The Wildlife of
The Northumberland Coast

 
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Gulls - The Kittiwake

First seen on Friday 21st May 2021 at The Northumberland Coast

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. Adult Kittiwakes have a slender sharp yellow bill, dark eyes, and black wing-tips. 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.


 

Kittiwakes breed in large colonies on the cliffs by Dunstanburgh Castle. There are two very good viewpoints for seeing large numbers of Kittiwakes the you visit the castle, as in the photos below...