Tyne Kittiwake Colonies
Every year thousands of Kittiwakes, make the long journey to the British Isles from the world’s second largest ocean; the Atlantic. Many birds are lost during the winter period from predators, storms and lack of food; especially during current times where foods sources are dwindling.
Kittiwakes nesting on some street lighting
On Newcastle Quayside by Lophophanes
Kittiwakes are very much a coastal species of bird and they usually don’t travel inland. Breeding colonies usually appear on coastal cliffs and islands, such as » The Farne islands off the Northumberland Coast. At the Farnes other species of sea birds such as Puffins, Arctic Terns, Guillemots and Razorbills, usually join them during the spring and summer months.
Meet the legendary
Tyne Kittiwakes
The furthest Inland breeding colonies of Kittiwakes in the World
The Black-legged Kittiwakes, have spent their winter feeding as far away as Canada. Hundreds of these soft gentle Gulls return every spring to build their nests along the River Tyne at a few specially selected sites, that they have chosen themselves to call their home during the breeding season.
A Tyne Kittiwake with
an egg by Lophophanes
Unlike many of their larger cousins, such as the Herring Gull or Lesser Black-backed Gull which scavenge lots, Kittiwakes feed on a diet of fish, worms and shrimps etc. Whilst the Kittiwakes are with us they regularly travel long distances to feed; at times even as far as the Farne Islands.
An Inland Colony of Kittiwakes
Please come visit these amazing seabirds
To learn more about a site, please click on one of the links or use the interactive map below to read a summary report.
Kittiwakes nesting on the Baltic
by Diane Wailes
Inland Kittiwake Colonies
along the River Tyne
Largest
- » The Tyne Bridge
– up to 1,105 pairs – An iconic road bridge that links Newcastle to Gateshead. - » Akzo Nobel – Felling
in South Tyneside – up to 262 pairs
– best viewed from the south side of the river at Walker Riverside Park. - » BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
– up to 201 pairs – In Gateshead - » The Saltmeadows Tower – Gateshead Council – up to 132 pairs. – A man made tower on the Gateshead side of the River Tyne.
- » A Newcastle Railway Bridge, Dean Street – Up to 130 pairs – in the centre of Newcastle.
Elsewhere in Gateshead
- » Kittiwakery Tower – Saltmeadows – Opened Spring 2023 – 0 pairs, but Kittiwakes have started to visit and build nests.
- » St Mary’s Heritage Centre – up to 5 pairs
- » South Shore – New from 22-24 – up to 8 pairs
A Kittiwake on the Tyne Bridge
by Graham H
Elsewhere on Newcastle Quayside
- » The Guildhall – including a Clock Tower – Up to 47 pairs
- » Phoenix House – up to 53 pairs
- » Lombard House – up to 24 pairs
- » Bessie Surtees House – up to 24 pairs.
Reduced to 1 pair as of 2024 season, with a 2nd pair on building to the right. - » Queen Street – up to 32 pairs
- » Exchange Buildings – 1 pair in 2019
- » Street Lamps/floodlights – less than 10 pairs
- » Akenside Traders – 2014/15 up to 27 pairs; 2018-19 one pair nested & 2 pairs nested in 2024.
- » High Level Bridge – up to 19 pairs
- » Additional buildings – Newcastle Quayside – up to 25 pairs
Coastal Cliffs or close to the North Sea – North Tyneside
- » Ferry Mews (up to 24 pairs) & Smiths Dock (New from 2022/23 – up to 5 pairs) in North Shields
Up to 29 pairs nesting close to their natural habitat at the mouth of the River Tyne. - » Tynemouth Haven
Up to 387 pairs – Kittiwakes nest on sea cliffs, using their natural habitat on the coastline.
Click on a ‘Kittiwake Image Marker’ above to view additional information about each location.
You can also use the maps zoom controls to help navigate the map
to view the Kittiwake Tower in Gateshead and Akzo Nobel in Felling.
Tyne Kittiwake Population Data
Seabirds make the riverside their home
Daniel Turner has monitored the breeding population
of Kittiwakes along the River Tyne since 1994
Since the early 1990s the numbers of Kittiwakes that have chosen to nest at this unique location has increased from a few to over a thousand.
To learn more about Daniel’s amazing work and view his Tyne Kittiwake Population Data, please visit the
» Natural History Society Of Northumbria (NHSN). The NHSN are members of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership (TKP) and they are also great supporters for the Tyne Kittiwakes.
Daniel Turner also manages a » Facebook page for the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership to help raise awareness for the Kittiwakes.
View the Tyne Kittiwake Population Data from Daniel Turner
Breeding Tyne Kittiwakes
The River Tyne nesting Kittiwakes have shown a remarkable story since their beginnings in 1949. Explore a new talk as local ornithologist, Dan Turner, shares some of their nesting sites along the Tyne and examines trends in their numbers and breeding success.
At times the Tyne Kittiwakes fly from the River Tyne
all the way to the Farne Islands to feed.
During this talk it references a paper by Chris Redfern and Richard Bevan.
A comparison of foraging behaviour in the North Sea by Black-legged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla from an inland and a maritime colony. This can be found on » Taylor and Francis Online
The Kittiwake – by John C Coulson
Published 2011 – T & AD Poyser
Bursting with everything you ever wanted to learn about Kittiwakes
Read about John Coulson’s amazing insights into the lives of the worlds Black-legged Kittiwakes. John Coulson has decades of experience researching The Kittiwake. Brilliantly written and presented.
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- An essential companion for all academics studying seabirds, colonial species and especially Kittiwakes.
- Beautifully illustrated and features photos of our well-loved Tyne Kittiwakes
Copies are available to order in from local book shops.