Lights out: the island that goes dark to save young seabirds – in pictures

Every autumn, Corvo Island in the Azores turns off public lighting for five nights to aid fledgling Cory’s shearwaters in their first flight to the ocean. This initiative began in 1991 due to high mortality rates among young shearwaters confused by artificial lights. The local community, inspired by their efforts to rescue disoriented birds, initiated the blackout, which has since expanded to other islands through the SOS Cagarro campaign. Volunteers and organizations like SPEA actively participate in the conservation efforts, rescuing thousands of fledglings. The blackout not only helps the birds but also serves as a model for reducing light pollution and promoting ecological balance.