Understand
Seaton Carew little tern colony records its worst breeding season
Overview
The little tern colony at Seaton Carew has experienced its toughest breeding season since establishing the site in 2019, with 83 nesting pairs producing only 17 fledglings. Factors including flooding, washed-away perimeter fencing, late food supplies, predation, and dogs entering the exclusion zone contributed to the difficult conditions, according to the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.
Key points
- The Seaton Carew little tern colony recorded just 17 fledglings from 83 nesting pairs this season.
- The seabirds migrate approximately 3,000 miles from West Africa to Seaton Carew each year, having first established a site there in 2019.
- Tees Valley Wildlife Trust cited flooding, high tides washing away protective fencing, predation, and a late arrival of inshore food supplies as major challenges.
- In June, wardens reported that numbers were down due to dogs entering the exclusion zone.
- Little terns are currently classed as amber on the UK list of conservation concern, and the team is planning site improvements ahead of the birds' return in spring.