Donna Nook seals thriving in the harsh winter

Seals at Donna Nook. Photo copyright Alex Martin

January 2011. The thick blanket of snow and ice made many of our nature reserves inaccessible.  Donna Nook, usually the busiest of reserves in December, was virtually inaccessible and treacherous for those who tried for a number of days.

However the grey seal colony at Donna Nook continues to grow with 1,417 pups born this year. Fortunately, the seals on the outer colony, about a mile down the beach, have received significantly less attention and disturbance from visitors than previously.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are very thankful to all the very kind and supportive photographers and other visitors who have stayed off the beach this year, who are in the vast majority. Visitors have captured some stunning images from behind the fence, dispelling the myth that you can't get good photos from there. It is a credit to those who have used their skill and ingenuity to capture excellent images without causing any problems to seals or upsetting other visitors.

Improved bird sightings
With hardly anyone walking across the beach, bird sightings have also improved with flocks of several hundred Brent geese, snow buntings, redshank and woodlark seen by many.

More about Donna Nook seal colony