A rare seabird that travels thousands of miles from Africa to nest on the North East coast has suffered its worst breeding season at a protected site since the colony was established.
But this year, the birds faced a series of challenges that left conservationists struggling to protect their vulnerable nesting colony.
Despite 83 pairs nesting at the site, just 17 young birds successfully fledged during the 2026 breeding season.
The Little Tern colony at Seaton Carew (Image: Steve Lindsay)
The birds, which are considered relatively rare in the North East, have become an important part of the area's coastal wildlife.
However, their nesting habits leave them particularly vulnerable to changing conditions and disturbance.
The Little Tern colony at Seaton Carew (Image: Steve Lindsay)
Little Terns lay their eggs directly on beaches, often in shallow scrapes among sand and shingle, making their nests difficult to spot.
Their eggs and chicks can be exposed to flooding, predators and disturbance from people using the shoreline.
At Seaton Carew, the birds faced an unusually difficult combination of threats throughout the summer.
The Little Tern colony at Seaton Carew (Image: Steve Lindsay)
According to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, flooding, damage to the colony's perimeter fence, predation and disturbance along the shoreline all contributed to the challenging season.
The late arrival of the birds' inshore food supply and smaller-than-average clutch sizes created further problems.
The result was a particularly disappointing breeding season for the conservation team, which works each year to give the birds the best possible chance of raising their young.
Wardens and volunteers spend the nesting season protecting the colony, monitoring the birds and helping visitors understand why the area is so important.
The Little Tern colony at Seaton Carew (Image: Steve Lindsay)
The poor results are particularly significant because Little Terns depend on suitable coastal nesting sites to reproduce successfully.
Their presence at Seaton Carew also gives people in the North East an opportunity to see a remarkable migratory species close to home.
Despite the setback, conservationists remain hopeful that the colony can recover.
Little Terns have shown resilience following difficult breeding seasons in the past, and preparations are already under way for their return in spring 2027.
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers are working towards welcoming the birds back to Seaton Carew next April.
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The charity says the colony has also played an important role in connecting local people with wildlife.
Throughout the summer, wardens and volunteers spoke to visitors of all ages about the birds and the challenges they face.
The Trust hopes this engagement will encourage more people to take an interest in protecting the region's coastal wildlife.