Historic Rescue Effort Aids 3,442 Shearwaters in Need

“Guaña guaña”, “guaña guaña”, “guaña, guaña”… This is a repeated and distinctive sound that residents of Tenerife who live or visit the coastline recognise as night falls. It is produced by Cory’s shearwaters, vulnerable Atlantic birds that have their breeding season each year from mid-October to November. Approximately three thousand chicks on average become disoriented during their initial flight to the sea and end up captivated by bright lights. Most are rescued thanks to the initiative undertaken by the Cabildo de Tenerife during this period. In 2024, a historic record was established with the recovery and successful return to flight of 3,442 individuals.