Seal colony at donna nook

[Dean Eades]

SEAL COLONY AT DONNA NOOK

For many years, keen and experienced wildlife photographers visited the small outer seal colony at weekends when the RAF was not making use of the beach as a bombing range. The seals in this colony are about a mile out across the mudflats and conditions on this exposed east coast beach can be extreme.



The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust no longer condones or encourages access to these seals.



Increased pup mortality rate in this part of the colony, 6 times greater than the main colony, was recorded in 2009. This is thought to be the result of disturbance caused by the increased numbers of photographers and casual visitors.



Whilst some of this disturbance is the result of atrocious behaviour by a few individuals, the sheer weight of numbers of people now going to the outer colony at weekends is also a factor. As a wildlife conservation body, the Wildlife Trust has to try and reduce activities that are causing seal pup deaths.



Uncontrolled access to the outer colony is also spoiling the enjoyment of the thousands of visitors who stay behind the fence. The Wildlife Trust knows that they don’t like to see people walking about on the beach and potentially causing disturbance and stress to the seals.



The viewing area at the foot of the sand dunes was established to reduce disturbance to the seals and ensure the safety of visitors. It is possible to get good quality photographs from the viewing area. From this location the full spectacle can be witnessed from cute seal pups and interactions between mother and young to the powerful and brutal fights between the males.



As with photographing any wildlife subject, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust would hope that people follow the Code of Practice produced by the Nature Group of the Royal Photographic Society and in particular remember that:

· The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph.

· Photography should not be undertaken if it puts the subject at risk from disturbance, physical damage, and lessened reproductive success, or if it causes the subject anxiety.


LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

[bigdave60dog]

We are seeing a major decline in Common Seal (40% +in 5 years) numbers in Orkney where there are no probs with disturbance. For instance 5 years ago the harems by my house totalled 300+ individuals. Now we are lucky to see 30. All day and night we heard "the song of the seals" though it sounded more like a pack of wolves. I very rarely hear one these days. Emaciated pups etc. in many places seem to be symptom of poor health in the species as a whole. We see very few dead bodies but these may well be eaten by Orcas whilst in a weakened condition.
The species is really in trouble. To exclude ALL visitors from the breeding places thus lessening disturbance may be one less pressure for them to cope with during this difficult time. It would be good if everyone could join in supporting this sensible initiative.

[johnf3f]

Well said DEAN.
I was planning a trip to DK but am now holding fire. This excellent site could be ruined/put off limits VERY easily! When all is said and done my life/income does not depend on streesing animals, the seals lives do!

[barquar]

Was at Donna Nook last week the day we visited was a red flag day (Thursday) But we enjoyed the walk along the fences no seals to be seen from that point yet.But the ladybirds on the fence panels were in there hundreds.The car park soon filled up about lunch time. Didnt see any of the planes going over but only stayed for about an hour. Lots of people bird spotting. What a great place must try and go when the seals are close to fences.
Barquar

[Dean Eades]

Look north last night click on the linkl

BBC iPlayer - Look North (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire): 05/10/2010

[barquar]

I agree that people should not go beyond the fence during the breeding season.
Nice to see that you will not be going beyond the fences. We visited the seal sanctuary and to see those young seals being looked after and the cost of upkeep they are doing a great Job.So lets not see to many more having to be looked after and less mortality amongts the seal population. Good on you Dean for setting the standards of not going out there.
barquar