Pico - Norte (26978)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Pico - Norte
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.5547, Longitude: -28.3253
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 91.8059
Protected area coverage (%): 0.01
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: 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.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional 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.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | military | nature conservation and research (70%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |