A Selection of Useful Links
“Any help is very much appreciated”
A Kittiwake along the Tyne at North Shields
by David Hirst
Here you can view a selection of Useful Links for websites and organisations that support the Kittiwakes that nest along the River Tyne. By sharing links you can help Raise Awareness for the Tyne Kittiwakes and inform others about their current status. Help safeguard the local breeding colonies by sharing how important the local breeding population of Kittiwakes are. If you would like to help contribute to this section or share links please email contact@tynekittiwakes.org.uk
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
The RSPB work with members of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership. The Tyne Kittiwake Partnership was set up to help safeguard the Kittiwake population along the Tyne. The Partnership includes the Natural History Society of Northumbria, RSPB, Northumberland and Durham Wildlife Trusts, Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside Councils, Newcastle University and individual researchers and ornithologists. They work together to improve our understanding of the birds and their conservation needs.
The Worlds First Inland Colony
Text by John Miles
Artwork by Barry Robson
Amazingly illustrated, ‘Kitty the Toon’, tells the story of Kitty the Kittiwake. Newcastle hosts the furthest inland colony of Kittiwakes. This story follows a pair as they nest in the city, have babies, enjoy a game of football and head back out to sea. A great edition to any wildlife library.’
More information is available on YouTube – Kitty the Toon
Return of Kitty the Toon
Text by John Miles
Artwork by Sarah Farooqi
Return of Kitty the Toon was published April 2020, with artwork by local artist Sarah Farooqi To purchase both books by John Miles please visit ‘Chick Books – Reconnecting Children with Nature‘ Here you can also find many more fantastic books by John Miles – Reconnecting Children with Nature.
Mini Expeds – Wild Intrigue
The Story of the Tyne Kittiwakes
- A short wildlife Safari with Wild Intrigue along the North Shields Fish Quay. This will be followed by a night celebrating our Geordie Kittiwakes with live music from Hector Gannet.
– 13th August 2021
Join Wild Intrigue and Hector Gannet for a night celebrating our Tyne Kittiwakes, the world’s most inland seabird colony! Join Wild Intrigue to watch as the Kittiwakes make their winter journey out to the North Sea on a short wildlife safari along North Shields Fish Quay, and discover their story in a talk hosted in The Engine Room, with a coffee or something a little colder. The celebration will continue into the night with a full performance by Hector Gannet, with songs from their debut album Big Harcar.
All profits from this event will be used to conserve the Kittiwakes along the Tyne.
Tyne Kittiwake – Walks and talks
- June/July every year
“An amazing opportunity to learn more about the
Legendary Tyne Kittiwakes“
Inspire ● Educate ● Rewild
In collaboration with the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, and Proven Doughnuts Co; Wild Intrigue offer mini expeditions to visit Tyneside’s Kittiwake Colony along the River Tyne.
“Kittee-wa-aaake, Kittee-wa-aaake”
This also feature an illustrated talk by local ornithologist Dan Turner who has been studying the local Kittiwake breeding population for 25 years and there are some tasty doughnuts from Proven Doughnut Co. Visitors are also able to get up close to the Kittiwakes by spending time on the viewing platform at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Wild Intrigue do amazing work with their partners in helping to raise awareness for the Tyne Kittiwakes.
To learn more about the amazing work of Wild Intrigue please visit their website at https://www.wildintrigue.co.uk
Daniel Turner has monitored the breeding population of Kittiwakes along the River Tyne since 1994. Since then 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 to view his ‘Tyne Kittiwake Population Data’, please visit the ‘Natural History Society Of Northumbria Website’ (NHSN).
Blyth Wildlife Rescue
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation across Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.
At times when Kittiwakes become trapped in anti-bird netting,
Blyth Wildlife Rescue help to save and rehabilitate many of the injured Kittiwakes.
Donations towards their generous efforts are always welcome.
click here to donate to Blyth Wildlife Rescue
Save Newcastle Wildlife
Save Newcastle Wildlife
Standing up for wildlife and green spaces in and around Newcastle upon Tyne.
Please help them if you can. Add your voice to the ‘Chorus’, defending Newcastle’s green spaces and wildlife.
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
The UKs largest dedicated contemporary art institution.
Home to over a hundred nesting Kittiwakes during the Spring/Summer months.
Old Low Light – North Shields, North Tyneside.
Old Low Light
Bringing People together from North Shields and beyond.
The home of fabulous wildlife walks with David Hirst
Explore the wildlife wonders of the mouth of Tyneside’s
Big River; The River Tyne.
Beyond the Tyne
Kittiwakes are a member of the Gull family of which there are many more species. Would you like to learn more? Would you like to observe and enjoy more seabirds? There are some links below to a wide variety of places where you can enjoy the company of wildlife; such as the much loved Puffin or Grey Seal.
Birdwatching Sites in the North East of England
An Interactive Guide to Bird Watching Sites
North of the Tyne and the Wall , NE England.
Sites for South of the Tyne currently being developed.
Natural Newbiggin
The Fauna, Flora and Geology of Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland.
Considered by many to be one of the best sites to view seabirds in Northumberland.
Farne Islands, Northumberland.
A group of over twenty islands off the Nothumberland Coast, close to Bamburgh and Seahouses.
They are home to over 100,000 nesting seabirds including one of the UK’s favourite birds, the Puffin.
Coquet Island
Coquet Island Seabird Sanctuary
Coquet Island maybe small but it boasts Britain’s largest colony of Roseate Tern. Approximately 90% of the UK’s population of nesting Roseate Tern choose Coquet island. These are joined by thousands of Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns, together with one of our favourite seabirds the Puffin.
Holy Island and the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve
Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, Northumberland
Holy Island which is part of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is a beautiful site to visit, with amazing panoramic views and fresh coastal air.
Follow the progress of the local Kittiwakes
You can read about the progress of the Tyne Kittiwakes colonies in the new Tyne Kittiwakes Diary . More in-depth information for the local breeding population of Kittiwakes has also been published on the Colonies Page.
