Concern for Kittiwake colony after cliff fall

A recent cliff fall in East Sussex has prompted concern over the future of a Kittiwake colony that used the site.

The fall occurred at Splash Point in February and damaged a large area of cliff used by Kittiwakes. The Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) has since expressed concern that the birds will be unable to find secure sites for their nests, which they will start to build in April. 

There have been sightings of some birds apparently looking for sites on the remainder of the cliff face and the 'stack' just off the cliffs; some are flying to the newly exposed cliff face, although it is doubtful whether nests built here will be stable enough to last throughout the breeding season.

The cliff fall at Splash Point (Chris Davis).

Kittiwake concern

Surveys of the colony carried out in 2022 by SOS showed there were 383 nests apparently occupied by the birds, the lowest number since 2011. The colony is the only one in Sussex – and one of few in south-east England.

Observers from SOS will be monitoring the status of the colony during the breeding season.