Seal spotted .........

....... sunbathing in Haydock?

Yes, it was seen yesterday on the bank of the Havanah Flash in Haydock. The RSPCA were notified of the sighting, but just said, "leave it alone". Apparently, another organisation, called the British Marine Wildlife Rescue, is coming to rescue it.
It's not the first time, either. I wonder what it is that makes them want to get inland, or what senses they must possess that sends them in that direction?

Anyroadup, it's theer', innit. They're tryin' t'get t'Wiggin arent'thi' laaaaike!

An Update!

Tonker, your link takes us to Facebook, which I'm not a member of.

Any chance of a cut and paste photo?

they don't work Mollie, Anyroad, how can they get to inland yickland, Havanha pond, its not got a river nor canal inlet, ?

Apparently, Tom, it's been in the canal and the brook too, as well as the flash. It follows that it can travel from one waterway to another and they aren't far apart (as you should know, seeing as you've been down there many times on your bi-sickle).

Mollie, I thought anybody could see things on Facebook?

I can't Tonker. It says you have to sign in/log in. If I click "close" on that, I can see just the front page of the link, but the links don't appear to be working anyway.

Tonker as I do traverse the sanky Valley quite a bit and also know seals can bumble about on land but not too well, The Sanky Valley canal does not run all that far and the gaps between the starts and stops are very long, too far in my opinion for a seal to travel So. there is some human interference being had here and I truly hope those guys can get the animal back to the sea where it belongs,
You have to be a facebook member to see those links, I am a member and the links do not work, neither of them work,

having just done a bit of homework and, It might be possible for a very determined seal to venture up the brooks and ditches that run along the Sanky Valley route, So yes it is possible,

Responding to the news that a seal was spotted in the canal at Sankey Valley Park, an RSPCA spokesperson said: "It’s not unusual to see seals in rivers or water bodies further inland.

“There’s no need to call us unless you are concerned the seal is sick or injured.

“Our advice is to not disturb them and watch from a distance."

Seal spotted swimming in Sankey Valley Park brook

Aw, lovely. Thanks First Mate. I hope he isn't lost and can find his way back to the family soon.

Tomplum said, " I do traverse the Sankey Valley quite a bit ", then, " .... the brooks and ditches that run along the Sankey Valley route" - which makes me think that he must "traverse the Sanky Valley" with his eyes shut, seeing as the Sankey Brook runs all the way down it and into the River Mersey. I know it's called a brook, but it's just like the brook called the Douglas which you tend to call a "river". It's easy for a seal to swim from the Mersey up the Sankey to Haydock. It's not far in seal terms!

Tonks the sanky brook is not a 'seal friendly' water way, if it was, why has only One seal got up it ? and secondly, the sanky brook is not visible to a cyclist watching where he's going, on the bike/bridle/walkers path, there are many hazards , dog, walkers, fone zombies and Swans, You would not believe how many swan attacks happen, There's a warning sign at Black brook for an angry swan, Its like thee , it has a go at us peaceful cyclists who are out for a ' minding our business' day out

Though, this isn't the first time a seal has made it so far up the Sankey Brook, and there was one a few years back had come up the Sankey Brook then up a tributary and ended up near Redbank Farm at Winwick.

It's hard to know if the seal made a wrong turn, didn't have his SatNav turned on, or went through a red traffic light on his way to Marsh Green.

Seriously though, I hope he's not stressed at finding himself in unfamiliar waters.

I got a Whatsup message earlier on, off my cousin who lives in Haydock. He tells me that there's been gangs of kids, seen it on facebook and in the paper, all gone down to the flashes to throw stones at the seal! It takes all sorts to make a World, but some people really haven't the brains to shit!

Hayley shared her video on facebook generating great interest including from members of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society who shared the footage.

Tonker, they should have been rounded up and have stones thrown at them until they were bleeding! Those sort are the scum of the earth, attacking a poor creature that can't defend itself.

Food !!!!

Is there any fish in the Sankey Brook for the Seal to feed on ?

Personally, I think the Seal needs to be captured and returned to the sea

Facebook itself says "you do not have to have an account to watch live reels". Another bit says, "when it asks you to sign in, just click on the text that says 'Not Now' "

APLS, that "Update" link I put on shows the seal eating a large fish while in the flashes.
The answer to your question is, "Yes, there's lots of fish in the Sankey Brook as well as in Havanah Flash."

Tonker said:

"APLS, that "Update" link I put on shows the seal eating a large fish"

A cawn't see it, cos your link's buggered (not working)

APLS, see if you can ghet it using this .....

https://www.facebook.com/reel/651515981185514

Tonker

No, it's still buggered

Try this one then ......

SEAL!

that one works Tonks and there loads of those in sanky valley

Tom

Loads of what in Sankey Valley ?

Crankcase seals ?

I heard there's over a thousand crankshafts within a 10 mile radius of Wigan town centre!

Yes SLAPS, crank case seals, plastic bottles, tesco trollies and old bikes are thrown in the brooks, streams and canals, I have to say that, there is a team of litter pickers going round there and they keep the paths clean but, Then don't go in the water. I find it strange that a seal ( water creature) wants to travel up there

Tom

There have been some very high Spring tides during the last few days, so maybe yon seal will have thought it was still in the sea or the River Mersey estuary, but it has been swept inland and it has found itself in the Sankey Brook, and on about it eating fish in the flash, a seal will soon clean out a flash full of fish, leaving the fishermen with nothing to fish for

I think that the seal should be catched (caught) and returned to the ocean

Fully agree Slaps,

Yes, I think so too. The RSPCA are stupid saying "leave it alone". It's out of it's normal environment, so won't survive long. And somebody should go down there and knock seven shades out of them lot who's been throwing at it too!

Tonker The Rspca give that advice to stranded seals on a beach because,
it might just be snoozing 0r, its Mum has left it to go find food, they have not realized its miles away from the sea. typical office walloo sat at a deck,

Or to give birth Tom

Seals can be found all around the UK coast, but mostly around the north and east. Common seals are found in Scotland, and our eastern and southeast coast whereas grey seals are found mostly around our northern, eastern and western coastlines.

They’ll come onto shore on quiet beaches and rocky areas to rest, digest their food and give birth to their pups. Although they spend most of their time in the sea, it’s completely normal for them to come on to beaches. If you’re lucky, you might even see them resting in the banana pose!

It’s normal to see seals in rivers or water bodies further inland when they’re looking for food. There’s no need to call us for help unless the seal is sick, injured or is stuck between locks or weirs. Crowds can cause stress, so try to stay away and watch them from a distance.

LINK

TYPICAL!

Oh that is so sad. Thank you for the update, Tonker.

It's a pity those little thugs couldn't be caught, and jailed. The poor old love was already dying and they were cruel to her. If I could get my hands on them .....

poor bugger never stood a chance, It was out of its natural environment,