Arctic seal visits Scottish nature reserve

Bearded seals are usually found in the Arctic. Photo credit USFWS.

St Cyrus reserve manager, Therese Alampo, said of the unusual visitor: "We were unsure what type of seal it was at first; it looked like a seal version of bag puss, with stunning markings and wonderful white whiskers! Seeing a bearded seal in these waters is perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Bearded seals
Bearded seals usually live along the Arctic Ocean coasts of America, Europe and Asia, spending the winter in heavy offshore ice. They grow to 2.7 metres in length and weigh from 275 to 340 kilograms.

Waders and Pink-footed geese
St Cyrus reserve is coming to life with other creatures this autumn as well, with the calls of wintering waders and the thousands of pink-footed geese which migrate from Greenland to Northeast Scotland. The bird hide at the Southern end of the reserve is a great place to shelter from the elements and watch the comings and goings of these wonderful birds. Visitors may even catch a glimpse of the reserve's elusive resident otter and kingfisher.

Mushrooms
The colourful dunes and grasslands are taking on a more subtle beauty at this time of year. In the autumn, hundreds of mushrooms burst into life with colourful waxcaps, Antler fungus and the majestic Parasol mushroom scattered around the reserve. The beach is changing daily as well, with the autumn and winter weather setting in, moving sandbars and driftwood with ease along the shore.

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