How you can help keep Tyneside's beloved kittiwakes safe

Newcastle Gateshead Quayside's colony is of vital importance to the future of the kittiwakes, but netting on buildings can cause problems

By

Tony Henderson

11:00, 2 MAY 2019

Visitors to the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside are being asked to monitor the well being of nesting kittiwakes, after birds became trapped in netting on buildings last year.

As hundreds of pairs of kittiwake return to the area to breed in what is the most inland colony in the world, the RSPB and the RSPCA are calling on the public to watch for entangled birds.

The importance of the colony has been underlined by the fact that globally kittiwakes are thought to have declined by around 40% since the 1970s.

 “In the UK kittiwake numbers have plummeted therefore protecting this unique river nesting colony is an important part of the wider conservation effort for the this species,” said the RSPB’s Helen Quayle, who is chairperson of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership.

“Last year saw these birds receive unprecedented media attention following a series of incidents where kittiwakes became accidentally caught, and in some instances perished as a result of unfit bird deterrent netting.”

Continued