Make sure to join us this November when our coach trip special visits the wildlife spectacle at Donna Nook. Each year in November and December thousands of grey seals congregate to give birth, and to mate again. Most years there are around 3,000+ seals on the beach which includes bulls, cows and pups. Large bull seals arrive at Donna Nook in early November, waiting for the females to arrive. The cow seals arrive shortly after when they give birth to a single creamy-coloured pup. The seals are so prolific that you can almost touch them – although of course that is forbidden! Last year nearly 2,000 pups were born at Donna Nook. It’s a fantastic chance to get up close and personal and to take some amazing photos.
However, it’s not all about the seals at Donna Nook. The reserve is also known for its array of bird life. Over 250 species have been recorded on the reserve and surrounding farmland. Habitats include sea, intertidal mudflats/ sandflats, saltmarsh, sand dunes, dune scrub, dune slacks and saline lagoons. Setting up a scope along the viewing area gives you great views beyond the saltmarsh out towards the Humber with Spurn Point in the distance. From October to January, a wide variety of passerines, waders and wildfowl can be seen feeding out on the saltmarsh between the seals, and there’s always a chance of seeing a rare migrant.
The trip is open to members, as well as their friends and family. The coach will leave Rochdale at 9 am and will set off on its return journey at 4 pm. The cost is still only £20. Contact rfnspublicity@gmail.com for any enquiries.
*There’s already been a lot of interest in the trip so to book your place please contact rfnspublicity@gmail.com. Please pay your £20 beforehand by bank transfer: Sort Code 05-07-67, Account Number 60931963. Please use your name as a reference. Some people have just been sending in their payment to the bank but our systems are not high tech enough for this information to be automatically passed on to bookings! If you cannot use internet banking then please pay by cheque made payable to “Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society”. Spaces may be available on the day but there is no guarantee, so those who have booked and paid will be given priority. *