Donna Nook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Donna Nook |
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| Near North Somercotes, Lincolnshire in England | |
Seals at Donna Nook fenceline in 2007
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 Donna Nook
Shown within Lincolnshire
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| Coordinates | 53°28′29″N 000°09′07″E / 53.47472°N 0.15194°E |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Open to the public |
Yes, in part |
Donna Nook is a unique spot on the coast of north-Lincolnshire, England. It is located north of North Somercotes village and south of Grimsby. This area is a salt marsh, which is a flat, grassy area near the sea that gets covered by water at high tide.
The land at Donna Nook is used by the Royal Air Force for training exercises. Even with this activity, local wildlife has learned to live alongside it. Some people believe the name "Donna Nook" comes from a ship called The Donna. This ship was supposedly part of the Spanish Armada and sank near the "Nook" (a small piece of land sticking out) in 1588.
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What is Donna Nook?
Donna Nook is a coastal area in Lincolnshire, England. It is a salt marsh, which means it's a flat, muddy area near the sea. This land is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is used by the Royal Air Force for training.
Home to Amazing Seals
A special part of Donna Nook is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. This area is a nature reserve and stretches for about 6 miles (10 km) along the coast. It is a very important place for grey seals.
Every year, from October to December, grey seals come back to Donna Nook to have their babies. In 2007, about 1,194 seal pups were born here. By 2018, this number had grown to 2,066 pups! To keep the baby seals safe and stop people from touching them, a double wooden fence was put up in 2007.
Why is it Special?
The nature reserve at Donna Nook is looked after by volunteer wardens. Parts of the reserve are open for the public to visit. Many people have heard about Donna Nook through TV and news, which has made it a popular place to visit. In 2006, around 43,000 people came to see the seals. Any money raised from visitors helps to protect the seals even more.
Visiting the Seals Safely
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust asks everyone who visits to stay in the special public viewing areas. It is very important not to go out onto the sandy areas where the seals are. This rule helps keep the seals safe and healthy. In 2010, there was an increase in seal deaths, which happened at the same time as more visitors were going too close. Staying behind the fence helps protect these amazing animals.
Images for kids
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Grey seals at Donna Nook
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Overview of Donna Nook
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Salt marsh
