Portuguese island dims lights to guide endangered seabirds to sea

Corvo Island in the Azores turns off public lighting for five nights each autumn to help fledgling Cory's shearwaters navigate by starlight, a conservation practice begun in 1991 that has reduced seabird deaths.

First covered Oct 25, 2026 · 4:00 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Portuguese island dims lights to guide endangered seabirds to sea — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

17d Guardian Environment Lights out: the island that goes dark to save young seabirds – in pictures — Every autumn, Corvo Island in thre Azores turns off its public lighting for a few key days to help fledgling Cory’s shearwaters as they attempt to fly to the…

More coverage from around the web

birdlife.org No more blind birds: Reducing light pollution saves birds and energy - BirdLife International

researchgate.net Cory’s shearwater habitat suitability around the Corvo Island,...

freeindependentnews.com Lights out: the island that goes dark to save young seabirds

atlasavesmarinhas.pt Cory's Shearwater - Atlas of Seabirds of Portugal

azoreswhalewatch.com Cory's Shearwater Fun Fact

Appeared in: 2026-10-26 (#11)

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