Rye Harbour is a notable location for spotting seals, particularly common seals (also known as harbour seals). This area, part of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, provides an ideal habitat for these marine mammals because of its rich feeding grounds and relatively undisturbed environment.
Seals are more easily spotted at low tide when they haul themselves out on sandbanks to rest. The reserve offers several walking trails and viewpoints from which seals can often be seen. They are also frequently seen in the tidal stretches of the river and nearby mudflats.
Some tips for seal-watching: bring binoculars for a better view, as seals often rest a distance from shore. Keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing them. Respect their boundaries. Always observe from a distance and respect any signage or guidelines provided by the nature reserve.
For those interested in wildlife and nature, Rye Harbour offers a unique and rewarding experience with its rich biodiversity, including the charming sight of seals in their natural habitat.
We are lucky to have some very talented photographers in the Rye area who take some super seal photos using a telephoto lens so as not to disturb the seals. Jeff Penfold recently visited the harbour and shared his wonderful photos with us at Rye News for everyone to enjoy.
Jeff works for a local charity, Charity for Kids, as a volunteer and committee member. Charity for Kids was established in 2011 to provide help for disabled, sick and terminally ill children and their families, across Hastings and Rother. They help by providing families with specialised equipment which isn’t always available on the NHS and can be very expensive. Jeff produces various calendars as part of the charity’s fundraising efforts. The latest calendar, Nature’s Best, will be on sale in Rye Harbour and Icklesham, very soon.
Image Credits: Jeff Penfold .