The annual campaign to save young shearwaters has been launched and will run until November 15th.
The young shearwaters, which mainly live around the north coasts of Lanzarote, have already been fattened up and abandoned by their parents. Now they are ready to take their first flights, after which they will fly thousands of miles and not return to Lanzarote for years.
However, the existence of streetlights and other artificial light sources can distract the birds, which traditionally navigate by moonlight, and it is common for them to “crash land” on the mainland, where they are easy pickings for dogs and cats. Many hide underneath cars for safety.
The SEO/Birdlife campaign advises people living on the north coasts to reduce artificial light, and to check underneath their cars before using them during the next weeks. If you find a shearwater that is in trouble, contact the Wildlife Recovery Service on 696 733 177 or call 112.