Donna Nook - or near it

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rackhs

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Steve
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Hi all,

Planning to get to Donna Nook this year for the seals (been saying that for the past 4 years, but end up forgetting!). Looking at a lot of pictures from around there and it seems that a lot of people don't use the main viewing area, but actually head a bit away from there. Trouble is, not sure of the area so don't know where exactly people are going, how much of a walk from teh main area is it etc.

Can anyone share any info on the area?

Cheers
Steve
 
A warning - a lot of the salt marsh is used by the military and you should stick to the marked public paths even if you see other people not.

Also, there are idiots most years who want to get too close and cause the seals distress - they are not nimble animals on land and cannot move away readily.
 
Hi John, thanks.

I have been reading about people still staying on paths, but just not at the main viewing area (I believe that is right, anyway). Will definitely not be wandering off the paths, that is for sure. Aware of the military as well :)

And definitely no intention of getting too close! It's a great excuse to have a play with my 150-600mm Sigma :D
 
Ok, thanks :-). Hopefully will get some from the viewing area then :-). Just need to try and work out when I can go - and hope the weather is ok!
 
rackhs said:
Ok, thanks :). Hopefully will get some from the viewing area then :). Just need to try and work out when I can go - and hope the weather is ok!
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My advice would be to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds, i am planning on going this weekend or next, weather permitting
 
Thanks, definitely planning to do that! [emoji4]. Looking to take a day off work as it is probably not far off a couple of hours each way - so really need to catch the weather right - lol.

Good luck with your visit!
 
rackhs said:
Thanks, definitely planning to do that! [emoji4]. Looking to take a day off work as it is probably not far off a couple of hours each way - so really need to catch the weather right - lol.

Good luck with your visit!
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If you are thinking of visiting in the week I gather the viewing area is open but the rest of the area is off limits due to the military bombing range being active in the week. It's best to double check with the reserve that the viewing area will be open just so you don't have a wasted journey.
 
Ohh, thanks. Good heads up!! That would be a nightmare if even the viewing gallery wasn't open!! Cheers [emoji4]
 
If you look on a OS explorer map (or Bing maps), the area the RAF close off during the week is shown by the red triangles (or the smaller scale Landranger maps,by the text 'danger area'). This is also the area the Wildlife Trust ask that people to refrain from entering during the pupping season. The area outside of this is always open 24/7, and is where the viewing area is located.
 
Get there early especially if the weather is good otherwise you need sharp elbows.

This was taken before it got busy...


nook.jpg
 
Best stick to the viewing area, and it gets very busy even early on so might be best to go in the week if you can. Keep hoping for snow here, it almost looked like the Arctic the first time I went in 2010, never realised how rare snow was on the east coast at that point and was only getting into photography so duff photos! If that happens again the track to the beach is treacherous, cars were getting beached and slipping down the dykes...
 
Thanks all for your comments, advice and help. It is really appreciated and helped a lot.

Managed to get over there today. Weather was fresh but very sunny and little cloud. Still a fair few seals about and had a Herc doing runs the whole time I was there - so bonus :)

Never realised how big the viewing area was! Had a thought in my head that it was going to be the size of a couple of parking spots or something - how wrong :) No need to venture off at all (even though I couldn't/shouldn't anyway).

So many shots to go through now. Going to have to make this an annual visit now!
 
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