SPEA-BirdLife, in partnership with the Institute for Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN), will hold a symbolic blackout in Madeira on September 27. The initiative, part of the LIFE Freiras project, aims to protect the juveniles of the Madeira storm petrel (Pterodroma madeira) during their first nocturnal flights between mountainous areas and the sea.
Between 8 PM and 11 PM, the public is invited to turn off outdoor lighting at homes and establishments. This action seeks to reduce light pollution in potential flight corridors for the birds, which navigate by natural light but can become disoriented by artificial lighting, increasing the risk of collisions and predation.
The Madeira storm petrel is an endemic and critically endangered species of Madeira. The juveniles' first flights, occurring between September 15 and October 15, are crucial for the species' survival. SPEA recommends reducing or turning off unnecessary outdoor lighting during this period.
