Common seal Rustington

I received a seal sighting today from Jackie and her friend her were walking along beach front at Rustington on the 14th March.

They spotted the seal at 3.00pm and watched the seal for 30 minutes 'bobbing up and down' its head above water.

Jackie sent me a photograph from which it was possible to see it was a common seal. 

Common dolphin off the coast at Brighton

I received a sighting of a dolphin from Jess and her partner who spotted a dolphin swimming near Brighton's West Pier on Sunday 6th March.

I have since had a further report on 9th March and a photo from BDMLR  that shows it’s a common dolphin – this time breaching out of the water.

Common dolphins are seen occasionally near shore off Sussex but its not as common as its name suggests. BDMLR will be keeping an eye on the situation in case the dolphin needs assistance.

Grey Seal rescue

I received a report from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) about a small poorly seal at Selsey Bill.  BDMLR telephoned Trevor Weeks Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service (WRAS).

The seal turned out to be a young grey seal, which was transferred over to WRAS's ambulance and drive back to WRAS's Casualty Care Centre where WRAS's vet Mike met them and helped assess the seals condition.

The seal had a high temperature, and breathing difficulties and was treated by the vet with  antibiotics and fluids to help the seal rehydrate. The seal is stayed with WRAS over night was moved on to the RSPCA Malladams Centre where they have facilities for rescued seals.

See more by visiting http://wildlifeambulance.org/wras-helps-with-grey-seal-from-selsey/

Common seal river Adur, Shoreham.

Another common seal sighting in the River Adur, between the Airport footbridge and flyover

The sighting was reported by Joe Lines between 1:30 and 3:00pm

Joe said he was amazed to see the seal looking so content and even seemed to enjoy the attention from people on the river bank.

Seals are very curious animals, especially where they feel

All photos copyright Joe Lines 

Common Seal River Adur

Another sighting of the common seal in the River Adur.

This was forwarded by Sam (below is a picture taken by her husband) at 4.00 pm opposite the wooden heron on the sandbank opposite Ricardo' s

Sadly no natural spot pattern marking visible to identify it as an individual.

Common Seal in the River Adur

I received a sighting today from Paul. This is the first sighting of the year in Sussex.

The seal was spotted in the river Adur at 10.00am between the A27 bridge and the toll bridge. The seal was hauled out on the mud flats at low tide as the tide was coming back in.

The seal looks to be healthy and at the moment does not appear to be a seal we have seen before, although when they are dry natural makings and identifiable spot patterns are difficult to see.

The seal in the pictures is resting in the 'banana' pose commonly seen with seals.

All photos copyright Paul Loader

You can see more of Paul's great wildlife photographs at  www.flickr.com/mrfurrylover

Dolphins off Brighton

A large pod of bottlenose dolphins, in two groups, one of about 8 the other 10 seen off Brighton 3rd Oct. The group included young dolphins and a large male.

The dolphins were spotted off Brighton Marina, playing in front of and around sailing boats near No. 1 bouy, around mid morning.

This might be the same group of dolphins reported earlier back in August http://sussexmarinejottings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/bottlenose-dolphin-herd-off-west-sussex.html

and also http://sussexmarinejottings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/more-on-sussex-dolphin-herd.html