Tyne Kittiwake Partnership
The Tyne Kittiwake Partnership is a collaboration to protect Tyneside’s iconic urban kittiwakes. Here, you can find out about the birds, how to see them and efforts to protect them.
Protecting urban kittiwakes
Since the 1960s, the River Tyne has supported the most inland breeding colony of kittiwakes in the world. Each spring, these pelagic gulls return to the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside where they nest on buildings and structures, including the Tyne Bridge. The kittiwakes are now part of this iconic cityscape and a tourist attraction in their own right
A local ornithologist has been monitoring the Tyne kittiwakes since 1994 during which time a great increase in their numbers at Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside has been recorded. This is incredible, not just because of the special place these birds have chosen to nest, but in light of the significant reductions in kittiwake populations elsewhere.
The Tyne Kittiwake Partnership was formed to ensure that the Kittiwake population along the Tyne is safeguarded and to work together to improve our understanding of the birds and their conservation needs. The Partnership includes the NHSN, RSPB, Northumberland and Durham Wildlife Trusts, local councils, Newcastle University and individual researchers and ornithologists.

Something to report?
People can help by contacting the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty and advice helpline (0300 1234 999) if they see a live kittiwake caught in netting. To help the RSPCA respond as quickly as possible, please provide as much information you can. Where possible, please also alert the property owner.

Kittiwake Towers
Kittiwake Towers are constructed to provide an alternative nesting site for Kittiwakes when they are deliberately prevented from nesting on a building that already hosts a colony. This might be because the building is going to be demolished or renovated, or because the Kittiwakes are no longer compatible with the use of the building. See here for more information.