The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Gulls - The Kittiwake

First seen on Sunday 30th August 2020 at Druridge Pools

Kittiwakes are fairly common along the north-east coast, as there is a colony breeding on the nearby Farne Islands, and of course in Newcastle. This is the only one I have seen so far, and it is a juvenile. Usually, juvenile gulls can all look a bit similar and it can sometimes be difficult to identify them. However the Kittiwake juvenile has this very distinct pattern on its wings looking like a black "M". When they call, they make a rhythmic wailing "kitti-a-waike" sound, which gives them their name.