The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Oddities of Spurn
A pair of keen birdwatchers keep us entertained and informed with their observations as they stroll along the fragile outcrop of land at Spurn.
From the collection of:
Overview
Two of television’s better known bird enthusiasts of recent times, Michael Clegg and Bill Oddie, get together for an exploration of one of Britain’s best known spots for birdwatchers, Spurn Point in Yorkshire. Oddie plays second fiddle to Clegg’s impressive knowledge of the natural history of this fascinating, and ever changing, peninsula which attracts so many species of birds throughout the year.
Michael Clegg was a naturalist, former columnist at the Yorkshire Evening Post, and a regular on BBC Radio 4's Natural History Programme. Born near Barnsley, Clegg was an early campaigner for wildlife sites and after his death in 1995 had a meadow named after him at Broomhill, South Yorkshire. Bill Oddie has of course subsequently made many television appearances as an ornithologist and had many honours. Spurn Head has undergone more erosion since this programme was made, and in December 2013 a tidal surge ripped out a section of the road, leaving Yorkshire with a newly created island at high tide.
Related
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.