Kittiwakes on the Tyne
24 July 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
© Ian Cook
Event details
24 July 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Join the Natural History Society of Northumbria as part of the North East Marine Wildlife Festival, for a series of talks and discussions by leading Tyne Kittiwake researchers and practitioners.
Kittiwakes first began nesting on buildings along the River Tyne in 1949. There is now a thriving colony of over 600 pairs nesting around Newcastle-Gateshead quayside, which is the furthest inland anywhere in the world. Studies of the Tyne Kittiwakes have helped to build over knowledge of their biology, behaviour and ecology but research is constantly giving new insights into these charismatic seabirds.
The Tyne Kittiwakes are not without controversy and they have often found their nesting sites demolished, redeveloped or netted. Attempts are being made to find ways in which a thriving seabird colony can happily co-exist with people and economic interests.
- John Coulson, author of 'Kittiwake' and one of the world experts on Kittiwakes will talk about the results of 60 years of his research on Kittiwakes and the new discoveries that have been made by studying the Tyne Kittiwakes
- Dan Turner, local ornithologist with a special interest in coastal birds, will look at the size and distribution of the Tyne Kittiwake population in recent times
- Chris Redfern will describe the results from his work fitting location recording devices to the Tyne Kittiwakes
- Peter Bell from Gateshead Council will highlight what we have learnt from the creation of the Kittiwake Tower near the Baltic Art Gallery and how these lessions could be applied in future
- Q&A sessions with the speakers
Venue location
Great North Museum: Hancock,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
NE2 4PT