Azores Islanders Switch Off Streetlights to Guide Seabird Fledglings Home

Quick Smiles:

• Corvo island dims its lights each October so thousands of young seabirds can safely reach the ocean
• Over 30,000 fledglings have already been rescued thanks to this simple, caring tradition
• Neighboring islands are now copying the practice, proving small acts of kindness can spread like wildfire

Each autumn, during the last five nights in October, the lights on Corvo island go dark on purpose.

Residents are shielding young seabirds from the confusion caused by artificial light as the fledglings make their first journey to the sea.

“Our community feels proud knowing we are helping these birds survive,” said a local resident.

So far, more than thirty thousand Cory’s shearwater fledglings have been safely guided past the darkened streets.

Other islands across the Azores are beginning to adopt the same gentle practice, spreading the heartwarming effort throughout the archipelago.

“Seeing families walk the streets with flashlights, gently collecting confused chicks, restores everyone’s faith in humanity,” added another islander.

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