Spurn Bird Observatory Trust fundraising appeal

Spurn needs no introduction. It has long been regarded by many as the best observatory in Britain. Indeed the last three weeks have seen Spurn feature prominently on the bird information services with an impressive roll-call of sightings that certainly whet the avian appetite. Visitors to Spurn have been able to enjoy Pied Wheatear, Pallid Harrier, two Arctic Warblers, Citrine Wagtail, Red-flanked Bluetail, Radde's Warbler, Olive-backed Pipit, Pallas's Warbler and you could take your pick of which Richard's Pipit, Yellow-browed Warbler or Little Bunting you wanted to see. There can be few birders who have never visited or at least marvelled at the number and quality of the birds seen at Spurn, but how many actually know what goes on behind the scenes?

Arctic Warbler at Spurn (Photo: John Hewitt).

Citrine Wagtail at Spurn (Photo: Richard Willison).

Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd is both a registered charity and limited company run by a committee of ten who are passionate about Spurn. They devote their free time to its growth and success, employ a full-time warden, manage the Easington Little Tern protection scheme and have ringed over 430,000 birds. The Trust owns Church Field, Kew Villa with its wonderful garden, and the recently acquired Corner Field, all of which are maintained and have been developed into great habitat for birds. We also publish probably the best annual report in the country, are in the process of publishing the new Birds of Spurn book written by Andy Roadhouse and maintain the very popular Spurn website with its recently launched online shop. Spurn Bird Observatory continues to go from strength to strength and has long-term plans to further improve our offering to all the visiting birders from around the UK and overseas. To do that, we need to secure a new observatory building.

An artist's impression of the new obs building (Ray Scally).

Why do we need a new building? The Observatory came into existence as long ago as 1945 when a lease was agreed for the Warren Cottage. The building has served the Trust well over the years and is the main operational base. Although the facilities have been gradually improved, they remain basic and unfortunately, because of coastal erosion, it will be difficult to rely on the use of the Warren Cottage as it will inevitably succumb to the sea in the near future.

One of the main objectives for any observatory is to provide value-for-money accommodation for visiting birders, so an alternative is needed. After several years exploring different options, a suitable building has been secured in Kilnsea which is in a secure location and provides 1.5 acres of valuable land adjacent to the Trust's Church Field. This is a very exciting development that will allow much better facilities for future generations of birders and will further improve habitat and ensure that Spurn continues to be the UK's premier bird observatory.

We would like to make it clear that this development is in no way linked to the new proposed visitor's centre adjacent to the Canal Scrape, planned by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. This is a development that Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd will strongly object to if any planning application is made in the proposed location of Triangle Field.

While exciting, this new development needs financial support to fund the purchase of the new Observatory. Spurn Bird Observatory Trust needs you to help, hence the launch of a fundraising appeal. Please visit our 'Just Giving' page at https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/spurnbirdobservatory/newobservatory and give as generously as you can to enable the Trust to continue to improve and develop the facilities at Spurn for the benefit of all, now and into the future.