Climate
Over the past fifty years, worldwide populations of Kittiwakes have dived. In recent years weather patterns have erupted into more severe wet and windy storms which are starting to occur more frequently. Even seabirds such as the Kittiwake that spend their entire lives out at sea are not immune from the impacts of strong winds and rain; as their feathers are not 100% waterproof. Adults and fledglings, can be lost as they suffer from hypothermia and it can be dreadfully difficult to search for food as storms continue to unfold across the globe.
Availability of Food
As our climate continues to change; Ecosystems which involve our natural environments, including all the flora and fauna that live and interact within that environment; are dramatically adapting. As temperatures in our seas and oceans warm, phytoplankton initially grow more abundantly, providing an ample food source for zooplankton. However, as temperatures rise, the zooplankton population grows at a faster rate than the phytoplankton in the warmer water. This imbalance creates a bottleneck in marine ecosystems, disrupting the distribution of food sources and nutrients available within the environment.
Fishing practices have also become more efficient. The sustainability of populations of small shoaling fish like our Sand Eels, which feature regularly in the diet of Kittiwakes and other seabirds are being compromised.
Big news for seabirds as campaign to close the English North Sea
and Scottish waters to Sandeel fishing succeeds.
Puffins, Kittiwakes, Razorbills and other threatened seabirds have been thrown a lifeline, after decades of campaigning have finally succeeded in stopping industrial Sandeel fishing in the English North Sea and in all Scottish waters.
Pollution
The quality of our seawater has a direct impact on the huge variety of marine life that lives in the sea. As our climate continues to change the chances of further pollution being deposited into our rivers and seas, may rise as episodes of high rainfall could occur more frequently and aggressively, which could potentially become even more damaging. Water companies are allowed to discharge untreated sewage into rivers, lakes and seas only at times of exceptional rainfall and only then if they are already treating a specified volume of sewage, known as “flow to full treatment” (FtFT).
During 2022, news headlines exposed a large portion of UK water companies, that were out pouring pollution
into our rivers and the sea, regularly during high rainfall periods. The quality of our seawater has a direct impact on the huge variety of marine life that lives in the sea.
Raw sewage found in River Ouseburn after rain
a ‘significant health risk’, warns report
Professor David Werner and his team from Newcastle University took 40 samples from eight locations on the river in 2021, including the section that flows through the popular Jesmond Dene and into the River Tyne. This is very close to the inland colonies of Tyne Kittiwakes.
Inland Kittiwake Colonies
Since the millennium dawned, Kittiwakes have continued to explore and expand beyond their coastal cliffs, whilst choosing their location as a breeding habitat. They are moving into our coastal towns and cities where they are more sheltered from battering winds and heavy rain. Access to a source of food such as Sand eels will remain essential to sustain these new colonies as they continue to develop.
Pairs of Kittiwakes nesting on the Tyne Bridge
in Newcastle & Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.
- River Tyne in the North East of England – the famous Tyne Kittiwakes are travelling eleven miles inland, where over one-thousand pairs now build their nests every year on the historic Tyne Bridge and along the roofs of nearby buildings.
- Scarborough in North Yorkshire – Another colony climbing now beyond five-hundred pairs is well established on the Grand Hotel in the coastal town of Scarborough. More pairs are building their nests on nearby town buildings such as the popular local Waterstones. Whilst on the Spa Bridge, to the surprise of local conservationists, the local council are attempting to evict almost 300 pairs. This is despite recent efforts to protect the Spa Bridge colony during recent refurbishment work of the bridge.
- Lowestoft in North Suffolk – The situation is being mirrored down in Lowestoft in Suffolk; however local support to help retain the nesting Kittiwakes has been so overwhelming for some of the owners of the local buildings, they have actioned efforts to see how they can help. Platforms have been erected to actually provide space for the Kittiwakes to build their nests. A local group is attempting to formalise their work; however, efforts so far have been stalled as local councils, conservationists and wildlife organisations have been unable to agree on a practical way forward. Some funding has been raised however and it is hoped they will succeed.
- Mumbles Pier, Swansea Bay in Wales – A coastal colony which is under threat again. This time from strobing Ferris Wheel light ; which does not have planning permission even though its been in place since February 2024 .
Kittiwakes nesting in Scarborough in North Yorkshire on the Spa Bridge
Coastal colonies such as » Tynemouth Haven in North Tyneside, » Marsden Rock in South Tyneside and
» Bempton Cliffs in North Yorkshire continue to experience more severe weather patterns. The new colonies in our cities and towns are becoming a refuge for our Kittiwakes to nest. Access to a sustainable food supply like their Sand eels however and a pollution free environment will be essential to secure their long-term future. There is also a need for tolerance and understanding from those of us that live and visit where the Kittiwakes themselves are choosing to nest.
Marsden Rock in South Tyneside, Tyne & Wear
Sadly, we have lost over 40% of our Kittiwakes already as their story continues to unfold.
Kittiwakes are » Red-Listed . Red is the highest conservation priority with species needing urgent action. There is an increasing need to help safeguard existing birds and secure and protect their nesting sites. When looking at the Seabird population data, this evidence strongly points to the need help conserve and protect our declining seabirds.
