Life-size plastic seal sculpture makes waves on tour of Essex!
Introducing Poly and Nurdle, our life-size seal sculptures made from rubbish collected along the Essex coast.
Coastal pollution is one of the biggest threats to our oceans’ health and we need to work together to tackle it. One area of marine pollution that we can control is plastic entering our seas. It is estimated that 12.2 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans every single year, threatening all of our marine life in different ways as the plastic particles continue to break up over time.
During our Marine Wildlife Celebration Day in August 2019 we were delighted to unveil our seal sculpture made from rubbish by local artist Sue Lynas. The sculpture was named Poly to represent plastic itself such as polystyrene, polythene and polyester. Poly was then joined by her pup Nurdle, named appropriately after small plastic pellets polluting our seas and rivers.
Poly and Nurdle on tour
Poly and Nurdle have embarked on a tour of Essex, raising awareness of plastic threats to marine wildlife and how we can all work together to make a difference.
The pair began their journey at The Naze Centre, near Hamford Water National Nature Reserve, one of the most important Common seal pupping grounds along the Essex coast. The mudflats here are key haul-out sites for seals to rest and breed and is where our famous orange seals are often spotted when not at sea.
For the next step of their county wide tour, Poly and her pup headed to Thurrock Thameside Nature Park situated on the Thames Estuary which also supports a thriving seal population.
Where are Poly and Nurdle now?
Poly and Nurdle have now headed slightly more inland, however they haven't strayed far from their coastal habitat. Belfairs Woodland Centre is located in Leigh-on-Sea, an area steeped in marine and coastal heritage, and just under 3 miles from Two Tree Island Nature Reserve. Adjacent to the internationally protected Thames Estuary, the mudflats at Two Tree Island offer an important winter refuge for a huge variety of winter wildlife. Seals are also regularly spotted just a little further along the coast at Gunners Park and Shoebury Ranges Nature Reserve!
Poly and Nurdle at Belfairs Woodland Centre
Photo: Andrew Armstrong
Seal sightings in Shoeburyness!
This year has been an exciting one so far for seal sightings, with five already having been seen from the seawall at Gunners Park and Shoebury Ranges! The species often spotted here are grey seals; the larger of the two seal species to frequent our shores, the grey seal can be distinguished from the common by its larger size and longer head with a sloping 'Roman nose' profile.
Activity Sheets
Download our illustrated nature activity sheets and help marine wildlife!
Marine species in Essex
Seals aren’t the only fascinating marine species to be found in the Thames… there are many others living beneath the water and along the shore! Take a look at some of the weird and wonderful species you can look out for!
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At Essex Wildlife Trust we are working towards Living Seas - a vision for the future of the UK's seas. Within Living Seas, abundant and diverse marine life thrives, from the depths of the ocean to the coastal shallows.
Sign up here to receive news on our Living Seas projects, exciting marine wildlife news, events to take part in across the county plus helpful tips on how you can do your part to protect marine wildlife along the Essex coast.
A big thank you to The Colne Community School and College who raised over £200 for new beach clean equipment for Essex Wildlife Trust, and to our dedicated volunteers for taking part in regular beach cleans from The Naze Centre.