Ponta dos Rosais

Geography

The promontory of Ponta dos Rosais is situated on a 200 metres (660 ft) above the waters of the Atlantic on the northern tip of the island of São Jorge. With a view to the distant islands of Faial, Pico and Graciosa, little more than 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the point, and extends north-northwest from the small islet of Rosais towards the Baixa da Ponta dos Rosais.

On the promontory is the isolated, mid-century Nationalist, lighthouse complex of Ponta dos Rosais.

This nature reserve and natural monument stretches the coastal cliffs from Pico dos Cutelos (along the southern coast) to northern cliffs and pasturelands of Chã do Areeiro. The reserve includes the waters surrounding the point, the islet of Rosais, Ponta da Ilha and Torrão da Açucar, as well as the Fajã do Mata Sete, an area of basalt rocks, stacks and mixture of pyroclastic flow and erosional debris. There are treacherous trails and alternative routes that link these zones, most skirting the coastal seashore.

Biome

The uplands are primarily pasture-land and agricultural areas, with most of the region taken-up by rural activities. Tourists visiting the area are attracted by the diversity of migratory and maritime bird species that nest in the cliffs of the point, including the migratory Corey's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and Little shearwater (Puffinus assimilis), but also the Roseate (Sterna dougallii) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo).

Endemic predator species in these areas include feral cats and dogs, as well as rodents, but the latter limited by local kite species.

But, the region is a hothouse of Azorean heather (Erica azorica) and Forget-me-nots (Myosotis azorica).