A record 430 grey seal pups were born at Orford Ness, Suffolk, marking the site’s first known breeding colony.

A record 430 grey seal pups were born at Orford Ness in Suffolk, marking the fifth straight year of successful breeding and nearly doubling the previous year’s count. The National Trust, which manages the site, attributes the growth to healthy marine ecosystems, abundant fish, natural storm protection from the shingle ridge, and the site’s seasonal closure from October to spring, reducing human disturbance. The colony, believed to have originated from Norfolk populations, is now Suffolk’s first known breeding site for grey seals. Female seals typically return to the same location annually, and pups, born with thick white fur and weighing about 13kg, stay onshore for three weeks, feeding frequently and tripling their weight before weaning. Rangers monitor the colony using binoculars and telescopes, though increasing numbers and harsh weather make precise counts difficult.