Birds of Teesmouth

An impressive example of the ability of a great variety of bird species surviving amidst the large industrial landscape of Teesside, beautifully shot by the R.S.P.B. Film Unit. It provides a chance to see the changes in bird species and habitat over 40 years. But this is much more than a film that bird lovers will enjoy; it also shows the underbelly of one of the most highly industrialised parts of the country in 1966, with docks, the chemical works and oil refineries.

The Film Unit of the R.S.P.B. was formed in 1952, making many films in the 1950s and 60s. This film was shot by James Monro before the last large reclamation of Seal Sands, with natural sound by John Kirby of Middlesbrough. It was shown at the RSPB AGM in the Festival Hall in 1966 and won first prize at the Teesside Industrial Eisteddfod in July 1966. In that year Seal Sands, and Seaton Dunes and Common became Sites of Special Scientific Interest and later National Nature Reserves. All of the birds featured in the film can still be seen at Teesmouth, but land reclamation has meant that around 80% of the shelducks, knots and dunlins then present have disappeared.