Donna Nook National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Donna Nook NNR covers more than six miles of Lincolnshire’s coastline and borders the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR (see below) to the south. The reserve consists of sand dunes, slacks and inter-tidal areas, and silt from the River Humber has resulted in extensive mudflats and saltings, attracting much rare and important wildlife. The reserve is very rich in bird life: 47 species of bird breed regularly and the area is famous for more uncommon passage migrants and rarities; over 250 species have been recorded in total. Large flocks of terns, particularly sandwich tern, are a feature of late summer. The lagoons are home to coot, little grebe and moorhen, reed bunting and meadow pipit, and snow buntings are regularly seen in the winter. Donna Nook NNR has one of the largest breeding colonies of grey seals in the UK. For much of the year the seals are out at sea or hauled out on distant sandbanks. But in winter, the seals give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, a wonderful wildlife spectacle attracting hundreds of visitors.

Location

Saltfleetby St Clement

About the area

Much of the fenland around the Wash has been drained of its marshes and reclaimed as highly productive farmland. Further north, the coastline, with its sandy beaches, has been developed to accommodate the holiday industry, with caravans, campsites and the usual seaside paraphernalia.

Explore Lincolnshire

Donna Nook National Nature Reserve

Sign up to our travel newsletter

Get the latest insider tips and recommendations to make the most of your next trip

Donna Nook National Nature Reserve

Sign up to our newsletter

Join over 4,000+ travelers who are getting the most out of their trips