Every year, the island of Corvo in the Portuguese Azores goes dark for five nights in late October to protect vulnerable seabird fledglings. This blackout helps hundreds of fledglings avoid disorientation and predators as they leave their nests at night to head out to sea.
- Five-night blackouts on Corvo island help seabirds navigate safely
- Azores hosts up to 75% of the world’s Cory’s Shearwater breeding population
- More than 30,000 fledglings rescued since 2015 through light reduction efforts
What happened
Each October, Corvo island in the Azores intentionally turns off its public street lighting from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am for five consecutive nights. This coordinated blackout is designed to protect a seabird species called Cory’s Shearwater during a critical stage when young birds leave their nests at night for the first time. Artificial lights from towns can confuse and blind them, causing many fledglings to become grounded and vulnerable to predators or injury.
Since 2019, this initiative has been organized through a partnership between the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) and Corvo’s local government. Volunteers also help rescue and release disoriented birds, sometimes using simple tools like cardboard boxes. The effort is supported by research projects addressing light pollution and has expanded to other islands such as Madeira, reflecting the growing awareness of the harmful impacts of light pollution on wildlife.
Why it feels good
This annual blackout on Corvo brings together an entire community of just over 400 people in a remarkable example of environmental responsibility and cooperation. Knowing that their shared effort directly saves thousands of seabird fledglings every year creates a meaningful connection between residents and their natural surroundings. It’s a hopeful story demonstrating how modest local actions can produce significant conservation results.
Additionally, since the Azores archipelago is one of the most critical habitats for Cory’s Shearwater—hosting around 65% to 75% of the global breeding population—the protection provided during this narrow window is vital for the species’ survival. This intentional reduction of light pollution helps preserve biodiversity and encourages other towns and islands in the region to consider similar protective measures.
What to enjoy or watch next
If you’re inspired by the Corvo blackout, keep an eye on efforts continuing through early November when volunteers continue to rescue grounded seabirds around the Azores and neighboring islands. SPEA and its partners are also raising public awareness about the importance of minimizing unnecessary nighttime lighting for wildlife health.
For those interested in nature documentaries or environmental programs, stories about seabird conservation and light pollution present a timely and uplifting topic. Additionally, travelers heading to the Azores in autumn might witness firsthand how communities balance modern life and wildlife stewardship, or contribute by spreading the word about the benefits of turning off lights at crucial times.