Ilhéu da Vila

Located on the southwest coast of Santa Maria, about 200 meters from Ponta da Poção, the Ilhéu da Vila Nature Reserve covers approximately 8 hectares of land and 22 hectares of marine area.

The islet, approximately 380 meters long, 150 meters wide, and 75 meters high, consists mainly of basaltic lava flows and some dykes, forming a small island ecosystem of high ecological value.

This islet is one of the most important sites in the Azores for seabird nesting, regularly hosting species such as the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), the Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis), the Barolo Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri baroli), and the Madeiran Storm-petrel (Hydrobates castro). The Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) is a seabird that nests in the Azores only on this islet, with an estimated population of 50 breeding pairs, and on the islets of Graciosa.

On its plateau and slopes, plants characteristic of the Azorean coastal areas can be observed, including the Azorean Lotus (Lotus azoricus), Azorean Coastal Forget-me-not (Myosotis maritima), and Spergularia azorica.

Although uninhabited, the islet was subject to some agricultural activity in the past, with the introduction of livestock, namely goats, and various species of invasive flora. Following the eradication of livestock in 1993, important pockets of endemic flora have recovered, and Ilhéu da Vila is now visited only by researchers and people involved in nature conservation, with prior authorisation.
This protected area is part of the Ilhéu da Vila and Costa Adjacente Special Protection Area, within the Natura 2000 network, and is classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

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