| Summary: | Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) vocalizations have been studied across different regions of their distribution and such studies can be used to understand interactions as well as how different environmental factors may affect them. For the first time, this study investigates the different vocalization types being used in haul outs by harbor seals in Iceland and how vocalization parameters and rates may be influenced by the surroundings using data collected in the summer of 2022. Six vocalization types were determined across the three biological periods (pupping, feeding, mating/molting) of the summer and investigated at three haul out sites around Vatnsnes peninsula (Svalbarð, Illugastaðir, and Ósar). Generalized linear models showed that vocalization parameters at Svalbarð and Illugastaðir were influenced by differing factors (tide height, air temperature, time of day, Julian day, and biological period), though they maintain similar topography. The rate of vocalizations was affected by temporal factors and temperature and seals at Illugastaðir vocalized more than that at Svalbarð which could indicate some disturbance to the seals by tourists in Illugastaðir. During the pupping period, pup vocalizations were more frequent than adult vocalizations, though this would need further study as it is important to know how the number of pups at the haul out sites compares to the number of adults. This study provides a baseline for studying vocalizations of harbor seals on land in Iceland as it has not been done before, but it is necessary to strengthen the methods with which vocalizations are collected to draw stronger conclusions.
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