Observations in the Species: Phoca vitulina
English Name: Common Seal or Eastern Atlantic Harbour Seal
Observed on: 20th May 2013
Added to iSpot: 22nd May 2013
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 0
Description: Leaping harbour seal
By: PaulChallinor
Observed on: 30th April 2013
Added to iSpot: 7th May 2013
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 6
Comments: 5
Description: Observed hauled up onto sand banks in Loch Fleet on the North East coast of Scotland. there were about 15 in this group, with other groups scattered across the other sand banks.
Observed on: 24th April 2013
Added to iSpot: 25th April 2013
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 9
Comments: 0
Description: Nostrils open and closed.
By: dejayM
Observed on: 5th July 2007
Added to iSpot: 21st February 2013
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 8
Comments: 3
Description: In 2007 I had some time with The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at St Andrews.
The unit was contracted to conduct Common or Harbour Seal counts with pup tagging to check movements
Catching the seal pups was not easy but the job was to satellite tag enough for the research project.
These few pictures show the process of attaching the trackers to pups.
Cleaning and drying the fur, taking blood and tissue samples, waiting for the epoxy glue to harden and then release all took time but the pups seemed to take it in their stride.
The Harbour Seal population continues to decline though in Orkn
By: jonnam318
Location: A256, SandwichLat/Lng: 51.3108, 1.3579
OS grid ref: TR341622
Pegwell & Sandwich Country Park.
Close Observed on: 27th January 2013
Added to iSpot: 1st February 2013
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 5
Comments: 0
By: jonnam318
Observed on: 10th January 2012
Added to iSpot: 27th November 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 0
Description: The body and flippers are short, heads are rounded. Nostrils appear V-shaped. It has no pinna (ear flap).
By: Martincito
Observed on: 11th November 2012
Added to iSpot: 22nd November 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 0
By: PMG
Observed on: 9th June 2006
Added to iSpot: 20th November 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 10
Comments: 0
By: Grianoger
Observed on: 8th November 2012
Added to iSpot: 9th November 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 0
Description: Group of seals in Belfast Lough
Observed on: 18th September 2011
Added to iSpot: 6th November 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 2
By: KarenP
Observed on: 11th July 2012
Added to iSpot: 25th September 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 11
Comments: 0
Observed on: 23rd August 2012
Added to iSpot: 1st September 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 2
Observed on: 20th August 2012
Added to iSpot: 30th August 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 9
Comments: 2
Description: I don't spend enough time on the coast to be confident identifying these critters.
By: Sarah Briggs 2012
Observed on: 19th April 2012
Added to iSpot: 23rd August 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 5
Comments: 1
Description: Harbour seal? I took this photo on the West coast of Scotland on Islay. There were around 20 seals in the harbour.
By: vetandteacher
Location: Collaster, UnstLat/Lng: 60.752, -0.935
OS grid ref: HP581081
Rocky shore with high cliffs.
Close Observed on: 5th August 2012
Added to iSpot: 18th August 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 12
Comments: 0
Description: Hauled out on rocks below steep cliffs.
Observed on: 19th July 2012
Added to iSpot: 19th July 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 1
Location: Isle of MayLat/Lng: 56.186246666667, -2.5559383333333
OS grid ref: NT655994
Close Observed on: 13th July 2012
Added to iSpot: 14th July 2012
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 5
Comments: 1
Description: Rounded face but dog like snout. Baby grey seal?
By: abbotshaughcomm...
Observed on: 25th September 2006
Added to iSpot: 13th July 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 0
Comments: 2
By: j.tweedie
Observed on: 5th July 2012
Added to iSpot: 6th July 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 1
By: j.tweedie
Observed on: 4th June 2012
Added to iSpot: 9th June 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 0
By: AdamB
Observed on: 15th April 2007
Added to iSpot: 20th May 2012
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 0
Comments: 0
Observed on: 11th May 2012
Added to iSpot: 11th May 2012
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 4
Comments: 1
Description: I have added a second photo of the same animal to show this is a harbour seal rather than a grey seal.
Observed on: 11th May 2012
Added to iSpot: 11th May 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 0
Description: Harbour seal leaping whilst swimming fast
By: Nic Bullivant
Observed on: 15th April 2012
Added to iSpot: 26th April 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 0
Description: I know they are called common, and for some people they may seem common, but this is an important location for seals near the Skye Bridge, and I thought you would like to know they are looking healthy and not at all nervous at the regular appearance of Seaprobe Atlantis, the boat with windows in its underwater hull. Pupping soon, we were told.
Observed on: 14th April 2012
Added to iSpot: 16th April 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 0
Description: This Common Seal (or Harbour Seal) was in waters normally supporting large numbers of Grey Seals
By: Grianoger
Observed on: 5th April 2012
Added to iSpot: 5th April 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 8
Comments: 0
Description: Low tide in Belfast Lough. Counted 18 seals in quite a small area.
By: ruanaich
Location: 5, Caol OrghasaidhLat/Lng: 56.937, -7.522
OS grid ref: NL642964
Bay between Vatersay & Barra on Western Isles. From elevated roadside looking down. Cant remember wind direction but remember hiding behind roadside barrier while affixing 300mm lens and he wasn't there for long got 2 shots off before he disappeared.
Close Observed on: 15th August 2010
Added to iSpot: 1st April 2012
Identifications: 3
Agreements: 3
Comments: 2
Description: An old favourite I'm sure, and maybe I forced myself to believe, however on a cycle trip to the Outer Hebrides I had seen many a seal, harbour and grey. I wanted to see an otter maybe a bit too much. On spotting this guy at some distance I might ad I hopped off my bike and used full 300mm lens to zoom in. Both animals are skittish but seals tend to be a bit more blaze than this guy was. Even at a height from sea level looking down, he sensed I was there and disappeared in a flash, but not with a tail slap I see from seals. So whats the consensus, seal or otter?
Observed on: 21st May 2002
Added to iSpot: 24th March 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 0
By: PaulFoster
Observed on: 22nd February 2012
Added to iSpot: 27th February 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 1
Comments: 0
By: jackrockley88
Observed on: 8th September 2011
Added to iSpot: 8th February 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 3
By: angieodette
Observed on: 28th July 2011
Added to iSpot: 4th February 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 5
Comments: 3
Description: Very curious of swimmers,will swim around and underneath.
Observed on: 14th January 2012
Added to iSpot: 14th January 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 8
Comments: 1
Description: Over 100 loafing on the sand at low tide on a frosty morning. Male Red-breasted Merganser in the corner.
By: Grianoger
Observed on: 9th January 2012
Added to iSpot: 10th January 2012
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 3
Comments: 1
Description: 6 seals in all, perched on small rocks, singly or in pairs.
By: JAF
Observed on: 18th December 2011
Added to iSpot: 21st December 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 11
Comments: 1
Location: A849, GBLat/Lng: 56.351, -6.374
OS grid ref: NM298262
Close Observed on: 16th June 2011
Added to iSpot: 19th December 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 1
Comments: 0
By: Yashca
Location: A178, GBLat/Lng: 54.622428, -1.214568
OS grid ref: NZ508255
Close Observed on: 12th December 2011
Added to iSpot: 13th December 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 2
Comments: 1
By: notpop
Observed on: 24th November 2011
Added to iSpot: 24th November 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 7
Comments: 3
Location: NonessLat/Lng: 59.983793, -1.212808
OS grid ref: HU440223
Close Observed on: 4th October 2011
Added to iSpot: 31st October 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 8
Comments: 0
Observed on: 4th October 2011
Added to iSpot: 31st October 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 1
Observed on: 20th June 2011
Added to iSpot: 30th October 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 1
Comments: 3
By: phildean
Observed on: 28th September 2011
Added to iSpot: 19th October 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 2
Description: Appears to have more of a "dog-like" face rather than an arched nose of the grey seal.
Observed on: 18th September 2011
Added to iSpot: 25th September 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 0
Description: Seen inland on River Great Ouse in Norfolk which is tidal,this is why I chose coastal for habitat.
By: crobins745
Observed on: 10th September 2011
Added to iSpot: 13th September 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 3
Comments: 1
Description: Anyone like to hazard a guess at the waders in the foreground?
By: Vb3886
Observed on: 5th July 2010
Added to iSpot: 6th September 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 4
Comments: 2
By: mb25629
Observed on: 18th August 2011
Added to iSpot: 4th September 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 9
Comments: 1
By: StuElsom
Observed on: 15th September 2005
Added to iSpot: 29th August 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 9
Comments: 1
Location: Ravine Rd, FileyLat/Lng: 54.21558, -0.25895
OS grid ref: TA136813
End of Filey Brigg, Yorkshire
Close Observed on: 7th August 2011
Added to iSpot: 9th August 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 6
Comments: 3
By: lalows2
Observed on: 4th August 2011
Added to iSpot: 4th August 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 7
Comments: 3
Description: Juvenile recently weaned. got washed up on our beach and had to taken into care. Grey Seal is the one we normally see.
By: MJCuff
Location: A83, Argyll and ButeLat/Lng: 55.60626, -5.68437
OS grid ref: NR680408
Pulled over and photographed from the beach.
Close Observed on: 20th August 2009
Added to iSpot: 18th July 2011
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 7
Comments: 1
Description: I believe the way to tell them apart from grey seals is the nostril shape when face on.
![IMG_1796[1]](http://www.ispot.org.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/mid/images/20236/7e4f038d41c4cef2c0ae0cbbc7967c02.jpg "IMG_1796[1]")
