Well, here it is...our final blog of the 2022 little tern season here at Seaton Carew - and what a great season it has been! Huge thanks and recognition go to the incredible volunteers, Durham Wildlife Trust wardens and, of course, to the good people of SeaScapes, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Hartlepool Council and Durham Wildlife Trust who, through their commitment, coordination, support and generosity have made this all possible. 

Everyone has devoted so much time and effort to the success of this project, for the sole reward of seeing Seaton’s little terns raise their young and make ready for the long return trip back to West Africa. I make no apology for describing them as 'Seaton’s little terns', this definition includes all of those members of the public who have taken so much interest and been so respectful of the site. You all share in the success and should feel the same pride in what we have achieved here together. Here is just a taster.

So, what does success look like? I guess the ultimate measure is in whether our little terns were able to raise their young, to fledge and then to depart for their homes in The Gambia. In that respect, I am delighted to report that we have a total confirmed count of 87 chicks, although the actual total is expected to be even higher. Counting the number of chicks has been a challenge as they are only brooded in the nest for three days or so, after which, they’re OFF with mum and dad in quick pursuit!! So, the 87 we registered were limited to those cooperative chicks who peeked out from beneath mum just as the warden did their daily counts.

Of those chicks, our licensed bird ringer Chris, has successfully ringed 67.

The ringing will enable the authorities to track the journeys and whereabouts of our little terns. And in that respect an interesting fact has emerged from this year’s reports. Two of our birds were found to have been ringed in 2003 and 2007 and are aged 19 and 16 years respectively!

With an annual round trip of some 7000 miles each, that’s just under a quarter of a million miles travelled between them!

As an added bonus, our protected little tern site has also become a safe haven for other wildlife, such as ringed plovers and their countless chicks which seem to pop up from nowhere and proceed to scamper non-stop around the site. Don’t these chicks ever sleep so that we can count them?

The site has also provided a safe roost for other seabirds at times when there’s been no room at the waterside inn. Oystercatchers, dunlin, turnstones and others have all popped in. We’ve even had regular visits from bats to keep our night shift wardens amused during lulls between fox activity, and (in these circumstances) some less welcome visitors in the shape of a weasel and a barn owl.

Some more facts and figures for the statistically minded amongst you.

• Wardens and volunteers came to this (ad)venture in May and since then together we have clocked up 1780 hours
• At its peak, we have attracted 120 adult little terns to the site
• We have logged 49 successful little tern nests
• We have registered 87 chicks, of which 67 have been ringed

All of our volunteers have provided such an amazing presence at Seaton Carew, responding to the public who have travelled near and far in the hope of seeing the little terns. One of our volunteers, Tony, has been on site every single day since the 2022 project began and, no doubt, he will be around to ‘turn off the lights’ when the last of the birds leave us. As a tribute to Tony and the other volunteers, I am adding his own testimony about what excites and motivates him to give up so freely of his own time.

"My name is Tony, I’m a retired English teacher and latterly, library assistant. I've taken an interest in the tern colony for the last four years because I live nearby and walk the beach most days. I got talking to the wardens and volunteers and my interest grew.

Last year my permitted Covid Lockdown walk coincided with the colony site being erected and I found myself being drawn in to the point where I applied formally to be a volunteer warden and spent every day last season supporting the team. I cannot confess to a previous interest in seabirds but have a lifelong love of all wildlife and an active desire to protect and preserve the environment.

My fascination with these wonderful little birds was instant. The need to explore and learn about them fed my love of knowledge and of being able to share this with others. I suppose 'once a teacher…' I really enjoy explaining to the public, and particularly children, all about our little guests. Not all kids are glued to the media. To see a child looking down the telescope and going 'awesome!' at the simple sight of a little tern is reward in itself.

What continues to motivate me? The work is never done or complete until the last bird leaves for The Gambia, more to do, more to learn, more people to enlighten and amaze.

On a purely personal level, I have met many wonderful people on each team and am privileged to call them friends. I would encourage anyone thinking of volunteering just to do it on their own terms. There is no pressure to give more time than you want to or are uncomfortable with. You will be welcomed anyway.

At the end of a volunteer session of looking after the site, it feels good to think that I have contributed to the protection of the colony and that the little terns are okay for another day!"

One of the stars of the show courtesy of Explore SeaScapes

I think I speak for the whole little tern team of wardens, volunteers and for our partners in SeaScapes, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Hartlepool Council and Durham Wildlife Trust in saying that we all feel very privileged in having worked alongside such a great team and we are immensely proud of what we have achieved together.

Oh – I guess the little terns had a hand in that success too!!

Have a good trip home to The Gambia fellows, look after the ‘children’ and we'll see you all back here next year.