Donna Nook

103mol · #1 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 01:42 AM

I am planning to take a trip to Donna Nook on the 10th of Nov. I was wondering if anyone had been there and could tell me a bit about it? Is there a good place to go? Any hints and tips? I am grateful for any info as this is going to be my only opportunity to go this year so I want to make the most of it.
Thanks for any help

Molly

Jon · #2 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 08:15 AM

I suspect you may be a little early, suggest you do a google on Donna Nook and the Lincolnchire Wildlife website will probably give you a better idea. I remember there was someone who puts out regular updates on the arrival of the seals.
It is as well to check before you go - I travelled from the west coast to the east coast in 2005 only to find I was a week early and had to make a return trip the following week!
Jon

AndySwinden · #3 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 10:30 AM

I have been down to Donna Nook a few times, at yes, its a fantastic place to go - you really cant fail to get good photographs. Im a little unsure of the timing, I have never been as early as the 10th Nov, although I have read that anytime in November and December is good. My own feeling is that early / mid December is best.

I was once lucky enough to get down there when there was snow on the beach - the light was amazing

I have seen lots of people only stay up near the car park / sand dunes, but if you are prepared for a (very!) long trek out to the sea, then you can also get good shots of the seals with the waves breaking round them.

Would be interested to hear back what you see on the 10th.

Good luck !

Ollie · #4 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 01:04 PM

Hi Molly, I would suggest the 10th November as being just a touch early. there are some Seals at Donna Nook already but there are no pups as yet to my knowledge.

In my experience the last week of November and the first three weeks of December is usually peak time for pups. I suppose this can vary a little but it's always been the case over the years that I have been visiting. Also if you can visit on a week day rather than a weekend you will be more likely to get good views as weekends can be very busy with crowds of people about and the narrow roads down to the beach can get very congested at a weekend. It's pretty easy to find just follow the signs to Donna Nook and the beach.

You can get very close to the seals with fantastic photo opportunities and it is really worth a visit

Enjoy Your trip
Roger

103mol · #5 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 04:49 PM

Thanks, I know it is a little early but it is the only time I can go this year. I will check out the web site. Will defiantly make the walk down to the sea. Really looking forward to it

PMG · #6 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 09:17 PM

I don't whether things have changed but we were told prior to our visit in 05 that during the week you cannot go down onto the beach - you have to stay behind the chestnut paling fence, due to plane activity. This first visit (05)was very late Nov - last year (06) we went in late Oct and there were a few pups near the fence and being weekend we also went out to the tideline and watched/photographed seals mating. (and I managed to creep up on 4 dunlin and get very close to a sanderling - but he was moving just too fast for decent pics!). Its also worth keeping an eye open for small birds flitting about - I missed tree sparrows and redwing in the hedge and friends on another visit saw snow bunting but not sure how close he managed to get............

I found a website last year that gave updates and optimum times to visit but I haven't managed to googlethat one up yet!

The only weekend date we can go is also 10th Nov - but whether we do actually set off will be dependant on a whole lot of other stuff; work patterns, weather, family commitments etc......

Go with an open mind and open ears and eyes - bear in mind how cold that coastline is and no cover/shelter whatsoever - Brrrrr! (No loos and not much cover for us ladies either!). The best way to ensure a parking spot is to drive thro the early hours and get there between 6 and 7am - also at this hour you should be able to drive up the narrow approach road without anyone coming the opposite way!

Might see you there Molly!

Regards
Pauline

103mol · #7 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 12:40 AM

I will look out for you.

AndySwinden · #8 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 09:13 AM

I have always visited during the week to try and go at a quiet time. The earlier you can get there the better - it does get very busy at weekends, especially when the weather is good.

As far as I can remember, the signs there say you can walk across the beach unless the RAF have put flags out warning of plane activity. I have never seen this happen on any of my vists and have been able to cross the beach every single time.

You can see plenty of used ammo on the beach - be careful !

digitalcaptive · #9 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 06:32 PM

According to Guide to Donna Nook, Nature Reserves and Beaches in Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire UK there were 39 Pups born as of monday 05/11/07, so this weekend could be a wise choice and beat the rush

Hobo · #10 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 12:14 AM

I'm aiming to bring my grand-daughter this Sunday. Do high/low tides times make ay difference to how much we can see? (What I mean is - does the beach always remain accessible? Is there any likelihood that the forecast very high tides will cause problems?
Having read the above posts - I think I'm going to have to get up VERY early in order to get a good spot!
See you all there.
Hobo

paulthomas · #11 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobo

I'm aiming to bring my grand-daughter this Sunday. Do high/low tides times make ay difference to how much we can see? (What I mean is - does the beach always remain accessible? Is there any likelihood that the forecast very high tides will cause problems?
Having read the above posts - I think I'm going to have to get up VERY early in order to get a good spot!
See you all there.
Hobo

The main concentration of seals is out on the sandbanks. It's a good 40 minutes walk out there (and another 40 minutes back) and it'll be cold and windy. The sandbanks get cut off at high tide but the tides this weekend are favourable.

Hobo · #12 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 01:16 PM

Thanks, Paul!

Hope I can manage 40 minutes each way! (I have arthritic problems which can affect my walking - but watching the seals should be worth a bit of pain!).

Birchy · #13 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 05:47 PM

Hi there- We went to Donna Nook last year at the back end of November and we was lucky enough to see the Seals and some young pup's. It's a great place to visit for wildlife and not just for the seals also for birds if your interested.

The seals in 2006 came on the beach on 5th of November so you should be in luck for the 10th. I'm sure you will see them on the beach, but make sure you take some wet gear and wrap up well. The day we went last year was freezing and I really regret not taking so warm clothing and some extra footwear. It can be quit muddy/sandy out there.

Good Luck!!

kml · #14 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 02:44 PM

Hi hoping I`m not butting in.There are quite a few seals there at the moment but they are expecting the 24th to be the peak.According to a thread on the water wildlife section.Hope this helps.

Hobo · #15 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 03:22 PM

We're well prepared = flasks of coffee/soup, wellies & thick socks, duffle coat, gloves, scarf - and of course a camera!
Hobo

paulthomas · #16 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobo

and of course a camera!

Please read this article very carefully before thinking about getting near enough to the seals to photograph them. The term "low and slow" really does mean low and slow i.e., crawling slowly on your stomach. Also keep in mind Andy Rouse's advice when photographing seals: never get between a seal and the water. Remember these are wild animals not domestic pets and they're large and powerful predators to boot.

RobSutton · #17 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 05:56 PM

Came across a reference to this article from a local newspaper to Donna Nook and problems the seals might be having after the really high tides recently.

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/Se...igh.3462037.jp

Hope it doesn't mean a real disaster for the seals there but if you are planning a special trip I wonder if there is some local contact you could check with first.

rlchew · #18 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 07:33 PM

Excellent site and highly recommended .... I visited in mid-November 2005 and I am planning a trip again in early December this year.

This link also provides some very useful information ....

Photographing Grey Seals at Donna Nook : Nature and Wildlife Photography by Stephen Street

Richard

digitalcaptive · #19 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 03:23 PM

Well, I got there nice and early on saturday arrived at 7:15am after 2hr 20 mins driving, only to be told by a RAF representative and the coastguard that the beach was closed due to live ordanance being washed ashore after the recent high tides and was likely to stay close until tuesday.
It kinda spoilt the day really but I guess these things happen, we had to console ourselves with taking images within the enclosed birthing area.
We did manage to visit the RSPB Tetney Marshes a couple of miles up the road so all was not lost.
So it looks like I gonna have to make my way back up there before the months out>

paulthomas · #20 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalcaptive

Well, I got there nice and early on saturday arrived at 7:15am after 2hr 20 mins driving, only to be told by a RAF representative and the coastguard that the beach was closed due to live ordanance being washed ashore after the recent high tides and was likely to stay close until tuesday.
It kinda spoilt the day really but I guess these things happen, we had to console ourselves with taking images within the enclosed birthing area.

I was told the same when I arrived (I was with my mates from UKNP). It was swings and roundabouts I suppose as apparently there wouldn't have been many seals up by the fence line but for the very high tide. At least I was able to come away with a few decent shots. And I didn't have to crawl through the mud to get them either

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalcaptive

We did manage to visit the RSPB Tetney Marshes a couple of miles up the road so all was not lost

We had discussions about whether to move somewhere else. In the end some went home and some of us stayed til lunchtime. Not the scenario I planned for but you need to be flexible in this wildlife photography game

BTW we were told that due to the disgraceful actions of some photographers they're seriously considering stopping anyone going onto the beach in the pupping season.

Dogwood · #21 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 12:03 AM

The best place to go for information about the number of seals etc. at Donna Nook is the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, who manage the site, their web site gives plenty of information Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and their telephone is 01507 526667.

AndySwinden · #22 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 10:28 AM

For the people that went down to Donna Nook this weekend - was there any indication of when the beach would be accessable again ?? I'm wanting to go down pretty soon, but would probably delay a week or 2 if the beach was still closed off.
Thanks.

Talisman · #23 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 01:08 PM

Hi i went on Friday and there were quite a few there already no males as of yet though.

(i made a post on here but no idea where it has gone too!!)

hers a pic of one little fella

(if im posting pics wrong or in a way you dont liek please let me know so i can do what you want)

nitsch · #24 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talisman

hers a pic of one little fella

Lovely photo Robert!

I take it that this was photographed in the "nursery" area as opposed to out on the beach? Can you give me some info about photographing in this area, I am planning on visiting early December time and would love to try and get some shots both on the beach near the waters edge and also of the pups in the dunes. I have read that this area is fenced off, so does one take photos over the fence or are there areas which visitors are allowed to walk around (obviously keeping a respectful distance from the seals)? To limit what I have to carry on the day I was thinking of taking just my 300mm 2.8 with a 1.4x and 2x converter, I'm sure this will give me enough length for most shots but are there some opportunities where 300mm may be too long (on a 1.3x crop body)?

Any info you (or anyone else) could give me would be very gratefully received!

digitalcaptive · #25 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndySwinden

For the people that went down to Donna Nook this weekend - was there any indication of when the beach would be accessable again ?? I'm wanting to go down pretty soon, but would probably delay a week or 2 if the beach was still closed off.
Thanks.

We were told that the RAF would be clearing the beach on monday once they had a gps fix on all the ordanance and should be open again this comming weekend, I think I may have to do a return trip very soon