It is during the wet, misty days of autumn that grey seals return to their breeding grounds and come ashore. They normally come back to the same rocky shores or lonely beaches year after year. First to arrive are the big bulls, establishing their territories above the high tide line. The biggest bulls, the beach masters, have the largest territories and the most cows in their harems, so they father the greatest number of next season's pups.

Although bulls mature as about six years old they are not strong enough or large enough to defend a harem for another three years or so. It is a long hard fight to the top with many lost battles and deep wounds collected along the way. The bull featured here has just lost a fight for a receptive female and after ten minutes of strenuous battling he retired to the beach, defeated. Once an ability to defend a harem is achieved a bull will breed for about four or five seasons before becoming worn out with the strain.