Couple travel from London to Donna Nook - just to see the seals!

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Lincolnshire Police have slammed those who turned up at Donna Nook in an attempt to view the seals while the nature reserve was closed during a national lockdown - including a couple who drove around 170 miles all the way from London.
By James Silcocks
Published 3rd Feb 2021, 08:45 GMT
Updated 3rd Feb 2021, 09:46 GMT
Donna Nook viewing area. (Lesley Robb/Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust)Donna Nook viewing area. (Lesley Robb/Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust)
Donna Nook viewing area. (Lesley Robb/Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust)

Donna Nook often receives around 60,000 visitors during the seal pupping season (October to December), sometimes exceeding 5,000 visitors in a single day.

The seal viewing area opened with strict booking restrictions back in late October - around the same time the first seal pups were being born - but unfortunately the Trust was left with no choice but to close the viewing area in early November when the second national lockdown began.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “We had introduced a booking system to limit numbers of people visiting Donna Nook but with the announcement of the November lockdown, the seal viewing area had to close. The wardens did a great job responding to the Government guidance and changing situation.

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One of the seals at Donna Nook (Lesley Robb/Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust).One of the seals at Donna Nook (Lesley Robb/Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust).
One of the seals at Donna Nook (Lesley Robb/Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust).

“We would like to thank the vast majority of people who did comply and stayed away from the nature reserve.

“Unfortunately, a few people did still turn up including a couple who had travelled from London. They were all turned away without being able to see the seals.”

Lincolnshire Police also condemned the actions of those who attempted to visit the seal viewing site during the lockdown.

A spokesman said: “We continue to advise everyone to follow the Government’s guidance.

“The guidance stipulates that people should not leave their home unless they have a reasonable excuse to do so.

“The rules are clear and we all need to abide by them if we are to protect the NHS and save lives.”

This season, more than 2,200 seal pups were born at Donna Nook, with the final pup being born just before Christmas.

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust says it hopes to be able to welcome visitors to Donna Nook for the seal pupping season later in the year.