Kittiwake - 1894

Rissa tridactyla

An abundant resident.

This pretty species is by far the most numerous of the Pembrokeshire Larida. Great numbers nest on Ramsey, Skomer, and Grasholm Islands ; also in places on the cliffs of the mainland, as on cliffs at Flimstone, adjoining the Stack Rocks near Pembroke, where there is a large colony, &c. A breeding station of the Kittiwake is a very interesting scene. On the ledges of the cliff nearest to the water, and rising tier above tier, the nests are thickly placed, and are constructed of seaweed lined with grass, and look white from the droppings of the birds. The Kittiwakes, sitting on the nests, look like white Doves, and the cries of the birds fill the air.

The Kittiwake is a maritime species, and is never found away from the coast, unless it is blown inland by violent gales, and is never to be seen in company with the Common and Brown-headed Gulls searching freshly-ploughed fields for worms.

Mathew M.A. 1894, Birds of Pembrokeshire and it's Islands