Spurn
A selection of my images of Spurn and surrounding area going back to the mid 1980's
A fascinating curving spit of land which stretches for three and a half miles across the mouth of the River Humber. The area from Easington to the Point has incredible views, and many opportunities for the photographer.
Formed 10,000 years ago after the retreat of the ice cap, the peninsula is made of debris washed down by the action of wind and water from the soft clay cliffs to the north. It is constantly being eroded and can change from season to season.
As a place to watch birds and their migration, Spurn is the best - as well as hundreds of migrants that can drop out of a seemingly empty sky, large numbers of wintering and passage birds and the very real likelihood of rarities make Spurn one of the best birding sites in the UK.
The idea of establishing a 'bird observatory' was first muted by members of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union in the late 1930's, the beginnings of a recording system commenced, which later became standard in bird observatories.
Realising the potential of the Spurn peninsula for the regular observation of bird migration the group of enthusiasts had the idea of setting up a bird observatory, with the Warren Cottage at the northern end of the peninsula as an ideal headquarters.
Unfortunately the outbreak of war forced them to put their plans on hold but shortly after hostilities ceased a lease for Warren Cottage was obtained from the War Department and the observatory was established shortly afterwards. Under the auspices of the Y.N.U., a preliminary meeting was held in September 1945 to decide on the site for a Heligoland trap, work on which was begun almost immediately and the first bird (a Blackbird) was ringed on November 17th. The first minuted committee meeting was held on March 9th 1946 and the observatory was opened to visitors at Whitsuntide that year.
Initially coverage was limited to the main migration seasons, being extended to winter weekends in the early 1950's to trap and ring some of the large numbers of Snow Buntings which used to occur at that time of year and gradually coverage was increased (whenever possible) to cover the late spring and summer.
In 1959 there was an important development when the Yorkshire Naturalists' Trust (now the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) became the owners of the peninsula.
When the observatory opened there was accommodation for seven visitors in Warren Cottage (pictured). Over the next ten years six Heligoland traps were constructed along the peninsula, although today only three remain in existence. In 1959 the observatory gained the use of the Annexe, one of two ex W.D. bungalows built at the Warren during the early 1950's - see gallery.
Somewhere to 'chill out'
To view images of Spurn wildlife and for information on the Spurn Bird Observatory and peninsula, please go to the SBO or SKEALS link.
A fascinating curving spit of land which stretches for three and a half miles across the mouth of the River Humber. The area from Easington to the Point has incredible views, and many opportunities for the photographer.
Formed 10,000 years ago after the retreat of the ice cap, the peninsula is made of debris washed down by the action of wind and water from the soft clay cliffs to the north. It is constantly being eroded and can change from season to season.
As a place to watch birds and their migration, Spurn is the best - as well as hundreds of migrants that can drop out of a seemingly empty sky, large numbers of wintering and passage birds and the very real likelihood of rarities make Spurn one of the best birding sites in the UK.
The idea of establishing a 'bird observatory' was first muted by members of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union in the late 1930's, the beginnings of a recording system commenced, which later became standard in bird observatories.
Realising the potential of the Spurn peninsula for the regular observation of bird migration the group of enthusiasts had the idea of setting up a bird observatory, with the Warren Cottage at the northern end of the peninsula as an ideal headquarters.
Unfortunately the outbreak of war forced them to put their plans on hold but shortly after hostilities ceased a lease for Warren Cottage was obtained from the War Department and the observatory was established shortly afterwards. Under the auspices of the Y.N.U., a preliminary meeting was held in September 1945 to decide on the site for a Heligoland trap, work on which was begun almost immediately and the first bird (a Blackbird) was ringed on November 17th. The first minuted committee meeting was held on March 9th 1946 and the observatory was opened to visitors at Whitsuntide that year.
Initially coverage was limited to the main migration seasons, being extended to winter weekends in the early 1950's to trap and ring some of the large numbers of Snow Buntings which used to occur at that time of year and gradually coverage was increased (whenever possible) to cover the late spring and summer.
In 1959 there was an important development when the Yorkshire Naturalists' Trust (now the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) became the owners of the peninsula.
When the observatory opened there was accommodation for seven visitors in Warren Cottage (pictured). Over the next ten years six Heligoland traps were constructed along the peninsula, although today only three remain in existence. In 1959 the observatory gained the use of the Annexe, one of two ex W.D. bungalows built at the Warren during the early 1950's - see gallery.
Somewhere to 'chill out'
To view images of Spurn wildlife and for information on the Spurn Bird Observatory and peninsula, please go to the SBO or SKEALS link.
