Where are the Seals? When are seals at Rome Point? Seal Watching Tips All About Harbor Seals
Recent Observations and Reflections Boats and Kayaks Seal Observation Archives Contact Romepointseals
Tuesday - January 24, 2012 45
seals were hauled out 45 minutes after low tide, capping off a very peculiar seal watch that is recounted on the Recent Observations...
page. The
next 5 days will feature a low tide that progresses later into the
afternoon as the week passes; by Saturday, a seal walk timed for around
2:00 pm should work out nicely. Recently, seal seekers
who arrive well
before low tide have had far and away the best seal watching of the
day. We
recommend that anyone who wishes to see the best seal observation
that Rome Point
has to offer should take a couple of minutes to read the When are seals... and Seal Watching Tips
links above; the information there is gleaned from over 400 seal walks
and will help you pick the best time to see lots of seals.
We are pleased to report that my media consultant (Jill) has put together a video of a few seal observation highlights from 2011 and has posted the video on Youtube! To view this 7 minute video, just click on the link below; you are sure to enjoy these examples of some of the entertaining seal behavior we captured on video last season.
Rome Point Seals 2011
Reports of unusual numbers of dead seals found along the New England coast this fall are tapering off now, with the latest published count being 162 dead seals. However, there has been a recent spate of dolphin strandings on Cape Cod; as of today, the International Fund for Animal Welfare reports at least 85 stranded dolphins over the past 12 days, with around 50 cetaceans not surviving this unfortunate and inexplicable event. Closer to home, the schools of herring congregating off Narragansett this winter have attracted giant bluefin tuna to near-shore waters, which is extremely unusual and has resulted in temporary closure of the herring fishery to protect the tuna. I was told that a right whale was spotted from Monahan's dock last week as well, I am more inclined to believe this animal was a pilot whale, but I guess all those herring could draw the attention of any toothed whale species. One thing is for sure, its strange days indeed in the local ocean environment, with numerous unusual events occuring this winter that have not been seen for many a year.
Welcome to the Internet home of the Rome Point harbor seal colony in Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay. This web site is the place to learn where, when, and how to observe harbor seals from the shore of the John H.Chafee Nature Preserve at Rome Point, located in North Kingstown, RI. Rome Point is the best place in southern New England to observe large numbers of wintering harbor seals from shore.
In 1999, I visited Rome Point for the first time in search of marine mammals; on my first hike I was fortunate to observe about 50 harbor seals hauled out on the rocks. Since then, I have had the pleasure of enjoying over four hundred seal walks and sharing close-up views of the seals through my spotting scope with several thousand new friends and neighbors. Rome Point is one of Rhode Island's most spectacular natural treasures; on a good day the seal watching experience rivals any wildlife sightings you are likely to see in most US National Parks.
This web site is a guide to having a successful and fun seal watching hike at Rome Point. The information presented here will enable you to locate and responsibly observe the seals. This site is published as a public service by amateur naturalists on a volunteer basis. Thanks for visiting Romepointseals.org!
We are pleased to report that my media consultant (Jill) has put together a video of a few seal observation highlights from 2011 and has posted the video on Youtube! To view this 7 minute video, just click on the link below; you are sure to enjoy these examples of some of the entertaining seal behavior we captured on video last season.
Rome Point Seals 2011
Reports of unusual numbers of dead seals found along the New England coast this fall are tapering off now, with the latest published count being 162 dead seals. However, there has been a recent spate of dolphin strandings on Cape Cod; as of today, the International Fund for Animal Welfare reports at least 85 stranded dolphins over the past 12 days, with around 50 cetaceans not surviving this unfortunate and inexplicable event. Closer to home, the schools of herring congregating off Narragansett this winter have attracted giant bluefin tuna to near-shore waters, which is extremely unusual and has resulted in temporary closure of the herring fishery to protect the tuna. I was told that a right whale was spotted from Monahan's dock last week as well, I am more inclined to believe this animal was a pilot whale, but I guess all those herring could draw the attention of any toothed whale species. One thing is for sure, its strange days indeed in the local ocean environment, with numerous unusual events occuring this winter that have not been seen for many a year.
Welcome to the Internet home of the Rome Point harbor seal colony in Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay. This web site is the place to learn where, when, and how to observe harbor seals from the shore of the John H.Chafee Nature Preserve at Rome Point, located in North Kingstown, RI. Rome Point is the best place in southern New England to observe large numbers of wintering harbor seals from shore.
In 1999, I visited Rome Point for the first time in search of marine mammals; on my first hike I was fortunate to observe about 50 harbor seals hauled out on the rocks. Since then, I have had the pleasure of enjoying over four hundred seal walks and sharing close-up views of the seals through my spotting scope with several thousand new friends and neighbors. Rome Point is one of Rhode Island's most spectacular natural treasures; on a good day the seal watching experience rivals any wildlife sightings you are likely to see in most US National Parks.
This web site is a guide to having a successful and fun seal watching hike at Rome Point. The information presented here will enable you to locate and responsibly observe the seals. This site is published as a public service by amateur naturalists on a volunteer basis. Thanks for visiting Romepointseals.org!
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