After first being introduced to the “magic” of migrating birds at Spurn Point in East Yorkshire as a 15-year-old, Robert Adams has been recognised by King Charles for helping to preserve them, more than 55 years later on.
Robert, 71, from Crowle, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours List 2025. The honour has been bestowed for services to local wildlife protection.
As the Cabinet Office published the Honours List, including 95 recipients from the Yorkshire and Humber region, Robert was hailed for his impact on the small East Yorkshire charity, the Spurn Bird Observatory Trust. A spokesperson said: “In the vibrant landscape of Spurn Peninsula, his transformative leadership has left an indelible mark on the Spurn Bird Observatory Trust (SBOT).
“Joining the committee in June 2010 and serving initially as vice-chairman from 2012 and then as chairperson from 2014, his visionary stewardship has propelled SBOT to unprecedented heights of success.” Robert, of Crowle in North Lincolnshire, said of receiving the BEM: “It’s absolutely fantastic, I’m over the moon.
“I’ve been sitting on the news for a while. I was in Singapore when an email came through and I said to my wife, ‘this looks like a scam’.
Spurn Bird Observatory, at Kilnsea, at the northern end of the Spurn Peninsula
(Image: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk)
“She said, ‘if I were you, I’d open it’. It was a big surprise.” Robert’s citation said: “Under his chairmanship, SBOT has flourished, raising the profile of ornithology, not just at Spurn but around the UK. His enterprising spirit and resourcefulness have been instrumental in expanding SBOT’s infrastructure, delivering affordable accommodation for visiting naturalists.
“Through innovative initiatives like the Young Professional Exchange scheme, he has facilitated knowledge exchange and collaboration, raised Spurn’s profile, and enriched the global ornithological community.” Under his watch, Spurn Migration Festival – or MigFest – has grown year on year to become 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 the best place in Britain to witness this spectacle. The festival, staged jointly by SBOT and the British Trust for Ornithology, takes place every September, with the 2025 event due to run from Friday to Sunday, September 12 to 14.
“We think Spurn is a magical place, it really is,” said Robert, who was pleased his honour might help to raise the profile of the area and the work of SBOT even more widely. “Just think of that small bird that weighs little more than a 10p piece migrating more or less from one end of the globe to the other; it’ll do it by night, by day, and we still don’t know exactly how it finds its way.
“We still know very, very little and I think that makes it a bit special. It encourages you and drives you to find out more.”
This year’s Honours recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular community champions and selfless giving are recognised. The List ensures that people from under-represented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.
Among those included in the New Year Honours List are:
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Lynette Leith, vice-principal for curriculum and skills, Hull College, for services to further education
Lee Castleton, campaigner for subpostmasters, for services to justice
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
David Andrew Corfield, chief executive officer, Prismatic Ltd, for services to the defence industry and to aviation
Janet Farmer, lately director, Pocklington Arts Centre, for services to the arts
Gillian Anne Hodgson, founder, Flowers From The Farm, for services to floristry
Christopher Andrew Maxwell, regional homelessness prevention team co-ordinator, Yorkshire and the Humber Probation Service, for services to public protection, reducing reoffending and rehabilitation
Carol Anne Watterson, lately lead educational psychologist, Darlington Borough Council, for services to children and young people with Special Educational Needs
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Valerie Clare French, Breeze champion volunteer, British Cycling, for services to sport
Eileen Rosemary Harrison-Topham, for services to communities in East and North Yorkshire
Recipients from Yorkshire and the Humber make up eight per cent of the total number of recipients receiving honours this year. Anyone can nominate someone for an honour – If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, you can nominate them at www.gov.uk/honours
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.
“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”
Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.