The Marine Reserve is a great place to look out for marine mammals and the coast path that runs the length of the Reserve is the best vantage point.
Grey seals can be seen almost anywhere along the coast at just about any time of year. Often they can be seen bottling, floating upright in the water, which is how they snooze. Sometimes they may be seen hauled out on rocks and beaches. In the autumn and early winter it is not uncommon to come across a seal pup looking deserted and forlorn on a beach. However unless there is an obvious sign of injury this is just what seals do so do not approach them as they can give a nasty bite!
Whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) can be seen throughout the year but the summer is the time when there are the most sightings. The harbour porpoise is the species most commonly seen, but it is also worth looking out for bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and minke whales.
When searching for cetaceans look out for large groups of seabirds gathering on the surface. The birds may be feeding on a large shoal of fish, which in turn attracts larger predators such as cetaceans. Gannets are the easiest birds to spot as they are huge and brilliantly white and so can be seen from afar, diving at speed. Slowly scan the surface of the water and remember that patience is a virtue. Do not expect to be wowed by creatures leaping clear of the water in front of your eyes as often all you will see will be a brief glimpse of a fin or spray from a blowhole.
