Tue, 7 April 2026
Survey produced almost 1,000 kittiwakes at Newcastle-Gateshead quaysides. Today’s photo shows those at small group of St Mary’s Church. Quays were busy with walkers, runners, cyclists, tourists and all. Temperature rose nicely. Enjoyed refreshments and rest breaks at the quaysides.
Photo (3 Apr 2026) shows temporary mitigation ledges for the kittiwakes at Tyne Bridge. In 2025 these 6 ledges attracted 11 good nests with 4 chicks raised. Perhaps in 2026 more will nest there. These ledges are placed (Esh Construction) during the bridge works to help birds displaced by scaffolding
Fri, 3 April 2026
Another Newcastle-Gateshead survey today over 3 hours showed approx. 625 of our gulls present, including 337 on the Tyne Bridge and 65 at Baltic Art Centre. So good to hear their calls and see them quietly resting in sheltered corners. Survey and photo (taken today) by Dan Turner.
Thurs, 2 Apr 2026, entry 2
At today’s TKP sub meeting Dan brought copy of Heather Devey’s (Wild Intrigue CIC) book to sign. Great book! Features Tyne Kittiwakes in Northern England section. ‘Where to watch Wildlife in Britain by Low-Carbon Transport’ (Bloomsbury Publishing). Don’t forget your copy!
Thursday, 2 April 2026
TKP sub meeting in Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. Photo shows Heather Devey (Wild Intrigue CIC, left) and TKP Chair Prof Helen Wilson (right) hard at work as we discussed social media and other matters. Much was resolved. We can recommend the cheese scones. (photo by D Turner).
Friday, 27 March 2026
TKP meeting at Newcastle Quayside to iron out a few matters. We discussed netting, Tyne Bridge, TKP roles, Queen Street, management plan, etc. (Photo by Dan Turner: @balticgateshead.bsky.social, 14 March 2026, 24 kittiwakes present). Meeting chaired by Prof. Helen Wilson.
Sunday, 22 March 2026.
Newcastle-Gateshead quayside held 600+ Kittiwakes. Many rested at ledges, singly and in pairs with others river bathing. Great to see and hear so many back safely after wintering away. Photo today at @balticgateshead.bsky.social. (Survey and photo by @dant-ne.bsky.social).
Thurs, 5 Feb 2026
Attended meeting with Tyne Bridge engineers. Some scaffolding is coming down, more is going up. In 2026 the works will displace 36% of the bridge kittiwakes. In mitigation for the displacements, more than 300 metres of temporary nesting ledges are being installed. (Photo: today).
Fri, 19 Sept 2025
We had a Partnership meeting at Newcastle Quayside. Business included TKP roles, Tyne Bridge Major Maintenance Works, an update on the 2025 Tyne nesting season, Saltmeadows Kit Tower and maintenance of deterrents. Gulls now at sea for winter season. (Photo: 16.7.2025, D M Turner).
Thur, 11 Sept 2025
Chair and Secretary from TKP met engineers from Newcastle City Council and Esh Construction. They discussed planned placement of scaffolding and temp. nesting ledges on Tyne Bridge for 2026 nesting season in mitigation for those pairs to be displaced in that year. (photo: 5.9.25)
Friday, 29 August 2025
The river and Tyne quayside properties & structures between Newcastle and Gateshead (e.g. Tyne Bridge, photo) were checked for kittiwakes as their nesting season concludes. There were 6-7 juvenile kittiwakes and one adult remaining. Almost quiet.
Tue, 5 Aug 2025
Meeting between Tyne Bridge engineers and various ecologists & academics - @dant-ne.bsky.social presented his latest monthly report on bridge and its kittiwakes. Breeding season still underway and several 100's of nestlings are in process of fledging from our special Tyneside bridge.
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Great to be out on the wild Northumberland coast! My photograph (taken today) shows two successful kittiwake nests, side-by-side, each with two nicely developing nestlings. It is always very special to observe and record our wonderful seabirds.
Mon, 14 Jul 2025
Surveys at Akzo Nobel, R Tyne. Good results with breeding productivity of 0.97 chicks per Apparently Occupied Nest compared to 1.00 in 2024. Nice indicator for 2025 season. Surveys continue over coming days. (Photo: Akzo, 9 June 2025) Note, photo and surveys by @dant-ne.bsky.social
Good to see Durham Geography's Helen F Wilson on urban kittiwakes and coexistence in today's Guardian! @geogdurham.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We spy chicks! 🐣👀
🎥 Watch kittiwake cam live online 👉 durhamwt.com/kittiwake-cam
Thurs, 12 June 2025.
While checking subset of >300 Tyne Kittiwake nests, one was noted with small nestling. It has again been a privilege to assess full Tyne Kittiwake population to see how it is progressing. Looking forward to further observations well into July. (Photo: Guildhall, 18 May 2025).
While checking part of the Tyne Bridge yesterday (10 June) I recorded another 5 small nestlings – one in each of 5 nests. Lovely to see! It was a busy session. Also spoke with a gentleman from Australia who was keen on birds; and a group of 3 local men. I showed them Kittiwakes through telescope.
Temporary mitigation ledges have been placed by the Tyne Bridge engineers due to the scaffolding at Newcastle side of bridge and under road deck this year. Displaced kittiwakes have shown an interest and some nest-building there is underway. (Photo: some of the 2025 mitigation ledges, 22 May 2025).
On Thursday, 22 May 2025, … 2,222 kittiwakes were recorded in the close proximity of Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides. Of these gulls, 257 were noted at the @balticgateshead.bsky.social. (Photograph: Kittiwake at nest, Baltic Art Centre, 24 May 2025 by D M Turner).
Saturday, 7 June 2025.
There was distinct improvement in numbers of kittiwake Apparently Occupied Nests in past 2 weeks at @balticgateshead.bsky.social on the River Tyne. Today saw the first 2 small live chicks here. So lovely to see! In different nests and being fed by parent birds. @kittiwakegirl
🐦🎥 Catch up with our favourite urban birds by tuning into Kittiwake Cam from the comfort of your sofa. Nesting on the Newcastle/Gateshead quayside, these charismatic gulls are the furthest inland colony of kittiwakes in the world.
👉 www.durhamwt.com/kittiwake-cam
Welcome to all our followers - new and old! We are the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership. Follow us for the latest news on the colony incl. the Tyne Bridge restoration works.
