Welcome to Cwmtydu-Bay-Wildlife
Cwmtydu Bay Wildlife organisation have since 2001 observed Atlantic Grey seals and their pups using the beach at Cwmtydu. Our numbers of volunteers has grown each year and has helped in talking with hundreds of visitors, and monitoring the behaviour of the seals.
The main objectives of the group have always been,
A; to monitor the seals and the pups behaviour, especially the interaction with the male (Bull)
B; to promote knowledge about Grey seals to visitors.
A;
The beach at Cwmtydu is vital for the pups during high tides and stormy weather. The females will usually give birth to the single white fur coated pup in any of the many sea caves in the area, but when the tides are at their highest or when the weather takes a turn for the worst, they will often bring the pups up on the beach for safety. Once there they usually stay, if left undisturbed, because of the pups fur coat, it is at risk of drowning, if in the sea for any length of time.
The observations made by our volunteers are proving interesting to research groups such as the SMRU (Sea Mammal Research Unit). We witness the Bull being active in the care and training of the pups, this behaviour is not known in larger colonies, but appears normal in 'our' smaller family groups.
The females (Cows) will suckle the pups for about 12 - 18 days. They will mate with the bull and then leave the pup to shed the white fur and change colour to the light grey. Once the pup has moulted it will spend time in the shallows (with the male at times) until ready or hungry enough to go in search of food. If the female is disturbed or feels threatened there is a strong probability that she will abandon the pup before it's received enough of her fat rich milk, and is strong enough to survive on it's own.
There are local welfare groups who are specially trained and able to rescue any sick or abandoned pups, and we would be the first to call on their expert help. This support should not be needed if 'we' as humans allow the seals the time and space they need then there should be no reason for any pup to be rescued (other than a natural reason e.g. a sick pup).
B;
Cwmtydu Bay Wildlife Organisation volunteers have been there to answer questions, give out information sheets, and when needed, ask people not to go on the beach, explaining politely why.
Visitors know this as an annual event and come back again and again, sometimes spending hours, just watching from behind the wall at this miracle of life. This location gives a wonderful opportunity for the general public to learn about one of this counties least known about mammals. Providing noise is kept to a minimum, and people stay behind the car park wall the seals continue the nurturing of the pups, mating and natural behaviour, undisturbed by human presence.
It is hoped that this wonderful occurrence will continue and that the seals will continue to use this area for pupping.
The site is under a 'sssi' and an SAC which counts Grey Seals in the directive, but there is no current legislation to help protect the seals during the pupping season.
Cwmtydu Bay Wildlife organisation volunteers never go beyond the basic politeness in all approaches to visitors, and if offence has ever been given, then we apologise.
Cwmtydu Bay Wildlife organisation would like to thank all the interested and supportive local residents, and to all the visitors who been fully in support of our work.
2011 Top of Page
2011 was a very quiet year. We have seen very few seals in and around Cwmtydu. The reported sightings from the boats along the coast were down as well, on both adults seen, and pups.
We had one pup arrive in the bay in September, it still had a lot of its white coat (pelage), It was on its own and a good size. The sea was still rough but not as bad as it had been that week. It was coming in to rest on the beach , as it swam in close to shore.
The beach had a few walkers on, so the pup thought better of it, and off it swam, round to Castell Bach, the next bay, where he / she hauled out and settled down for a good sleep.
I had a walk over and checked the pup out. Appeared fat and healthy, so I just stayed and watched (from a distance) for a while at the marvel that is nature. It always amazes me that something so young, three to five weeks old is now in our seas, in some rough seas, feeding and traveling on its own.
Later in October myself and some of the volunteers visited the seal hospital at Milford Haven. If fact Bert & Beryl were diverted on route to assist with a rescue of a pup near Cardigan. The pup was brought in and we watched as the staff tried to feed it. It was underweight and had several cuts to the flippers, usually caused by contact with rocks in heavy seas. The worry was it had sustained facial injuries and had some damage to teeth.
If the teeth settle back it will be ok, if not it won't be able to feed.
Next year we may not have a seal hospital as Terry is under notice from the Port Authority, they plan to redevelop the site. So as Terry can't find a suitable site to relocate to, he may have to shut up completely. The only alternative then will be the RSPCA, and a nightmare journey for the seals over to the EAST coast to their hospital.
Terry is local, knows the area, has fantastic volunteers and returns pups back to where they were picked up from. We and the seal pups need him, and it will be a very sad day if he closes.
2010 Top of Page
At this time of year we are usually relaxing after a busy season. This year was not to be a good one for us or the Seals.
We have seen a higher than normal increase in dead adult seals. The ones we have seen did not show any signs of injury (boat or other), so the reason is unknown at present. When we have any information we will update this report.
We have had a few pups, although none on the beach. Yesterday, 27th November, saw a pup released back at Cwmtydu after being recused from the beach on the 28th October. He is called Lightening, (Terry from the seal hospital had a theme this year for naming pups). He was found on the beach following some rough seas, but apart from being underweight he was ok.
After being fed up by Terry and his team for a few weeks he was set to go and go he did.
Photographs of Lightening by Christina Holland (volunteer)
Terry has another seal taken from our area, Nelson. Sadly he has lost the sight in one eye, but thats not causing him any problems, and he looks to be making good progress.
2009 Top of page
Towards the end of August was the first pup. We were first alerted to the presence of a pup by the behaviour shown by the Female. She was seen around the caves and was being disturbed by people trying to get a closer look at her, not knowing she had a pup. This can be when a female might abandon the pup, but this female was a regular and an experienced mother.....she stood her ground.
The next day at low tide we started a close watch and the female stayed outside the entrance. We recognized her as a female who had a pup in 2004, and again in 2006. Her pup was about 10 days old, with a very silky white coat. The pup was a good swimmer and entertained everyone swimming in the dammed section of the river.
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The female took the pup away after a few days as the sea was calm and the weather was kind. They returned on the 4th September, following a few stormy nights. The pup had grown and was beginning the moult, but we knew it was her again, of course the bull was now around.
Within a few days they were mated.
We also had another Bull come and try his luck but following some intense fights he was seen off into the sea.
The 4th of September brought another pup onto the beach, this little one didn't have a mother. It was looking very small, and had a few injuries. So Gale, as he was named, after the 'gales' was taken by our volunteers to Milford Haven seal hospital, where he was treated and fed, and released back to Cwmtydu on the 23rd of September. As Terry said 'a seal with attitude he was soon back in the sea.
Above is Gale being escorted back to the sea, and later he went to sleep on the rocks, after crying loudly for something to eat! Double click on him and see a short video. He does wave goodnight!
The sound is not Gale but of another pup, they can sound very sad
Both us, volunteers of Cwmtydu Bay Wildlife, and the seal hospital have been quiet this year, mainly we think because of calm seas, and a mild September. The weather was really nice. The hospital was not opened as much as Terry had only five pups,during September, usually he can have twelve or more.
There have been a few rescues later this year. Two pups were rescued from New Quay over the last couple of days, (November), one, sadly didn't survive, despite Terry's best efforts.
This year we also saw two dead 'young' seals, both about a year old. Because of the wounds on these pups we managed to have a post mortum done on one. The report could not determine cause of death, but did confirm what and how the wound was caused, and both the RSPCA and local Wildlife Police were informed.
It's sad to think that in 2009, there are a minority who still can't leave nature alone.
2008 Top of page
September 2008 has been a first. There have been no pups brought onto the beach this year.
WHY? We don't know is the honest answer.
There could be many reasons, one theory could be the increase in boat activity in Cwmtydu. Last year saw more boats, and by boats, we mean inflatables, kayaks, small dinghys. This year we saw even more.
There were pups born, and the seas have been rough at times but not coinciding with high tides, which is the usual reason for the pups to be brought out of the caves.
Females were seen the bay, and surrounding area, and at times showed behaviour of seeking the beach to pup, and the Bull was regularly seen on patrol.
The volunteers have still been busy. It started in July, a pup was in the cave in Cwmtydu but was moved to Castell Bach. So from the end of July to mid August, the volunteers hiked over the hill to keep watch from the top of the cliff path. We did think of using the wild horses to help carry our supplies of food, cameras and binoculars.
The mother was very badly injured, we think it was a boat injury. They were very recent wounds, but quickly healed and it appeared not to interfere with her feeding her pup, or later, mating with the Bull.
She was a very caring mother and stayed close in the sea all the time. The picture clearly shows the wounds, that start at the top of her back and go down to near her tail flippers. As she was so far away (we didn't get closer than the top of the path), other than when we were rushing after people who went past our warning signs, we did not manage to identify her with any certainty but there are some marks that make us think she is known to us from previous years.
Early October saw the seal hospital at Milford Haven start to get busy, following the rough seas, and bad weather, and we will keep you informed with any more news.
There have been a few occasions where we have been called out to pups in the area. The most recent was on Aberaeron beach, December, so we went to have a look. The pup was almost fully moulted but very small so was taken to the hospital at Milford Haven, where it was found to be very underweight. We'll update as we hear any news.
This year we were very fortunate to receive funding from the Wildaid Foundation Trust, They are a charity that helps small groups like ours with funds. The funds have helped us with running costs and to purchase some new 'A' frame & small notice boards,(the laminated signs are kindly produced by Ceredigion County Council), volunteer badges, and all the volunteers can now keep a little warmer with Fleece jackets.
There we are; all kitted out and look what happens!!
Last year the volunteers were involved with eleven pups, either watching or rescuing. You just never know with nature.
2007 Top of page
This year has been bery different to our previous years. The first pups arrived on the beach at Cwmtydu, Tuesday 11th September, but our volunteers had already been busy with two other pups.
The first pup had been abandoned on Llanon beach up the coast, it was very small and was duly rescued and taken to Milford Haven Seal hospital. The second pup was a lot bigger and very lively, it was found near Cai Bach. Once two of our intrepid volunteers had taken a sign down very dangerous steps and set up a watch, the pup decided not to stay afterall. It made its way across to New Quay, and was at Cwmtydu for a day or two. It was no longer with a female but seemed a strong and healthy pup.
The pups at Cwmtydu arrived early morning, one was on the north of the beach alone, and while the volunteers where setting out the signs, a female arrived on the south side with her pup. More signs were needed!
This mother and pup we suspected had been using the seacave, as her pup looked about 7-10 days old, but the weather overnight had forced her out. During the day there were no sightings of the other pups mum and later on in the day we went to check on the pup. Sadly it had died. It appeared very underweight, and had taken some knocks in the rough seas. Perhaps the mother had given up on it or more likely it had been separated from her in the high tides.
The other pup was doing well, but the female was not happy on the beach and the first opportunity she took the pup back to the cave. We were able to witness the progress of the pup, the usual swimming lessons and fishing lessons were given by mum, and sometimes the pup would come up to the beach to rest, and then head back out to sea. When the mum did leave, the pup hung around for another week along with another independent pup that had taken to sleeping on the beach overnight.
It has been busy time for the volunteers, at times stretching our resources, we have been involved with eleven pups this year; two rescued to the Seal hospital. This one was taken from New Quay slipway, a female called 'Shlip', (photo below taken by Giovanna Pesante of Sea Watch Foundation)
Photo on the right is 'Shlip' at Cwmtydu, Saturday 3rd
November being released back in the sea
(photo by Beryl Moore)
2006 Top of page
2006 saw lots of pups and lots of interaction between females, bulls and pups. At the end of August there was a pup at Castell Bach, which gave the volunteers the chance of a walk every day over the hill, phew! This pup was already a couple of weeks old by August Bank holiday and was still being suckled by the female, with a bull in attendance.
Cwmtydu has seen three pups this year. The first kept well hidden in a sea cave. The really exciting thing for us, was that the female was one from 2004! We have been keen to confirm which females return and this is the first time we have been able to using photographs from previous years.
The second pup pictured below was brought onto the beach at about a day old. The mother was trying very hard to put the pup into one of the sea caves but as this was occupied by the older pup, she had to make do with the beach for several days.
The female of pup 2 finally took the moment to move the pup into the sea cave, as the older pup left for a swim. A few days later they moved again but we don't know why or where they went to.
The third pup appeared a few days later and we were privileged to watch mother and pup play together for hours in the sea. Usually the female will watch from a distance as the pup learns to swim and dive but this mother joined in, and even played splashing the pup and getting splashed back.
There were also two young grey pups who visited the bay, popping in and swimming around, watching us, watching them. We also saw another female we were able to recognize, Ewan's mum. We don't know if she had a pup this year but she swam in and checked on the pup on the beach. The pup's mother was just in the sea and didn't seem worried by this behaviour.
The third pup stayed in Cwmtydu after the mother had stopped feeding it, and following heavy seas on Friday 6th Oct took to the beach to rest. It tucked itself up at the very top of a gully across the river, by which had now broke a way through back to the sea. It stayed there all Saturday and was still there Sunday morning. It left just after lunch time, as there was a charity horse ride taking place and the noise of over 70 horses was possibly just too much.
The riders were very good in keeping the horses to the top end of the river and only taking them on the far side of the beach to cool off in the sea, but sound of all those hooves must have been worring to a small pup.
Females do not always have a pup, it is thought that some years if they have put a lot of effort in to raising a pup their body can't conceive.
September 2005 Top of page
By August Bank holiday Cwmtydu had seen two pups, one had been born, suckled & almost gone before most people knew. The second was born before the August Bank Holiday. This caused lots of problems. Bank holiday weekend is always busy, and soon the pup was surrounded by visitors, just wanting that better picture or a closer look.
People took children, pushchairs and even dogs into the cave where the pup was.
We watched for as long as we could before approaching people, and after providing photographs and statements, the council agreed that just doing nothing did not work.
A sign was provided by Ceredigion County Council, and we set up a watch. The pup successfully finished suckling and left the area a week later. It has been seen since sunning itself hauled out on the rocks near the cliff.
A third pup was born (we thought) around Friday 16th, and came onto the beach on Sunday morning. On Tuesday it was noticed that t wasn't feeding and was looking underweight. It also looking very poorly, so we consulted Jean Bryant at Newquay Bird hospital and the decision was taken to remove the pup. From Newquay it was taken to the Seal hospital at Milford Haven.
Jean of Newquay Bird Hospital, who along with local help, has been there in past years, keeping a watchful eye on the seals and pups in the area.
The pup, named Ewan, (it is a boy), is doing well, and has a cold, not Pneumonia, as first thought, but he was very undernourished. On examination Ewan is about 16 day old (Tuesday 20th Sept). Pups at birth average 14kg, Ewan weighed in at 16kg!
The mother was very distressed during the Tuesday, and made several searches for her pup, even coming up the river and towards the road. Whilst this was distressing for her it was also hard to watch, but the decision to move the pup was not taken lightly, had we left the pup, it would most probably not survived, at least now it can be given a fighting chance, by being fed and receiving treatment.
Picture
of Ewan 25th September
There is another pup at Milford Haven that was taken from Newquay, named Liz, and she is also making good progress.
We are aware of several dead pups this year, but we are not aware as to the cause of deaths. The survival rate with Atlantic Grey seals is low, only about 40% make it.
During the summer a Common seal pup was found on the beach at Cwmtydu. This is very rare around the Welsh coastline.
It was very weak, and again was taken to Milford Haven, where it was making good progress, until Friday 23rd September when he suddenly died. A post mortem was carried out and he was found to have developed Pneumonia.
Given all the problems last year, it is good to know that by everyone working together, and putting the past behind us, a way has been found to safeguard the pups & seals for another year.
15th Oct 2005
Ewan is progressing well and now diving in the pools for his own fish. We will keep in touch with Terry at Milford Haven, and we'll provide an update later.
29th October 2005 saw Ewan and two other pups released into the sea at Cwmtydu.
Ewan was off into the sea, leaving Maggie & Buster on the shore wondering where they were. They soon followed Ewan and went off from the beach shortly after. Ewan was seen surfing on Monday 31st October, it seems he knew he was home.
A happy ending for everyone.
Many thanks to everyone who has helped to make this a better year, and a big Thank you to Terry and his volunteers at the Hospital.
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Should you wish to comment on any of the above then please email us or directly to;
Ceredigion County County Council
Many Thanks for your continued support Top of page
