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Furnas de Santo António
Nature Reserve
This area consists of an islet with about 0.16 hectares, located near the coast and composed of basaltic flows, already covered by some soil that allowed some natural vegetation to emerge.
It constitutes a significant habitat for migratory seabirds, like Sterna dougallii, Sterna hirundo and Calonectris borealis, which nest in this place during the summer. Therefore, activities that may disturb the natural nidification process of these colonies cannot be performed.
It is also possible to observe flora species with conservation interest, such as the Festuca petraea and the Spergularia azorica. The perennial vegetation of the pebble beaches and the vegetated sea-cliffs with endemic flora of the Macaronesian coasts are the most significant habitat.
This nature reserve is included in the Furnas de Santo António Special Protection Area (SPA), of the Natura 2000 network, in the Furnas de Santo António Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of the BirdLife International organization, and in the Arriba Fóssil de Santo António-São Roque priority geosite of Azores UNESCO Global Geopark.