52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 39 - Natureland, Skegness, Lincs (27th October 2010)

After our visit to Donna Nook beach to see the colony of Grey Seals in their natural habitat we decided to visit Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary. Natureland first opened in 1965 and was a place that on my childhood visits to Skegness we always went. Every year, particularly during the breeding season, seal pups are washed up on the beaches around Skegness, abandoned or separated from their mothers by the tides. The lucky ones are brought into Natureland's Seal Hospital where they are cared for and when the seal pups are fit, fat and healthy, they are returned home to the sea.

The common seal pups that were at Natureland at the time of our visit were so cute and those in the Rearing Pool looked very healthy and happy.

This next little chap looked so contented.

As well a seals, Natureland also has some other resident creatures.

The Jackass Penguins were a little shy but did venture out of their huts for a little while.

There were several very hungry ducks on the Koi Carp pond which were only too willing to gobble up the fish food before the fish could get to it.

In the Butterfly House there were beautiful butterflies. Not as many as there probably are at warmer times of the year but we still spotted a few. including some huge ones.