Petition Update 10: Saturday, 20 February 2021.

I hope you are all keeping well and looking forward to a release from Covid-19 lockdown wherever you may be. We are experiencing troubling times in more ways than one.

Since Petition Update 9 (issued on 2 Feb) a few things have occurred and they are outlined here.

I had a meeting, beside the ferry landing (in the snow), with the landlord from Ferry Mews on 12 February to discuss my thoughts in relation to a three year plan to try to retain the North Shields Kittiwakes on a long-term basis. This involved removal of the netting now, with replacement in three years time should the Kittiwakes move to ledges nearby which I hoped we may be able to fit. We discussed around this, but the landlord was unable to agree to removal of the netting if it would allow the Kittiwakes to return to their nesting ledge. His reasons were: 1) a need to maintain his property, and 2) to satisfy complaints from his residents. Removal of the netting was now out of the question! I did mention the declining global population of this species and the fact that this was their only nesting site on the River Tyne in North Tyneside. I also told him he would be responsible for maintenance of the netting.

I discussed and met with an architect and a marine engineer about the feasibility of placing ledges for the Kittiwakes to nest upon at the riverside by the ferry landing. This idea had the benefit of goodwill from at least four of the residents from a neighbouring riverside building. The owner of this riverside property was to consider such an action and decide by the end of March. Should we receive approval, then the plan is for three (eight feet) ledges to be placed at the riverside. Further approvals may be needed from North Tyneside Council, Port of Tyne, the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency. Given time, I hope to seek such approvals. With our many supporters of this petition it should be possible to undertake fund-raising to cover costs for making and placing these ledges.

In two years the North Shields ferry landing is scheduled to be moved about half a mile to the east. The short walkway linking the current ferry landing and the quayside is likely to remain in place and this could provide a home for a new Kittiwake nesting structure. I was encouraged by local residents to contact the ferry service operator (Nexus) to find out their views on this proposal and I now await their response.

The list of petition signatories (covering more than 300 pages) and their comments were sent to the Mayor of North Tyneside.

We may now look forward to Spring and a heart-warming Summer. Let’s hope our North Shields Kittiwakes maintain their strong will and a determination to raise their young somewhere along the River Tyne.

With Best Wishes from Daniel (in support of the Kittiwakes of North Shields)