Together, we can do the impossible. Here are some examples of SPEA’s successes: proof of what our technicians, members, volunteers and partners can achieve together.
We built a ‘safety net’ for the Raso Lark
In 2018, the world’s population of Raso Lark was confined solely to the tiny Raso islet, in Cape Verde – a precarious situation, where a natural disaster could easily render the species extinct. To increase this species’ chances of survival, over the course of 2018 and 2019 we moved a total of 70 larks to nearby Santa Luzia island. These pioneer birds started to breed the following season, and, in 2020, after some much-welcomed rains, we got an excellent sign that the population is doing well: at least 24 chicks hatched on the island!
Together with our colleagues from Biosfera1 Cabo Verde, we will continue to monitor these new arrivals.
Band-rumped Storm Petrel hatched on Berlenga island
In 2019, for the first time since recording started, a Band-rumped Storm Petrel hatched on the island of Berlenga. The hatching of this endangered seabird is proof of the success of 4 years of conservation work on the island. One of the smallest Portuguese marine birds, Band-rumped Storm Petrels take refuge on islets and islands where they are safe from rats, mice and other predators brought by humans. Thanks to our LIFE Berlengas project, the island of Berlenga has become a safe haven, free from predators. To attract Band-rumped Storm Petrels, we used recordings of the species’ calls and built artificial nests. The result was this chick, which we hope will be the first of many!
We saved the Azores Bullfinch
In 2005, the Azores Bullfinch was one of the most endangered birds in Europe. Its home and itsr food were disappearing. With help from hundreds of volunteers and years of fieldwork, in the LIFE Priolo, LIFE Laurissilva Sustentável and LIFE Terras do Priolo projects, we restored the Laurissilva Forest, and the Azores Bullfinch went from an unknown relic to a symbol of the Azorean people. The northeast of São Miguel island now shelters a stable population of around 1000 Azores Bullfinches, and we continue to work to protect this species which can be found nowhere else in the world.
The Azores Bullfinch, which we saved from extinction
We halted the Blackbird hunt
In 2011, the hunting calendar included Blackbirds on the list of species that could be hunted. We managed to mobilize hundreds of citizens to write letters to the ministry of agriculture, demanding this attack be stopped. The government listened to these citizens and the Blackbird was removed from the list.
Blackbirds can no longer be hunted in Portugal
