The recent discovery of active nests of Galapagos storm petrels (Pterodroma phaeopygia) on Isabela Island has sparked renewed optimism for the conservation of this endemic and critically endangered species. This breakthrough represents significant progress in protecting one of the archipelago's most iconic seabirds, whose breeding habitat has faced numerous ongoing threats for many years.
Three expeditions conducted in June and September ( 2024), led by experts from the Galápagos Conservancy and rangers from Galápagos National Park, the team explored potential nesting sites for storm petrels on the slopes of the Sierra Negra volcano, covering both protected areas and agricultural land.
Throughout the expedition, part of a larger project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to improve nesting sites for Galapagos storm petrels, team members carefully searched for new nesting sites and also explored areas where nests had previously been recorded. The team further assessed the threats facing the island's petrel population. Petrels dig large, deep burrows in the dense volcanic soils in the upper parts of the islands, where they build simple nests in which they lay eggs and raise their young. They are generally well protected in their burrows, but face threats from rats that eat their chicks and sometimes the adults themselves, dogs that dig up nests, and exotic plants that can choke petrel nesting burrows.
Active nests and encouraging signs of recovery
During the expedition, the team found 11 nests in the national park, three of which showed recent signs of activity, including feathers and droppings. In addition, several burrows found on local farms that had previously shown signs of activity were confirmed to contain petrel chicks, representing significant progress in the recovery of the species in the area. So far, no photographs have documented petrel chicks on Isabela Island, which represent a population genetically distinct from the four other breeding populations that occur in the Galapagos.
New nests have also been found on other farms in an agricultural area with clear signs of their recent habitat. These discoveries are critical to expanding our knowledge of the distribution and status of petrels on Isabela Island, where knowledge about these birds remains limited.
Dominica Pineda, a researcher with the Galápagos Conservancy and leader of this expedition, expressed her excitement, noting that the discovery of chicks in the nests gives hope for the recovery of the species. “While there is still much work to be done, these results confirm that we are on the right path to securing the future of petrels on Isabela Island,” she said.
Ongoing threats
One of the main problems identified during the expedition was the presence of invasive species, both plants and animals. At most nesting sites, the team found high densities of invasive plants, mainly guavas and blackberries, as well as evidence of rats and ants. Nests in these areas, mostly inactive, were located in dense vegetation that was extremely difficult to access. In contrast, active nests found on local farms were located in more open areas, typically grassland, where grazing by livestock and horses tends to prevent invasion by guava and blackberry plants, creating a situation where private lands may play an important role in conservation Galápagos petrel on Isabela Island.
Looking to the future
At the Galápagos Conservancy, we will continue our rigorous monitoring of active typhoon nests, working closely with the Galápagos National Park Authority to implementing strategies to control invasive species. In addition, we will soon conduct new expeditions to explore other potential nesting sites on Isabela Island, thereby expanding our understanding of the behavior and needs of this seabird.
Through these initiatives, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the conservation of the Galapagos petrels and protecting the ecosystems necessary for their survival.
Source: galapagos.org
Read also: How to rent a car in Cyprus