This is the time of year when the first Yelkouan Shearwaters (Garnija) start leaving their burrows in the cliffs and start learning how to fend for themselves out at sea.

BirdLife Malta has said that unfortunately, bright lights confuse them, and many of them end up stranded on land. Shearwaters are not great on land (they are not even able to properly stand on their feet) and they need a bit of help.

If anybody spots one sitting down somewhere, please call BirdLife Malta for rescue assistance on 2134764 5/6 during office hours, and 7925 5697 during weekends and evenings

Yelkouan Shearwaters are the star of BirdLife Malta's LIFE Arcipelagu Garnija project, which aims at securing the Maltese Islands for the species.

Right now it is also fledgling season for baby sparrows (Ghasfur tal-Bejt). At the moment these birds are learning to fly, and they often fall to the ground in the process.

BLM said that the parents are still taking care of the fledgling, and this is part of their natural development process and they don't need intervention. "If you find a fledgling and you think it might be in danger, just place it in a higher spot, like a ledge or the branch of a tree. The best thing you can do for them is to leave them in their parents' care."

Photos: Yelkouan Shearwater fledglings (Photos by Ben Metzger) and Spanish Sparrow chicks (Photo by Aron Tanti)

Permalink: A helping hand for Yelkouan Shearwaters and baby sparrows