Little tern colony has worst breeding season
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Little terns first came to Seaton Carew in 2019 A little tern colony has experienced its toughest breeding season since establishing themselves at a site.
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Since 2019 the seabirds have travelled about 3,000 miles (4,828km) from West Africa to Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.
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But this year the colony's 83 nesting pairs produced just 17 fledglings, compared to 67 in 2025.
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Tees Valley Wildlife Trust said flooding and damage to the colony's perimeter fence contributed to difficult conditions for the birds.
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The protective fencing around the nesting ground was washed away in high tides earlier this year.
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Lead warden Derek Wood said a late arrival of their inshore food supply as well as predation also contributed to the birds' tough season.
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In June, it was reported numbers were down 50%, which the team attributed to dogs being inside the exclusion zone.
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Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is looking at how to make the 2027 breeding season more successful "The season has been a difficult one for the dedicated wardens and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect the colony," Wood said.
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But the team is hopeful the colony can bounce back when they return from Africa in spring, with plans to improve the site and further protect the birds under way.
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Little Terns are currently classed as amber on the UK list of conservation concern.
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Little terns fly 3,000 miles to start nesting Fears dogs to blame for drop in little tern numbers Wardens needed ahead of little terns' return
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