One of the rarest seabirds in the World
EDR’s Environmental Director engages in the highly successful nature conservation of one of the rarest seabirds in the World.
The Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow) is more commonly known as the Cahow, is a nocturnal ground-nesting seabird and is the national bird of Bermuda. It is the second rarest seabird on the planet and a shining example of successful nature conservation.
In the 1500’s the Cahows' eerie nocturnal cries prevented the Spanish settling the islands out of superstition, as they thought the isles were inhabited by evil spirit. Eventually the Bermudan archipelago was habituated by voyagers and, subsequently, the Cahow population suffered catastrophically.
For over 330 years, it was thought to be extinct. The dramatic rediscovery in 1951 of a very small number nesting pairs made this a “Lazarus species”, that is a species found to be alive after having once been considered extinct. A national programme to preserve the bird and restore the species has helped increase its numbers and scientists, with the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are still working to expand its nesting habitat on the restored Nonsuch Island.
In November 2021, Nick Robinson, EDR Director, was fortunate to be involved in a seabird expedition to photograph the Cahow at sea and to visit Nonsuch Island. Over a ten day period Nick was lucky to experience four days at sea and a day on Nonsuch Island examining underground burrows for the evidence of breeding. The story today is heart-warming and is one of a huge achievement which has witnessed the breeding population increase for 18 pairs producing a total of 7 to 8 chicks in the 1960s to 135 breeding pairs producing a total of 69 successfully fledged chicks in 2020. The 50 to 60 birds observed each day at sea represents almost 20% of the World’s population.
EDR Environmental® is passionate about the marine environment and remains committed to support and be engaged in all elements of its research, conservation, and monitoring.
Nick Robinson
Tel: +44 (0) 333 358 3308
About Scilly Pelagics
Scilly Pelagics is managed by Bob Flood and Joe Pender. They provide expert knowledge about seabirds, seabirding, seamanship and where to find them. They offer an unsurpassable service in the British Isles for pelagic birding as well as international expeditions and multimedia Identification Guides for seabirds.
About The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bermuda
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has responsibility for the management and regulation of fisheries, marine conservation, marine heritage, terrestrial conservation and nature reserve management, pollution control, agriculture, animal and plant management and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.