Safe Islands for Seabirds

Transcription

1 Safe Islands for Seabirds LIFE07 NAT/P/ Layman s Report

2 Project manager: Pedro Luís Geraldes Project team: Ana Catarina Henriques, Carlos Silva, Luís Costa, Luís Ferreira, Nuno Domingos, Nuno Oliveira, Sandra Hervías, Susana Costa, Tânia Pipa, Vanda Domingos, Vanessa Oliveira, Iván Ramírez* (SPEA & BirdLife International), José Pedro Tavares, Mark Bolton, Steffen Oppel (RSPB), Fernando Ferreira (PNC), Fernando Jorge Cardoso, Frederico Cardigos, Nelson Santos, Nuno Loura, Raquel Ferreira (SRAM), Carlos Valadão, Manuel Rita (CMC). * This project contributed to the creation of the European Marine Program Coordinator position within the BirdLife International Acknowledgments: Alazne Díez Fernández, André Pina Batista, Ángel Morro, Ashley Domingos, Beatriz Mira Hernández, Cláudia Furtado, Escola Mouzinho da Silveira, Eduardo Díaz Alcazar, Eva Immler, Filipa Viegas, Filipe Figueiredo, Gregory Domingos, Inês Bravo, Jacob Katzenberger, Jannes Landschoff, Joana Leal, Joaquim Teodósio, José Benedicto, José Mendonça de Medeiros, Julia Herrera Garcia, Javier Roma, Karen Cunningham, Katherine Puttick, Kevin Standring, Lubélio Mendonça, Marco Silva, Maria Rivera, Michelle Goh, Mónica Inácio, Natália Nascimento, Nuno Câmara, Pedro Domingos, Rosemary Sigger, Rui Pimentel, Sandra Mealha, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Corvo, Sara Estácio, Silvia Escarduça, Silvia Monforte Rey, Sonia Serrano, Tiago Pereira, Valentina Piacentini, Vanessa Valadão, Vincent Le Grand. A special thanks to all the Corvo population and to all the remaining volunteers that helped the team during fieldwork and other tasks. Photos JT - Joaquim Teodósio LF - Luís Ferreira PG - Pedro Geraldes SH - Sandra Hervías VV - Vanessa Valadão Graphic design: Susana Costa

3 What is it? What is the purpose? This was a pioneer project for the conservation of seabird colonies in the Azores through habitat restoration measures (control of exotic plants, giant reed, tamarisk, cane grass and others) as well as evaluation of control vs. eradication measures for invasive alien species (goats, sheep, cats and rats). Where? Corvo Island and Vila Franca do Campo Islet Corvo is the smallest and most isolated island of Azores and it belongs to the Occidental group. Vila Franca do Campo is a little islet near São Miguel Island and it is an important touristic and recreational area. Both places are and were once a preferable habitat for seabirds. Who? are we? The project was coordinated by the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds with several other partners: the Regional Secretary of the Environment and the Sea, the Council of Corvo and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and it was co-funded by the European Commission. What was achieved? Cats Responsible for 84% of the predation events of Cory s shearwater chicks. The density of cats was estimated using automatic cameras placed throughout the island. There are about 163 feral cats on Corvo that has around 400 inhabitants. 51% of the domestic cats and 40% of the feral cats were neutered. A chick of Cory s shearwater being preyed upon by a cat was recorded in video. This was the first step for a future situation in which all the cats should be identified with a microchip and neutered to avoid the increase of the population of feral animals.

4 Abundance of House mice throughout the year Rats There are no records of the presence of Brown rat in Corvo Island. Seabirds are 10,6% of the diet of Black rat. The abundance of rodents was estimated throughout the year and the highest peak in abundance of both species occurred in November. House mice were eradicated from the Corvo Biological Reserve. House mice were least abundant in April and Black rats during April and the Winter months. Future control and eradication measures should be implemented during the periods with the lowest abundance to achieve better results Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Jan Feb Habitat restoration More than 23,000 native plants were planted. Control of invasive alien plants in the Corvo Biological Reserve, the Altitude Biological Reserve and in Vila Franca do Campo Islet. The Invasive alien plants controlled were the tamarisk, the giant reed and the big leaf hydrangea. After the project interventions, the area occupied by the invasive alien plants was reduced to 5% of the previous area.

5 Plantation of native plants More than 12,300 plants (fire tree, Azorean heather and Azorina vidallii) planted on Vila Franca do Campo Islet. 7,300 plants (fire tree, Azorean heather, fescue, Picconia azorica, Azorean cedar, Viburnum treleasei, Myosotis maritima e Azorina vidalii) were planted in the Corvo Biological Reserve. 3,500 plants (Azorean blueberry, Frangula azorica, Azorean cedar, Azorean heather and Viburnum treleasei) were planted in the Altitude Biological Reserve. Seabirds First Cory s shearwater chick translocation 90% of them fledged successfully and it is expected that they will return to breed in the Corvo Biological Reserve in the next 6 to 7 years. Area free of alien predators The first 100% pest-proof fence in Europe was built on Corvo. 400 artificial nests for seabirds were built on Corvo and Vila Franca do Campo Islet. The target species were attracted with automatic calling systems Cory s shearwater, Manx shearwater, Little shearwater and Madeiran storm-petrel. More than 800 Cory s shearwater juveniles were saved and released during the SOS Cory s shearwater campaigns. This area should be and example of conservation efforts in Macaronesia and will allow to recreate the required habitat conditions for seabirds and native plants in the Corvo Biological Reserve.

6 Corvo Island - promotion and awareness A Cory s shearwater breeding pair was followed live in the Lua-de-mel website until the fledging of the juvenile. Seen by over 25,000 persons in more than 70 countries. Several movies and documentaries produced about Corvo and Vila Franca do Campo Islet. Several public awareness sessions about the regional nature values. The website allows thousands to virtually visit Corvo. An interpretative walking trail was created around Corvo Village. What is the message? Educate to protect An environmental Education Program was established for local students. The first public recycle bins of Corvo were installed in the village. 150 individual recycle bins were delivered to every household in Corvo. Efforts dedicated to education and awareness of the next generations may guarantee the seabirds protection and conservation in the future.

7 What was the socio-economic impact? Creation of 4.5 direct annual jobs and indirect ones in the region. More than half a million Euros of European funds were applied in the Azores. The project contributed with 0.81% of the island Gross Domestic Product. All the Corvo inhabitants supported the project and were involved in its actions. A full eradication of invasive alien predators in Corvo is actually socially and economically unfeasible. Measures to control and manage these species should be implemented as well as measures to control the entrance of other alien species. With the proper monitoring and management, the Corvo Island and Vila Franca do Campo Islet can recover their status as a sanctuary for seabirds. Celebration of the 20 years of the LIFE programme and Natura 2000 Network

8 Contacts Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves Tel.: (+351) spea@spea.pt Websites: life-corvo.spea.pt