An Independent Voice

    • 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. 

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. 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.

Kittiwakes nesting on some street lighting On Newcastle Quayside by Lophophanes

Accept the challenge of identifying which species of Gulls are present.  What colour are their legs and bills, and how big are they?  The cast of Gulls includes; Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Herring Gulls and the largest of all often some Great Black-backed Gulls.

Kittiwake

In the spring and summer months two more species of gull 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.  Thousands 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.