The Autumnal Magic of Spurn

Mon 9th Oct, 2023

Long-eared Owl arriving in off the North Sea © Mark Pearson

Have you ever been to Spurn in the autumn? If you have, the chances are, you were surrounded by migrating birds, whether you knew it or not. It's a nationally famous - actually, make that internationally famous - bird migration hotspot, for a whole variety of reasons, and that's why we can never wait to guide there.

These days, we're there for a week in late May, another in late August, and two weeks between mid-October and early November; and while Spurn provides great birding experiences year-round - and while we've had consistently wonderful experiences in spring and early autumn - it's the late autumn window that really has me counting down the days on the calendar.

Bearded Tit at the Warren © Mark Pearson

I revel in and appreciate every aspect of every season here, but for me there's still no time of year quite as mouth-watering or exhilirating as late October - early November here on the east coast. No matter what the conditions, masses of birds are arriving - many from over the waves, from Scandinavia and Russia - and while anywhere on the coast can be good, there's nowhere quite like Spurn.

Pallas's Warbler - on the beach! © Mark Pearson

Not only does it elbow its way out into the North Sea, providing vital 'first contact' for those countless, often tired and hungry avian travellers, but with its bottleneck geography it also acts as a funnel, down which a great many of the birds which have already arrived further up the north naturally orientate along.

Redwing arriving from Scandinavia © Mark Pearson

Add to that the rich and varied, largely undisturbed habitats, the accessibility of all the key areas (on foot, too), the network of helpful local birders, and a Bird Observatory that is at the very heart of the place in every respect, and you've got arguably the best autumn bird migration site on the UK mainland (and one of the best in Europe).

Snow Bunting © Mark Pearson

Whether it's Redwings and Fieldfares, Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, Whooper Swans and Brent Geese, Goldcrests and Yellow-browed Warblers, Grey Plovers, and Curlews, Pintail and Wigeon, or a long list of a great many other expected migrants from far and wide, there's always something to enjoy, and no two days are ever the same; and then there's the increased chance of rarities from far-flung lands, which we always mange to bump into during our time there.

Whooper Swans at Kilnsea Wetlands © Mark Pearson

We're all sold out for this autumn, but keep your eye on the website - we'll be publishing all our 2024 dates very soon! 

Mark Pearson Yorkshire Coast Nature Birding and Wildlife Guide