The Seals on the Sandbar
A return trip.
A note about seal watching — please, please, please stay above the bluffs. Do not go down on the beach. Do not go in the water. Do not talk loudly or make loud noises — sound carries very well over water. The reasons for all of this are better explained over on the CRESLI seal page.
When my friend and I went to view the seals again (from the top of the dunes), there were other people down at the water’s edge, making barking noises at the seals and generally creating a disturbance. Yes, they did so until the entire herd jumped back into the water. Yes, this is bad for the animals. I don’t post the specific location of these animals because there are tools like these people out there, and if you cannot behave yourself, don’t go see the seals. Seriously, don’t be a tool.
The Seals on the Sandbar
10 March 2009
Westhampton Beach Area, NY
[...] The same return trip as in Part I. [...]
The Seals on the Sandbar (Part II) « Wild Westhampton
March 19, 2009 at 7:54 pm
[...] Part I – Part II [...]
The Seals on the Sandbar (Part III) « Wild Westhampton
March 21, 2009 at 7:38 pm
[...] Part I – Part II – Part III [...]
The Seals on the Sandbar (Part IV) « Wild Westhampton
March 22, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Thanks for your diligence and support in not providing explicit info about where the seals are. Yes, there are tools out there and I’m also concerned about too many people disturbing the seals. They are protected by federal law and any form of harassment (defined as something that causes a change in their behavior) is in violation of federal law.
Don’t be afraid to call the DEC police or the local constables about people harassing seals – maybe it will make a difference.
Dr. Artie Kopelman
April 10, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Dr. Kopelman,
I did not know I could call the DEC police/local constables! I’ll have to find the numbers and program them into my phone. Thanks for the information!
Al F.
April 10, 2009 at 7:56 pm