See this video of a Common Seal coming ashore and relaxing on the shingle beach at Thorpeness.

Charles Cuthbert, an RSPB Minsmere wildlife guide, spotted the seal and captured this amazing video of it basking on the shore.

Mr Cuthbert said: “This was a Common Seal, often seen along the coast here in small numbers, probably moving around, possibly from one of the Norfolk colonies.

“They regularly haul out on the mud banks in our Suffolk estuaries such as the Alde and Blyth, to rest and bask at low tide.” He said it was unusual that this one came up on to the shingle, as seals are always very wary of people and dogs and generally avoid coming out on to a public beach.

“To my surprise, it swam past me before clambering up on the beach where it gradually relaxed, as you can see from my video, while keeping a watch out for any sign of danger.

“It seems likely that this was a juvenile or young animal, but I am not certain about that. I saw no sign that it was injured and it looked plump and healthy, so perhaps just needed to rest!”

Mr Cuthbert is a lifelong Suffolk naturalist and a retired conservation and countryside manager for Hampshire county council. He grew up in the Theberton area and said: “I have known Thorpeness all of my life, and I love the coast between Dunwich and Aldeburgh, particularly Minsmere and North Warren nature reserves.

“We are so fortunate in having a wonderful coastal area rich in wildlife and I never grow tired of exploring it at all seasons. There is always something new to see.”

He enjoys sharing his love of nature with others both through his work as a wildlife guide and via his Twitter page.