HiDef Aerial Surveying are proud to assist the Spurn Bird Observatory with a grant towards purchasing hay meadows at the east Yorkshire site.
The land sits close to the Observatory building, adjacent to the Humber Estuary. The top field has existing ridge and furrow in it, and the plan is to use these to create alternate lines of weedy strips/bird cover crops and scrub. The scrub will hopefully be a one off planting, but the weedy strips will require annual maintenance.. It is hoped that this area will prove beneficial to breeding Turtle Doves, Grey Partridge, Sylvia Warblers, Finches and Buntings. It should also be very attractive to autumn flocks of Finches and Buntings, as well as other migrants. The wildflower rich meadow surrounding the scrub and strips will be a haven for invertebrates, plus breeding Skylark and other farmland species.
A second field will have a freshwater scrape and shallow channels supplying it with water. These will be used by a huge variety of invertebrates, and seasonal change in water levels will encourage waders such as Redshank and Lapwing. Passage waders should also use the field in spring and autumn. Longer term it is the intention to erect a viewing screen or hide overlooking this area.
HiDef Commercial Director Marin Scott said,
“We are keen to promote conservation and wildlife through our work and are fortunate to be in the position where we can provide financial support for this exciting long term legacy project. Many of HiDef’s staff work or visit the Spurn area so it seemed a fitting project to back”
Spurn Bird Observatory Trust’s Operations Manager, Tim Jones said,
“We’re delighted that HiDef have chosen to support the Observatory in securing land in Kilnsea, which we plan to vastly improve for the local wildlife. This is a really exciting project that we are very much looking forward to getting stuck into this coming winter and hopefully seeing results in the coming years.”
Photo credits: Tree Sparrow – Ian Smith; Turtle Dove – Colin Bushell; Thumbnail: Reed Bunting – Bob Thompson
