‘It is phenomenal’: Farne Islands seal numbers expected to reach new high

National Trust rangers predict record year as they begin count of grey seal pups

This is what it's all about," said Richard Bevan, beaming. To see this many seals when 10 years ago there would not have been any."

Bevan is a zoologist surveying the shore of Inner Farne island off the coast of north Northumberland. As far as the eye can sea there are about 100 female grey seals and their dependant pups. In the water hopeful males splash about, none more obvious than a dominant bull with a roman nose and scar. We've called him Pacino," said a ranger.