Description: The project aimed to assess seabird populations, fill knowledge gaps, and update baseline information through passive acoustic monitoring on selected islands in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Monitoring efforts covered seven islands in the Azores and one island in Madeira, with expanded sampling areas on two islands. Four target seabird species were detected across multiple islands, with population estimations provided for each species in various colonies. These findings contributed to a better understanding of seabird distribution and abundance, filling knowledge gaps and establishing a baseline for conservation measures. Stakeholder engagement was robust, involving regional government entities, local NGOs, volunteers, and technicians, with training sessions enhancing capacity in methodology implementation and seabird knowledge. Despite challenges such as COVID-19 restrictions and bad weather, the project team adapted strategies, leveraging reduced human interference during night censuses. In hindsight, optimizing sampling points away from human habitation to minimize noise interference during recordings would have been beneficial, highlighting a key lesson learned for future projects.
Duration: 13 months
