Since 1982, the Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta has been assisting BirdLife Malta in monitoring the population of the Yellow-legged Gull, Larus Michahellis, on the Island of Filfla.

Every year during the early spring, licensed bird ringers are transported by helicopter to Filfla in order to place marking rings on the young birds before they fledge.

Operating from Filfla can be quite challenging due to the island’s shape, small size and untouched topography. Very few level areas exist on the island and its plateau shape means that surface air conditions can be very turbulent at times.

Though the surface of the island of Filfla is a declared nature reserve and there are no restrictions prohibiting the over flight of aircraft, AFM aircrew try to give the tiny island of Filfla a wide birth due to the large amount of birds that inhabit the island and not to disturb the bird colonies that breed there.

Photographs – AFM Press Office.

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