Kittiwakes & Doughnuts

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the worlds most inland seabird colony on Wild Intrigue’s popular Kittiwakes & Doughnuts experience.

After spending half of the year out at sea, the Tyne Kittiwakes return to nest on the buildings and bridges of Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside, their calls a wild backdrop to a lively hub of restaurants, galleries, hotels and pubs.

Wild Intrigue have teamed up with ornithologist Daniel Turner from the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership to provide a fascinating talk, and Proven Goods Co. to treat us with some delicious local doughnuts.

Your Wild Intrigue guides will take you on a leisurely Quayside Kittiwake Safari, first taking in the spectacular Kittiwake colony on BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, where the Kittiwakes are welcomed back to nest on the iconic building. From there you will explore the quayside, where you will discover the fascinating story of the Tyne Kittiwakes, along with more of this urban colony’s incredible nesting spots. With a picture perfect, world-famous backdrop of the River Tyne, you will have the opportunity to observe these beautiful birds raising their families on their ‘urban cliffs’.

Afterwards, local ornithologist Dan Turner from the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership will share the intriguing ecology of the lives of the Tyne Kittiwakes in a fascinating illustrated talk. Dan has been surveying the Tyne Kittiwakes for at least 40 years, and hold an incredible amount of knowledge and passion for our seabird colony. Before settling in to enjoy Dan’s talk, you can choose an irresistible, handcrafted doughnut by artisan, Newcastle based Proven Goods Co.

Keen to share our urban Kittiwake kingdom with your little ones? We’re delighted to return this year with our popular Family Kittiwakes & Doughnuts experience! To begin the mini adventure, you will first discover Kittiwakes through the beautiful story of John Miles’s Kitty the Toon – the perfect chance to enjoy a scrumptious Proven Goods Co. doughnut! Afterwards you will embark on a Quayside Safari to meet the Tyne Kittiwakes, hearing tales of their adventures and lives, with plenty of time for little (and big!) ones to ask questions.

The Tyne Kittiwakes are an intriguing and recognised part of our urban natural heritage. As always, all profits from Wild Intrigue’s 2024 Kittiwakes & Doughnuts experiences will contribute to supporting the Tyne Kittiwake colony.