CONSERVATION ISSUES - APRIL 2006

The Seal colony at Hudder Cove near Godrevy, seems to be doing well, despite the number of seal carcasses being found on Cornish Beaches. Above is a picture sent to me by Ray Reed of Paragon Photography back in 2004, which shows about 30 seals, just on that part of the beach, and it would be anyone’s guess how many more there were on the beach that day.  I have recently received a report of a large number hauled out on the beach, and the reporter said he lost count at 92. If you want to see seals, this seems to be the place to visit, but please do not attempt to climb down to the beach, view them from the cliff top. The Cornwall Seal Group keeps a close eye on the seals, and you would likely be admonished if you attempted to climb down, so take your binoculars and view them from the cliff top.  Occasionally you may see a seal wearing a little yellow hat, this would be a seal released from the Seal Sanctuary at Gweek, so if you see one, please try to get the number printed on the hat, and report to me the date and time seen, with the number on the hat, so that I can inform the Seal Group, who tries to monitor the dispersal of released seals   

Bottlenose Dolphins were reported 9 times during March, probably all the same pod in different places for 7 of the 8 reports stated 8 dolphins in the pod. 7 of the reports were in the St Ives Bay area and two were from Polruan east to Whitsand Bay. 5 other reports of unidentified dolphins were probably the same pod as those seen near St. Ives although they were of only 2 dolphins but in the right area. One report was of two dolphins off Praa Sands. There were 5 reports of Harbour Porpoises, of just 1 or 2 animals, 4 reports were around West Penwith, and the other off Crackington Haven. A Basking Shark was seen off Sennen on the 8th and 2 off Gwennap Head on the 11th. The only Grey Seal report was of the 100 or so at Hudder Cove on the 23rd. I have not received a report on the strandings for March.

Conservation Officer Raymond Dennis

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