Join us on 11th, 12th & 13th September 2026 - A weekend celebrating birds, migration and wildlife at one of Britain’s most iconic migration hotspots.
The Spurn Migration Festival, better known as Migfest, was the brainchild of two Spurn stalwarts, Martin Garner and Andy Roadhouse.
After running several guided events for small groups, Martin and Andy saw just how much people enjoyed learning about migration at Spurn, even on quieter birding days. That planted the seed for something much bigger: a full Migration Festival.
The first festival was held in September 2013, based at Westmere Farm thanks to the support of Sue and Andrew Wells. Since then, Migfest has continued to grow year on year and is now one of the most popular events on the birding calendar.
Bird migration is one of the great wonders of the natural world, and Spurn is arguably one of the best places in Britain to witness it. Today, the festival is jointly staged by Spurn Bird Observatory Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology, helping the event grow while keeping the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that has always made Migfest special.
Migfest has something for everyone, whether you are an experienced birder, new to migration, visiting Spurn for the first time, or simply keen to spend a weekend surrounded by wildlife.
Across the weekend there are guided walks, migration watches, bird ringing demonstrations, talks, workshops, exhibitors, food, social events and plenty of time to enjoy Spurn in good company.
Activities usually include migration walks, bird identification walks, seawatching and visible migration sessions, bird ringing demonstrations, moth trapping, creative workshops, photography and digiscoping sessions, and specialist wildlife walks.
The Saturday evening headline talk is now named the Andy Roadhouse Memorial Lecture, in recognition of Andy’s huge contribution to the festival and to Spurn.
As part of Migfest, Spurn Bird Observatory Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology also run the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder of the Year competition, named in Martin’s honour.
This prestigious competition is open to young birders up to the age of 16, with categories for under-13s and under-16s. It is a brilliant opportunity for young people to test their skills, meet others with the same passion and be part of a festival that continues to champion the next generation of birders.
Migfest is delivered by Spurn Bird Observatory Trust in partnership with the British Trust for Ornithology, and is supported by a wide range of sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and friends of Spurn.
Migfest 2026 is proudly supported by Swarovski Optik, with the Lecture Marquee kindly sponsored by Yorkshire Coast Nature.
The Spurn Migration Festival (MigFest) is a partnership between Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd (Registered Charity Number 1141408) and British Trust for Ornithology ‘BTO’ (Registered Charity Number 216652 (England & Wales), SC039193 (Scotland)).
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Led by experienced birders, artists, photographers and researchers, the masterclasses are designed to help people build confidence, develop new skills and experience migration at Spurn in a more focused and hands-on way.
Whether you want to improve your bird identification, learn more about migration, sharpen your photography or try something creative, there is something for everyone across the Migfest weekend.
Spaces are limited for all sessions and advance booking is strongly recommended.
Leader: Ollie Metcalf
Format: 45 minute workshop + 45 minute guided walk
Love watching birds but looking to build confidence identifying trickier species, or feel like more experienced birders are speaking a different language? This relaxed and practical session will help you tune into the bird world, with a particular focus on birding by ear.
Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to fill a few knowledge gaps, the session is designed to help attendees get more from their time at Migfest and from every future walk in nature.
Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Leader: Martin Standley
Format: 1 hour indoor talk
Join local birder and photographer Martin Standley for a masterclass on how to get the very best from birding at Spurn.
Drawing on years of local experience, Martin will explore the seasonal patterns, weather conditions and fieldcraft that can make all the difference when searching for birds on the peninsula. The session will also look beyond the usual well-watched spots and help visitors better understand how Spurn works as a migration hotspot.
Ideal for first-time visitors or anyone wanting to sharpen their local knowledge.
Leader: Darren Woodhead MA (RCA), SWLA
Format: Outdoor painting session
Join renowned wildlife artist Darren Woodhead for an outdoor painting masterclass inspired by the birds, landscapes and atmosphere of Spurn.
Working entirely in the field, Darren will guide participants through capturing wildlife and scenery outdoors using paints and sketching materials provided on the day. The location will be chosen according to conditions and wildlife activity during the festival weekend.
Suitable for all abilities.
Leader: Drew Lyness
Format: 45 minute workshop + 45 minute field session
Struggling with sparrowhawks? Mystified by marsh harriers? This masterclass focuses on the key features used to identify birds of prey in the field, including shape, flight style, behaviour, habitat and seasonality.
The session begins indoors before moving onto the Observatory tower to put new skills into practice and search for the common and scarcer raptors encountered around Spurn and the Humber.
Please bring binoculars and, optionally, a telescope if you have one.
Leader: Paul French
Format: 45 minute workshop + 45 minute guided walk
Join former Chair of the British Birds Rarities Committee Paul French for a masterclass exploring the art and science of finding rare birds.
Using Spurn as the perfect backdrop, the session will cover how weather, season, habitat and geography influence bird movements, as well as the clues that can suggest something unusual may be present. Paul will also discuss what to do when you do find a rarity, from careful observation and documentation to responsibly sharing news.
Please bring binoculars.
Leaders: TBC
Format: Two-part indoor session with optional recorder deployment walk
Explore the fascinating world of nocturnal migration recording, or “nocmig”, and learn how sound recording can reveal birds migrating overhead at night.
This session will introduce recommended equipment, recording methods, software and emerging AI tools that are transforming how nocturnal migrants are detected and identified by sound. Participants will help deploy a recording device overnight before reviewing the collected audio the following morning.
Suitable for beginners and those looking to develop existing skills.
Leader: TBC
Format: 45 minute workshop + guided seawatch
Learn how to identify seabirds with greater confidence in this masterclass focusing on skuas, shearwaters and other species regularly encountered off Spurn.
The session will cover key identification features including shape, flight style, behaviour, weather conditions and direction of movement, before heading to the coast to put those skills into practice during a guided seawatch.
Please bring binoculars and, optionally, a telescope if you have one.
Leader: Drew Lyness
Format: 45 minute workshop + 45 minute guided walk
Build confidence identifying ducks, waders and other wetland birds with this practical session led by Drew Lyness.
Focusing on the clues birders can use at wetlands, the session combines indoor activities with time outdoors looking at species around Spurn and Kilnsea Wetlands. Ideal for anyone wanting to improve their confidence with waterbird identification.
Please bring binoculars and, optionally, a telescope if you have one.
Leader: Martin Standley
Format: 1 hour indoor talk
Join local wildlife photographer Martin Standley for a masterclass on photographing birds and wildlife at Spurn.
Drawing on years of experience photographing the birds and wildlife of Spurn and the Humber region, Martin will share practical advice on fieldcraft, lighting, weather, camera settings and equipment, as well as how to make the most of the area’s unique landscapes and migration conditions.
Suitable for all experience levels.
Leader: Viola Wang
Format: 90 minute creative workshop
Join illustrator Viola Wang for a hands-on nature printing workshop inspired by the wildlife of Spurn.
Participants will explore block printing techniques before creating their own nature-inspired prints for clothing, tote bags, notebooks or fabric patches. Materials will be provided, though attendees are welcome to bring along an item they would like to print onto.
No prior experience is required and the session is suitable for all creative abilities.
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