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Island goes dark to save baby birds
3 Nov
Summary
- Corvo islanders reduce lights in autumn to help young birds.
- Disoriented birds follow artificial lights instead of the sky.
- Thousands of rescued seabirds have been saved across the Azores.
Corvo, the northernmost island of Portugal's Azores archipelago, engages in a unique conservation effort by reducing artificial lighting during autumn. This initiative aims to protect young Cory's shearwaters as they embark on their first journey to sea. The island's approximately 450 residents have been involved in this practice since 1991.
Artificial lights from streetlamps and buildings can disorient the fledglings, drawing them away from their natural celestial navigation. These disoriented birds often face dangers such as collisions with structures or becoming prey. To combat this, residents conduct nighttime patrols to rescue stranded birds.
The "SOS Cagarro" campaign, launched by the Azorean government in 1995 and supported by the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), expanded these rescue efforts across all nine islands. From October 26 to 30, Corvo implemented a five-night blackout, switching off public lights between 9 pm and 4 am.
This conservation practice has shown significant impact, with over 30,000 Cory's shearwater fledglings rescued in the Azores since 2015. Research indicates that approximately 85% of grounded shearwater incidents occur when streetlights are illuminated, highlighting the direct link between light pollution and seabird disorientation. SPEA is promoting similar measures globally to reduce light pollution.
