In what is a record number of Cranes to be observed migrating over Malta in a single day, over 820 Cranes (Graw) in various flocks were observed migrating over Malta last Sunday alone. The Crane migration continued yesterday with over 160 Cranes seen flying over the south of Malta in the morning alone.
BirdLife Malta received several reports of illegal shooting on these protected birds as they flew low in the Fawwara area. Cranes are protected under Annex I of the Birds Directive. The police were informed of the shooting.
Cranes are large birds which migrate from Europe to Africa every autumn to avoid the cold and lack of food of European winters. During their long journeys Cranes rely on thermals of hot air rising from land mass to save energy while flying. These birds spend more energy in flight over the sea as there are no thermals rising from large bodies of water. This makes the Maltese islands important places where migratory birds can catch thermals, rest and refuel before they continue their journeys.
Photo: Over 1000 Cranes were seen over Sunday and Monday, in what is a record number of Cranes seen migrating over Malta in such a short time period. Photo by Chris Cachia Zammit. .