coastal birdwatching trail
Donna Nook National Nature Reserve Birding Trail
Coastline between Grainthorpe Haven in the north and Saltfleet
Well-known as a breeding colony for grey seals, Donna Nook is also a great birdwatching site with over 250 species recorded on the reserve and surrounding farmland. Habitats include sea, intertidal mudflats/ sandflats, saltmarsh, sand dunes, dune scrub, dune slacks and saline lagoons.
Managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in agreement with the Ministry of Defence. This site is an active air weapons range and visitors should note that access is restricted. There is no access to the beach frontage and beyond when the red flags are flying. Please refer to on site signage.
Parking
dog access & seasonal information
Due to the breeding grey seal colony access restrictions apply from late October until the end of December. Please adhere to signage and guidance from patrolling wardens.
Dogs are not permitted in the seal viewing area from late October until the end of December.
opening times
The reserve and Stonebridge car park are open all year.
Access is restricted to north of the car park and a 600m seal viewing area.
During busy weekends Stonebridge car park is prioritised for blue badge holders.
Easy access Stonebridge car park has limited spaces.
entry & prices
A main car park (privately owned) operates October to December.
Charges apply at the privately-owned car park.
find out more about Donna Nook
what species and habitats can you find?
The dune scrub includes sea buckthorn, elder and hawthorn providing excellent foraging, shelter and nesting areas for resident and migrant birds.
North from Stonebridge car park is Pyes Hall, a managed realignment area attracting waders and wildfowl throughout the year.
Sea watching with a scope is worthwhile for passing terns, skuas, auks, divers and sea duck.
From October to January, when the reserve is home to a breeding colony of grey seals, a wide variety of passerines (perching or songbirds), waders and wildfowl can be seen feeding out on the saltmarsh between the seals.
Winter species
Brent Goose, Shelduck, Knot, Lapwing, Twite, SnowBunting, Lapland Bunting, Stonechat, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Redwing, Fieldfare, Rock Pipit.
Spring species
Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Whinchat, Hirundines (Swallows and Martins), Goldfinch, Linnet, Marsh Harrier, Merlin.
Summer species
Avocet, Little Egret, Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Yellowhammer, Hobby.
Autumn species
Pink-footed Goose, Whooper Swan, Redshank, Curlew, Oyster Catcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Golden Plover, Starling, Goldcrest, rare migrants.
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plan your visit to donna nook
useful hints and tips
Pyes Hall is a great place to see waders and wildfowl at closer quarters. Bird numbers increase on higher tides.
Winter high tides deposit seeds from the saltmarsh closer to the sand dunes, providing good opportunities to view feeding passerines.
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.
Listen out for the distinctive call of a kingfisher fishing on saltmarsh creeks.
A wildlife sightings board is updated daily during seal season.
facilities
The nearest public toilets are in North Somercotes opposite the Bay Horse Inn.
explore the other locations along the coastal trail
Alkborough Flats Birding Trail
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Cleethorpes Seafront Birding Trail
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Cleethorpes
Frampton Marsh Birding Trail
On the edge of the UK’s largest and most important estuary for birds, The Wash, Frampton Marsh is one of the country’s premier birding...
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Freiston Shore Birding Trail
Freiston Shore has one of the the UK's largest 'managed realignment' projects, in which the RSPB has worked with the Environment...
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Gibraltar Point Birding Trail
Gibraltar Point is undoubtedly one of the premier birding sites in the County with a long and enviable track record of excellent birds at any time of the...
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Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Birding Trail
The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is a stretch of 5 miles of coastline running from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, and inland to Hogsthorpe, Mumby, Anderby and...
Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, and inland to Hogsthorpe, Mumby, Anderby and Huttoft.
places to stay nearby
Make a trip of it! Enjoy a coastal getaway with a selection of places to stay close by.
Beach Cottage
Beach Cottage sits on the sand dunes overlooking the beach at Anderby Creek (an hour away from Thorganby Hall)....
Anderby Creek
Butlins Skegness
Visit Butlins, Skegness for unlimited access to traditional fairground rides, live daytime shows and a range of other family-friendly daytime activities, including the...
Skegness
Kenwick Park Hotel
Best Western Kenwick Park Hotel is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the 320 estate boasts superb views of the lawns, golf course and mature...
Louth
Landal Kenwick Woods
Set in a beautiful setting of mature woodland, Landal Kenwick Woods is situated in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds...
Louth
Brackenborough Hall Coach House
Situated on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Brackenborough Hall Coach House provides award winning accommodation on an 800 acre...
Louth
Eastfields Touring Park
Visit the established touring park situated within the quiet and peaceful surroundings of Chapel Point, only 200 yards from the sea and sandy beaches of the east coast...
Skegness
Grimblethorpe Hall Country Cottages
A small family run Organic Farming Estate that offers a great place to stay, unwind and have as a base for exploring the local...
Louth
Lakeside Fishing Lodges
Private Fishing Lake with beautiful log cabins set in 16 acres of rural Lincolnshire scenery. The lake was established in 2002 and is...
Boston
Richmond Holiday Park
Richmond Holiday Centre is the ideal base for your holiday whether you like to explore the countryside or enjoy all the fun of the bustling resort of Skegness with its...
Skegness
The Brackenborough Hotel
Tucked away by the Georgian market town of Louth, offers a haven of tranquility coupled with contemporary surroundings and...
Louth
The Half Moon Hotel and Restaurant
The Half Moon Hotel located in the historic market town of Alford, is just a short walk away from the Alford Manor House and town...
Alford
Woodthorpe Leisure Park
Woodthorpe Leisure Park is situated alongside 43 acres of woodland, nestled in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside with the coast just a short drive...
Woodthorpe, near Alford
Woody’s Top
Woody’s Top is perfect for a family holiday in Lincolnshire where you can explore unspoilt areas of countryside and beautiful sandy...
Louth
Helsey House Cottages
Helsey House Cottages are about 5 miles from the seaside village of Chapel St Leonards and about 10 miles from the market town of...
Helsey, near Chapel St Leonards
Palm Court Skegness
Find seafront holiday accommodation at Palm Court Skegness. Enjoy sea views, close proximity to the beach, bars and restaurants, shopping and...
Skegness
enjoy a bite to eat
The View Cafe Bar
A 'Hidden Gem' on the seafront at Winthorpe serving Specialist Coffees, Teas,Milkshake Deluxe and a selection of Wines, Ciders and...
Skegness
Baci & Co
Since opening in March 2018, Baci and Co have only ever had one goal, to produce the best Gelato they can. It does not matter how you take your Gelato, in a tub or on a...
Louth
Cote Hill Cheese
Discover Cote Hill Cheese for award winning cheeses, made on the farm using milk from our contented free range cows....
Osgodby, Market Rasen
Grimblethorpe Hall Butchery
Grimblethorpe Hall is thought to have been built about 1620 with mid c19 alterations and additions.The brick house has the look of a...
Louth
Ovens Farm Vineyard
All of the wine at Ovens Farm Vineyard is produced on site. The winery started life as a traditional farm building built to store...
Louth
Pin Gin
Set in the quaint market town of Louth in the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Bottomley Distillery produce the award winning brand, Pin Gin, along with white label projects....
Louth
Sunnyside Up
Our aim is simple. To provide good food from reliable source with good animal husbandry. We have tried to source and support local...
Tealby, Market Rasen
The Fat Seagull
Based in Sandilands, the Fat Seagull Café, Bistro and Shop serves a variety of delicious foods, from cakes and pastries to fine fish dinners....
Sutton-on-Sea
Bateman’s Brewery
Bateman’s Brewery pride themseles on giving one of the best brewery tours and tutored tastings in the country. The tour guides are knowledgeable, insightful and full...
Skegness
Hussey’s Fish and Chips
Discover Hussey's Fish & Chips for a family run seaside restaurant located just a stones through away from famous The Clock Tower in Skegness's centre. Take away, or...
Skegness
South Ormsby Estate’s Lincoln Red Beef
South Ormsby Estate's rare-breed Lincoln Red cattle spend their time grazing seasonally on a 3,000-acre country estate in the heart of the Lincolnshire...
Louth
The Half Moon Hotel and Restaurant
The Half Moon Hotel located in the historic market town of Alford, is just a short walk away from the Alford Manor House and town...
Alford
Trawlers Catch
Discover a nautical themed fish and chip shop with a pirates twist! Offering fine, large portions of fish & chips and much much more, Trawlers Catch, more than just a...
Skegness
things to do in the area
Anderby Creek
Anderby Creek is 4 kilometres North from Chapel St. Leonards, is this beautiful long stretch of sandy unspoilt beach framed by sand...
Anderby Creek
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre
Discover this rare opportunity to see historic wartime aircraft seen in flypasts at major national celebrations....
Boston
Chapel Point
Chapel Point Beach is relatively quiet and features a charming row of traditional privately owned beach huts....
Chapel St Leonards
Chapel St Leonards – Coastal Country Park Walks
Chapel St Leonards lies on the coast at the southern edge of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park...
Chapel St Leonards, north of Skegness
Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve
Visit Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve on the large stretch of unspoilt coastline that runs southward from Skegness to the south of The...
Gibraltar Point
Gunby Hall
Discover the lively past of the Massingberd family in their former country house home full of character and charm with eight acres worth of gardens, sweeping formal...
Spilsby
Humber to The Wash Cycle Route
Make the most of the Lincolnshire Coast’s boundless skies and fascinating features by taking this blissfully relaxing cruise...
Humber to The Wash Area
Lincolnshire Aquapark
Enjoy many fun & challenging features to overcome with friends and family at Lincolnshire Aquapark in...
Mablethorpe
Mumby to Hogsthorpe – Coastal Country Park Walks
The villages of Mumby and Hogsthorpe lie within the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park (LCCP) a few miles inland from the coast....
Mumby - Hogsthorpe
North Sea Observatory
The UK’s only purpose-built Marine Observatory, located at Chapel Point on the North edge of Chapel St...
Chapel St Leonards
Tattershall Castle
Tattershall Castle is an impressive moated building owned by the National Trust. Built by Robert de Tateshale in the 15th century having received permission from Henry...
Tattershall
The View Cafe Bar
A 'Hidden Gem' on the seafront at Winthorpe serving Specialist Coffees, Teas,Milkshake Deluxe and a selection of Wines, Ciders and...
Skegness
Baci & Co
Since opening in March 2018, Baci and Co have only ever had one goal, to produce the best Gelato they can. It does not matter how you take your Gelato, in a tub or on a...
Louth
Beach Cottage
Beach Cottage sits on the sand dunes overlooking the beach at Anderby Creek (an hour away from Thorganby Hall)....
Anderby Creek
Brook House Farm Riding School
Discover a variety of horses suitable for all levels at Brook House Farm Riding School and Livery Yard in the beautiful setting of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Enjoy lessons,...
Scamblesby, Louth
Butlins Skegness
Visit Butlins, Skegness for unlimited access to traditional fairground rides, live daytime shows and a range of other family-friendly daytime activities, including the...
Skegness
Castle to Coast Cycle Route
Enjoy this 100-mile cycle route from Lincoln Castle to the Lincolnshire Coast and back again retiring via the scenic Lincolnshire...
Lincoln
Claythorpe Watermill
Claythorpe Watermill is a small, family run attraction set in the grounds of an 18th century watermill. The mill last ran in the late 1970s but you can still see the...
Aby, near Alford
Cote Hill Cheese
Discover Cote Hill Cheese for award winning cheeses, made on the farm using milk from our contented free range cows....
Osgodby, Market Rasen
Fantasy Island
Enjoy exhilarating rides and roller coasters that are sure to test even the bravest thrill-seekers’ nerves....
Skegness
Grimblethorpe Hall Butchery
Grimblethorpe Hall is thought to have been built about 1620 with mid c19 alterations and additions.The brick house has the look of a...
Louth
Hubbard’s Hills
Hubbard's Hills is an Area of Natural Beauty with a unique glacial overspill channel formed as a result of the last ice...
Louth
Kenwick Park Golf Club
Discover the golf course located in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Adjacent is the Kenwick Park Hotel which offers fine...
Louth
Kenwick Park Hotel
Best Western Kenwick Park Hotel is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the 320 estate boasts superb views of the lawns, golf course and mature...
Louth
Landal Kenwick Woods
Set in a beautiful setting of mature woodland, Landal Kenwick Woods is situated in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds...
Louth
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Visit this living memorial to the 55,500 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives....
Spilsby
Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
Discover Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre and their fascinating and diverse collection of animal residents. Enjoy unique experiences to get up close and...
Mablethorpe
Natureland Seal Sanctuary
Discover Natureland Seal Sanctuary, a fun and educational day out for the whole family. Meet all kinds of animals from all over the...
Skegness
Orchard Farm Equestrian Centre
Discover luxury riding holidays and experiences at Orchard Farm Equestrian Centre. Enjoy a family-friendly experience filled with action, picturesque views and peaceful...
Skegness
Ovens Farm Vineyard
All of the wine at Ovens Farm Vineyard is produced on site. The winery started life as a traditional farm building built to store...
Louth
Pin Gin
Set in the quaint market town of Louth in the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Bottomley Distillery produce the award winning brand, Pin Gin, along with white label projects....
Louth
Red Hill Nature Reserve
Discover Red Hill Nature Reserve, a steep natural chalk escarpment with acres of plateaued wild landscape with wild flower...
Stenigot, Louth
Sandilands Beach
Sandilands is a beautiful, natural golden sandy beach stretching for miles. It is clean and picturesque and is dog friendly...
Sandilands, Mablethorpe
Skegness Aquarium
Visit Skegness Aquarium and explore the aquatic universe of beautiful, dangerous and mesmerising sea life and creepy...
Skegness
Skegness Beach
Discover this award-winning, family-friendly seaside resort with golden sands, a multitude of traditional seaside attractions and...
Skegness
Sunnyside Up
Our aim is simple. To provide good food from reliable source with good animal husbandry. We have tried to source and support local...
Tealby, Market Rasen
Sutton on Sea
Discover Sutton-On-Sea, a small coastal village with an excellent well-kept, golden sandy beach, the perfect traditional seaside...
Suttton on Sea
The Embassy Theatre Skegness
The Skegness Embassy Theatre is multi-purpose auditorium hosting stars, events and works closely with the local community on a regular...
Skegness
The Fat Seagull
Based in Sandilands, the Fat Seagull Café, Bistro and Shop serves a variety of delicious foods, from cakes and pastries to fine fish dinners....
Sutton-on-Sea
Bateman’s Brewery
Bateman’s Brewery pride themseles on giving one of the best brewery tours and tutored tastings in the country. The tour guides are knowledgeable, insightful and full...
Skegness
Brackenborough Hall Coach House
Situated on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Brackenborough Hall Coach House provides award winning accommodation on an 800 acre...
Louth
Chapel Marsh Pit
Chapel Marsh Pit was created in 1953 after clay was extracted to repair the sea...
Chapel St Leonards
Chapel St Leonards to Skegness Promenade Cycling
Discover spectacular scenery on this cycle route from Chapel St Leonards to Skegness Promenade. Enjoy cycling along this flat surface, the ideal route for the casual...
Skegness
Cleethorpes Seafront Birding Trail
Cleethorpes seafront's location and variety of habitats make it attractive to numerous species, especially migrating and over-wintering...
Cleethorpes
Coastal Distillery
Housed within a printworks, 400 yards from a sandy beach on the Lincolnshire coast, Coastal Distillery set out about turning the concept into a finished product, using...
Mablethorpe
Dunes Leisure Mablethorpe Fairground
Enjoy Mablethorpe Fairground for a traditional, family friendly, funfair at the end of the High Street and right next Mablethorpe’s award winning sandy beach....
Mablethorpe
Eastfields Touring Park
Visit the established touring park situated within the quiet and peaceful surroundings of Chapel Point, only 200 yards from the sea and sandy beaches of the east coast...
Skegness
Grimblethorpe Hall Country Cottages
A small family run Organic Farming Estate that offers a great place to stay, unwind and have as a base for exploring the local...
Louth
Hardys Animal Farm
Discover something to entertain the whole family at Hardy’s Animal Farm. Explore 7 acres of Lincolnshire countryside with a mixture of fun indoor and outdoor...
Skegness
Hussey’s Fish and Chips
Discover Hussey's Fish & Chips for a family run seaside restaurant located just a stones through away from famous The Clock Tower in Skegness's centre. Take away, or...
Skegness
Huttoft Bank Pit Nature Reserve
A former clay pit that features open water and extensive reedbeds. Fifteen species of duck have been recorded here and moorhen, water rail, reed bunting, reed and sedge...
Huttoft, near Alford
Lakeside Fishing Lodges
Private Fishing Lake with beautiful log cabins set in 16 acres of rural Lincolnshire scenery. The lake was established in 2002 and is...
Boston
Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Birding Trail
The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is a stretch of 5 miles of coastline running from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, and inland to Hogsthorpe, Mumby, Anderby and...
Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, and inland to Hogsthorpe, Mumby, Anderby and Huttoft.
Mablethorpe Beach
Visit this beautiful Blue Flag Award Winning beach with far-reaching soft golden sand. Discover donkey rides, nearby fairground, cafés, fish and chips, crazy golf and...
Mablethorpe
Massingberd Mundy Gin
Try Massingberd Mundy Gin for hand-crafted spirits in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds....
South Ormsby, Louth
Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary
Adopting a donkey is a fantastic way to help us help them! Helping to ensure care for these beautiful and often mistreated...
Skegness
Richmond Holiday Park
Richmond Holiday Centre is the ideal base for your holiday whether you like to explore the countryside or enjoy all the fun of the bustling resort of Skegness with its...
Skegness
Saltfleet
Unspoilt sandy beach backed by sand dunes. The beach is a truly vast expanse and the tide never seems to fully come in here and at low tide it can be a good walk to the...
Saltfleet, near Louth
Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserve is open all year, but for dune flora May-June is recommended, May-October for migrant birds and the winter months...
Saltfleetby, near Louth
Sandilands Pit Nature Reserve
One of the smaller former clay pits which supports many duck species. Snipe like wet grassland and marsh and listen out for the males who makes a ‘drumming’ sound...
Sandilands
Spirt of Skegness Gin
Get the complete gin experience as you visit the gin and rum distillery, private bar, bottle shop and venue in Skegness. Whether it’s the Jolly Fisherman Skegness Gin...
Skegness
Skegness Pier
Discover everything from traditional seaside amusements to Laser Quests, Virtual Reality experiences, Escape Rooms, Bowling, an American style diner and so much more...
Skegness
Skegness Seasiders
The Seasiders stop at all the key attractions, and our frequent 10 minute service means you can get around Skegness with ease. ...
Skegness
South Ormsby Estate’s Lincoln Red Beef
South Ormsby Estate's rare-breed Lincoln Red cattle spend their time grazing seasonally on a 3,000-acre country estate in the heart of the Lincolnshire...
Louth
Sutton on Sea to Chapel St Leonards Promenade Cycling
Discover eye catching scenery on this cycle route from Sutton on Sea to Chapel St...
Sutton-on-Sea
Tennyson Trail
Trace the footsteps of Lord Alfred Tennyson one of the most famous poets of the 19th century on the Tennyson...
Louth
The Brackenborough Hotel
Tucked away by the Georgian market town of Louth, offers a haven of tranquility coupled with contemporary surroundings and...
Louth
The Half Moon Hotel and Restaurant
The Half Moon Hotel located in the historic market town of Alford, is just a short walk away from the Alford Manor House and town...
Alford
Trawlers Catch
Discover a nautical themed fish and chip shop with a pirates twist! Offering fine, large portions of fish & chips and much much more, Trawlers Catch, more than just a...
Skegness
Wolla Bank Pit Nature Reserve
Wolla Bank Pit is flooded clay pits with Wolla Bank Reedbed on the opposite side of the road. A range of chalk-land flora as well as colonies of common spotted-orchid....
Anderby
Woodthorpe Leisure Park
Woodthorpe Leisure Park is situated alongside 43 acres of woodland, nestled in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside with the coast just a short drive...
Woodthorpe, near Alford
Woody’s Top
Woody’s Top is perfect for a family holiday in Lincolnshire where you can explore unspoilt areas of countryside and beautiful sandy...
Louth
Big Sky Alpacas
Big Sky Alpacas is the perfect place for people who want to learn more about alpacas and experience them...
Beesby near Mablethorpe
Helsey House Cottages
Helsey House Cottages are about 5 miles from the seaside village of Chapel St Leonards and about 10 miles from the market town of...
Helsey, near Chapel St Leonards
Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
A great day out for everyone. Ride on the train, visit the museum and enjoy some great food in the Steaming Kettle...
Ludborough, Grimsby
Palm Court Skegness
Find seafront holiday accommodation at Palm Court Skegness. Enjoy sea views, close proximity to the beach, bars and restaurants, shopping and...
Skegness
Snipe Dales Country Park
Discover mixed woodland in the Country Park and wet valleys, grassland and scrubland in the Nature...
Spilsby