Tyne Bridge – Kittiwake Colony
The Tyne Bridge which spans the River Tyne between the city of
Newcastle upon Tyne and the town of Gateshead continues to be a favourite location for Kittiwakes during the spring and summer months. Since establishing a modest 134 pairs of Kittiwakes back in 2001, the Tyne Bridge colony has grown to up to 1,105 pairs.
The Tyne Bridge hosts the largest colony of Kittiwakes along the River Tyne
Kittiwakes can be seen nesting high up on the bridges two pairs of twin towers, and the green metal girders in between.
Kittiwakes nesting on the Tyne Bridge
metal girders by Paul Buskin
A short video of Kittiwakes nesting on the Tyne Bridge
Visitors are asked to take great care not to disturb any nesting Kittiwakes whilst on the Tyne Bridge during the spring and summer months. Please also watch out when driving, as there are at times fledged birds trying out their new wings. Sadly, some newly fledged Kittiwakes fail to master their wings and are hit by passing cars or cyclists in the pedestrian areas on the edges of the road.
Kittiwakes nesting on the Tyne Bridge
by Ashley Bayston. © 2023
Over 1,100 pairs nest on the Tyne Bridge. The bridge itself gets very busy with a wide variety of vehicles, including lorries and buses. Efforts to help reduce air pollution are currently being planned and new restrictions started to be introduced from spring 2023.
It has been many years since the Tyne Bridge was last painted, and the bridge is definitely starting to show both its age and signs of damage. Funding has been secured and those responsible for the upkeep of the bridge are busy restoring the bridge and applying a fresh coat of paint.
Kittiwakes nesting on Tyne Bridge
by Ashley Bayston. © 2023
“Will the Kittiwakes be allowed to continue to nest on the Tyne Bridge once it has been restored? “
Considering the portion of Kittiwakes that that have opted to build their nests on the Tyne Bridge from the River Tyne colony, it would be a DISASTER if they were not allowed to continue to nest, especially at this time where coastal populations were experiencing more severe weather patterns.
Why are Seabird Populations declining?
Kittiwakes nesting on a
Tyne Bridge Tower
by Paul Buskin
“The Kittiwakes will be ALLOWED to continue to nest on the Tyne Bridge,
however they will inevitably suffer some disruption during the restoration work”.
Kittiwake Hotels; a pair of scaffolding, was provided as alternative nesting structures for the Kittiwakes during the restoration work of Gateshead’s Twin Towers. These remained empty however during the 2024 season
Approx. 160 pairs of Kittiwakes were displaced by the restoration work on the Tyne Bridge during 2024. Eighty pairs of Kittiwakes instead however opted to spend time on the scaffolding surrounding the upper reaches of either sides of the twin towers. Members of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership were aware of this, and it was considered that these birds could potentially use this scaffolding as alternative nesting provision instead, relatively undisturbed by the workmen. Pairs of Kittiwakes built their nests on this scaffolding, successfully raising young chicks.
Kittiwakes nesting on scaffolding attached to the Tyne Bridge where restoration works was ongoing during Summer 2024
This combined with; how the overall population of Tyne Kittiwakes continued to remain lower for the 2024 season, meant the Kittiwake Hotels were not needed and remained empty. Kittiwakes often prospect any new potential breeding sites first the prior season and it is also possible they didn’t like the paint that had been used for the Kittiwake Hotels.
It is likely the Tyne Kittiwakes simply preferred the scaffolding lower down,
which was closer to where they usually nest.
Please read our page about the Tyne Bridge Restoration to learn more about the Kittiwake Hotels. Efforts to restore the Tyne Bridge are expected to take up to four years, however Kittiwakes upon the Tyne are anticipating this will last much longer as it has been a very long time since it was last restored.
Kittiwakes nesting on
a Tyne Bridge Tower
on Newcastle Quayside
by Paul Buskin
Tyne Bridge Restoration
The restoration of the Tyne Bridge will potentially be the largest hurdle the Tyne Kittiwakes have faced in a generation. Restoration work started during spring 2024. There is likely to be disturbance to these important red-listed sea birds as the work develops. Our climate is changing and at times we are experiencing severe weather patterns. This potentially may cause some delays to those skilled workers carrying out any restoration work. Any funding that is secured to cover the costs for the repairs and repainting, may also be subject to time restrictions; which may be difficult when considering external factors such as weather and the need to not disturb the Kittiwakes during their breeding season. Also, once work begins, additional faults maybe found, which could potentially extend the length of any refurbishment work.
Kittiwakes nesting on Tyne Bridge by Ashley Bayston. © 2023
