A mother nursing her pup. Picture by Emma Neave-Webb.
Fighting males, defensive females, amorous encounters, new arrivals and the inevitable tragedies.
No, it’s not the latest hit US drama but instead a screenshot of life on an Orkney beach.
Now is the time of year when Atlantic grey seals haul up on the pupping beaches of Sanday to give birth to their fluffy white pups.
As well as pupping, there is a whole drama worthy of daytime TV acted out on the beaches during this time.
Normally, most of this action happens every year out of sight on remote, inaccessible beaches, but it’s now possible to watch all the latest drama and gossip via the Sanday Sealcam.
Managed by Sanday Development Trust’s ranger Emma Neave-Webb, it is set-up and maintained by Orkney-based Triscom Technology.
Emma said: “It is wonderful to be able to watch the goings-on on our pupping beaches without causing any disturbance or affecting behaviour in any way.
“The Sanday sealcam gives viewers a unique opportunity to intimately get to know our beautiful grey seals and see behaviour often not seen in the wild – and even better, you can keep warm and comfortable whilst doing it.”
