World Migratory Bird Day

Hello everybody,

Yesterday was a very special day, because it was World Migratory Bird Day.

The Azores Islands are not only a hotspot for cetaceans, also many birds find oasis in here to breed and raise chicks, or experience the Islands as a perfect stop on their migration route.

On World Migratory Bird Day it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the life of the many wonderful Seabirds we have here. It’s also the time to increase our level of awareness about the threats that birds are facing.

Yesterday the Terra Azul Team had a very interesting workshop about Azorean Seabirds by SPEA – The Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds.

SPEA is a scientific association that works towards the study and conservation of wild birds and their habitats by promoting sustainable development for the benefit of the future generations.

 

Carlos Silva is a Marine Conservation Officer at SPEA and trained us about the different Azorean breeding seabirds, Azorean occasional birds and about the main threats the birds are facing.

 

The Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) is the most abundant bird species in the Azores.
But also the Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis), Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), Band-rumped Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma castro), Monteiro’s Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma monteiroi), the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) and the Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) breed on the Islands.

To Carlos Silva: thank you very much for this enriching afternoon!

The Terra Azul team is completely ready for the next marine birding expeditions! 🙂

Jessie Ocket

About Jessie Ocket

Jessie has a strong passion for the ocean and wildlife. Joined the TERRA AZUL team as Volunteer Marine Wildlife Guide in 2019, enjoying out at sea with wildlife, accompanying and informing visitors, and collecting field imagery and data for local Cetaceans and Sea Turtles Research & Conservation projects.