Facebook friend Debbie mentioned a melanistic Grey seal pub she’d seen and kindly gave me directions. I eventually found him. He was well hidden in the dunes and oh my word he was jet black; everything was black, fur, skin, nails, whiskers, the lot!
It was a bright mild day; out of the wind, dare I say warm. It was an odd day for late December. He was hiding among the dune grasses seemingly trying to keep cool by keeping in the shade away from the sun. Perhaps his black plumage was ‘attracting’ the heat more than he wanted. He was certainly well hidden. It took me almost an hour to get a photo and see his head properly. Eventually he rolled over and showed his face as he looked over his shoulder.
This is the first melanistic seal of the many thousands of common or grey that I’ve seen. Not Common at all.
Letter From Norfolk 