SOS Cagarro rescue brigades open in São Miguel and Corvo
Azores GuideFree, registered volunteers can patrol for disoriented juvenile cagarros, attend releases and support conservation work during the autumn campaign.
SPEA-BirdLife has invited the public to join SOS Cagarro rescue brigades in São Miguel and Corvo from 22 October to 10 November. The brigades are part of the SOS Cagarro campaign organised by the Regional Government of the Azores, and participation is free with prior registration.
A public awareness session will be held on 17 October at 20:30 at the Terra Azul headquarters in the marina of Vila Franca do Campo. On São Miguel, SPEA activities will take place in Vila Franca do Campo, Povoação, Faial da Terra and Nordeste, with further opportunities on Corvo.
The Azores host about 75% of the world's Cory's shearwater population. Between October and November, juvenile cagarros leave their nests for the sea, but many are drawn to artificial coastal lighting, become disoriented and fall on land, where they face predators, being run over and exhaustion.
Vila Franca do Campo is one of São Miguel's main fall points, where about 700 cagarros were rescued during the 2025 campaign. Azucena de la Cruz, coordinator of SPEA-BirdLife Açores, said volunteers are essential because birds can fall by the dozens in some places. Volunteers patrol critical areas, help collect birds and direct them to safe places; they can also accompany ringing and biometric-data collection sessions. Recovered birds will be released for public viewing on weekend mornings.
SPEA-BirdLife has called for reduced exterior lighting during the campaign and asked that all rescues be reported and recorded to identify the most problematic locations. Registration for rescue brigades and bird releases is open at www.centropriolo.com/soscagarro. The Vila Franca do Campo brigades are part of the LIFE Natura@night project and are supported by the Câmara Municipal de Vila Franca do Campo, Clube Naval de Vila Franca do Campo, Terra Azul Azores Whalewatching, Lotaçor and Parque Natural da Ilha de São Miguel, in coordination with the Direcção Regional de Políticas Marítimas.
Sources
Azores Guide
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