Most of the world's population of Cory's shearwater or Cagarro (Calonectris diomedea borealis) are found in the Azores. The Azorean people are their custodians. Although many thousands still occur, these birds are vulnerable because so many nest only on this archipelago. Every year in late October and early November the shearwater's chicks leave their nests and take their first flight. They do so unaided by their parents and under cover of the night. In darkness the chicks have to find their way to the sea often from nest sites up to 1km inland. To reach the sea the chicks try to fly but this is not easy for the young birds. Many walk and flutter most of the distance. Some plunder towards human habitation, perhaps drawn by the lights, others find themselves on roads. Those lost on the roads are in special danger from traffic.

 A young shearwater lost on the road in search of the sea (photo by Justin Hart).

A rescued young shearwater kept safe overnight in a cardboard box (Photo by Valter Medeiros).

Before their release many of the young birds are also tagged with a metal ring around one of their legs.  The ring is imprinted with an address and a unique number. The tagging does not harm the birds and, if the tagged bird is ever found afterwards, it allows the same bird to be recognised again sometimes repeatedly. This is very useful for the conservation of the birds because it helps biologists identify individuals. In so doing we can then find out where the birds go to and how old the birds live as well as what factors affect the birds survival and breeding success. The more we understand about the shearwater's needs the more we can do to help sustain their population and ensure the Cagarro remains part of the Azores' natural heritage. 

This week, to help promote the SOS Cagarro campaign and ensure future generations understand its significance, CWAzore's biologist, Justin, joined Carla Silva and Valter Medeiros from Ecoteca (a local non-governmental organisation) at a local school in Madalena.  While Carla explained the reasons for the campaign, the school childen watched Justin tag and take biometric measurements from several Cory's shearwaters prior to their release.

Justin about to reveal a shearwater to the class of school children. (Photo by Valter Medeiros).

Explaining how shearwaters use their sense of smell to find food in the open ocean. (Photo by Valter Medeiros).

Taking measurements while the children look on. (Photo by Valter Medeiros).

After tagging the birds were then taken to Pocinho Bay and let go. Let's hope the birds all fair well and one day return to Pico to rear their own chicks.

A rescued shearwater takes its first flight. (Photo by Valter Medeiros).

This shearwater had to be rescued again when its first flight took it straight into a crevice between some rocks. Fortunately its second effort was more successful.  (Photo by Valter Medeiros).