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Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA, located in the Northeast area of São Jorge island, covers areas frequently used by two important Roseate Tern colonies. Both colonies have had large increases in the number of pairs recorded in the last two years. It also includes part of the marine area adjacent to terrestrial IBA PT064 and is also used by a significant population of Cory's Shearwaters, Common Tern and some pairs of Madeiran Storm-petrel (Monteiro et al. 1999).
The IBA is attached to the “Ilhéu do Topo e Costa Adjacente” SPA, an important location due to the diversity of seabirds that breed here. This is in spite of the poor conservation state that the island is in as a result of the degradation of its natural habitats. The presence of an important colony of Yellow-legged Gulls on this island, of around 730 pairs, could be harmful to the remaining seabird populations due to direct predation of Common Tern chicks and of adults of smaller Procellariiforms (Meirinho et al. 2003).
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea: The monitoring surveys carried out by DOP-IMAR UAç (1996 and 2001) indicate that a considerable population of Cory's Shearwater (around 6,708 individuals) uses this area regularly.
Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis: The population that uses this area is estimated at between 35 and 70 pairs (Monteiro et al. 1999). Work that has been carried out in Northern Europe reveal a trend towards coastal gatherings (Guilford et al. 2008), which suggests a regular presence in the IBA. However, further studies should be carried out into their behaviour at sea.
Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro: The total population is estimated at only 5 to 10 breeding couples, located on the Topo island.
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii: Around 96 pairs of Roseate Tern use the IBA area (DOP-IMAR UAç). Use of this location by this species is very recent, having started only in 2007.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo: In this area there are around 111 breeding pairs, of which 80 can be found in the colony called “Cabeção” (Neves 2007).
Other species observed in this IBA: Great Shearwater, Yellow-legged Gull.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
LIFE Project Marine IBAs - LIFE04 NAT/PT/000213
Northeast Coast and Ponta do Topo SCI (PTJOR0014); Resolution 30/98 of 5th February ratified by Declaration 12/98 of 7th May - 1% coincides with the IBA.
Full Reserve Area for Gathering Limpets; Regional Regulation Decree nº 14/93/A of 31st July - 76% coincides with the IBA.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: São Jorge - Nordeste (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/são-jorge--nordeste-iba-portugal on 23/11/2024.
