Spurn Trip Report 2015
Spurn bird
observatory on Yorkshire’s South East coast is well known amongst birders as a
mecca for migrant birds in spring and autumn. The national nature reserve,
managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, consists of large sand and shingle
spit protruding out into the mouth of the Humber River and contains a huge
variety of habitats including wetlands, mudflats and coastal scrubland. The
range of habitats as well as the reserves geographical position meant that it’s
had a huge number of bird species recorded there, making Spurn an ideal
location for the NGB's annual group meeting in 2014.
As last
year’s event was such a great success, who could resist doing it all again?
Therefore on the weekend of the 30th-31st May 2015 over
20 next gen birders met up together to bird, socialise and explore this
incredible nature reserve. The following is what happened over the course of
what was an absolutely fantastic weekend…
Saturday
The morning
was off to a slow start after what was for a few, one or two drinks too many at
the Crown and Anchor Pub the night before. Although, who could blame them? It
is always very exciting to meet new young birders and reunite with birding
friends from across the country, and surely that is the main point of these
trips (as well as the birds).
The weather
was predominantly westerly winds and sunny, so less than ideal for migrant
birds but nevertheless this did little to dampen the spirits of us very keen
young birders. The usual migrants began to be picked out including Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher and Yellow
Wagtail. A few of the resident species also put in appearances including
the ever popular Barn Owls. While
most NGBs stuck to birding around the warren and wetlands in the morning
watching newly hatched Avocets, an
adventurous few decided to trek out to point itself and they were well rewarded
with a Golden Oriole! This species
is a real treat to see these days and Spurn has a good reputation for
attracting a few migrating individuals each spring. It was a lifer for many so
was a very welcome bird in what was generally a slow day for migrants. The
point team also came across a Jay,
an unusual species for Spurn. The odd Wheatear
and Little Gull was also found in
the morning.
The
afternoon sunshine brought out the butterflies on mass. Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue
and Wall Brown were among the list
of species we managed to find. Moth caterpillars were also abundant to
including Garden Tiger, Pale-brindled Beauty and the somewhat
irritating Brown-tips. Both Roe Deer and Grey Seals also showed well. The afternoon also signalled the time
of the annual NGB Spurn football match. A good short break from birding and
overall it was a very close game, ending 5-4 between the two teams. Both teams
showed some rather questionable skills but nevertheless it was brilliant fun.
By the time the football match had finished it was nearly high tide and wader
watch began. Little Stint, Greenshank and Whimbrel were found alongside the more usual migrant waders
including plenty of Tundra Ringed Plover,
Dunlin and Sanderling. The Little Terns
and Sandwich Terns also showed well.
The evening
was also eventful as the Westmere Farm owners were kind enough to let us have a
BBQ on their land. This was a great opportunity to catch up with other NGBs
about the day’s events as well as to organise tactics for pub quiz at the Crown
later in the evening. Unfortunately none of the NGB teams won the pub quiz and
as it turns out, most of us know very little about kings and queens, alcohol or
the life history of the quiz master! The raffle was more of a success with one
particular NGB winning no less than 3 prizes. The rarity sweepstakes were also
a success for another couple of people (unlike me who was given Great Reed
Warbler, a species which has only ever been recorded 3 times at Spurn), a great
way to end a fantastic day!
Sunday
The day’s
weather looked a lot more promising for migrants with south easterly winds and
rain overnight, easing by late morning. The early morning was thought by most
to be a total wash out so many of us used the opportunity to have a lay in.
However, at about 9am, those of us sleeping in the warren were awoken by the
shouts of “American Wigeon, a first
for Spurn!” A few NGBs sleeping at the campsite that braved the early morning
rain were well rewarded with a sighting of the drake, with a female Eurasian Wigeon, before it flew out of
sight. What a brilliant record for the reserve. A few waders were also seen in
the early morning including Curlew
Sandpiper and another Little Stint. The morning also brought some more
impressive numbers of auks including Guillemot
and Razorbill past the warren. A
large number of Swifts were also
recorded flying though which is great to see. As the rain began to clear a few
more birds began to show themselves including the Golden Oriole and Jay which remained on the point, luckily
for me as I had missed the Oriole the day before and it was much to the delight
of the person that got this species in the rarity sweepstakes.
A spot of
moth trapping also took place before the majority of NGBs made their way back
home. After a fairly quiet day for mothing, Sunday produced a lot better
results with common species like Angle
Shades and Flame Shoulder in the
warren trap, as well as a few more unusual species including a Spurn
speciality; the Sand Dart. A Heart and Club was also caught at Spurn
and the moth recorder brought it along to show us which was much appreciated.
All in all it was a very successful trip. It is always a pleasure to meet and
spend time with other young and enthusiastic birders. There was also some excellent
birding to be had with some exceptional species being seen. I truly hope that
everyone enjoyed it as much as I did and cannot wait for the next trip. Bring
it on!
Photo credit
- Drew Lyness (Avocet) Danni Gilroy (football, Garden Tiger Caterpillar), Jake Gearty (golden oriole), David Nicholls
(spurn landscape), Tim Cowley (American Wigeon).
By Drew Lyness
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