Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) is in the Earless Seals family (Phocidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,006 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Grey Seal: observations by month (U.S.)
About Grey Seal
The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus, meaning "hooked-nosed sea pig") is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a large seal of the family Phocidae or "true seals". It is the only species classified in the genus Halichoerus. Its name is spelled gray seal in the US; it is also known as Atlantic seal and the horsehead seal.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Grey Seal by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1,264 | August | Jun–Nov |
| Maine | 410 | July | Jun–Sep |
| New York | 115 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Delaware | 100 | March | Jan–Mar |
| New Jersey | 49 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Rhode Island | 44 | August | Jun–Nov |
| New Hampshire | 7 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 6 | February | Feb–Mar |
| Maryland | 5 | February | Feb–Feb |
| North Carolina | 5 | March | Feb–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Earless Seals)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Grey Seal?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from June to October.
Where is Grey Seal most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, Maine, New York.