An early autumn visitor this weekend made a stop at the area known as Il-Maghluq at Marsascala. The Night Heron was spotted by many locals in the area and by volunteers of Nature Trust (Malta).

Although this bird is common during the Spring and Autumn migrations, it is not so common at the area of Il-Maghluq.

The site is a Salt Marsh and is one of the Natura 2000 sites in the Maltese islands. Nature Trust (Malta) said that it has long been trying to get this area properly conserved and managed due to its ecological importance.

One of the main problems is the culvert system where pipes placed some years ago to allow water flow have become blocked and not allowing a proper flow at the site, said NTM

The Salt Marsh is also home to the killifish, buzaqq, a small fish endemic to the Mediterranean. Last year NTM partnered up with the Malta Aquaculture Research Centre at San Lucjan to try and save this fish before further degradation in the area would result in the extinction of this fish. NTM is also trying to get this fish declared as Malta's national fish.

NTM added that the area is victim of various dumping, rats and litter. Only last year the Department of Infrastructure started a project to dredge the area.

NTM has appealed to the Authorities to give priority of the environment. It calls on the management plans to be approved by the Government and also for the Government to allocate funds for the management of such sites for their conservation. "Il-Maghluq is one of the few remaining salt marshes and is crying-out for restoration and conservation measures."

Photograph: Nature Trust (Malta)

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