Suffolk Coast Welcomes First Breeding Grey Seal Colony at Former Cold War Site

Over 130 grey seal pups have been born at Orford Ness, marking the establishment of Suffolk's first breeding colony of the species.

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.