform Forvie sand dunes into breathtaking landscapes, winter is far from ideal for fieldwork. The shortened daylight hours are the first hurdle, limiting the windows when we can fly our drones. On survey days, we work to make the most of the precious light, often starting during sunrise or racing against the early sunset.

Surveying at sunrise (photo credit: Charlotte Wood).

Adding to the difficulty, winter storms sweep in with gusty winds and relentless rain. Both are enemies of drone flight. The high winds make it unsafe to launch, and rain can damage equipment. There’s no denying the frustration when a perfectly planned survey day is postponed because of bad weather.

Snow covering on the new beach board walk at Newburgh SealBeach.

Even on calm days, winter temperatures test our resolve. On the beach, controlling the drones with numb fingers becomes a battle against the cold. Gloves help, but operating delicate equipment demands precision, with compromise of warmth and functionality. And yet, despite frozen hands and icy winds whipping across the shore, our team remains steadfast.

Persistence is the name of the game. Each successful flight, no matter how small, feels like a triumph. The data we collect during these months is vital for understanding the Newburgh Grey seal population, throughout the seasonal extremes.

Seals leaving some tracks on the fresh snow.

Winter seal surveying isn’t for the faint of heart. But it’s also a time of great reward. Seeing pups go from a fragile newborn to a healthy weaner, capturing the pregnant “pup bumps”, and observing the resilience of these animals in such harsh conditions remind us why they are so fantastic. Every image and observation contribute to building our knowledge which makes these winter hardships worthwhile.

As we continue to wrap up and face this challenging survey season, we’re left with gratitude: for the seals that inspire us, for the data we’ve managed to collect, and for the teamwork that makes it all possible. Winter may be tough, but it’s undeniably worth it.

Clearly visible "pup bump" on a pregnant female (circled in red).

white newborn pup (circled in red)

The aerial images are taken as part of a PhD study by the Aberdeen Marine Mammal Project based at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) gathering data on the environmental factors influencing seal haul-out behaviour. Credit Claire Stainfield, taken under licensed research drone usage as permitted by NatureScot.