05/06/2026
Spend a few hours at Spurn and you'll quickly realise there's no such thing as a typical volunteer.
On any given day, volunteers might be creating new wetland habitat, carrying out bird surveys, monitoring migration, helping with practical maintenance projects, supporting conservation work or assisting with events and public engagement.
That's one of the things that makes volunteering at Spurn so rewarding.
People arrive here with different levels of experience and for different reasons. Some are considering a career in conservation, some want to develop their birding skills, while others simply want to give something back to a place they care about.
As one of our current residential volunteers, Jack, recently put it:
"At Spurn, I've learnt so much about different survey techniques, habitat management and engaging with the public. I've also picked up a huge amount about birds from all of the extremely experienced birders here. I've learnt so many new ID features, calls and songs which I never would have back home."
Of course, volunteering at Spurn isn't limited to residential volunteers. Throughout the year, people contribute in all sorts of ways. Some help keep the paths, grounds and caravan site tidy. Others carry out breeding bird surveys and wetland bird surveys. Some help us with social media content and communications, while others lend their skills to DIY and maintenance projects around the Observatory.
Many volunteers also help represent Spurn at events such as Migfest and Global Birdfair, while others give talks to local groups, helping to share the story of Spurn and inspire the next generation of birders and conservationists.
Whether it's a few hours a month or a full season, every contribution helps support the work of the Observatory.
As Volunteers' Week draws to a close, we'd like to say thank you to everyone who gives their time, skills and enthusiasm to help make Spurn what it is.
