Celebrating 80 years of Spurn Bird Observatory & From residential volunteering to conservation careers

Spurn at 80: Eight talks celebrating 80 extraordinary years

📍 Live online presentations

Eighty years is quite a milestone – and what better way to celebrate than by sharing the stories, people and wildlife that make Spurn such a special place.

This autumn, join us online for Spurn at 80: Eight Talks for 80 Years – a four-evening series celebrating the past, present and future of the observatory through the eyes of the people who know it best. From legendary birds and migration to science, conservation and the remarkable people behind it all, these evenings promise plenty of laughs, inspiration and a glimpse behind the scenes at life at Spurn.

We begin with a special opening talk from our fantastic Observatory Manager Rob Hunton, who reflects on Spurn's remarkable 80-year journey, the incredible progress made in recent years, and the exciting future ahead for one of Britain's best-loved bird observatories.

Our opening evening also features one of Spurn's highest-flying former residential volunteers: Kate Fox has gone from volunteering at Spurn to making waves across the conservation sector, inspiring countless people along the way. Kate shares her own journey, the opportunities that began here at Spurn, and the brilliant things fellow residential volunteers have gone on to achieve.

The second evening takes us into the world of rare birds and memorable events. Tim Jones, of Begin Birding – a digital, online resource hub – fame, revisits some of Spurn's most famous rarities, bringing together mega birds, memorable finds and the stories behind them. He's followed by Georgia French and Richard Boon, two stalwarts of the Beacon Lagoons Little Tern Project. Georgia attempts to keep Richard on track as they share the remarkable story of these charismatic seabirds, and the extraordinary commitment shown by volunteers, organisations and partners working together to safeguard Yorkshire's treasured – and only – breeding Little Tern colonies. Expect plenty of insight, a few laughs, and a very inspiring look at conservation in action.

Take the following Tuesday 'off', but rejoin us as the series continues a week later with two talks showcasing the passion and monitoring that underpin everything we do. Jacob Spinks, of bird observatory fame and a Spurn resident (when he's not 'cheating' on us with Dungeness Bird Observatory!), indulges in one of his favourite pastimes (obsession?) as he relives some of the greatest days of visible migration ever recorded at Spurn. Whether you're already hooked on 'vismig' or have never heard the term before, Jacob's enthusiasm is guaranteed to pique your curiosity.

Jacob is followed by Dan Wade, Chair of the Observatory's Science and Research Sub-Committee, who explores our ever-growing programme of research and monitoring. From long-term studies to exciting new projects, Dan shows how science is becoming an increasingly progressive part of the observatory's work, helping take Spurn to the next level.

The final evening celebrates the people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make observatory-owned land the haven it is today. Paul Willoughby, one of the observatory's most dedicated volunteers, spends as much time organising our annual MigFest as he does waist-deep in ditches, clearing scrub, planning habitat management and helping shape the future of our growing portfolio of landholdings. In Blooming Marvellous, Paul takes us on a tour of the habitats we manage, the wildlife they've attracted, and the ambitious plans to ensure weary migrants, and our human visitors, continue to find a warm welcome at Spurn for years to come.

Harry Appleyard wraps up this series with Spurn Through the Year. He will have just completed his second year as Seasonal Assistant Warden. Harry is a fantastic all-round naturalist and a real people person – a rare find indeed. Passionate about sharing wildlife with others, he'll leave you wondering just how many times is too many times to return to Spurn in a year... (the answer, of course, is that there is no such thing as too many!).

Full programme

Tuesday 10 November | 7.00–9.00pm

• Rob Hunton – Celebrating 80 years of Spurn
• Kate Fox – From residential volunteer to conservation careers

Tuesday 17 November | 7.00–9.00pm

• Tim Jones – Spurn's rarities through the years – mega birds, mega stories
• Georgia French & Richard Boon – The Little Tern Project

Tuesday 1 December | 7.00–9.00pm

• Jacob Spinks – Best days of vismig at Spurn
• Dan Wade – Watching, learning, discovering from Spurn

Tuesday 8 December | 7.00–9.00pm

• Paul Willoughby – Blooming Marvellous – our land, managed for conservation
• Harry Appleyard – Spurn through the year

The talks are open to everyone, whether you're a long-standing supporter, an occasional visitor or simply curious to discover what makes Spurn and our observatory so special. They will take place virtually, online.

Tickets are available on a donation basis, allowing everyone the opportunity to take part while supporting the work of the observatory.

Come along for one evening or join us for the full series as we celebrate 80 unforgettable years of birds, people, science and conservation – and look ahead to an exciting future for Spurn.

We look forward to seeing you online.

Sarah

Sarah Harris

Chair & Director, Spurn Bird Observatory.