Nest western: UK’s vulnerable kittiwakes flock to bird hotels

As the cliffside habitats of the gull come under increasing pressure, artificial nest sites are being built to help the gulls adapt

Constructed from galvanised steel and plywood, the latest hotel to open in Lowestoft, Suffolk, boasts a sea view and promises plenty of privacy. Which should suit the guests that flock to the prime seaside spot: black-legged kittiwakes looking for a place to nest.

The kittiwake hotel opened in March, offering artificial nesting sites for the seabirds. Like albatrosses, kittiwakes spend most of their lives at sea, but traditionally nest on cliff ledges between March and July.