Grey seal count

Image from webcam captured by IceAge, LK forum

Translation Liis

Samples are taken from a perished grey seal pup for laboratory purposes.

Grey seal        Hallhüljes       Halichoerus grypus

A thorough seal count takes about an hour and a half, after that a short sea trip back to Saaremaa, the boat on to the car trailer and the trip goes to the next seal isle.  In the evening numbers are summed up and a summary of the day is made.

Good counting weather must be planned for in advance, by checking the weather forecasts, in order to be there from the mainland at the right time, and so that the time in Saaremaa will be used as fully as possible.

A slight wind, 2 – 3 m/s, blowing from the east and a clear springtime sky. Air temperature barely above zero but the seawater was nearly plus 3 degrees, and the water level almost 30 centimetres below normal.

When we have a survey of events we will discuss what the seal pups do when their mother has finished suckling them.