Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information Four species of shearwater and petrel (Procellariidae: Calonectris diomedea, Bulweria bulwerii, Oceanodroma castro and Puffinus assimilis) nest on these islands but as yet no in-depth study has been carried out. Sterna dougallii, S. hirundo and Larus cachinnans also breed. On land, Anthus berthelotii madeirensis (common), Serinus canaria, Petronia petronia madeirensis and Apus unicolor are of note.

Site description Three rocky islets (Ilhéu de Cima, Ilhéu de Baixo and Ilhéu de Ferro) covered with scrub and Macaronesian coastal flora, located off the coast of Porto Santo. Two of the islands (Ilhéu de Ferro and Ilhéu de Cima) have lighthouses and the third was once used for mining lime. Two IBAs identified in the previous European IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989) (former sites 008 and 009) have been merged to form this one site.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Habitats

Land use

Management considerations Nesting seabirds are subject to human predation, with total disrespect to actual legislation.Control of this threat is null, and when applied has no results, due to the absence of population support and concealing of transgressors. The lighthouses are responsible for the spill of burnt oils and combustible to the sea. The accesible islets' edges present garbage acomulation from the seaa or the fishermen. The introduction of European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus has resulted in considerable damage to the vegetation and disturbance during hunt season.There are intentions to use Ilhéu de Baixo for tourism, this option could involve an efective management and the right protection to seabirds populations.

Protection status National None International None

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References Bannerman & Bannerman (1963), Zino & Biscoito (1994), Câmara (1997), Oliveira (1999).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Ilhéus do Porto Santo. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013

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