BirdLife condemns the “butchering” of Mosta trees roosting sites

BirdLife Malta has condemned the decision to remove and destroy the trees by the side of the church in Mosta Square and pleaded with the authorities to “stop the works immediately.”

It said that, this morning “the butchering of these trees in preparation for uprooting by Mosta Local Council with the blessing of ERA – Environment and Resources Authority, has started.”BirdLife stressed that at this time of the year thousands of White Wagtails, Common Starlings and Spanish Sparrows find refuge in these Ficus Trees during the night when they roost together in safety.

It pointed out that this is the only roosting site for White Wagtails outside of Valletta and the idea of removing them “is wrong, whilst the timing is even worse.”

Photos: BirdLife Malta and Denis Cachia