Donna Nook - sandbanks or behind the fence?

[d70mpv]

Hi all, the camera and I are taking a trip to Donna Nook this weekend to try and capture a few nice shots before all the seals leave. I'd be keen to know from those who've ventured out beyond the picket fence(s) a few things:

1. Having phoned the Lincs Wildlife Trust a couple of times and spoken to wardens at the site they're all dead against anyone going beyond the fence as it distrubs the seals. All I've spoken to have said that. Is it really ethical to risk doing it? All of the wardens said "Legally we can't stop you, but we'd really rather you didn't". So I've a bit of a crisis of conscience given that all of the experts don't want me out there.

2. I don't really fancy a seal bite and I'd like not to get stranded by the tide. In laymans terms can someone explain to me how to interpret the high tide times and how to calculate when to leave the sandbanks? For the second point, how d'you keep an eye out for an angry bull coming from behind if you're concentrating on looking through the viewfinder and facing the other way? I know they're not hugely quick moving but they can be deceptively quick so I'm told...

3. How do you stalk seals, at what point is it best to hit the deck and crawl the rest of the way?

4. Does anyone have a more detailed directions for leaving the car park and getting to the best photo locations? I've looked at the usual webpages for directions and they quite non-descript, saying things like "bear one-o'clock across the sand" (?!).

Sorry if I've insulted anyone's intelligence, this is all quite new to me

[paulthomas]

My advice is stay behind the fence line unless you know what you're doing.

[zan]

I've not been to Donna Nook, but I'd suggest you listen to the wardens.

Since you aren't used to photographing\stalking seals, I would go with someone else the first time you go - perhaps you could even go out with one of the wardens and get some expert advice? Seal bites are nasty in general, but an angry make Grey Seal must weigh about a ton+ and I wouldn't want to mess with it!

Tide times and tables aren't that difficult to read once you've done a couple, but again, if you're not sure what you're doing, go with someone else who does. Like I said, I don't know the area, so I couldn't say whether the tide is dangerous or not, but it's a damn cold time of year to find out!

Hope this is helpful, even if it's probably not what you wanted to hear... But speak to the wardens - if you can endear yourself to them and show them you've put the interests of the seals before your camera, they might be willing to help you out, and no-one will know better than them.

Zan

EDIT: that's a much shorter way of saying it

[Stan35]

Hi,
If you are going to take photo,s of the seals i can not understand why you would want to go beyond the fence the seals are near the fence, listen to the advice the wardens give and go and enjoy.
Stan.

[BillyPilgrim]

I've been to Donna Nook several times but only to photograph the aircraft doing their bombing practice!

I was all set to go and have a look at the seals about a month ago but had to cancel at the last minute. I did read/bookmark a website at the time that might be of some use to you -

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

Just re-read it and it does say "Aim for a One-O-Clock bearing..." so I guess it is one of the sites that you've already looked at

[eeyore]

if you want to get real decent close ups without disobeying wardens or upseting the seals i'd sugest going a bit further south to blakeney in norfolk and taking one of the boat trips out of morston quay - you get close enough for frame filling shots with a 300mm or even with a compact camera with a decent zoom

[d70mpv]

I finally got there last Sunday (23rd) which involved a 5:45am start to get to Donna Nook for Sunrise at 8:15 The warden turned up at 9am and I asked about walking out to the sandbanks. He said it would be fine if I stayed at least 50 yards away from the seals.

So I duly trekked at a 1 o'clock angle across the mudflats out to the distant sandbanks. For those who'd like to know you need to go to the main car park (tarmac'd) and as you face the beach (which you can't see for the sand dunes) take the smaller path over the dunes that's on the left. Don't follow the main path out to the dunes on the right as that'll only lead you to the fenced area. The correct, smaller path may have white and blue tape across it and a traffic cone (?!) across it as it looks like it's to keep people from straying onto the beach when the RAF bomb it during the week. I should add that under no circumstances go onto the beach if the red flags are flying on the beach flagpoles as the RAF will be bombing! Once you're on the beach go at a 1 o'clock angle out towards the sea across the mudflats. Be careful of any seals that you don't initially see, they're quite inconspicuous when laying down and you're concentrating on staying upright! It'll take about 40mins as previously mentioned, depending on how far out the tide is.

As to whether I was disturbing the seals or not, I tried my absolute upmost to not do, spending most of my time on my belly making small, slow movements and not getting too close. I'm sure all of you know what I'm talking about. Of course it's impossible to tell how 'stressed' the animals really were but there were no outward signs of distress at my presence.

The photographic opportunities were incredible, allowing you to get lower than in the fenced area and shoot without being inhibited by two layers of line-of-sight ruining fence. The light at this time of year was perfect, low, to the side/behind and golden all day. I stayed out there for a good 5 hours without noticing it. I highly recommend it to anyone who's interested, check the weather forcast every day as I did to ensure a good day's sunshine. I can't upload any shots unfortunately as I don't know how to (!).

I hope this serves to help anyone who's interested in going next year, of course please do be extremely careful not to upset the seals as no photo no matter how good is worth that.