Madeira towns urged to dim lights for rare seabird's first flight

SPEA-BirdLife Madeira has called for a symbolic blackout until 11pm on Sunday in Câmara de Lobos, Funchal, Santana and Machico to help young Zino's petrels, one of Europe's rarest and most threatened seabirds. The juveniles are leaving their mountain nests for their first flight towards the sea, and artificial lighting from towns can disorient them along the way. Residents and businesses are being asked to switch off exterior lighting in areas along the birds' likely flight corridors. The organisation says these first flights are a critical stage for the species' survival.