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Mumbles Pier – Kittiwakes

by Jo Mullett

For over 30 years Mumbles Pier, a Victoria wrought iron structure on the south western sweep of Swansea Bay has been the nesting site for a colony black legged kittiwakes.

The Pier provides the perfect “safe” environment for nests as many natural land predators can’t access the eggs and Swansea Bay and the Bristol Channel provide generally good foraging grounds for the young birds, supplemented by fisherman’s by-catch.

Kittiwakes nesting on Mumbles Pier pre renovation and works on the new Life Boat Station (pre-2013) –
used with kind permission from Adam Till My Life Outside

However, there are ever present and increasing threats including development, disturbance, lack of food, waste and pollution all compounded by climate change.

Kittiwakes in Wales

In Welsh, kittiwake is “Gwylan goesddu” literally translates as “black legged gull” with Wales holding the smallest proportion and smallest colonies of breeding kittiwake in the UK. This is suspected to be due to the combined effects of lower prey abundance, adverse weather and predation with a shorter coastline.

In Wales an estimated 64% of kittiwakes are features of SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and or SPAs (Special Protection Areas), whilst 98% of kittiwakes are found within sites where are there are other seabird features.

Kittiwakes nesting on new nesting platform around the old Life Boat Station Mumbles Pier (post 2014)
– used with kind permission from Adam Till My Life Outside

Welsh populations have declined between by 43% between 2000 and 2018 broadly reflecting the UK trend with larger colonies displayed greatest declines.

Sandeels are the dominate prey for kittiwakes in the UK whilst Welsh birds are thought to be more likely to rely on (herring and sprat species). However climatic changes such as increasing sea surface temperatures are negatively affecting these fish so the kittiwakes feed on lower nutritional fish such as gadoids (cod species) leading to a reduction in productivity Welsh colonies.

Mumbles Pier and Foreshore Development Framework

The City and County of Swansea’s Mumbles Pier and Foreshore Development Framework, adopted in April 2009 (SCC 2009), includes a commentary from the then Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

A colony of kittiwake Rissa tridactyla is known to nest on Mumbles Pier. Kittiwakes rarely occupy such sites and so this colony is of local significance. An assessment of the breeding status of this colony and any other seabirds using the site should be conducted to highlight areas of particular sensitivity

This assessment should highlight the requirement for mitigation measures to be incorporated into the development scheme. Not only could construction affect breeding birds, but changes to the pier structure and lighting will also need to be considered as part of the assessment into the potential for disturbance

Kittiwakes Mumbles Pier with young pre renovation and works on the new Life Boat Station (pre-2013)
used with kind permission from Adam Till My Life Outside

The pier’s wrought iron columns were traditionally the preferred nesting location for the birds. However artificial ledges were created as mitigation for ongoing renovation works of the pier and the construction of a new life boat station which opened in 2014

Luckily the birds migrated to the specially constructed artificial ledges located around the old lifeboat station and are still nesting there and on the station and slip but the ledges are starting to show their age and will require replacing soon.

The following records are from the BTO’s (British Trust for Ornithology’s) Seabird Monitoring Programme

2000: 92 individuals on 8th June
2009: 110 individuals on 24th June
2011: 167 individuals on 1st January
2010 153 individuals on 3rd June
2018: 90 individuals on 19th June

The following records are from GOS’s (Gower Ornithological Society’s) annual report, Gower Birds

2021: 152 occupied nests, 153 fledged young, maximum count 570 on 20th July
2022: 191 occupied nests, 115 juveniles maximum count 483 on 5th July
2023: maximum count 566 27th June

Ferris Wheel 2024

In February 2024 a large ferris wheel was located at the start of the pier with nightly flashing and pulsing lights which undoubtedly have had a negative effect on the nesting kittiwakes. At the time of writing (August) it still hasn’t been given planning permission which was applied for retrospectively and even the suggested controls and mitigation in the application is not being followed.

Many ornithologists and bird groups and have raise their concerns but the illegal disturbance of nesting birds and other wildlife, especially nocturnal and crepuscular continues.

Access to the pier is limited due to safety concerns so it is hard to count the number of birds but the nests birds certainly appear down at Mumbles Pier which appears to support their concerns.

Old Life Boat Station Development 2024

Another threat on the horizon is the development of the old lifeboat station into a restaurant, replacement of the old access bridge to the main pier and new pavilions. A lovely idea that could benefit the kittiwakes and other species however it would need to have strict work schedules and monitoring and with the current suggestion to protect the birds from ecologists is being ignored, doesn’t bode well.

And finally

This amazing colony is so rare with the easy access them but most people are totally oblivious until they get close and hear the squabbling of the birds as they jostling for space.

There should be much more awareness and championing of this unusually and significant colony of beautify kittiwakes by locals and visitors. This will ensure their long-term understanding and to be championed cherished and protected.

The following photos are by Adam Tilt who has been visiting and capturing amazing photos of Kittiwakes at Mumbles Pier for over 15 years. He has kindly allowed use of these photos from his website where he has stunning images of other species and locations throughout the UK.