The Newcastle Kittiwakes – David Bradley

Kittiwakes live on the tidal river Tyne as far inland as my hometown, Newcastle itself. In fact, this is the farthest inland-dwelling colony of this small gull, known internationally as the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) anywhere in the world.

We were in Newcastle for a university graduation ceremony in July, so it seemed somewhat churlish not to get photos of the seabirds in between family photos of us and the graduate and the great city itself. As Stephen Rutt points out in his excellent book The Seafarers, nobody has figured out why these Kittiwakes have come so far inland.

The world-famous Tyne Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England

Kittiwakes nesting on the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle

The Baltic Flour Mills (left of frame on opposite bank of the river — The Baltic Flour Mills (left of frame, on opposite bank of the river) Gateshead

Kittiwakes nesting up high on the Baltic Flour Mills, Gateshead

Gateshead Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead

Kittiwakes on the upper deck of the Baltic Flour Mills, Gateshead

Kittiwake outside the top-floor restaurant, the Baltic Flour Mills, Gateshead