Some of the Crowds at Donna Nook
Well I finally made it out to Donna Nook yesterday and the weather was wonderful - nothing like the weather predicted on the radio on the way up. You had to pinch yourself to remember that this was the North Sea coast in late October. I had taken my full gear with me - layers of fleeces, coats, hats and gloves. After dawn none of these were required. It was glorious. However, this was also a real problem as it brought out the crowds. I got there at dawn and so I had the place very much to myself. By the time I left, around 1 o'clock the place was heaving, the car park was jammed and there were squabbles about parking spaces - it reminded me of the seals when the pupping is in full swing - more about this in later.
What I had neglected to remember that it was half term and it seemed that most of northern England had decided to descend on Donna Nook (this is a total exaggeration but it felt this way as the place is actually quite small!) I suspect I am a little bias ( well actually a lot) but people never cease to amaze me at how so ill prepared they appear to be for what can be a really cold place. Why people bring their dogs to a nature reserve is also a mystery but they did. I really am starting to sound like an old fart but this is an encounter with truly wild animals who do not take like dogs even if '...he won't hurt a fly...' - at least the bacon butty van was doing a roaring trade.
Well now I have got that off of my chest what of the seals? Well in truth there is not a great deal to report. To date only one pup has been born and the seals themselves are spread out on the sand under the RAF bombing range. This will change over the next few days and weeks when the place will really come alive - in every sense of the word. From a photographic prospective it was not really very good however from talking to the locals it would seem that the week end, when the range is closed and people have access to the beach, sees an influx of photographers chasing the seals. I really am having second thoughts about attending the RPS Nature group meet in November when we will go out onto the beach.
One of the early Grey Seals
On a much more positive note I decided to explore the northern part of the nature reserve. This was the best part of the day. Whereas everyone makes their way to see the seals the rest of the reserve is empty apart from a fine range of birds. You can walk for a couple of miles without seeing anyone. Even the RAF weren't bombing so there was no noise at all to suggest you are only a few miles away from some large conurbations - it really is a different world when compared to the scramble of the car park.
Brent Geese - just some of the birds found in the northern part of the reserve.
So what did I learn? Well I was able to have a good look around and I have changed my shooting plans accordingly. However, the problem of people is really concerning me - I suspect that Donna Nook is now too popular for its own good - it no longer is an encounter with wild animals but more like London Zoo on an August bank holiday. I will go again but I am seriously concerned about the Saturday beach visit.
