Following extensive interviews with the most outstanding individuals, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Harry Appleyard as our Assistant Warden for the 2025 season. Harry will be joining us from April to November to fulfil a hugely diverse role that utilises his wealth of experience and enthusiasm for the position.
05 March 2025
Harry has practical habitat management experience, doesn’t shy away from some domestic cleaning, is a fantastic all-round naturalist, enjoys working with volunteers, and has a passion for engaging people with wildlife. As a keen birder and someone already familiar with the area, we can’t wait to see what he turns up, bird-wise, in 2025 – no pressure, Harry!
Over to Harry to introduce himself:
“To say I’m honoured to be taking up this role would be a huge understatement. I know I have big shoes to fill, but I do so in the comfort of being in a community with some of the best birders Britain has to offer.
Spurn suddenly became my second home and office at the same time when I undertook a Practical Conservation Traineeship for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust from October 2021 to October 2022, continuing to work for them in much of the time since.
My love for birding, as well as for butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, started back home in the landlocked suburbs of Milton Keynes. Through regular patch walks and “nocmig” since 2008, I’ve recorded over 140 bird species within about 2 miles of home, including Yellow-browed Warbler, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Cranes, Nightjars, and Quail.
Since I started my conservation career up here, Spurn has well and truly lived up to its reputation as a coastal birding paradise, providing countless lifers and seasonal surprises, not only in the form of birds but also insects and cetaceans. I can’t wait to get stuck in and work alongside you all this year. 2024 was an amazing year here, so let’s make 2025 even better.”
We hope you will join us in welcoming Harry to the role when you see him around the Spurn area, and we certainly can’t wait to have him on board. Thank you to everyone who helped Robbie, Paul, and me with the recruitment process – a great team effort from staff and dedicated volunteers.
Sarah Harris
Harry Appleyard
