Spurn

Spurn is a narrow sand spit peninsula on the tip of the coast of Yorkshire , England that reaches into North Sea and forms the north bank of the mouth of the Humber estuary. It is over 5 km long, almost half of the width of the estuary at that point and a little as 45 meters wide.

Spurn is designated as Heritage Coast, and is a nature reserve owned by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust[?] since 1960, covering 113 hectares above high water and 181 hectares of foreshore. The mud flats are an important feeding ground for wading birds, and the area is a significant site in Europe for observing migrating birds. Many uncommon species are sighted there, including once a Black-browed Albatross. More commonly, birds such as wheatears, Whinchats, Common Redstarts and flycatchers alight at Spurn on their way to breeding grounds elsewhere.

The peninsula is made up from sand and shingle eroded from the Holderness[?] coastline washed down the coastline from Flamborough[?] Point.

Material is washed up by waves to form a long, narrow embankment in the sheltered waters inside the mouth of the Humber estuary. It is maintained by plants, especially Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria). Waves carry material along the peninsula to the tip, continually extending it. However, as the peninsual grows, it narrows.

Spurn has a 250-year cycle of destruction and reconstruction, as the sea cuts across the peninsula, and everything beyond the breach is swept away.

External links

• Spurn Head Heritage Coast (http://www.britainexpress.com/countryside/coast/spurn.htm)
• Spurn Point- A cyclic coastal landform (http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/ecolodge/25/spurn.htm), showing an excellent aerial photograph
• http://www.spurnpoint.com/