Overview

• A grey seal colony has established itself at Orford Ness, a former Cold War weapons-testing site on the Suffolk coast, with more than 130 pups born this season.
• The colony, Suffolk's first for grey seals, began forming in 2021 after the pandemic led to reduced human activity and disturbance at the site.
• Rangers have conducted weekly seal counts since October, noting an average of over 250 adult seals, with numbers sometimes reaching up to 500.
• The National Trust plans to offer guided access next winter, while emphasizing the importance of minimizing disturbances to protect the colony.
• Unauthorized access by foot, boat, or drone is illegal and poses a risk due to the remote and unique nature of the former military site.