Since my last update, my PhD has witnessed a significant milestone — the peak of the grey seal moulting season in March. During this time, the seals haul out in large numbers to shed their old coats and grow new ones, a vital and energetically demanding process. It’s also a period where their vulnerability to environmental stressors is at its highest, making undisturbed rest critical.
Unfortunately, this year’s peak coincided with a noticeable
rise in disturbance events around the reserve. A number of people, maybe
unaware or misinformed, have walked around the point — an area of the reserve
that is clearly marked as important for the seals and protected to minimise
human impact. We know a proportion of these people will have genuinely missed
the signs, but unfortunately some will have decided to just ignore them. While
the Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives a right of pedestrian access across most
of Scotland, it's important to remember that these rights come with a key
condition: responsible access. Approaching or disturbing wildlife — especially
during sensitive times like moulting or breeding — is not considered
responsible (and in some cases may even be illegal).
This year also marked an important development in the
reserve: NatureScot updated their local access guidance, now advising
the public to avoid the point completely, all year round. Previously, before
dedicated protection for the seals was introduced in 2017, people could access
the point outside the tern breeding season, with restricted access only in
place from April to August due to nesting birds. This latest change reflects
increasing concern over repeated disturbance and aims to provide the seals with
consistent protection throughout the year.
This change was driven by ongoing disturbance incidents, and
I’m proud that my project’s observations helped contribute to the evidence base
behind this decision. In particular, the drone imagery I captured showing
smaller and younger seals positioned on the outer edges of the haul-out — often
furthest from the sea and therefore most vulnerable — was a key piece of
supporting evidence. These individuals, with smaller body mass and fewer
reserves, are more susceptible to heat loss, trampling, and stress. This
material was shared with the Council’s Local Access Officer and NatureScot’s
own access team, and ultimately helped shape site management decisions. It’s
encouraging to see how research can directly influence policy and protection on
the ground.
While it is disheartening to still see disturbance events, it’s worth acknowledging that the overall level of disruption has decreased over recent years. Continued education remains vital — and simply giving seals space, particularly by viewing them or enjoying the area from Newburgh Seal Beach, is one of the best ways people can help.
My project has been able to capture and document the direct
impact these disturbances have on the seal colony. It’s disheartening to
witness seals flushing into the water at a time when conserving energy is
essential for their health and survival. These moments are a powerful reminder
of how closely human activity is tied to wildlife wellbeing.
That said, I want to emphasize the many positive
interactions I’ve had throughout this project. I’ve met countless members of
the public who are respectful, curious, and genuinely eager to enjoy the coast
in a way that keeps seals safe. These conversations, and the support from the
local community, give me hope and drive one of my key goals: to share data,
build awareness, and foster a better understanding of how we can coexist with
our local marine wildlife.
On a personal note, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been
shortlisted for the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Impact
Competition! The final round will be decided by a public vote, which opens on
May 2nd. If you’ve been following and supporting this work and would like to
vote, I’d be incredibly grateful if you follow the link below.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so
far — whether through conversation, collaboration, or simply giving seals the
space they need.
The aerial images were 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.
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