An Independent Voice
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- Celebrating the unique status of the Tyne Kittiwakes;
‘The Furthest Inland Breeding Colonies in the World’ - Supporting efforts to help safeguard the breeding population of Tyne Kittiwakes and their environment
- Contributing towards efforts to help conserve
and enhance wildlife habitats along the river Tyne.
- Celebrating the unique status of the Tyne Kittiwakes;
The City of Newcastle upon Tyne and the adjacent town of Gateshead boasts a rich wildlife haven along the
River Tyne. This is popular with birds all year round. Watch out for Cormorants swimming in the river or enjoying some shore leave on the rocks nearby drying out their wings.
Kittiwakes Art by @SAOCousins
Look for waders such as Redshanks and Curlews feeding on the tidal mud banks. If you are lucky a tall Grey Heron maybe fishing or a Sparrowhawk may race past, on its quest for lunch. Accept the challenge of identifying which species of Gulls are present. What colour are their legs and bills, and how big are they?
Kittiwakes
The cast of Gulls includes; Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Herring Gulls and the largest of all often some
Great Black-backed Gulls. In the spring and summer months two more species can be seen daily. These are the
Lesser Black-backed Gull and the Kittiwake. Kittiwakes are very much coastal Gulls, and to find one inland, is very rare. They spend their lives out at sea. Pairs regularly breed along our coast in areas such as at » Marsden Rock in South Tyneside; or the » Farne Islands or
» Coquet Island in Northumberland.
Where the River Tyne passes the quaysides of Newcastle and Gateshead
you can find the Worlds Furthest Inland Breeding Colonies of Kittiwakes in the World
An Independent Voice – This website is designed to share the story of the Tyne Kittiwakes. Any support and content is 100% provided by volunteers, that help to monitor, raise awareness and rescue any injured Kittiwakes.
Tyne Kittiwakes by Billy B
Far out at sea on fish they feed, in spring return to shore and breed
the urge so strong to find a mate, to build a nest and procreate
so when they feel the annual pull, we’re visited by this pretty Gull.
Its head is white and body too, black edged grey wings another clue
a yellow bill and legs of black, nests on cliffs or coastal stack
except a colony we all know, that lives with the quayside far below
upon the bridge their homes they make, the world-famous River Tyne Kittiwake.
Please help support the Kittiwakes upon the Tyne
Help us to raise awareness and monitor the Tyne Kittiwakes
Kittiwakes upon the Tyne was set up back in 2018, following the events that year where over two dozen Kittiwakes became trapped or were injured as a result of anti-bird deterrents on Newcastle Quayside. We remain an independent voice and we continue to help
» Raise Awareness and support ongoing monitoring every year.