Seeing the seals of the Authie estuary, at Berck

Where to stand

Towards the south end of Berck beach, by the sailing club, where the Authie meets the Channel. You walk across the sand towards the estuary, and stop well short of the sandbanks where the seals are hauled out.

Binoculars change everything. At the right distance, a seal to the naked eye is a grey smudge; through binoculars, you see the whole colony.

The calendar

• Year-round Both species are present permanently, and haul out at every low tide.
• June to September This is pupping season for harbour seals. The pups are on the sand, and this is when disturbance costs the most.
• In winter Fewer people on the beach, and often a larger colony.

Guided outings

Nature associations run guided observation trips, with spotting scopes. It's the safest way to see something without disturbing the seals, and the only one that explains what you're looking at.