Veronica dabneyi in bloom

New Volunteers

Hello everyone!!

We are Rosemary and Beatriz and we just arrived in little beautiful Corvo last week. Rosemary is from England and I am from Spain. We are here to develop our field experience in environmental science and management, which we studied at univeristy.We came as here as part of Ecotrain programme, financed by Leonardo Da Vinci from European Comission.

We are staying here for nine weeks helping the team of SPEA. We will be mapping the invasive plant species around the island using GIS and satellite photos, and wandering around surveying the vegetation and enjoying the amazing sourrounding views.

During the last week we´ve been learning already how to identify the plant species. We were helping as well programming and setting the ARUs that capture the calls of the Cory´s Shearwater breeding colonies. We were lucky to see a Cory sat on its nest inside a stony wall near the cliffs! And we also found one sitting on the path near the beach while setting the mammal traps at midnight.

We also have participated with the local children on a litter pick on the beach. It was very hot and sunny and we almost got burnt as we forgot to use any sun cream!! But it was all worth the effort, as the beach looked so much better. Afterwards, we went for a well earned coffee and a pastel de nata!!! This is an amazing Portuguese cake and had been made just a few minutes ago at the café.

This week we are hoping the fog will clear so we can start our project work mapping the plants, and keep enjoying such beautiful scenery!

First Little sherwater of the year

Once again, the team had the opportunity to release a juvenile of little shearwater (Puffinus assimilis), which was found by a corvino. To all the corvinos which have been part in the release of juveniles, Thank you Very Much.

Have a nice trip, friend!!

Corvo Human Flag in Caldeirão

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the LIFE Program and the Natura 2000 Network, SPEA has organized a human flag in the Island of Corvo.

This initiative involved 20 Corvo inhabitants and had the support of the local school and the Natural Park of Corvo.

In this Natura 2000 site, one of the most beautiful landscapes from Corvo, the participants draw a LIFE logo 20m across that turned into the number 20, to celebrate this special date and enhance the importance of these two Nature Conservation tools.

Our thanks to all involved and we are working on the film that we intend to release soon!

“International Workshop on Island Natural Restoration”

Last week LIFECorvo Project team had the pleasure and the privilege of share and exchange knowledge, with other LIFE Projects during the “International Workshop on Island Natural Restoration” at Corvo island, 14-17 of May.

From 19th to 20th April we returned to Vila Franca do Campo Islet to continued the restoration of the endemic vegetation. At first look, small leaves try to survive within the dense and abundant vegetation. 
 The day was calm and we started weeding and cutting the grass.

The result was an amazing surprise, the thounsands of endemic plants that were planted during last three years, have grown and now they are beautiful and 1.50m height.
 After 3 years, the effort and work of LIFE Laurissilva Project team had not been in vain. We are looking foward to continue the work this new year with a new willingness. The endemic vegetation is recovering and Cory's Shearwaters start to occupy their nests.

Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the LIFE Programme

Join us on 5^th May 2012 in the lagoon of Caldeirão and help us to create the largest LIFE human flag on Corvo Island.

 

Come to celebrate with us this important day for the LIFE Programme financed by the European Comission which has been supporting environmental and nature conservation projects since 20 years ago.

Plantations in the Altitude Biological Reserve (RBA)

The project RBA received about 3000 endemic plants (Erica azorica) last week and we expect than they will form small patches of endemic vegetation in the future. Since caws normally eat these plants in other parts of the island we planted at the highest elevations of the RBA helping plants to survive.
 

We wish that "survival of the strongest" does not happen in the RBA and all plants survive and grow.

Biological Reserve of Corvo gains life

After several weeks, the project team ended plantations in the Biological Reserve of Corvo. Now, we have to wait that the 5000 endemic plants remain and grow, giving color to the Cory's Shearwaters's hotel.

Ps: For the second year, there are available rooms to rent, is there any Cory interested in?

T. Pippa.

Tree day celebrations

The March 21, widely known as the tree day, was marked by the Corvo children celebrations. We used grown plants  from the greenhouse production. We started in the morning with the kindergarten.

We planted Azorean-piconea, Azoren-cedar and Azorean-fire-tree. All of them, native species.

During the afternoon, we were planting in Topo Biological Reserve. We counted with the help of Corvo Natural Park and Integrated Primary School Mouzinho da Silveira 3rd cycle students.

Was a funny day and allowed us to contribute to the island Nature.

Special encounter

Our team had today a special encounter during the subaquatic footages to the new documentary.

During February, the LIFE project " Safe Island for Seabirds" extended their work to different islands of the archipelago, dividing the team geographically for the different tasks in role. This situation didn't allow a fast update of the blog and led to some comments by the followers of the blog. We regret this situation and promise to catch up as soon as possible.

The tasks that have been developed are:
- Atlas of the winter birds on the island of Flores and Corvo;
- Count of waterbirds on the island of Corvo;
- Birdwatching in Flores;
- The placement of recording systems in seabird colonies (Flores);
- Data analysis from rats and cats blood samples, with the support of the IMAR in Coimbra;
- Plantation of 3,000 plants at Corvo Biological Reserve;
- Plantation of 2000 plants at Vila Franca do Campo Islet (São Miguel), with the support of the project LIFE Laurissilva;
- The donation of neir 300 endemic plants to the inhabitants of the island of Corvo;
- Transplanting plants to project nursery;
- Control of weeds in the biological reserve and the islet;
- processing and editing of the project documentary;
- And the analysis and identification of invertebrates.

We thank all the followers for your interest for the project blog and the conservation of seabirds.

Estagiar L- part 2

On islands like Santa Maria, Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo, the program envisages an initial phase of 11 months and an extension of 12. In December of 2011, Tânia Pipa extended her internship in the project "Sanctuary Islands for seabirds," on Corvo island.
"I arrived to Corvo, in January 2011 and despite being minimally informed about the island, the experience I have experienced so far, could not be more rewarding. Professionally, this experience has allowed me to learn and develop my skills in several areas, particularly with regard to marine birds and their conservation, either through restoration of habitat, cultivation and planting of endemic species, which filled Corvo island in the past, or the study of predators introduced by humans, and for which I developed a special interest.
Another aspect of the project, which pleases me, is the increase of awareness to the problem of seabirds, by the locals, especially the youngest, which are also responsible for the success of the project among the population, mainly due to the important role that SPEA plays in environmental education activities.
Due to the harvest moments that we are living, I think that this experience is more than just professional and a daily life in a completely different reality from what I was used, has been contributing to my growth as a person, not only for the good work environment, which thankfully my colleagues give me, but also by the restrictions of living in the smallest island of the Azores, where life is ruled by weather conditions very rigid, and fruits, milk and meat are not always available at the supermarket.
This opportunity is unique and made me appreciate the simplicity of things and give more importance to what really matters.
For all these reasons, programs like Estagiar L are an important contribution not only to the integration of young graduates in the work market, but mainly for the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. "

T.Pipa

The first Myosotis maritima blossom

The Myosotis maritima produced in our greenhouse are blossoming.

Gavia immer was found in the harbor

A wounded Big loons Gavia immer was found today at Porto-da-casa. After a phone call to warn about the presence of a bird, we rescued her and gave it to the Corvo Wild Birds Recovery Center. Expecting  more news later...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The project staff went to holidays.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We will return next year for more and new exciting news.
All the best...

Endemics full of life

Our production of endemic plants in the greenhouse is still full of life. Take a look ...

Anti-predator fence overview

Enjoying the good weather and the calm sea, i went to take some pictures of the anti-predators fence overview on the Low Altitude Biological Reserve. After much effort and hard work, this is the aspect.

Birthday video presentation

On 26th of November, the SPEA made ​​his birthday party with the Corvo citizens, where a anniversary commemorating video was shown to all the present people. This set of images shows some field work and the willingness of the "Safe Islands for Seabirds" team. Congratulations SPEA!

18th SPEA Birthday

SPEA - Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds will celebrate its 18th anniversary on 25 November. We are organizing a party at the Oceans Bar on Corvo island, on 26th Saturday. The party will start at 22h. We are expecting you!