• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2008 baseline)
This IBA, of around 91 km2, is the marine area used by the only colony of Roseate Tern that exists on Pico island, including nearby marine areas where there is an estimated population of almost 7,000 Cory's Shearwaters. Besides these species, which prompt the classification as an IBA, the area is also used by a breeding population of Common Tern, of around 61 pairs. The IBA is in the marine area adjacent to the Furnas/Santo Antonio SPA and terrestrial IBA (PT074); the coast comprises pebble beaches and small islands located just metres from the coast. It is easily accessible, located near recreational and leisure facilities (camping park, swimming pools, roads), which results in a high degree of human disturbance, particularly during the summer months.

Key biodiversity
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea: a very common species, with a population estimated at over 32,000 individuals on the whole island, of which over 20% form rafts within the IBA. Future individual tagging studies will help to clarify whether this area is used for resting and accessing the colony, or whether it is also used as a feeding ground. Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii: The IBA is the only feeding area for this species near Pico island. The number of pairs present has developed erratically over the last few years, making continued monitoring of its population in this area essential. Common Tern Sterna hirundo: Around 60 pairs use the IBA regularly to feed. Other species observed in this IBA: Great Shearwater, Yellow-legged Gull.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pico - Norte (Portugal). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pico--norte-iba-portugal on 27/12/2024.