The effect of weather conditions on harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) haulout behaviour in the moray firth, northeast Scotland

Abundance data from a 6-year study (1988-1993) of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) were used to control for seasonal changes in haulout behaviour and assess the effect of temperature and other weather conditions on haulout numbers at a site in Scotland. A significant relationship between Julian day and haulout numbers was consistent between years. In some years, there was also a significant relationship between ambient temperature and haulout numbers, but examination of the residuals around the relationship between haulout numbers and Julian day revealed no evidence for a consistent effect of temperature, wind speed, or wind chill adjusted temperatures. A weak negative relationship between haulout numbers and both precipitation and cloud cover did exist, but these variables explained little of the variation in seal numbers.