Thousands of seals visible at Donna Nook Nature Reserve near Louth run by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

More than a thousand seal pups can be seen at a hidden gem on the county’s coast but you’ve got to be quick!

Donna Nook Nature Reserve near Louth, which is one of the UK’s largest breeding colonies for grey seals, is currently home to thousands of them including babies, cows (females) and bulls (males).

From October to December some 2000 newborns spread across the 1150-hectare site where those wanting to pay a visit can see them from a viewing area among the dunes, slacks and inter-tidal areas.

When they are first born, the pups are small and have a yellow tone to their fur and as they grow, they become white and fluffy.

Once they get bigger, they lose their fluff, go grey and gain weight ready to return to the sea by themselves.

Donna Nook, which is part of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, give weekly ‘pupdates’ on the website showing how many are in the area. In the week of Decembert 6, the total spotted had risen to 1,585 pups, 828 cows and 532 bulls counted - in its record-breaking season.

However, volunteers have reported that the pups are now heading back to sea so if you want to catch a glimpse of this spectacle, you’ll need to hotfoot it to Donna Nook soon.

However, the nature reserve also has 47 regular visiting bird species including moorhens, coots and meadow pipits, seasonal redshank, lapwing and tern.

And if after all that bird and seal-spotting you’re feeling a bit peckish, there is a food van on-site selling hot dogs, burgers and drinks - much-needed to warm you up on the cold sea front.

On your way out, you might fancy popping into the shop which sells soft toys, keyrings, magnets and more

Admission to the reserve is free but there are charges for the main car park. The postcode for the nearest registered address is LN11 7PD - follow the signs for RAF Donna Nook then follow the seal signs.

More information can be found here.

Have you been here before? Let us know in the comments.