News & Stories

Jacqueline Kärcher, Florentine Schäfermeier and Martha Steinmetz formed the Creative Pack, experiencing Rissa Citizen Science’s work through their artistic lens. They’ve now gathered the material they need, and it will take some time before we see what emerges from their creative minds. In the meantime, the three artists kindly share a glimpse of their story with us.

Welcome to Rissa’s first live broadcast! On Friday, August 8th, we launched the broadcast we had been talking about for months. Just after 6 PM CET that day, the kittiwake “rescue shelter” went live for viewers around the world! Follow every moment of the chicks we’re raising until they’re ready to leave.

Midway through the breeding season, we’re sharing an update based on the dedicated efforts of the Kittiwalkers.

The Strandvegen 8 case highlights how a poorly considered decision ended up worsening the very issue it aimed to resolve (getting rid of the endangered kittiwake). Now, for kittiwakes and for people using or living the neighborhood, an alternative breeding site is urgently needed.

Kittiwake rescue season is back! Last year, we saved 12 chicks thanks to incredible community support. It’s happening again soon, and we need help coordinating logistics now. Here's how you can help.

I am Megan Starr, travel blogger and kittiwake lover. I am sharing my experience volunteering for Rissa Citizen Science in June 2025.

Megan Starr and her partner traveled to Tromsø to spend a week volunteering with Rissa Citizen Science.

Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Kittiwalkers, who monitor nests on Tromsøya, we are reporting here on what used to be one of Tromsø’s largest urban colonies.

Since April, more than thirty volunteers have taken part in Rissa's Kittiwalker workshops, to learn how to monitor and safeguard kittiwakes in Tromsø. These citizen scientists serve as sentinels and advocates, enhancing our understanding of this highly endangered species, raising public awareness, proposing coexistence solutions, and reporting illegal nest destructions when everything else falls short.

A collaborative initiative to offer alternative breeding sites is showing promising results. The so-called kittiwake hotels provide a proactive way to support coexistence with this highly endangered species in urban areas.

Rissa Citizen Science and the Kittiwalkers have joined Kittiwakes.org, a platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and experiences about urban-nesting kittiwakes across Europe. Meet Paul Buskin, the driving force behind the initiative, who has spent decades championing coexistence with kittiwakes in the UK.

Kittiwakes in Skattøra face growing threats, but a path to coexistence may lie in a nearby plot of land owned by Tromsø municipality.

Tromsø’s dilemma: are we getting rid of kittiwakes or just spreading conflict?

The kittiwake colony at Skattøra is essential to the conservation of the black-legged kittiwake, a highly endangered (EN) and legally...

Kittiwalker Maren Hansen shares her positive experience with building owners in Tromsø.

Giulia Castellani: Researching the secrets of Tromsø’s kittiwake hotels

An interview with Lawrence Malstaff, an artist, advisor to Rissa, and advocate for kittiwakes in Tromsø.

In this third episode, we look back on our efforts to rescue kittiwake chicks that fell off the nest too early.

Philip Redecker is developping a mobile app for Rissa and the Kittiwalkers. Get ready to meet this adventurous and innovative mind!

This summer, filmmaker Antoine Tribotté visited Tromsø to highlight inspiring citizen science initiatives. As he unveils his 6-minute...