Queen Street
In 2015-16 up to three pairs of Kittiwakes nested on Queen Street on Newcastle Quayside, with one chick raised from their attempt. After an absence of four years, they returned again in 2021.
For over two decades Kittiwakes have been flying from the coast and the North Sea, along the River Tyne and have been settling to build nests as part of colonies eleven miles inland on the quaysides of Newcastle and Gateshead. Some sites which have been chosen by the Kittiwakes themselves are owned by individuals or organisations where their presence has been very much welcomed such as the Baltic Gallery for Contemporary Art or the Saltmeadows Tower.
Whereas some owners, because of any noise or mess have not been so keen. Due to the need to protect what are in many cases older more vintage buildings; legalisation currently prioritises, this over the need to conserve what are a currently a red-listed species of Gull. Owners have then been able to install anti-bird deterrents such as netting, spikes, Avi-shock and gels to deter any Kittiwakes from nesting.
In the heart of Newcastle Quayside as visitors and residents start to climb up to the inner parts of the city, there is such a building on Queen Street. This has avi-shock installed on the upper reaches of the rear of the building, and there is a history of birds nesting on the river facing side.
“ As of the 2024 breeding season up to 32 pairs were found nesting
successfully raising a dozen young chicks”.
There are currently no anti-bird deterrents where Kittiwakes have nested in recent years. The avi-shock exists more on the rear of the building which can be best viewed from the Tyne Bridge. As the Kittiwake colony present on Queen Street continues to grow, the risk of anti-bird deterrents being installed increases.
“What does the future hold for this small colony”?
We wish them good fortune and will be watching out for their welfare over the coming seasons.
2024 Season
The Queen street colony continued to grow during the 2024 season with 32 pairs nesting; compared to 19 pairs in 2023. This small colony nested peacefully in an area that is currently free from any anti-bird deterrents.
Queen Street Kittiwake colony – 2024 breeding season
