Current view: Text account
Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
Rocky peninsula with cliffs and small islets that comprise the oriental tip of Madeira. Presents two main islets: the Ilhéuda Cevada or Ilhéu dos Desembarcadouros, and the Ilhéu do Farol at east extreme. The whole area is covered by shrubs and grass. Human activity includes hunting and tourism.
Ponta de SãoLourenço is a singular habitat in Madeira island, very similar to the close Desertas islands. The Ilhéu do Farol, which has not terrestrial predators, is a excelent place for breeding seabirds. The first record in Madeira of breeding
Sterna dougallii is from this area.
Puffinus assimilis also breeds here. The presence of
Ratus norvegicus in Ilhéu da Cevada conditions seabirds establishment. However, the biggest
Larus cachinnans colony in Madeira is found here. They are also common terrestrial birds like
Anthus berthelotii, Petronia petronia madeirensis and
Serinus canarius. The peninsula is also an important stop-over site for migrating passerines.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threat was the taking of seabirds by fishermen. Since the purchase of the area by the Regional Government of Madeira in 1996 and the management by the Parque Natural da Madeira (PNM) this problem has almost disappeared and it is hoped that the seabird populations will make a full recovery. Now, sand extration and grazing are completly forbidden. This is an interesting area for tourism and recreation, that seems to be compatible with birds conservation. The usual abandonment of hunting dogs at the end of cinegetic time could be a threat. The Ilhéudo Farol is extremely important due to the absence of predators, situation that shou ld be maintained.
National Nature Park of Madeira, Partial Nature Reserve (Ponta de São Lourenço) and Strict Nature Reserve (Ilheu dos Desembarcadouros).
International
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ponta de São Lourenço (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ponta-de-são-lourenço-iba-portugal on 23/12/2024.
