At least 3,250 baby seabirds (according to provisional figures), especially Cory’s Shearwatersvictims Light pollution They were rescued in Tenerife between 15 October and 15 November as part of a stunning chicken rescue campaign organized by the Tenerife Cabildo and in which SEO/BirdLife participated. This figure gives an idea of the scope of the problem, which occurs with similar intensity and sometimes greater magnitude in other parts of Spain. Increasing excessive illumination of urban and tourist centers.
The campaign was carried out in municipalities. La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, El Rosario, Candelaria, Güimar and Arafo with the support of volunteers. The days with the highest accident rate were between 6 and 12 November.
After collecting the injured birds, they were taken to La Tahonilla Wildlife Rescue Center. After the checks, they were left at the seaside to make their first flight.
In addition to rescue teams citizen cooperation It was possible to identify and collect most of the birds by calls to 112 or 900 28 22 28 (for the island of Tenerifa).
Life Natura@night Project
For the second year in a row The campaign to collect dazzling birds was included as an event within the scope of the Life Natura@night projectThrough scientific seabird rescue brigades and also with the help of volunteers previously trained for this purpose.
Developed in the project’s pilot municipalities, Buenavista del Norte in Tenerife and Mogán in Gran Canaria, the aim of this action is to improve data on the collection of spotted shearwaters by correlating them with the type of lighting. It serves to modify both public and private outdoor lighting.
Life Natura@night is a European-funded project It aims to raise awareness and take action against the effects of artificial night light (LAN) in 27 protected areas in the Macaronesian archipelago (in Madeira and the Azores, in addition to the Canary Islands).
In the project area, seabird rescue campaigns in Madeira this autumn saved 123 birds thanks to the joint efforts of 93 volunteers. In the Azores, more than 300 volunteers rescued 119 birds on Graciosa, 154 on Corvo and 357 on São Miguel.
These are the dazzling figures of seabirds on six islands out of a total of 20 that make up three archipelagos in the Macaronesian region. It is estimated that 1,100 seabirds die every year due to light pollution. There is a serious problem in the breeding areas of species belonging to the most endangered bird group in the world.
Symbolic lighting interruption
A symbolic power outage occurred on October 30 in some pilot areas in the three archipelagos where the project operates. It took place in Mogán in the Canary Islands. public lighting was suspended on the night of that day An action that many hotels participated in from 18.30 to 20.00. The aim was to raise awareness among citizens about the need to reduce light pollution in order to protect biodiversity and save energy.
Life Natura@night builds on decades of work by SPEA and SEO/BirdLife in the Macaronesia region and aims to go beyond rescuing seabirds to preventing them from falling into the wild. Project partners include local government agencies and lighting companies working together to provide more efficient lighting.
In this sense it is alsoBinding lighting plans are being developed and will be implemented by local governments It is expected to set the standard for seabird and environmentally friendly public lighting in the region.
Harms of light pollution
Light pollution not only affects birds but also numerous insect populations (most of which are nocturnal and therefore need darkness to thrive). However, it also affects human health, as numerous studies have shown that excessive artificial light causes the emergence of serious diseases in humans and makes it difficult to get necessary rest during night hours.
According to scientists, artificial light is also the main enemy of astronomical observations and studies, as it ‘erases’ stars in the sky and reduces the brightness of nebulae, galaxies and star clusters.
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