THE future of gulls in the North-East that ‘won’t eat your fish and chips’ is under threat due to the loss of nesting spots.

The kittiwake colony that has nested in North Shields for 30 years, returning annually each spring after spending winters around the Atlantic ocean, is at risk after a favourite nesting spot was covered with netting.

Property owners are allowed to erect deterrents like nets, spikes and anti-vandal paint outside of nesting season but a lack of alternative sites is cause for concern to conservationists.

Some kittiwakes still attempt to settle on top of nets but they can get trapped and injured while others migrate to nearby ledges to raise their young.

“They are a small and cosy group,” said Daniel Turner, who been recording Tyneside’s kittiwakes for 27 years.

Mr Turner is part of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership, a conservation group set up in 2014 to ensure the birds are safeguarded.

The 64-year-old first became interested in kittiwakes when he was growing up around them.

He added: “I’m concerned they might not come back if they don’t have ledges this year. We needed ledges as soon as possible but it’s too late to nest this season. The danger is that we lose them in North Shields.

“People do not know the difference between kittiwakes and seagulls. They are lovely gulls, they nest together and are quite gentle. They don’t dive-bomb and they aren’t going to steal your chips.”

Black-legged kittiwakes are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list as a vulnerable species, with numbers falling globally.

The seabirds are struggling in the face of food shortages and storms brought on by climate change.

But the North-East is bucking the trend, with Newcastle and Gateshead being home to a thriving colony that has returned to the same spot since 1949 and is the world’s most inland seabird colony.

Despite this, they fly out to sea every day to catch fish for food.

Kittiwakes are well observed at spots near the ferry in North Shields, on the side of the Baltic art gallery in Gateshead and under the Tyne Bridge.

North Shields resident Angie Jenkison, 55, said: “I’m always taking pictures of them, it’s part of living on the coast.

“To see them fly all the way back home to netting is just heart breaking.”

Ms Jenkison, who has also seen the birds get stuck, added: “It’s wrong and upsetting.”

Tyneside is one of just two locations in the world where kittiwake colonies are growing.

Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust and chair of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership, said: “It’s exciting that the kittiwakes live here and that the colony is expanding.

“Kittiwake populations are shrinking because of global warming and rising sea temperatures. It’s a much bigger picture when you think about the loss of biodiversity.

“We must celebrate our kittiwakes and help them thrive where we can, they are an asset.

“People do not put nature first. We need much more space for the birds and make them part of our lives."

Mr Pratt says a lot of work is being done with young people, who are concerned about growing up in a "de-natured world", and that attitudes have begun to change.

He added: "Businesses and councils have become much more understanding but despite big wins, these things [bird deterrents] still happen. There is no thought to the impact.

“We are in an extinction crisis. Every bird counts.”

Filmmaker Cain Scrimgeour runs events such as urban safaris and expeditions to encourage interest in wildlife around the North-East – including in kittiwakes.

Mr Scrimgeour, who runs ecotourism company Wild Intrigue with is partner Heather, said: “We wanted to make a difference.

“I’ve been filming the kittiwakes since I was 17. A lot of people just think they are seagulls, they see the poo and smell and do not see how great they are.”

The Whitley Bay man, 30, said people are most surprised the birds travel so far and survive rough waters.

Wild Intrigue has partnered up with local band Hector Gannet to celebrate the Tyne’s kittiwakes as they make their winter journey later this year.

It is through events like this, which includes a safari, talk and live music, that Mr Scrimgeour hopes to educate people otherwise not interested in wildlife.

North Tyneside Council, which is part of The Tyne Kittiwake Partnership, recognises the importance of kittiwakes and pledges to protect them in its biodiversity action plan, but nothing can be done about deterrents put up in winter.

Phil Scott, head of environment, housing and leisure at North Tyneside Council, said: “The council is continuing to work with the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership to try and secure alternative nesting provision at North Shields by way of artificial roosting ledges.

“The partnership is in the process of investigating this and a meeting is scheduled this month to discuss how to progress this further.”