Barn owl project to reintroduce them in suitable environments

The Barn Owl project at Razzett tal-Baghal is now entering its second phase, and the native trees nursery has been extended, the Ministry for the Environment has said.

Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia, stressed that “environmental conservation and the protection of our native biodiversity are two of the pillars of functioning ecosystems, and it is our duty to promote and invest in initiatives which preserve it for present and future generations – ensuring that our natural heritage does not become a distant memory.”

The Minister was addressing a press conference earlier today at Razzet tal-Baghal (‘The Mule’s Farmhouse), which is a site managed by the Federation for Hunting and Conservation Malta (FKNK).

He explained that the farmhouse includes a visitors and interpretation centre with broad-level information on the historical and natural features of Buskett, including aspects of geomorphology, hydrology, ecology and cultural heritage.

Another room within the farmhouse is used as an educational teaching area to cater to visiting research teams and students, providing a space for briefings, talks and lectures on environment-related matters.

Minister Farrugia said that the site is home to the barn owl project which will now enter its second phase.

This project aims to reintroduce barn owls in suitable environments in Gozo and Malta through a technique successfully conducted by falconers across the globe, he said. It is supported by the Conservation of Wild Birds Fund for Voluntary Organisations.

The Minister also announced the extension of a native tree nursery on land adjacent to the farmhouse. In early 2020, the FKNK, together with ACT’s initiative of Saggar, set-up a Nursery within the Razzett tal-Baghal by planting over 2,500 seeds, in 800ml square re-usable pots, of native trees and shrubs which were collected from the Buskett gardens’ surroundings. The trees will then be distributed to the public for free.

FKNK PRO Lucas Micallef stated, “as the largest organisation and biggest stakeholder in Malta with regards to the management and the conservation of the rural environment, as FKNK we feel obliged to carry out projects which seek to conserve biodiversity in Malta.”

He explained that this project will re-introduce the Barn Owl back to its natural habitat and which will extend to other urban and rural areas in the Maltese islands at a later stage.

Photo: DOI/Omar Camilleri