Belugas in the Estuary and Pinnipeds Aplenty

“On January 26, at the water’s edge and across from my neighbour’s house, I saw a beautiful seal that I believe was a harp seal basking on a chunk of ice,” shares a Gallix-based observer. “It was awesome to see with all that pretty snow falling!” she added. When seals out of the water stretch and arch their backs, French speakers like to say they are “doing the banana”! Harp seals were also reported near Baie-Comeau. A few days later, harbour seals were basking in Port-Cartier. There were at least five, maybe more, but it’s difficult to say with certainty due to the distance.

Harp seals can be distinguished from harbour seals on the basis of several criteria, notably the colouration of adults. Harbour seals have a mottled greyish coat, while male harp seals develop a black harp-shaped patch on their backs, a pattern that females do not always show. The head of a harp seal, which is more slender than that of a harbour seal, is also generally black. In terms of size, the two species are quite similar. It is therefore difficult to make a definitive ID based solely on this variable!

One reader wrote to us from the Gaspé Peninsula on January 24 to share her observation: a large spout off the coast of Pabos! Without any photos or other details to go by, it’s impossible to determine at this time which species this plume of mist belonged to. Perhaps other sightings of this mysterious cetacean will be reported in the weeks to come?