The first seal pup of the season has arrived at a former military testing site on the Suffolk coast. 

A colony of grey seals arrived at Orford Ness during the winter of 2021 following a reduction in visitor access because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

It is the first breeding colony in Suffolk and more than 130 seal pubs were born there during the 2023-24 breeding season. 

The seal colony arrived during the pandemicThe seal colony arrived during the pandemic (Image: Charlotte Bond) Orford Ness was used as a military testing site throughout the 20th centuryOrford Ness was used as a military testing site throughout the 20th century (Image: Lucy Taylor) READ MORE: Suffolk seal colony home to rescued Pluto treated at animal hospital

The first pup of this year's breeding season arrived around a week earlier than last year's, according to the National Trust.

Matt Wilson, countryside manager for the Suffolk and Essex coast portfolio at the National Trust, said: "We have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this year's seal pups. 

"Since October our team have been avidly monitoring the shores of the Ness from a safe distance and performing regular counts of the adult seals, with some records showing more than 400 adults.

"To give them the best chance of survival, we limit access to the colony and monitor them from a safe distance."

The seal pup arrived around a week earlier than the pups born last yearThe seal pup arrived around a week earlier than the pups born last year (Image: Ollie Page/National Trust/PA) Matt Wilson by the seal colony at Orford NessMatt Wilson by the seal colony at Orford Ness (Image: Charlotte Bond) The breeding season for grey seals runs between October and March which is when Orford Ness is closed to visitors. 

Female grey seals usually return to the same place each year to give birth and pups remain on the shore until they have shed the thick white fur coat which is not waterproof.

It is believed the seal colony have thrived at the former military testing site due to its remote location, restricted access and limited disturbance. 

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The remote location has helped the seal colony to thriveThe remote location has helped the seal colony to thrive (Image: Charlotte Bond) Orford Ness property operations manager Glen PearceOrford Ness property operations manager Glen Pearce (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Rangers have recorded an annual increase in numbers since the first 200 adult seals arrived three years ago. 

Glen Pearce, Orford Ness's property operations manager, said: "We are asking people to refrain from visiting out of season and to avoid using drones or other aerial equipment in the area.

“We really hope visitors will continue to work with us to help protect the colony, which is such a brilliant wildlife success story for Suffolk.”