A little tern colony at Seaton Carew has had its worst breeding season since arriving in 2019, with 83 nesting pairs producing just 17 fledglings. Flooding, damaged fencing, predation and a late food supply were all blamed.
01Summary
- 01The little tern colony first came to Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in 2019 after travelling about 3,000 miles from West Africa.
- 02This year 83 nesting pairs produced 17 fledglings, down from 67 in 2025.
- 03Tees Valley Wildlife Trust said flooding and damage to the colony's perimeter fence made conditions difficult.
- 04The protective fencing was washed away in high tides earlier this year, and lead warden Derek Wood also cited a late arrival of inshore food and predation.
- 05Planning is under way to improve the site for the 2027 breeding season, and little terns are currently amber on the UK conservation list.
02Why it matters
The poor season leaves a vulnerable seabird colony with far fewer young birds to carry it forward. It also shows how flooding, disturbance and food shortages can quickly affect breeding success at protected sites.
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