The little tern colony at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, has completed its most challenging breeding season since the birds first established themselves at the site in 2019. The migratory seabirds, which travel approximately 3,000 miles from West Africa annually to reach the breeding ground, saw dramatically reduced reproductive success this year.
The colony’s 83 nesting pairs produced just 17 fledglings during the recent breeding season, representing a substantial decline from the 67 fledglings recorded the previous year. Several environmental and biological factors contributed to the poor outcomes, according to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust officials overseeing the site. High tides earlier in the year destroyed the protective fencing that surrounds the nesting area, leaving the birds vulnerable to disturbance.
Additionally, the delayed arrival of the birds’ primary inshore food sources complicated breeding efforts. Predation also took a toll on the colony during the season. In June, population counts indicated a 50 percent decline from earlier projections, which wildlife officials attributed partly to unauthorized dogs entering the exclusion zone around the nesting grounds.
Derek Wood, the lead warden for the site, acknowledged the difficult season for the conservation team while noting multiple contributing factors beyond human control. Despite the challenges, wildlife officials expressed optimism about the colony’s potential recovery when the birds return from their African wintering grounds in spring. Plans are underway to enhance site conditions and strengthen protections for the colony. Little terns currently hold amber conservation status on the UK list of conservation concern, indicating they face moderate risk factors affecting their populations.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI