The return of one of the UK’s rarest seabirds is just weeks away, as preparations get underway at Seaton Carew to welcome back little terns after their remarkable 3,000-mile journey from West Africa.
And visitors to the beach are once again being asked to play their part in helping to protect the birds once they arrive.
The tiny seabirds weigh just 40–60g and they’ve made Seaton Carew one of the UK’s most important breeding sites since first arriving in 2019. Each spring, they return to the same stretch of beach to nest and raise their young.
To protect the birds, working with Hartlepool Borough Council, staff and volunteers from Tees Valley Wildlife Trust will install a protective perimeter fence on 1 April. The fencing will be placed in the same location chosen by the birds when they first settled at the site and has played a vital role in the colony’s success. This year, an additional inner mesh fence will be added as a second line of defence against predators such as foxes.
The fencing is being installed slightly earlier than in previous years, helping to reduce disturbance over the busy Easter period and reflecting the birds’ increasingly early arrival times.
A little tern returning to feed chicks. Image credit: Steve Lindsay
Wardens and volunteers will be on site from mid to late April, monitoring the colony and speaking with visitors about these special birds.
Hartlepool Borough Council and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust are now calling for more people to get involved, with opportunities for both volunteer and paid warden roles throughout the season.
Derek Wood, Little Tern Warden, said: “It’s always an exciting time of year as we prepare for the terns to return. The fact that these birds travel thousands of miles and choose to nest here at Seaton Carew is something really special for the area. With the right protection and support, we can give them the best possible chance to raise their young successfully.”
Gemma Ptak, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Director of Housing, Communities and Growth, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming the little terns back again to Hartlepool, especially as they have flown such a long way to nest on this beach, and we are delighted to once again be working with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to help protect them.
“People have a vital role to play in helping to support a new generation of little terns, and we would encourage them to get involved through the warden roles. We would also once again ask everyone to please play their part by avoiding disturbing the site by keeping clear and keeping dogs away too. We – and the little terns – will be very grateful.”
Volunteers play a vital role in the project, helping to monitor the birds, engage with the public and protect the nesting site.
Paid day and night warden roles are also available, helping to safeguard the colony during the most vulnerable hours.
No experience is needed for the volunteering roles, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help protect these remarkable birds.
To find out more or get involved, contact info@teeswildlife.org or visit https://www.teeswildlife.org/who-we-are/jobs/