The SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign 2016 has already started on all islands of the Azores. This initiative has been held on annual basis since 1995 and aims to ensure the conservation of these iconic seabirds and promote public participation environmental awareness raising actions.
During the months of October and November, juvenile specimens begin to leave their nests. When attracted by strong artificial lights, they become disoriented and can fall in hazardous locations where there is a risk of being hit by vehicles or attacked by predators.
For this reason, dozens of brigades cover the archipelago's roads this time of the year, rescuing fallen Cory's Shearwater specimens that are then released by the sea during the day, after the placement of rings. This marks the beginning of their first major annual migration to the South Atlantic seas or to the productive areas of the Northwest Atlantic.
BirdLife International says the Azores are home very every year to 200 thousand Cory's Shearwaters couples (Calonectris borealis), which nest on the islands of the archipelago between April and October.
The birds form numerous nesting colonies on coastal cliffs, representing 75% of the world population of this species. They also nest in the archipelagos of Madeira and the Canaries and on Berlengas islets.
These birds begin to reproduce, on average, at the age of eight or nine and only lay one egg at a time, with no possibility of laying other eggs in the event of incubation failure or death of the offspring.
Based on data provided by the ringing programme, the birds saved under the SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign have returned to place where they were born to breed.
During this year's campaign, the Government will implement a more objective method of collecting information about this bird, through scientific brigades, in collaboration with the University of the Azores, the Island Natural Parks, non-governmental organisations and other entities wishing to join this initiative.
The SOS Shearwater Campaign is also intended to become a participatory ecotourism activity, promoting the Azores as a sustainable destination, through inclusive actions for environmental conservation.
In this regard, regional tour agents are being alerted to the importance of disseminating this initiative, thus allowing tourists to take active part in the campaign and contribute to the protection of this seabird species.
The SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign is an initiative developed by the Regional Government through the Regional Directorates for Sea Affairs and the Environment. It is implemented by Azorina and Island Natural Parks with the support and partnership of dozens of organisations and institutions.
Further information on this initiative is available at the address http://soscagarro.azores.gov.pt.