The Kittiwake Tower Local Nature Reserve
Traditionally kittiwakes breed on steep sided sea cliffs, but in the 1960s a small number of birds began to nest on old riverside buildings at Gateshead quayside, an incredible 10miles (as the kittiwake flies) from the coast.
True gulls of the open sea our kittiwakes spend half the year out in the middle of the North Sea and North Atlantic, only returning inland to breed from late February and March.
By the 1990s the Baltic Flours Mills building had become the main focus of kittiwake activity on the Tyne, supporting a breeding colony of around 200 pairs. The redevelopment of the Baltic as an international centre for contemporary art resulted in the loss of this iconic structure as a breeding site for kittiwakes.
Alternative nesting opportunities were provided for the birds with the construction of the kittiwake tower, a bespoke breeding platform originally located in Baltic square before being moved to its permanent location on the south bank of the River Tyne at Saltmeadows.
Last year the tower was home to over 100 pairs of breeding kittiwakes making it one of the most successful breeding seasons since its construction. This year the tower is celebrating its 14th birthday having undergone a major facelift during the winter which included renewing the all important ledges on which the birds build theirs distinctive nests.
Located off South Shore Road and accessed via the Keelmans Way riverside path, the tower lies at the extreme western end of an attractive area of riverside greenspace. The area has recently reopened to the public after the completion of a 1.5 million pound remediation scheme to deal with contamination left from past industrial activity. Today the site supports flower rich grasslands, hawthorn and blackthorn scrub and maturing woodland, and both butterflies and birds abound.
An interactive interpretation panel has been also been installed on top of the hill overlooking the Tower detailing the fascinating life history of kittiwakes. Turning a handle on the panel operates a recording of local school children reading stories and poetry inspired by the birds and the distinctive calls of kittiwakes which have come to symbolise the ‘sound of the Tyne’.
The Tyne Bridge now supports the greatest concentration (c. 250 pairs) of kittiwakes breeding on the river. These ever resourceful birds have even managed to restore a foothold on the Baltic with some 30 nests lined up along a narrow ledge on the front of the building. As part of the North East Wildlife Trusts Wildplaces Project (www.urbanwildplaces.co.uk), two CCTV cameras attached to the outside of the building are beaming live images of the birds onto a TV monitor on the second floors allowing visitors to closely follow the birds progress throughout the breeding season.
Where else to watch kittiwakes:
Gateshead’s and Newcastle’s quaysides offer good opportunities to watch those birds nesting on the Tyne Bridge.
Those birds nesting on the Baltic are best observed from Gateashead’s Millenium Bridge.