CRESLI 2022-2023 Seal Walks and Cruises

Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach and Seal Cruises at Shinnecock Bay

By: A. H. Kopelman, PhD

CRESLI 2022-2023 Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach have begun!

CRESLI Cruises on the R/V Peconic to view seals in Shinnecock Bay begin February 4, 2023

32,856 seal encounters at Cupsogue Beach since 2006 (523 trips)!

2022-2023 SEAL WALK AND MONITORING SIGHTINGS

2022-2023 SEAL WALK DATES and REGISTRATION

2023 SEAL CRUISE DATES AND REGISTRATION

Join us this winter through spring (our 18^th year at Cupsogue) to observe, photograph, and learn about Long Island's seals.

These 1.2 miles round trip walks are suitable for children and take about 1 to 1.5 hours. Learn from experts and see how citizen science works!

Please be prepared for the weather, i.e., wear warm clothing in layers. Hats, gloves, warm waterproof shoes are recommended, as are cameras and binoculars.
Check the weather for Cupsogue Beach and assume that the winds will produce wind chill. It’s better to be a more-on, than a less-on, i.e., having more layers than you need is the right thing

The best photos and videos from the 2021-2022 Cupsogue Seal Season can be viewed and purchased here to help support our research and education programs

CRESLI 2022- 2023 SEAL SIGHTINGS AT CUPSOGUE BEACH

(2193 seal encounters this season as of 3/28/2023)

OBSERVATIONS
Saturday, November 26, 2022 SEAL MONITORING SESSION *3 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) swimming*
Thursday, December 1, 2022 SEAL MONITORING SESSION *1 Atlantic harbor seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) swimming while the dredging pipes were being removed* Photos available to view and purchase
Sunday, December 4, 2022 SEAL WALK 2 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed swimming during our December 4, 2022 seal walk. One seal was "Right-Cheek-Dancers," a seal we've now seen on 5 occassions of the past 10 years. Dredging equipment was being removed, hence the disturbance level was extremely high and no seals were hauled out. Photos available to view and purchase
Thursday, December 15, 2022 SEAL MONITORING SESSION *26 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed and photographed on December 15, 2022. 5 were hauled out on rocks, the rest were hauled out about 1100 yards away.* Photos available to view and purchase
Saturday, December 17, 2022 SEAL WALK *108 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 17, 2022 seal walk* Photos available to view and purchase
Sunday, December 18, 2022 SEAL WALK *108 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 18, 2022 seal walk,* including 2 back for their 18th year. Photos available to view and purchase
Monday, December 19, 2022 SEAL WALK for the South Ocean Middle School 132 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 19, 2022 seal walk for the South Ocean Middle School. Just after the students left, the seals were flushed from the sandbar in response to the sounds of a distant approaching vessel that they recognized. Photos available to view and purchase
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 SEAL WALK for Eastern Suffolk BOCES Islip Academic Center 2 harbor seals seen swimming Photos available to view and purchase
Friday, December 30, 2022 SEAL MONITORING SESSION 74 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 30, 2022 seal monitoring session, on the far NE section of the sand bar, 480 yards away. This group included "Triangle" back for his 15th season over 17 years Photos available to view and purchase
Saturday, December 31, 2022 SEAL WALK On a foggy, rainy morning, about 30 seals were hauled out on the far NE area of the sandbar about 600 yards from us. Before we could get ready, the seals flushed from the sandbar. We waited and watched as several floated past us, including 3 gray sealls. The conditions were difficult for photographing and just a few Atlantic harbor seals were photographed. We are looking forward to tomorrow's trip. Photo available to view and purchase
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION On this lightly foggy morning, about 1 Atlantic gray seal (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) and 56 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were hauled out on the far NE area of the sandbar. Conditions were difficult for photographing or ID'ing the seals, although "hammer-head-right," a female we've seen since 2006, was heard (even 600 yds away), and ID'd in one of the photographs. All photos were sharpened using available AI software Photos available to view and purchase
Saturday, January 7, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION followed by a SEAL WALK ~52 Harbor seals and 1 gray seal hauled out at the far NE area of the sandbar (~800 yards away) were photographed and videoed 1.5 hours prior to our scheduled seal walk. When we returned, the seals were gone except for a few swimmers. It's sad and unfortunate that the seals get flushed from their haulout. The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that seals be given at least 150 feet of protection. We know that seals learn and respond adversely to the sounds of vessels (and aircraft) that have disturbed them in the past. PLEASE GIVE SEALS THEIR SPACE Photo available to view and purchase
Wednesday, January 17, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION 137 harbor seals hauled (130 on the primary haulout area , with 7 on the secondary area) Photos available to view and purchase
Thursday, January 18, 2023 SEAL WALK for the SAXTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 142 harbor seals hauled on the secondary area. Photos available to view and purchase
Saturday, January 21, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION followed by a SEAL WALK ~40 harbor seals and photographed were seen 1.5 hours prior to our walk. About 20 were hauled out on the mostly inundated sandbar and 20 more were in the water. As our monitoring team was leaving, an airplane flew at low altitude directly over the seals and flushed them from the haul out area. That action is in violation of NYS and Federal law. The plane's ID number was captured and will be sent to the appropriate authorities. It is so wrong to have someone deliberately fly low over the seals. We returned to the site with our seal walk participants, many of the from the Sayville Middle School Explorers Club, to ultimately find 5 harbors seals swimming. Photos available to view and purchase
Saturday, January 28, 2023 SEAL WALK for the Seatuck Environmental Association Greentree Teachers’ Ecology Workshop As many as 57 seals sighted during a seal walk for Seatuck Environmental Association Greentree Teachers’ Ecology Workshop Photos available to view and purchase
Sunday, January 29, 2023 SEAL WALK CRESLI seal walk around sun rise. As many as 47 seals were hauled on on the far NE end of the sandbar. Unfortunately kayakers and a motor vessel eventually flushed the seals and they headed to a more distant part of the sandbar Photos available to view and purchase
Thursday, February 2, 2023 SEAL WALK for the Oregon Middle School *58 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) seen. 57 hauled on on the far NE end of the sandbar and 1 was hauled out on the rocks.* Photos available to view and purchase
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION *6 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were seen, 3 were hauled out on the rocks and 3 were swimming* Photos available to view and purchase
Thursday, February 16, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION ~89 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were seen during this session. At first 80 were seen and counted including 4 on the rocks, 4 swimming and 72 on the far NE end of the sandbar (the teriary haulout site). Later viewong the sandbar from a different angle, we were able to count 82 hauled out there, with 2 swimming and 4 still on the rocks Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Saturday, February 18, 2023 SEAL WALK *4 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) on the rocks at Cupsogue Beach* Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Sunday, February 19, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION and SEAL WALK CRESLI seal monitoring session with 55 harbor seals hauled out (330 yds. away) at the NE (tertiary) haulout site and 1 swimming. Later during the seal walk, we viewed the haulout from 500 yds. away (at the camping area) and once again counted 55 harbor seals. Counts were conducted in the field using a Nikon EDG Fieldscope 65mm Straight Body, and from photographs using ImageJ Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Sunday, March 5, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION and SEAL WALK CRESLI Senior Scientist/Naturalist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, arrive at the site 2 hours before low tide. The far NE end of the sandbar (the tertiary haulout area) was awash, and the rocks were awash. He observed and documented nearly 70 Atlantic harbor seals haulout onto the main haulout area over a 10 minute interval. The seals remained undisturbed and continued to haulout. We arrived later with our seal walk group and observed from the ridge at the camping area, we found 166 harbor seals, including our old friends "Horseshoe," "Paw-print," and "Hammer-head-right" on the sandbar, and 2 on the rocks. Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Friday, March 17, 2023 SEAL MONITORING SESSION 153 harbor seals, 148 on the sandbar and 5 swimming Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Saturday, March 18, 2023 SEAL MONITORING and SEAL WALK Prior to the seal walk, a monitoring session showed 101 and then 106 harbor seals hauled out on the primary haulout area of the sandbar. Returning with the folks on our walk 1.5 hrs later, we encountered 167 seals on the sandbar, our highest total for the 2023 season thus far. Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Sunday, March 19, 2023 SEAL MONITORING and SEAL WALK The wind conditions were extreme, with N winds at 15 mph gusting to 25 mph. A monitoring session prior to the seal walk allowed Dr. Kopelman to watch 30-50 harbor seals hauled out on the primary haulout area of the sandbar, with several youger seals porpoising and chasing each other. Returning with the folks on our walk 1.5 hrs later, once again we encountered 167 seals on the sandbar and 3 on the rocks. While conditions were not great for photography, and while most folks who signed up never showed, the 20 people who joined us had an amazing experience. Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Friday, March 24, 2023 SEAL MONITORING Perfect conditions to view and photograph 150 harbor seals on the primary haulout region of the sand bar at Cupsogue Beach Park! Photos available to view and purchase Here's a slideshow
Tuesday March 28, 2023 SEAL MONITORING 180 seals were hauled out in 2 clusters of 105 and 75 seals respectively. These included 1 juven ile Atlatic gray seal and 179 Atlantic harbor seals Photos will be shared soon. Here is a video available on Vimeo Cupsogue seals on March 28, 2023 from CRESLI_ Inc. on Vimeo.

OBSERVATIONS

Saturday, November 26, 2022

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

3 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) swimming

Thursday, December 1, 2022

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

1 Atlantic harbor seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) swimming while the dredging pipes were being removed

Photos available to view and purchase

Sunday, December 4, 2022

SEAL WALK

2 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed swimming during our December 4, 2022 seal walk. One seal was "Right-Cheek-Dancers," a seal we've now seen on 5 occassions of the past 10 years. Dredging equipment was being removed, hence the disturbance level was extremely high and no seals were hauled out.

Photos available to view and purchase

Thursday, December 15, 2022

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

26 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed and photographed on December 15, 2022. 5 were hauled out on rocks, the rest were hauled out about 1100 yards away.

Photos available to view and purchase

Saturday, December 17, 2022

SEAL WALK

108 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 17, 2022 seal walk

Photos available to view and purchase

Sunday, December 18, 2022

SEAL WALK

108 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 18, 2022 seal walk, including 2 back for their 18th year.

Photos available to view and purchase

Monday, December 19, 2022

SEAL WALK for the South Ocean Middle School

132 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 19, 2022 seal walk for the South Ocean Middle School. Just after the students left, the seals were flushed from the sandbar in response to the sounds of a distant approaching vessel that they recognized.

Photos available to view and purchase

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

SEAL WALK for Eastern Suffolk BOCES Islip Academic Center

2 harbor seals seen swimming

Photos available to view and purchase

Friday, December 30, 2022

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

74 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) observed during our December 30, 2022 seal monitoring session, on the far NE section of the sand bar, 480 yards away. This group included "Triangle" back for his 15th season over 17 years

Photos available to view and purchase

Saturday, December 31, 2022

SEAL WALK

On a foggy, rainy morning, about 30 seals were hauled out on the far NE area of the sandbar about 600 yards from us. Before we could get ready, the seals flushed from the sandbar. We waited and watched as several floated past us, including 3 gray sealls. The conditions were difficult for photographing and just a few Atlantic harbor seals were photographed. We are looking forward to tomorrow's trip.

Photo available to view and purchase

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

On this lightly foggy morning, about 1 Atlantic gray seal (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) and 56 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were hauled out on the far NE area of the sandbar. Conditions were difficult for photographing or ID'ing the seals, although "hammer-head-right," a female we've seen since 2006, was heard (even 600 yds away), and ID'd in one of the photographs. All photos were sharpened using available AI software

Photos available to view and purchase

Saturday, January 7, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION followed by a SEAL WALK

~52 Harbor seals and 1 gray seal hauled out at the far NE area of the sandbar (~800 yards away) were photographed and videoed 1.5 hours prior to our scheduled seal walk. When we returned, the seals were gone except for a few swimmers. It's sad and unfortunate that the seals get flushed from their haulout. The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that seals be given at least 150 feet of protection. We know that seals learn and respond adversely to the sounds of vessels (and aircraft) that have disturbed them in the past. PLEASE GIVE SEALS THEIR SPACE

Photo available to view and purchase

Wednesday, January 17, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

137 harbor seals hauled (130 on the primary haulout area , with 7 on the secondary area)

Photos available to view and purchase

Thursday, January 18, 2023

SEAL WALK for the SAXTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

142 harbor seals hauled on the secondary area.

Photos available to view and purchase

Saturday, January 21, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION followed by a SEAL WALK

~40 harbor seals and photographed were seen 1.5 hours prior to our walk. About 20 were hauled out on the mostly inundated sandbar and 20 more were in the water. As our monitoring team was leaving, an airplane flew at low altitude directly over the seals and flushed them from the haul out area. That action is in violation of NYS and Federal law. The plane's ID number was captured and will be sent to the appropriate authorities. It is so wrong to have someone deliberately fly low over the seals. We returned to the site with our seal walk participants, many of the from the Sayville Middle School Explorers Club, to ultimately find 5 harbors seals swimming.

Photos available to view and purchase

Saturday, January 28, 2023

SEAL WALK for the Seatuck Environmental Association Greentree Teachers’ Ecology Workshop

As many as 57 seals sighted during a seal walk for Seatuck Environmental Association Greentree Teachers’ Ecology Workshop

Photos available to view and purchase

Sunday, January 29, 2023

SEAL WALK

CRESLI seal walk around sun rise. As many as 47 seals were hauled on on the far NE end of the sandbar. Unfortunately kayakers and a motor vessel eventually flushed the seals and they headed to a more distant part of the sandbar

Photos available to view and purchase

Thursday, February 2, 2023

SEAL WALK for the Oregon Middle School

58 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) seen. 57 hauled on on the far NE end of the sandbar and 1 was hauled out on the rocks.

Photos available to view and purchase

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

6 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were seen, 3 were hauled out on the rocks and 3 were swimming

Photos available to view and purchase

Thursday, February 16, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

~89 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were seen during this session. At first 80 were seen and counted including 4 on the rocks, 4 swimming and 72 on the far NE end of the sandbar (the teriary haulout site). Later viewong the sandbar from a different angle, we were able to count 82 hauled out there, with 2 swimming and 4 still on the rocks

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Saturday, February 18, 2023

SEAL WALK

4 Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) on the rocks at Cupsogue Beach

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Sunday, February 19, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION and SEAL WALK

CRESLI seal monitoring session with 55 harbor seals hauled out (330 yds. away) at the NE (tertiary) haulout site and 1 swimming. Later during the seal walk, we viewed the haulout from 500 yds. away (at the camping area) and once again counted 55 harbor seals. Counts were conducted in the field using a Nikon EDG Fieldscope 65mm Straight Body, and from photographs using ImageJ

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Sunday, March 5, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION and SEAL WALK

CRESLI Senior Scientist/Naturalist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, arrive at the site 2 hours before low tide. The far NE end of the sandbar (the tertiary haulout area) was awash, and the rocks were awash. He observed and documented nearly 70 Atlantic harbor seals haulout onto the main haulout area over a 10 minute interval. The seals remained undisturbed and continued to haulout. We arrived later with our seal walk group and observed from the ridge at the camping area, we found 166 harbor seals, including our old friends "Horseshoe," "Paw-print," and "Hammer-head-right" on the sandbar, and 2 on the rocks.

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Friday, March 17, 2023

SEAL MONITORING SESSION

153 harbor seals, 148 on the sandbar and 5 swimming

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Saturday, March 18, 2023

SEAL MONITORING and SEAL WALK

Prior to the seal walk, a monitoring session showed 101 and then 106 harbor seals hauled out on the primary haulout area of the sandbar. Returning with the folks on our walk 1.5 hrs later, we encountered 167 seals on the sandbar, our highest total for the 2023 season thus far.

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Sunday, March 19, 2023

SEAL MONITORING and SEAL WALK

The wind conditions were extreme, with N winds at 15 mph gusting to 25 mph. A monitoring session prior to the seal walk allowed Dr. Kopelman to watch 30-50 harbor seals hauled out on the primary haulout area of the sandbar, with several youger seals porpoising and chasing each other. Returning with the folks on our walk 1.5 hrs later, once again we encountered 167 seals on the sandbar and 3 on the rocks. While conditions were not great for photography, and while most folks who signed up never showed, the 20 people who joined us had an amazing experience.

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Friday, March 24, 2023

SEAL MONITORING

Perfect conditions to view and photograph 150 harbor seals on the primary haulout region of the sand bar at Cupsogue Beach Park!

Photos available to view and purchase

Here's a slideshow

Tuesday March 28, 2023

SEAL MONITORING

180 seals were hauled out in 2 clusters of 105 and 75 seals respectively. These included 1 juven ile Atlatic gray seal and 179 Atlantic harbor seals

Photos will be shared soon. Here is a video available on Vimeo

Cupsogue seals on March 28, 2023 from CRESLI_ Inc. on Vimeo.

CRESLI 2023 Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach through 5/14/2023

Please be prepared for the weather, i.e., wear warm clothing in layers. Hats, gloves, warm waterproof shoes are recommended, as are cameras and binoculars.
Check the weather for Cupsogue Beach and assume that the winds will produce wind chill. It’s better to be a more-on, than a less-on, i.e., having more layers than you need is the right thing.

DATE and TIME	STATUS
Sunday, April 2, 2023 11:00 AM	WAIT-LISTED
Saturday, April 15, 2023 9:00 AM	WAIT-LISTED
Sunday, April 16, 2023 10:00 AM	WAIT-LISTED
Saturday, April 29, 2023 8:30 AM	WAIT-LISTED
Sunday, April 30, 2023 9:30 AM	WAIT-LISTED
Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 8:00 AM	WAIT-LISTED
Sunday, May 14, 2023 9:00 AM	AVAILABLE

Registration for seal walks is required!

Make your reservation via the AVAILABLE links in the table above
- DONATIONS help fund our research and education programs.
  - While NOT REQUIRED, RECOMMENDED, donations Remember these are simply suggested donations ($5.00 per adult; $3.00 under 18)
If you wish to make a donation in advance, go to https://www.cresli.org/common/donations/donate.cfm?clientID=12000.
- If the donation page above isn’t working, please go to our PayPal donation page. You can make your donation via credit card (no PayPal account needed) at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5VYSF7M5XNKEN
If you have a confirmed reservation, you will not be turned away. DONATIONS help us, but are not required.

Please DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS. If you have recently been in contact with someone who is sick, Please Stay Home!

All equipment will be sanitized before and after each walk.
Telescopes and high resolution digital cameras with viewing screen will be available.

CRESLI has also scheduled 3 Cruises on the R/V PECONIC to view the seals of Shinnecock Bay, NY, leaving from Stony Brook University Marine Science Center in Southampton, NY.

DATE	TIME	STATUS
Saturday, April 1, 2023,	10 AM - 12 PM	At the present time, we are at capacity. If space becomes available, the registration will reopen. Please get on the SEAL CRUISE WAIT-LIST
Tuesday, April 4, 2023	11 AM - 1 PM	At the present time, we are at capacity. If space becomes available, the registration will reopen. Please get on the SEAL CRUISE WAIT-LIST

Please go to our Seal Cruise page for more information and cruise reservation links

For earlier sightings go to the Latest Trip Reports tab

Seals are seen typically throughout the 7 months (November through May), however the average number of individuals per sighting varies per month. Take a look at the chart below.

Contact Dr. Artie Kopelman to arrange additional dates and times during the week for school groups, homeschoolers, and other groups

From our colleagues at NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic:

If you see seals on the beach, use the Rule of Thumb while watching seals to make sure you are giving them enough space.
1) Close one eye.
2) Make a thumbs up and hold your thumb so it's in line with your vision and the seal.
3) If you can see the seal from behind your thumb, you are too close so back up!

https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheriesNEMA/photos/a.1841106822794035/2588783844692992/

Don't forget to contact your local stranding network 631-369-9829, or our regional hotline 866-755-6622, if you think the seal needs help!

CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Videos on Vimeo

Information on past CRESLI seal walks (from 2002-2022)

CRESLI is a non-profit organization as defined in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A copy of the last financial report filed with the Department of State may be obtained by writing to NYS Dept. of State, Office of Charities Registration, Albany, NY 12231.