You don’t have to go far for seal watching during your stay with us.  In fact, just walk down the path to the sea wall, and don’t forget your binoculars and your camera.  Seal activity  in the bay is  influenced by their affinity for rest and food. 

 

As the tide recedes you will see hundreds of seals making their trek from the waters of the Pacific to the refuge of sand bars in the bay where they will nap and rest.  They lounge like stuffed sausages, often on their side or backs — so round in the middle that it’s physically impossible for their head and tail fins to lie on the sand at the same time.  Hundreds of seals are seen on a daily basis and primarily  on the upriver side of the Alsea Bay Bridge. If you walk on the bridge walkway you will have a birds eye view over the seals without disturbing them. 

 

Salmon runs in the fall an winter also bring seals to the channels of the Alsea River in the Bay.  Fish tend to run just as the new tide is coming in, and salmon fishing is definitely a spectator sport.  Seals catch salmon under water, but bring these large fish to the surface to slap them on the hard surface to stun/kill them so they can be consumed.  Consider visiting Seals’ Landing  in the off-season to witness this first hand from the sea wall.  In addition to the annual runs, the daily fish migration and movement bring the seals to the bay.

 

Pupping season (late March through May) is also a good time for seal viewing in the bay.  Seal cows give birth on the jetty at the entrance to the bay and also on the sand bars.  Mother seals often leave their newborn pups to go fish, so don’t be alarmed if you see a lone  seal pup on the bar.  There are also “seal sitters” where a cow seal will be left with several young pups to supervise while others go fish.  Pupping season also brings in bald eagles as the have an affinity for the nutrients of seal placenta birth.

 

The seals of Alsea bay are Common Harbor Seals (as opposed to the much larger sea lion) and they spend about half of their time on land/sand and half in the water.  They are skilled fishermen and are equally skilled at fishing in the shallow waters of the bay or diving to the depths of over 600 feet  and staying submerged for up to 20 minutes.  Seals follow the food/fish.  During the fall run of the Chinook Salmon you’ll see much more seal activity in the river channels of the bay and in fact within 50 feet of the raised deck.

 

Remember that seals are wildlife and should not be disturbed, and the quiet observer is likely to see the most activity and natural behavior of the seals.  They are carnivores and very curious about dogs on the beach.  Dogs can be detrimental in disturbing pups on the beach so please please be a responsible dog owner and don’t let your dog approach the seals.  They are curious by nature and will pop up out of the water to view dogs/people on nearby beaches.

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