The highest number of grey seals recorded to date at South Walney Nature Reserve was 563 in December 2024.
The previous highest seal counts were 518 in 2021, 483 in 2019 and 360 in 2018, showing an upward trend year on year.
Grey seals started breeding at South Walney in 2015 and pups have been recorded every year since.
“It’s the result of concerted and ongoing efforts to keep disturbance of the seal colony to a minimum,” Churn said.
“We work hard to make the beach safe and secure for the seals, so that they feel able to return here to breed.”
There is no public access to the haul-out site at South Walney but three hides around the site let people see the seals from a safe distance.
A new hide at Groyne is currently being built and will include a telescope.
The trust is asking people to take care not to disturb the seal colony and maintain at least 100m (328ft) distance at all times.
“You can get good views of the seals with binoculars from a safe distance, so there’s no need to get too close,” Churn said.
“You’ll know if you’re too close because the seals will start to look at you and move nervously.
“If this happens, you should immediately start backing away quietly to avoid further disturbance.”
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