Grey seal in St Helens

Astonishingly today there was a grey seal in St Helens. A marine species, it must have travelled up the waterways from the Mersey, a journey of  around 14km (8.5 miles). The open sea is a further 42km (26.5 miles). Apparently it's an old adult female about 1.5m (5ft) long and slightly underweight. It seemed to be feeding well, it ate at least two fish while I was watching and others saw it eat at least four fish before I arrived.    

Marine Animal Rescue arrived on site while I was there but their opinion was that it was healthy and didn't need rescuing. However it will be monitored on a daily basis. Trouble is how long it will remain healthy in this area is unknown and it seems to me that it would be better if it left as soon as possible, either under its own steam or with a little help. It's just a sitting duck if it remains here.

The photos of the animal in the water were taken from a bridge over the brook. The seal seemed oblivious to our presence and on several occasions approached very close. The only time it seemed nervous was when it was sleeping on the far bank and Marine Animal Rescue tried to get close to see if it had any injuries. 

Amazingly, it's not even a first for St Helens! On 22/12/2014 a grey seal was found in a farmers fields alongside Newton Brook!

It attracted quite a few onlookers and apparently it was all over social media even before I arrived, which is not good. Hopefully it will not stay long and will find it's way back to the sea soon.