A Common Seal in Aveley Bay

19th July 2026

I have often seen seals hauled out on the mud on the Kent side of the river at Rainham Marshes and more recently seen some photos of seals on the mud in Aveley Bay, but never seen one myself. That is until today. I was walking along the lower river wall looking for birds in the bushes and the saltmarsh when there it was, a Common Seal sprawled out on the mud by the water's edge, just loafing around.

This one is in the middle of its annual moult, which for Common Seals occurs in July and August.