BirdLife Malta said it condemns the destruction of a national Important Bird Area in Valletta today, after the trees in the Great Siege Square were once again shaved back to their trunks, destroying the roost site for thousands of wintering White Wagtails.

The NGO said this latest pruning follows on from an incident in May of this year, when the Environment Landscape Consortium (ELC) shaved the same trees leaving just a few small branches with foliage, without a permit from MEPA. At the time, the ELC were asked to stop by the police, but they ignored the police action and completed the pruning, severely damaging the roost site.

“MEPA confirmed in June 2010 that the ELC was being investigated for its actions, but it has since refused to disclose any details on the case (1).”

On Wednesday BirdLife Malta researcher Denis Cachia noted that new growth on the trees in the square had been removed. It will take many years for the trees to recover and provide foliage comparable to what it was before the first pruning.

The trees in Great Siege Square are the main roost site in the Maltese Islands for wintering White Wagtails, and have been regularly used by these birds for over 40 years. Due to its importance for this species, the site is listed as a national Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife Malta. In January 2010 at least 7,600 White Wagtails were recorded roosting in the trees, Birdlife said.

Birdlife went on to say the destruction of their roost has left these birds without anywhere to rest at night, impacting on their chances for survival. Since the pruning, the birds have been observed trying to land on the little remaining foliage and flying around in an attempt to find an alternative roost site.

“It is not known whether the White Wagtails, which probably represent the entire Maltese wintering population of this species, will be able to find a new roost site or not,” said Dr André Raine, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager.”Despite the importance of this area being brought to the authorities’ attention on numerous occasions over the years, it appears that the individuals responsible for the destruction have acted, once again, with impunity.”

BirdLife Malta said it has been in correspondence with MEPA, the Valletta Local Council and the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs over the importance of the site since 2006. At the time, a single tree alongside St John’s co-Cathedral that did not form part of the national Important Bird Area, was identified by the authorities as being a potential danger to St John’s co-Cathedral. BirdLife Malta had agreed to the removal of this tree on the front, and was informed by Mr Charles D’Alfonso, from the Department of Resources, that none of the trees in Great Siege Square represented a possible danger to the cathedral (2).

“The under-handed way in which this Important Bird Area has been damaged, without permits and without any consideration, is another example of how nature is treated in our country,” said Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife Malta Campaigns Coordinator.

“We call on MEPA to take immediate action against those responsible for this action and hold them accountable for damaging a site of national importance.”

Notes:

1) In response to an email by Dr André Raine, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager, on the 9th June, Darrin Stevens, Team Manager, Nature Protection unit, MEPA, on the same day wrote:

“The matter is currently under investigation, and therefore we are not in a position to disclose such information for the time being.” An email by Dr Andre Raine to Mr Darrin Stevens requesting an update or outcome on the case, on the 27th October, remains unanswered.

2) Minutes taken by BirdLife Malta during the meeting:

“Mr Charles D’Alfonso explained the situation regarding the trees to the west of St John’s Co-Cathedral. As the Department of Resources sees it; o The main issue is a single tree located within the secondary roost site for White Wagtails. This tree, which is the front right specimen (also, incidentally the largest tree) has a root system which is extending into the cisterns below the pavement. The remainder of the trees are not causing any problems to the co-Cathedral.

· They are therefore proposing that the tree in question is removed. The matching tree in the group to the right of the Cathedral doors would also be removed to make it ‘symmetrical’. The remainder of the trees are NOT going to be removed. A new tree will be planted to the left of the position of the tree which they are proposing to remove.

· Mr Emanuel Buttigieg also confirmed that there are no plans to do anything to the trees in the Great Siege Square, which represents the main White Wagtail roost site.”

Photos: BirdLife Malta today protested against the severe damage done to Malta’s main White Wagtail roost, when protected trees were this week shaved almost down to their trunks – Chloe Swann.

This is what the trees in Great Seige Square used to look like before they were aggressively pruned down to bare trunks last May. Photo by BirdLife Malta.

Permalink: Important Bird Area in Valletta damaged again – Birdlife