Protecting the Point: Seal Research in Action

 

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.

A packed seal beach from above

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).

A person's footprint trail as traced on the drone images showing just how close they were to the seal colony.

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.

New signage at the Reserve Beaches to highlight the change in access guidelines (photo credit Ythan Seal Watch)

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.

Close-up views from Newburgh Seal Beach

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.

The striking aerial map of the seal colony before and after a disturbance event

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.

SGSSS 2025 Impact Competition

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.