BirdLife Malta has said that 2019 has also seen some remarkable records for breeding birds of prey on all three main islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino), “showing the great potential our islands could offer for the comeback of a number of graceful species.”

In a statement it said that Common Kestrels have bred in two different locations in Gozo, with fledged young being noted during the first week of June.

The Peregrine Falcon has been noted breeding again along Malta’s southern cliffs with young birds seen in flight in mid-May.

A pair of Short-eared Owl bred successfully again on Comino with the fledged young seen on the 14th of May, in what is a successful second breeding record in recent years.

In Gozo, 2019 has seen a record breeding success for the Barn Swallow, where BirdLife’s birdwatchers have observed at least 32 breeding pairs in different villages, all of which are being monitored on a regular basis. The breeding sites are in Xewkija, Kercem, Gharb, Sannat, Ghasri, Nadur and Victoria.BirdLife Malta said that at its Ghadira Nature Reserve undoubtedly the flagship breeding species remains the Black-winged Stilt. Earlier this month two pairs of Black-winged Stilts successfully hatched four young each.

Ghadira has also been home to another continuing success with Little Ringed Plovers. Two pairs have successfully bred this spring, each of them raising three young respectively.

To share the wonderful nature spectacle of these newly-formed families BirdLife said that it will once again be opening Ghadira for a special open day which will be held this coming Saturday, the 29th of June.

The reserve will be open between 7:00am and 10:00am with entry free of charge and no booking needed.

Photos: Fledged young Short-eared Owl on Comino – Michael Zerafa and Black-winged Stilts at Ghadira Nature Reserve – Aron Tanti

Permalink: Record year for breeding birds across Gozo. Malta and Comino – BLM