If your passion is nature in all its forms, you are in the right place. The North East Lincolnshire coastline is also the gateway of the Humber Estuary and it is considered by ornithologists as one the top 10 estuaries in Europe, providing a vital staging post for migratory birds, and some 140,000 feed here during the winter months. Habitats include saltmarshes, mud flats, sand dunes and sand banks all adding to the wildlife of the area. There are various varieties of gulls, geese and even a rare fish eagle spotted in the area recently.
A little way inland there is a wide variety of country birds including hunting birds. Owls are often heard and regularly seen, including the increasingly rare barn owl which seems to thrive in this area.
As you drive through the neighbouring countryside you will see wild rabbits and hares as well as scurrying stoats and weasels, dormice, harvest mice, badgers, many hedgehogs and even deer which frequent many of the forested spots in the area. Foxes are a familiar site, especially in Cleethorpes where a number have set up home in the dunes. There are also otters in the vicinity, thriving along the waterways of North East Lincolnshire.
The importance of the estuary was recognised in 1988 when some areas were designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This has been endorsed by European Directives making it a Special Protected Area (SPA), a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and a European Marine site. The area is also recognised by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a wetland of international importance.
In 2002, the North East Lincolnshire Council made the area from the Cleethorpes Leisure Centre to the county boundary a Local Nature Reserve. Finally in 2004/5 then English Nature, now Natural England, extended the national and international designations to all of the River Humber, the River Trent to the motorway bridge going over it on the M18 and the motorway bridge going over the Ouse on the M62.
A fishing exercise has also been carried out a fishing exercise to establish the species of fish in and around the area. Species in the first phase of this exercise are sand goby and crabs which are small shore crabs and the flying crabs. There were also found some large brown shrimps and some little clams - cockles. Among the fish are sea bass, flounder and plaice but there have been porpoise and dolphin sightings and even an occasional whale.
Don'y be surprised to see an occasional seal as well. There is a thriving colony down the coast at Donna Nook and the common seals often venture to Grimsby to see if there are any spare fish available.
As well as the beach area, there is also Cleethorpes Country Park in which the local branch of Lincolnshire Wildlife often organise nature walks and other events.
Nobody interested in nature will be disappointed. Close inspections will reveal toads, frogs, newts and even an occasional grass snake. So there is much to seek out - plus of course, an amazing array of natural plants.
Why does David Attenborough insist on going abroad when he could just spend some time in Cleethorpes!
If you would like to know more, take a look at www.lincstrust.org.uk
