FROM THE WOLDS TO THE WASH, Lincolnshire’s coastline is a unique and fragile ecosystem, and one that lays claim to a number of rare species.Whilst Skegness may have all of the hustle and bustle throughout the summer and Grimsby the monopoly on heavy industry, it’s Donna Nook, the 2,800 acre RAF bombing range, which can lay claim to being one of the most impressive features of  Lincolnshire’s coastline.

Each year, an increasing number of seals come to pup at Donna Nook — and with a high pup survival rate, considerable support from the RAF and effective management by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, populations are up from around 900 in 2005 to over 1,300 last year.

Sounds like a success story, but this growth isn’t without its problems. Over 60,000 people flock to the strip of coastline annually to witness and take photographs of seals pupping. As a visitor attraction, Donna Nook is perhaps a victim of its own success.

“We rarely get the opportunity to see large wild animals close to, so a visit to Donna Nook is sure to be a memorable one.” says the LWT’s Rachel Shaw.“But the site struggles cope with current visitor numbers, that’s why we’re keen to encourage those who do go to visit with a degree of responsibility.”

To keep numbers manageable, we have done our best to limit publicity but the lure of witnessing such an incredible wildlife spectacle has overwhelmed us. The main problem is the influx of visitors over a short period of time; between
November and December when the seals are pupping. It is especially apparent at weekends when as many as 10,000 people can visit over just two days.

Visitors are rarely aware that parking provision is limited at the site. Historically, just one tiny car park has to service visitors, but one enterprising landowner has created an overspill facility complete with catering van and toilets.

“We encourage those who want to visit to do so during the week whenever possible.” says Rachel. “The site gets really busy at weekends. During the week parking and access are a little easier and the visitors walkway at the foot of the dunes is less crowded.”

Another issue Donna Nook is faced with is sand dune erosion. Donna Nook is designated a National Nature Reserve for the full range of wildlife and natural habitats that can be found there. But with thousands of feet walking over them, sand dunes are gradually wearing away. For most visitors, Donna Nook is a wildlife spectacle like no other. Fluffy seal pups with their adorable big eyes and adult seals, apparently just lounging around, give the impression of cute and timid animals. But they are wild animals, can move surprising quickly and show extreme aggression. Spend a bit of time watching and fights between bulls, females squabbling and terrified mothers protecting their pup — while fighting off the unwanted advances of a determined bull — can all be seen.

Grey seals pup on the beach then nurse their young and breed straight away ready for a year-long period of gestation. It’s a highly charged atmosphere as the bull seals fight for access to the females. Then, after just over two months of activity, the seals have returned to the sea and the beach is quiet once more.

For the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, managing Donna Nook is a balance between care for the seals, and other wildlife, and ensuring people have a safe and enjoyable visit. A low fence line runs along the visitors’ walkway separating people and seals. This ensures the safety of visitors (seals are predators that have sharp teeth similar to dogs) and protects the seals.
If a seal pup has the scent of human on it, or if it is separated from its mother for too long, it may be abandoned.

“Venturing onto the beach is simply not necessary. The seals come right up to the fence.” says Rachel. “From here all the drama of the seal colony can be seen and, using their skill and ingenuity, visitors have captured some stunning images.”

The low mortality rates at Donna Nook are what makes it such a thriving habitat, as seals return to their birthplace to pup. Whilst some pupping beaches that are exposed to tides can incur mortality rates of up to 50%, Donna Nook’s rate is a much lower 10%, hence the swelling populations since the 1970s when the site first started to become colonised.
Cows begin breeding at around three years of age and may continue for over 25 years. They live for around 35 years, and grow to about 1.8 metres in length and 150kg.

Donna Nook, which stretches for around six miles, is second only to the Farne Islands as the UK’s most prolific seal-breeding population, so it’s easy to see why the Wildlife Trust, which has managed the site jointly with the RAF, wants to preserve the delicate ecosystem for future generations.

“The seals are quite unusual.” Says Rachel. “They’ve learned to live with the RAF flying overhead and with the attention of
thousands of visitors. They come right up to the fence where we can get fabulous close-up views without disturbing them.”

“But our first responsibility has to be to the habitat and to the wildlife. We just ask that people visit responsibly and recognise the difficulties we face as managers of the site.”

“It’s essential that the seals and the other wildlife that share their environment aren’t disturbed or put under stress at such an important time.”