CONSERVATIONISTS have reported mixed news for two of Teesmouth's most important wildlife species.

The Billingham-based Industry Nature Conservation Association says seals have had another successful breeding year, but the little tern, one of Britain's rarest breeding seabirds, has suffered a very poor season.

Seals, which were missing from Teesmouth for 100 years, have established thriving colonies since their return in the 60s and 70s. Current estimates put the number of harbour seals at 54, with 27 grey seals.

But INCA says the situation facing the beach-nesting little terns is much more serious. In previous years the seabird has been a popular visitor to the North-East coast, but this year has been poor.

The worst-hit area has been Crimdon Dene which has been the birds' favoured nesting site since 1995, in preference to their previous spot at Coatham Sands, near Redcar.

Last year the entire Crimdon Dene colony lost its eggs to a collector, who was subsequently prosecuted, and this year there have been no nesting little terns there, despite 34 being seen in the area early in the breeding season.

At Coatham Sands, nine clutches of eggs were laid but the two chicks which hatched were taken by fox and most of the other nests were inundated by the tide.

One nest on Seaton Carew beach disappeared within days, and at South Gare island there were eight nests but only two survived. Attacks by gulls and fox accounted for several of them and a group of teenage boys stood on another.

The birds are monitored by the INCA, whose chairman, Mr Joe Campbell, said: "We hope the reduction in little tern is a one-off and that they return next year in greater numbers.

"The seals, however, are a different story. The harbour seals are residents and the success of the colony points to an improving environment of the River Tees."