\n Emma Marriott, conservation<\/a> manager, said: \u201cThis is definitely one of our favourite times of year, as seal pups never fail to delight visitors and staff.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThey\u2019re incredibly cute and it\u2019s a real privilege to be able to watch them develop.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThis year, we\u2019re asking our members and visitors to the Discovery Experience to help us monitor the colony by counting the pups over the next few months.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cEach winter, our conservation team undertake in-person counts of the pups on Craigleith, but these trips can be hampered by bad weather and sea conditions.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re asking for a little extra help from the public.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Nearly 90 per cent of the UK\u2019s grey seal population breeds in Scotland<\/a>, with the Isle of May National Nature Reserve among the largest colonies on the east coast.\n<\/p>\n \n As many as 2,000 pups are born there each year, while grey seals also breed on smaller islands including Craigleith, just off North Berwick.\n<\/p>\n \n \n The monitoring helps the charity keep track of the pups on Craigleith, where the animals can raise their young relatively undisturbed.\n<\/p>\n \n The Scottish Seabird Centre will also hold a weekend of talks and events from November 20 to 22, focusing on grey seals, Scotland\u2019s importance to the species and how people can help protect them during the sensitive pupping period.\n<\/p>\n \n More information about the project is available online<\/a>.\n<\/p>\nGrey seals will be making the Firth of Forth islands their home this winter (Image: Emily Burton)\n<\/p>\n