Atlantic Grey in Cardigan Bay

Almost 40 per cent of the world's seals live off the UK coastline.

The Grey Seal is among the rarest seals in the world, with almost 40 per cent of the world population found in the UK.

One of their favoured breeding grounds is Cardigan Bay.

Its presence is one of the reasons why the area has been designated a European Special Area of Conservation.

Grey seals live for about 30 to 40 years and can grow up to 2.5m, with some of the larger males weighing more than 300 kg.

'Sunbathing'

Seals spend most of their time at sea but if you're in the right place, you can see their inquisitive little heads bobbing out of the water.

At low tide, they tend to come out of the water and haul themselves onto exposed rocks for a siesta or spot of sunbathing.

One of the best places to see the seals is at Cardigan Island Farm Park, Gwbert, near Cardigan.

A colony of seals lives in the network of caves below the farm park and they can often be seen basking on the rocks.

They give birth around September-October time and the fluffy white pups will also venture out onto the rocks below the park.

Other places where the seals can be seen are off Ynys Lochtyn, near Llangrannog, Bird Rock near New Quay, Cwm Tudu and Morfa Bychan near Aberaeron.

Wildlife boat trips also operate along the coast and know where to find them.

Janet Baxter is a local photographer based in Borth in Ceredigion and here are her tips for seal watching:

• Watch quietly from a distance
• Take care not to approach pups too closely or the mother may not come in and the pups may miss vital feeds or even be abandoned.
• Pups may look helpless or abandoned to the human observer but the mother is usually in the sea close by watching her pup
• Do not rescue normal healthy pups but if you think any seal is sick or injured contact Welsh Marine Life Rescue on 01646 692943.
• Do not try and handle pups or adult seals - they have teeth and will use them!