York and Ryedale seal of approval

12 members of the York and Ryedale Friend of the Earth group gave their seal of approval to the Donna Nook grey seal nature reserve at the end of November. As part of one of our social activities we visited the grey seals at Donna Nook, a fabulous nature reserve with over 1000 seals and their pups. The British population of grey seals is of great international conservation importance and we were fortunate enough to experience the thriving colony on the Lincolnshire coast.

We found out that for much of the year the seals are at sea or hauled out on distant sandbanks, but during the winter they come to breed near the dunes on the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Donna Nook. They are present on the beach in November and December. We chose the ideal time to go see them. The massive bulls were marking out their territory looking for their ladies, the young ones were playing to the crowds and the pups were...well, just being cute!

The day was rounded off by a delicious meal at the Mill House pub, full with amazing Christmas decorations even if they were a little over the top.