Cooking science

Hi everyone!

With Cory's shearwater already around Corvo Island and taking into account the results we had last year on the predation of eggs and juveniles, for this year we are trying a new approach to study the impact of rodents in the reproduction of Shearwater.

Why cooking science??
Because that is what we got up to yesterday afternoon, as you can see from the photos. If we wrote an article about the scientific activity of yesterday, the keywords would be made paraffin, chocolate, bath, pan and cuvettes for making ice.



In order to understand the activity of the rodent community around the Cory's colonies of Corvo, we will make grids of wax blocks. Just as a little note, we will build any wax wall around the Cory's colonies. In recent years this technique has been increasingly used to study the activity of rodents. On one hand the results have been very useful and this approach has been revealing to estimate accurate abundances of rodents, the other is a low-cost technique.

In practice this technique consist in put on field small pieces of wax (with attractive for rodents - in our case was chocolate) as a pre-defined grid. After a few days all the cubes are removed and examined in order to account for the marks left by rodent bites. As each species of rodent has a characteristic dentition structure, it is still possible to know which species occur around the study areas.



Looking forward to overcome some limitations that arose last year in this part of the project.

Keep tuned!
Regards.

Spring has just arrived to Vila Franca do Campo Islet

SPRING HAS ARRIVED

First Cory's Shearwater picture for the Islet in 2010

March, spring has arrived, with many vestiges of the cold winter though. And with it also the swallows arrive, in the case of Azores, mean Cory's Shearwater arrived (Calonetris diomedea borealis) for one more breeding season.

Between January and March 2010 were installed on the island 150 artificial nests for Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis), for Madeiran Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro) and for Cory's Shearwater (Calonetris diomedea borealis).

Artificial nest for Cory's

It was made one night monitoring the nests and already can hear the call of Cory's that invade the island and they do fill life with profiles in night flight there is demand for their nests. The last monitoring took place last weekend when we found 44% of 199 Cory's nests already with some signs of occupation. In which, one of the couples already looked at one of the new "costs controlled houses" - name suggested by the volunteers who helped count the nests on the island.

During this month we started the control of exotic vegetation, releasing the space occupied by it for Cory's nesting to later be replanted for endemic plants. But due to bad weather and rough sea has not been possible to advance the work of eradication. At the same time, native plants are being grown in nurseries SPEA through LIFE + project "Laurissilva Sustentável". Already germinated about 2500 plants to restore the endemic vegetation of Vila Franca do Campo Islet.

Some information campaigns took place in Vila Franca do Campo region for the first school students of 4 different schools. We aimed to demystify the infamous "hairstyle of the islet" and talk a bit about marine birds that occurring there. A total of 68 students participated in these activities, and did show big interest for our project. These actions were organized by the Municipality of Vila Franca do Campo.

Information campaign in Vila Franca do Campo (foto: Ana Borges)

2-1

The closed zone wins over cats 2-1 and stays top after 3 tests completed.



The closed area climbed two places in the last test.

The first cat got off on the right foot with a 0-1 victory against closed area. The next clear chance of the game was better for the closed area, however, the second cat did not create real danger to closed area and we have to release the next day.



The closed area was able to dribble the attempt of the third cat who carried out rapid and high jumps in the core. We hope that one can not reassemble!

Rats will be the next opponent of the closed zone, who does not have ratings in the Test League.

Navigating the storms

Hello comrades!

Only 3 days remaining to enter the Spring season and still there are many storms in Corvo.

In the biological reserve of
the project was installed an electric fence around the artificial nests, squares of vegetation and pit-fall traps for insects. Thus we have prevented the interaction and possible destruction of the work done by cattle, and even with days of strong winds and rain, all experiments started are intact.



This weekend, we began to build the nests of Cory’s shearwater. While nests of Storm petrel, Little shearwater and Manx shearwater were made with flowerpot holder, tubes and plastic covers, the nests of Cory’s shearwater will be built with blocks and cement caps, thus we want to ensure the increase of breeding sites over a longer period of time.

We still have a few hours of night work because of the use of traps to catch wild cats. We got a recapture last night. The cat had already chip and had been sterilized three weeks ago so it was a great opportunity to leave it into the closed area and test it, as we already did with mice.

Finally, we would like you to introduce our new partner for the project. Her name is Eva and she is from Germany. Eva will be in Corvo until next May to survey the vegetation of the cliffs through photos that will be taken from the sea. Desires of many days of calm sea and good job Eva!

Happiness for all!

Trapping rodents!

After the long-awaited arrival of Sherman traps, we can begin trapping the larger rodents as well - Ship rat Rattus rattus and Norway rat Rattus norvegicus.
As we had already published earlier, last January we began trapping Wild mice Mus domesticus in Biological Reserve of Corvo, High Biological Reserve and 2 non-intervention areas at different altitudes (30 and 400 m above sea level). With the arrival of Sherman traps we could twice enlarge the trapping grids for 25 Sherman and 24 Pest-stop and so also start trapping Rattus sp. in order to estimate the variation of the density of rodents throughout the year.
The grids are set in field like next photo. Of course the small Pest-stop go unnoticed amid the huge Sherman.

Biological Reserve of Corvo

The results were not slow to appear. Wild mice are being high caught in lowland areas where yesterday we already captured the first ship rat.

Wild mice Mus musculus

Hopefully able to post some data soon.
Hugs

Cats, sardines and sleepless nights...

The cat traps arrived! Last week we finally started trapping feral cats. Along 4 consecutive days, the traps are placed in different locations on the outskirts of the village of Corvo, where wild cats often wander. We leave a bait in the traps to attract the cats, in this case we use canned sardines (a delicacy!) and await eagerly for the first watch to the traps, when we can actualy check if a cat was caught.

Every 4 hours we check the traps, to prevent the cats from staying too long in the cold, rain and wind, which means that we've been going through a couple of sleepless nights, waking up at 4am, but of course we do it willingly and can never get enough of it!

The first night could not have gone better, we caught 2 cats! We transfered them to the veterinary clinic, where they were in a quieter and much warmer environment than in the bitter cold of the past few nights here in Corvo.

The next day, the cats were anesthetized, neutered and identified with a microchip. We also registered some relevant data such as gender, age, colour, characteristic marks and their general state of health. During anesthesia, we cut the tip of the left ear of each cat, in order to distinguish cats that are already neutered from those which are not, making it easier to release recaptured cats and spare them from more stressful moments in the traps.

Once the cats regain consciousness and are wide awake, they are released in the same area where they were caught and return to the wild.

After 4 nights trapping cats we were able to neuter 5 adult male cats. This week we placed the traps elsewhere at higher altitude, where many barns belonging to farmers exist, and we hope to continue with success.

We cannot thank enough to our dear friends Tiago and Nuno for the effort they've done to help us instaling the cat traps and checking them every night... so thanks for the fellowship!

Meanwhile, the number of spayed domestic cats has reached 43 cats (about 2/3 females and 1/3 males) and keeps on rising, little by little...

The Azorina vidalii and the Vaccinium cylindraceum are two endemic plants and very simbolic from the Azores.

The first in rare in Azores with a good population in Corvo Island. The second specie is very common in the Azores and rare in Corvo Island.

Yesterday, February 24th the staff project has developed some activities with these two endemic species.

With the Vaccinium cylindraceum we are searching for a small population that has the characteristics and conditions to collect small samples to recolonize the Biological Reserve from the project with woody endemic plants. The search were conducted in the northeast of the island. No population were found. Until now, only small and isolated individuals were found and them do not have de desired characteristics. Apart from the cold that has been felt on the island, new prospection will be carried out to try to find the desired endemic :)

Biological Reserve

The Azorina vidalii were replanted in order to rescue a few numbers that will be destroyed with the work of expansion of Corvo Airport. The action of planting had the help of the students and teachers from Corvo School. Around 30 specimens were replanted on the Biological Reserve, inside the boudaries from the Corvo Natural Park and the Biosphere Reserve of Corvo. Similar actions will be carried out to rescue a few more plants.

Students planting

Studentes from Corvo School

Thank you to all for participating and the amazing dynamic of all studentes, teachers, inhabitants and the Director of the Natural Park of Corvo Island.

Small & green

Against the forces of gravity and spending all their energy reserves, small green dots are emerging from a sterile surface, which is struggling to survive in one environment where the "luck" has led them.

Since the beginning of the year, these little green dots have emerged, one by one, here and there, creating a contrast of colors and life, covering the brown substrate of our mini greenhouse, untill better conditions will arrived.

The real greenhouse, larger and with better conditions has not yet arrived. It will be installed at Corvo School. Is still in transit on Flores Island. The sea conditions have not allowed it's transportation as well as all the supplies and goods that comes to Corvo.

These small plants will grow in a controlled environment and when they reach the suggested dimension for the specie, will be planted on our Biological Reserve. We hope that many of them will survive, as a small part will perish, due to the process of selection and adaptation of each specie. So far 230 Myrica faya and more than one thousand Erica azorica has germinated. We hope that other species, Juniperus brevifolia and Viburnum azorica, will follow the same path and contribute to diversify the species on our small nursery.

Erica azorica

Myrica faya

Testing predators-proof fence of Corvo's Biological Reserve

As we have mentioned before, last year we began testing a fence to use around our Biological Reserve Corvo. In December 2009, the employees of the Corvos's Council built the test-fence, 6 by 3 meters.



In January we started testing the test-fence by inserting 2 wild mouses Mus musculus within the fenced area to realize whether it's able to contain this species. Was installed a camera with motion sensor (IR) to capture possible leakage.

Despite initial failures, it seems that we finally got a wild mouse-proof fence. After some design changes on the test-fence on last Wednesday, February 10, we insert again 4 individuals in the fenced area, none of which managed to cross the test-fence until today.



This step represents an important victory in the construction of a fence impenetrable by predators of seabirds.

The test has followed all animal welfare rules.

Thanks students of Corvo School for your excelent work!

The project team is a member of the Nature Club of Corvo School, which is developed by Herminhia Coelho, a professor and follower of this blog. We will carry out one activity per month with the students to keep them involved in some of the actions of the project.

The activity developed last Tuesday and Wednesday was dedicated to the study of Seabirds. Firstly, we showed them all the breeding seabirds in Corvo and theirs calls. Then, the students of the primary cycle choose a seabird to make a drawing.



The next day, we produced decoys with the students of second and third cycle at the Cultural and Environmental Interpretation Centre. The decoys will be used to attract seabirds to the Biological Reserve of the project, where have been already built more than 100 artificial nests. This action of the LIFE project aim to increase the availability of nesting sites for seabirds, in a restricted area without predators, and contribute to the conservation of their populations.





The student put a lot of work into it and you will visit the exhibition with fantastic drawings of seabirds at the Centre for Environmental Interpretation and Cultural, from today until next month.
The next activity will take place last week of February and will address the current state of Corvo as Biosphere Reserve. Our intention is the students know what Biosphere Reserve means and what are theirs consequences. The practice activity will be the presentation of ideas to improve Corvo as Biosphere Reserve. For sure you will be informed of how it goes.

Cheers,

Ramsar Day

The package arrived... I finally arrived at Corvo last Monday reenforcing the staff team. The enthusiasm was high &also the joy of seeing many familiar faces.

After a big investment of time for instalation of the artificial nests in Vila Franca Islet, packing, shopping, produtcts, and loading gear to Corvo.

On 2th of February, SPEA was invited by the Director of the Natural Park of Corvo Island to attend the commemorative activities for World Wetlands (Ramsar Days) with the Integrated School Mouzinho da Silveira.
Students from different classes were aware of the importance of preserving these areas and made a short walk to visit the Lagoon of Corvo.
Some students, because some "downhill" in the trail down to the lagoon were wet due to high presence of water. The World Day of "WET AREAS": P

Photo: Herminia Coelho

Vila Franca Islet

The January 23th and 24th a small team took a trip to the islet of Vila Franca do Campo. The small team of 2 biologists, 2 engineers and 1 environmental educator embarked on a small expedition towards another adventure.
In this team was the visitor Steffen and technical of RSPB, two staff members from the project and 2 volunteers from S. Miguel (Thanks Andrew and Natalya - for all the help).

On this visit we had to ensure breeding conditions for the different nesting seabirds - Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis, Storm petrel Oceanodroma castro and Cory's Shearwater Calonetris diomedea - by installing artificial nests. The first two species are more difficult to observed.
We roll up our sleeves, put the gloves, and look for hoes and shovels. Yes ... look, the desire to dig a several holes was small after loading all the material for the test site and rescue some of material from the icy water of the Atlantic. We put this bad desire by side and grabe on the shavels anda started to work.

We opened some small ditches, put the pots with holes that allow the birds to enter, we made a small sound system to attract seabirds & ...

We waited ... & Tested it...

We ended up staying overnight at the Island. The next morning, tired and eager to finish the work. By late morning we finiish 104 artificial nests and return home. The wind and swell of the sea was strong and windy.
With a blend of special ingredients from the bad luck or pure chance, the journey began for some wet and ended up soaked to all. But always with the spirit of friendship and brotherhood and grateful for this contribution to the conservation of these birds.

Thanks for the photos Steffen Oppel

It was not a Goodbye but just a kind of see you later!

This post aims to let you know that one pioneer of our project has ended her job with us. This project is only not a matter of action plans, but also important due people who are carrying it on their shoulders. Moreover, in my opinion, people should be regarded by their work as soon as they had done it and not some years later when maybe they are not able to listen to. Thus all team is thankful with Ana Catarina due her worth work done here, her cheerfulness and the good atmosphere she had left here among Corvo inhabitants.



Also we cannot forget to wish heaps of lucky to her MSc test. Believe us, You are the person into that room who knows better about your own thesis.

After you read all this words, I know you will wish to kill even been really far away. But maybe some time you can get your revenge.

An amazing fact is not only our team who will miss her. Of all compliments and expressions of affection toward Ana that I have heard by many people, it got me in the ear a sentence spoken today by the wisdom of a woman well known among us 'A girl who always came to our house without any odd purpose will always have our doors open. "



Big hug and best wishes for the future Msc... phhhhh!

Greenhouse fixing work!

The well known strong winds of Corvo island have been really painfully for our greenhouse. Especially at the time we were out of Corvo due Christmas holidays. Once again we must be thankful with Pedro Domingos who was looking after our greenhouse.

However, as expected, our greenhouse was waiting for a deep recovery work, which led us to spend sometime fixing all frames and to put on new plastic cover.

And so it was, his sleeves rolled up, everyone here at home get involved in this operation. Cut here and tie there, nails, staples and even peg boards. A couple of hours later, after hard work, our greenhouse was given new life. No more patches and stones to hold the ends of the cover.

Hopefully this new greenhouse will last much or more than the old one.

Lastly we must be grateful with Carlos Silva, who sent us the plastic cover from São Miguel island. The next package arriving here should be him. We are all looking forward to seeing you within our team.

Another task for the team in Corvo: neutering cats!

These predators represent one of the threats to seabirds in the island, therefore we began a campaign to spay domestic and feral cats in order to control the local feline population.

For now, the two veterinarians (Sandra and Inês) have been reaching people at their homes to inform them about the project and colect the cats to be neutered. Later on, when the material arrives, we will capture the feral cats using cat traps and spay them as well.

Until now people have accepted the campaign well and they are colaborating with us and so far we were able to neuter 6 cats successfully.

See you soon!

Starting with mice monitoring!

One more step has been done as soon as the new year came. We started monitoring 3 wild mice populations on Corvo Island. At the first year we are managing to get general mice abundance values and understand possible variations around one full year. Our main aim, at this point, is to define periods of time when occur higher and lower population numbers.

To approach this aim, we setted down 3 capture grids: one at project reserve, another one at high altitude and a third one at low altitude and under any kind of ecological management.



I fell free to tell you guys that our captures are going well.

To keep going with this work we still waiting and praying to rats Sherman traps arrive, so we can do the same work with rats.

Looks like Corvo inhabitants can keep labelling us "The rats guys".

Hi,
the last few days have been quite busy and we couldn't post the news as often as desirable. With RSPB (www.rspb.org) and DOP (www.horta.uac.pt) technicians helping us, the house has been full. In spite of the bad weather, with strong winds and heavy rain, we managed to build 75 artificial nests for petrels and shearwaters and we tested the sound system to attract the birds as soon as we have created the necessary habitat conditions. The Agenda/calendar that we have prepared is already in press and we should have it soon to distribute around.

See you soon.

Have a good 2010

Hellos:)
The arrival and the first day of the new year, here in Corvo, brought us a pleasant day of almost-sun, mild temperature and sweet wind, a true exception regarding the last month, and a great reception from the Corvinos with wishes of a good year.
First of all, a big thank you to Pedro Domingues, who managed to save our greenhouse and the future trees that are in the germination process.
The beginning of the second year project marked also the beginning of several actions, among them the establishment of the seabirds colony. Steffen and Mark joined us and brought a lot of the material that would be necessary for the attraction of seabirds to the Reserve area, as the sound system that will be tested in situ and the artificial nests to be placed also in the area. The test fence is almost ready and we hope to start to introduce the cats and rats (separately and only in the fence zone, of course).
Today, and unfortunately, the day is much more grey, but the work is on the move.... we ear equipment being ordered, noise of receipts, and a mixture of sounds from cory's to manx, that are coming from downstairs, and of course the tik tik of the computer.
Best wishes to all.

It´s Christmas Time

"We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas And a happy New Year.
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!

We want to see Mark and Steffan (from RSPB) in Corvo next January
We want some artificial nest for Shearwater in April
We want to see cats with chip and colour earring
Less rats in 2010
This is what Corvo wants".

We want to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a Great Year 2010.

PS. The greenhouse is still standing! thanks Pedro Domingues very much for your huge help.

VI SPEA Ornithological Congress

Our last good bye turned out to be a long time away. Longer than expected and that is why we have apologize to our followers. We’ve been away all this time due to the IV Iberian Ornithological Congress and VI SPEA Ornithological Congress held in Elvas from the 5th to the 8th of December. Despite its complexity, due to the number of participants and international dimention as well as the presence of a fair with many stands, it went very well and all the participants left very satisfied.

I Fair "Natureza ComVida"

We also have some news from Corvo, thanks to our team from Corvo (one of our best values), Pedro Domingos and Sandra Mealha and I can tell you that despite the difficulties of the bad weather the greenhouse is still standing and the test fence is almost complete. So, the work there continues as planned.

While in Lisbon we will be sharing the office with the rest of the fantastic SPEA staff from the mainland and since Christmas is almost here we will stay until the 6th of January which is when we shall resume our life on the island of Corvo.

Cheers!

Hello,
The test area for the anti-predator fence is developping every day and we expect to have it ready next week.


We kept working in our green-house, did some tests with the rat bait boxes and finished up a lot of desk work. As you can see there are plenty of rats on the area chosen and they dont't seem to have problems getting in to get the bait.


Yesterday we also managed to collect some more seeds of native trees that we wanted to plant. It is hard to find some native species in Corvo, like the "Folhado" or the "Azevinho" but we managed to collect 1,5 kg of Folhado seeds and a just a few of Azevinho and Cedro (Juniperus brevifolia). We just have to put them on the ground and hope they will grow without problems. See you soon.

Azevinho (Ilex perado)

Folhado (Viburnum tinus) with seeds