The SPEA team, with the help of more than 70 volunteers, managed to return 110 Cory’s Shearwaters to the sea. With our help these birds were able to continue their journey safe from light pollution.
It was during the Save a Seabird Campaign, from October 15th to November 15th, that the SPEA Madeira team and more than 70 volunteers, travelled the streets of Madeira and Porto Santo island, in search of disoriented seabirds.
From the rescued shearwaters, 70 were ringed. Unfortunately, 9 shearwaters were found dead, victims of being run over by a vehicle. Calheta, Santa Cruz, Machico and Santana were the municipalities with more birds rescued.
Besides the Cory’s Shearwater, a Madeiran Storm-petrel was also found near Funchal Airport.
A deep thanks to these true guardians of seabirds!
Science Brigades
From 23 October to 5 November, SPEA counted with the help of volunteers to patrol the streets of Câmara de Lobos, Funchal, Santa Cruz, Machico and Santana.
The results of these scientific brigades of the Save a Seabird Campaign were excellent and we managed, over 14 days, to play a crucial role in the survival of young Cory’s Shearwaters.
Some milestones from these weeks:
🚶♀️160 km travelled daily, for a total of 2240 km
🦸 50 local volunteers
🛬12 volunteers from outside the region
🐣 88 Cory’s shearwaters rescued
☠️ unfortunately, we were late for 5 birds
From 15 October to 15 November the Save a Seabird Campaign is taking place, which coincides with the departure from the nesting grounds of juvenile Cory’s Shearwater, which fall prey to light pollution in our cities. Be alert, and if you find a bird, contact the Rede SOS Vida Selvagem of the Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, RAM, through 961957545.
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