Kittiwakes

The kittiwake is a small oceanic gull. Its breeding range extends from Portugal to the low Arctic. There are 3,000 breeding pairs in Ireland and 8 colonies in Co. Waterford. The Dunmore East kittiwakes use discarded fishing material to build their nests. This is unsuitable because it can accidentally kill them by strangulation. The Dunmore East colony is unique because of it's proximity to man.
The kittiwake lays 1-3 eggs and the young hatch out in early June.
The kittiwakes leave Dunmore in September and migrate to the north Atlantic. Kittiwakes use the same nest every year. Mature kittiwakes always return to Dunmore East but the young may seek other places to nest.
Kittiwakes from Dunmore East have been tagged and tracked to places as far away as Greenland, Brittany and Britain. Kittiwakes can live for up to 18 years.
Kittiwakes get their unusual name from their call.
Read more about birds at:
www.sip.ie/sip023/Webpages/MarineBirdlifeFieldtrip.html