BirdLife Malta

🦩✨ More exciting news from Għadira Nature Reserve: from one flamingo to three! ✨🦩 A young Greater Flamingo, spotted in Gozo weak and tired after its migration, was recently collected by the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU). After spending nine days in rehabilitation, where it gained strength and weight, the bird has made a remarkable recovery. Today we are thrilled to announce that this flamingo has been successfully released back into the wild at Għadira, joining two other flamingos as these protected birds are usually group-living animals. Prior to the release, the bird was fitted with a ring as part of an ongoing scientific research project. The other fellow friends have different stories. The adult, named Fiona, was rescued from an aviary after a tip-off to BirdLife Malta, is now free after being released back into the wild. Watch Fiona's release here: https://lnkd.in/dv6GSihS. The other juvenile flamingo landed spontaneously in our reserve last Sunday. A big thank you to all those who helped to give strength to this protected bird, ensuring it has good energy for migration. If you spot a weak or injured wild bird, please contact us on our emergency line 7925 5697. Footage by Mauro Spatafora, editing by Yusuf Gamal. #WildlifeRescue #GreaterFlamingo #Fjamingu #flamingo #rehab #release #GħadiraNatureReserve #ConservationSuccess #BirdLifeMalta

Book your special event with BirdLife Malta! Choose one of our 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 packages! 🌿✨ Looking for a unique and memorable way to celebrate birthdays, graduations, family reunions, and more? BirdLife Malta is now offering special event packages in the beautiful and serene Maltese nature reserves. 🌳🎉 Our Nature Celebration programs promise a deep connection with nature, including exploring and learning about our local environment, far from the daily hustle and bustle. Plus, enjoy hands-on craft sessions where you can create unique handmade gifts and let your imagination loose! 🌼🎨 For more info & pricing, visit our website: bit.ly/NatureCelebrations 🌐 Customize your celebration with our flexible options. Fill in this form where you can choose your favourite activities and themes, and we'll contact you to confirm the details: https://lnkd.in/dhhKniqZ 📝📞 Celebrate in a way that is both meaningful and unforgettable with BirdLife Malta. Connect with nature, create lasting memories, and enjoy a unique experience that stands out from the usual party venues. Start planning your perfect Nature Celebration today! 🌺💚 📹 Footage & editing by Yusuf Gamal. #NatureCelebrations #birthdays #graduations #reunions #events #packages #Simar #Salina #nature #reserves #BirdLifeMalta

In July, a Scopoli’s Shearwater (Ċiefa in Maltese) was found entangled in a fishing line hanging from the cliffs at Miġra I-Ferħa, all thanks to a vigilant citizen's report. A huge thank you to the Malta Ranger Unit (MRU) who monitored the situation until we could step in to rescue it by abseiling. Unfortunately, the bird was in a bad shape — and was found by vets to be dehydrated, underweight, and with multiple bruises. Despite our best efforts to rehabilitate it, a severe infection took hold, and the Scopoli's Shearwater didn’t make it. This incident is the third case of a bird caught in fishing gear that we’ve encountered recently. We encourage fishers to call BirdLife Malta on 79255697 in cases when shearwaters get entangled in fishing gear so that rescue operations can happen sooner. BirdLife Malta is working together with fishers to reduce bycatch through our ongoing LIFE PanPuffinus! project, and encourage cooperation to be extended to clifftop fishing. #ScopolisShearwater #shearwater #Ċiefa #entanglement #seabird #bycatch #fishinggear #fishers #MRU #BirdLifeMalta #LIFEPanPuffinus

From a cage to the wild! 🦩 Fiona, a Greater Flamingo (Maltese name: Fjamingu) rescued from an aviary after a tip-off to BirdLife Malta, is now free after being released back into the wild at Għadira Nature Reserve. Named by Walk for Nature 2024 winners Zoe and Cora, Fiona was originally confiscated by the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) after having been spotted in a hunter’s aviary. The owner was taken to court, and was found in possession of a number of protected species in a taxidermy collection. After a long rehabilitation period with BirdLife Malta and court clearance, Fiona is finally back where she belongs. Thanks to funds from the Walk for Nature, we can track her journey as she adapts to life in the wild. Watch her release! 📹 Footage & editing by Yusuf Gamal. #GreaterFlamingo #flamingo #confiscated #rehab #release #Għadira #nature #reserve #Fjamingu #Fiona #WalkforNature2024 #BirdLifeMalta #EPU

The Nature Restoration Law enters into force TODAY! 🤩   And what a ride it has been! A massive thank you to everyone who made it possible 📽️🫶   Let’s work together to #RestoreNature all around Europe 🦋

It was another successful summer for our shearwater boat trips! This year we held no less than six trips to the beautiful Ta' Ċenċ cliffs in Gozo to witness first-hand flocks of Scopoli's Shearwaters gathering in rafts on the sea surface before they return to their nests in the cliffs at nightfall. All the trips (two in June and four in July) were fully-booked, and the members of the general public who joined us all enjoyed this wonderful spectacle of nature! On one of the trips we were also happy to host stakeholders of our ongoing LIFE PanPuffinus! seabird project. Have a look at this video which sums up this year's sunset shearwater boat trips and if you didn't manage to book a seat on one of our trips this summer, make sure that next year you book early to avoid disappointment! Footage by Yusuf Gamal, Alessandra Loria & Aron Tanti. Editing by Yusuf Gamal. #sunset #shearwater #boat #trips #ScopolisShearwaters #Ċief #rafts #TaĊenċ #cliffs #Gozo #BirdLifeMalta #LIFEPanPuffinus #spectacle #nature

📢 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘀 🧂 We’re excited to announce the opening hours and entrance fees for the Salina Salt Museum! Visit us to explore the rich history and significance of salt in our region. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: • Summer (up to 15 Sep): Wednesdays 8am–12pm • Winter (16 Sep onwards): Wednesdays 8am–3pm 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘀: • Adult: €3 • Child (6–14 yrs): €2 (under 6 yrs free) • Family (2 adults + up to 2 children): €6 🎟️ Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Salina Visitor Centre. 🧑💼 A staff member will be on site within the Salt Museum to answer any queries and assist visitors. Come and discover the wonders of salt with us! 🌊🧂 In the meantime, enjoy this video summing up the official opening of the new salt museum at Salina Nature Reserve and the first ever 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝗹ħ | 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 held to celebrate its inauguration. 📹 Yusuf Gamal, Nathaniel Attard & Department of Information (DOI). 📷 Yusuf Gamal & charles coleiro Editing by Yusuf Gamal. #SalinaSaltMuseum #nowopen #Salina #nature #reserve #BirdLifeMalta #history #tradition #salt #harvesting #visitus🙏

In March we held our annual fundraising walk, where more than 90 nature enthusiasts came together to share their passion for nature and successfully raised over €1,500 to support BirdLife Malta’s education and conservation initiatives through this year’s Walk for Nature! One of the prizes for our top contributors was a free ticket for a winner and their parent to join our annual LIFE PanPuffinus! shearwater boat trip to the stunning cliffs of Ta’ Ċenċ in Gozo. Our winners, Alex Buontempo and Nia Kostov, shared their experiences from the boat trip. Nia said, "I really enjoyed the experience, as I never expected to see so many birds resting on the water. Watching the sunset from the sea was also a highlight. I learned that seabirds like to stay in groups on the water at sunset before returning to their nests." Alex said: "The boat trip started around 6:30 pm. After about 10-15 minutes, we spotted our first shearwater, a Scopoli's Shearwater. Shortly after, we saw a whole raft of shearwaters resting on the water. Later, we encountered another species, a Yelkouan Shearwater, which was a lifer for me. As it was getting dark, we headed back. It was a fantastic experience, and I can’t wait to do it again." Alex also captured some beautiful photographs during the trip, as he is passionate about nature photography. #WalkforNature #winners #shearwater #ScopolisShearwater #YelkouanShearwater #sunset #boat #trip #BirdLifeMalta #LIFEPanPuffinus

Our last sunset shearwater ⛵ boat trip for the general public for this summer will set sail tonight! The BirdLife Malta shearwater boat trips are an annual event which our stakeholders and the public eagerly await! This year we had the pleasure of once again, witnessing the rafting of shearwaters close to their colonies, gathering in the hundreds after spending a day out at sea. Rafting refers to the behaviour exhibited by shearwaters and other seabirds, in which they gather in large groups on the sea’s surface before nightfall. Reasons for this behaviour are tought to be multiple including protection from predators (safety in numbers) and to engage in important social interactions. The LIFE PanPuffinus! project provides an opportunity for the public to see these birds and enjoy this special moment in nature, and to learn more about them in this educational activity. Want to find out more about this project? Check out our website here, and reach out to us: https://lnkd.in/dvsgYG5Q. 📷 Aron Tanti & Mario V Gauci #sunset #shearwater #boat #trip #ScopolisShearwater #YelkouanShearwater #BirdLifeMalta #LIFEPanPuffinus #rafting #annual #event #seabirds

Following the joint ENGO statement issued last week, BirdLife Malta has now submitted feedback to the Planning Authority's Phase 2 review of the South Malta Local Plan, which aims to create a 'low impact sports' area, so as to allow the construction of an airstrip for model aeroplanes in Wied Żnuber. This development threatens nearby Natura 2000 sites. Increased noise and light pollution could harm local wildlife, especially the protected Yelkouan and Scopoli’s Shearwater colonies. The surrounding cliffs host around 90-100 breeding pairs of Yelkouan Shearwaters and 80-160 breeding pairs of Scopoli’s Shearwaters, both protected species under the European Birds Directive. Light pollution from the Ħal Far industrial estate already affects these birds, causing grounding and disrupting breeding patterns. We, together with another eight NGOs, are demanding the area be preserved and restored, not developed. 👉 Read the feedback we submitted to the PA here: https://bit.ly/46q0oyK. 👉 Read the joint ENGO statement issued today week here: https://bit.ly/3xYFUjX. 📷 Moviment Graffitti #WiedŻnuber #model #airstrip #Natura2000 #YelkouanShearwater #ScopolisShearwater #nesting #site #cliffs #noisepollution #lightpollution #feedback #PlanningAuthority #objection #BirdLifeMalta