A Complete Guide To The Birds of Malta

A Complete Guide to the
Birds of Malta
Published by Midsea Books Ltd.
3a Strait Street, Valletta, Malta
www.midseabooks.com
Copyright © Literary Natalino Fenech, 2010

Copyright © Editorial Midsea Books, 2010
Copyright © of the photos Joe P. Borg: Inlaid furniture 11; Graffiti 14; Buskett
Gardens 119; Fr Martin Borg: Ganutell 11; Guido Lanfranco: Hunters in
procession 188; Sammy Borg: Golden Plovers in flight 273; Joe Vella Gaffiero:
Salina Salt Pans 133, White’s Thrush 361, Dunnock 374, Mark Schuuman: Little
Stint 279; Peter van Rij: Moustached Warbler 355, European Reed Warbler
356; Joe Azzopardi: Snipe 281; Yves Adams: Razorbill 303; Peter van Rij:
Linnet 388; Rollin Verlinde Siskin: 387; Juan Tetaert: Ortolan Bunting 391; Hugo
Willocx: Greenfinch 386, Hawfinch 389; Michael Sammut: Northern Gannet
217, Western Reef Egret 222, Grey Heron and Mallards 225, Black Stork 227,
Eurasian Spoonbill 229, Little Grebe 231, Honey Buzzard in flight 234, Red Kite
237, Eurasian Griffon Vulture 238, Steppe Buzzard 247, Lesser Spotted Eagle
in flight 248, Booted Eagle 249, Sooty Falcon 257, Red-knobbed Coot 264,
Common Crane 266, Eurasian Dotterel 272, Arctic Skua 287, Laughing Gull
291, adult Lesser-Black-backed Gull 295, Caspian Tern 298, Laughing Dove,
Great Spotted Cuckoo 314, Little Owl 318, Long-eared Owl 319, Common
Kingfisher 324, Wood Lark 340, Greater Hoopoe Lark 343, Isabelline Wheatear
370, Red-breasted Flycatcher 373, Corn Bunting 394.
All other photos Natalino Fenech.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the previous written permission
of the author.
First published in 2010
Produced by Mizzi Design and Graphic Services Ltd.

Printed at Gutenberg Press Ltd, Malta
ISBN 978-99932-7-310-3
Dedication
This book is dedicated to a number

of people for whom birds played an
integral part of their lives, but who lived
on both sides of the fence. Even when
we disagreed, they all have been a
guiding light and a source of immense
help to me over the years. Hence the
dedication goes to Roger Arnhem, from
Belgium, who passed away in April 2006,
and who actively helped promote bird
conservation, to John Azzopardi, who
passed away in April 2010, just as this
book, of which he saw so many versions,
was going to print and to Charles
Gauci, a former trapper who became a
conservationist and is one of the most
active bird ringers. It is also dedicated
to Aldo E. Azzopardi, whose passion for
hunting and its lore is second to none
and to Joseph Vella (iç-Chippy) and
Sammy Borg, both former hunters and
keen collectors, for unselfishly sharing
knowledge, information and time.
A Complete Guide to the
Birds of Malta
Natalino Fenech
Contents
Foreword ..............................................................ix Ornithology in the 19th century ...................... 84
Wright appears on the scene ........................ 86
Introduction ..........................................................xi Wright’s diaries.............................................. 87
New birds for Malta ........................................xv Well connected ............................................. 90
Bird names in this book ............................... xvii Shooting mishaps.......................................... 92
Old names ................................................... xviii Bags and prices noted ................................. 93
New records ................................................ xviii Wright’s collection ......................................... 94
Bird ringing - a tool for conservation............. xix Other collections ........................................... 96
Wright’s publications ..................................... 96
Acknowledgements............................................ xxi An influential ornithologist ............................. 99
Leith Adams and Malta ............................... 100
Field ornithologists ...................................... 100
Part 1 Food and sensitivity .................................... 102
Other ornithological works .......................... 103
Chapter 1 Gun ornithology ........................................... 104
MAN AND BIRDS The first Ornithological Congress ............... 105
Ornithology in the first half
Birds in history ................................................. 1
of the 20th Century .................................... 106
Birds and man ................................................. 3
The seeds of conservation .......................... 108
Birds as food ................................................... 5
Despott criticised unfairly ........................... 109
Birds in art ....................................................... 6
Ornithology in the second half
Birds in heraldry ............................................ 27
of the 20th Century .................................... 110
Birds on coins and other images .................. 32
De Lucca comes to the scene .................... 110
Birds in Maltese literature .............................. 34 New faces ................................................... 112
Birds in folk tales ........................................... 35
Birds and hunting in literature of the 1900s .. 36
Birds in poetry ............................................... 40 Chapter 3
Birds in rhyme and song ............................... 44 CONSERVATION MEASuRES
Bird names and man ..................................... 47 Early laws .................................................... 119
Birds in place names ..................................... 50 Hunting and bird protection laws
Birds in popular language ............................ 51 under British Rule ..................................... 120
Birds in hunters’ language ........................... 56 Despott enters the scene ............................ 122
Birds in proverbs and sayings ...................... 58 Pressure wanes ........................................... 123
Proverbs related to migration ....................... 60 The Malta Ornithological Society
Hunters’ sayings ............................................ 61 established .............................................. 125
Falconry ......................................................... 62 Setting up nature reserves .......................... 129
Trapping and bird keeping ........................... 68 Other pressure groups ................................ 134
Malta in the Eu ............................................ 139
Chapter 2 Chapter 4
ORNITHOLOGICAL WORKS BIRD MIGRATION
Birds in early works ...................................... 73 Migration routes .......................................... 143
Travellers’ Accounts ...................................... 75 Categories of migrants ................................ 144
Victorian Attitudes ......................................... 77 Hazards of migration ................................... 145
Birds for the pot............................................. 79 Mediterranean flyways ................................ 146
Early ornithology............................................ 81 Origin of Malta-bound migrants .................. 146
Buffon and Malta ........................................... 83 Outward migration -
Ciantar’s work................................................ 83 Birds of prey ................................................ 148
Gulls, terns and herons ............................... 150 Metaphorical proverbs ............................... 397
Finches ........................................................ 153 Saints and birds .......................................... 398
Origin of migrants........................................ 153 Hunters’ sayings ........................................ 400
Breeding birds and migration ..................... 153 Hunters and hunting ................................... 401
Bird trapping ............................................... 402
Chapter 5
HuNTING AND TRAPPING Appendix II Birds in surnames ......................... 405
The current situation .................................. 157
Number of birds killed ................................. 158 Bibliography .................................................... 409
Changes in attitude .................................... 160
Trapping ...................................................... 163 Index................................................................. 419
Robin trapping ............................................ 166
Tables
Chapter 6 1. Fossil birds from various sites in Malta ........... 2
SOCIAL ASPECTS 2. Bird names in early Maltese dictionaries ...... 48
Birds, hunters and trappers ........................ 169 3. Bird names from early place names ............ 52
A symbol of status ....................................... 172 4. Number of falcons sent from Malta ............... 66
Social factors............................................... 172 5. Bird names given by Ciantar in 1772 ........... 74
Hunter satisfaction ...................................... 173 6. Names of birds identified by
Shooters’ language ..................................... 174 lighthouse keepers in 1895 ......................... 107
Images of sexuality ..................................... 174 7. A list of birds ringed and recovered
Hunting and warfare ................................... 175 within days of ringing .................................. 147
Gossip, songs, rhymes and tales ............... 176 8. Birds that can be hunted.............................. 158
Hunting in literature ..................................... 176
Hunting in art ............................................... 180
Hunting in contemporary art ....................... 183
Hunters in pictorial maps ............................ 186
Satire – hunters in cartoons ........................ 186
Of saints and legends ................................. 188
Birds, trappers and trapping ...................... 189
Chapter 7
THE WAY FORWARD
Birds: the common factor ............................ 191
Catering for different needs ........................ 192
Some alternatives ........................................ 193
Politics, politics and more politics............... 196
Part 2
THE BIRDS OF MALTA .................................... 197
Appendix I Birds in proverbs

Proverbs related to migration ...................... 395
Birds and weather ...................................... 397
Foreword
Despite its relatively small, island nature, Malta has the good fortune of having a sizeable avifauna. It
also has the good fortune of having a vibrant ornithological community that includes Natalino Fenech.
The book that follows, however, is not just about birds, it is also about birds and their many relationships
with people. In an increasingly human-dominated world, combining both of these subjects into a single
work is both significant and important.
The “food with wings” mentality has had an all-too-long history in Malta: thus Scops Owls, for example
have “often ended up in stews after being cooked in a broth.” This mentality has changed over time,
but the book will help change other attitudes, as well as the trigger-happy mentality that has placed far
too many taxidermy specimens of migratory birds of prey in glass cases and on the television sets of
Maltese citizens. This change in attitude may not happen overnight, but it will happen, eventually, and
this work will help hasten that change for the better. Indeed, placed in the right hands and used the
right way, A complete guide to the birds of Malta is well-positioned to make Malta a better place, not
only for its migratory and resident birds, but also for its human inhabitants, as the latter become more
understanding and respectful of the former, and as the former become more prosperous and abundant.
No work offers better descriptions of Malta’s birds and their ecological circumstances, or a more
detailed introduction to human-bird relationships in the region. Meticulously researched and referenced
A complete guide to the birds of Malta has a flowing and approachable style that offers its readers a
world-class introduction to the country’s avian heritage.
Field guides are the backbones of ornithology and avian conservation. First-class guides offer the
uninitiated a rapid introduction to a region’s birdlife. The lack of a proper guide can turn a potentially
great day in the field into a frustrating guessing game, whereas a proper guide can turn a novice into a
bird lover overnight. The rapid and sustained growth of birding in the united States owes its origins to
the 1934 publication of Roger Tory Peterson’s, A field guide to the birds. Natalino Fenech’s complete,
authoritative book promises to do the same for the ornithologically important and conservation-significant
archipelago nation of Malta.
The value of the work, however, extends far beyond Malta’s Mediterranean shores. Fenech – as the
work will surely become known – provides the basis for documenting and improving our knowledge of the
ranges and distributions of the Maltese avifauna including its many migratory species. In time, the guide
will train dozens if not hundreds of students, who will make the central Mediterranean region a better place
for birds, and its inhabitants more informed supporters of them. The guide also will help educators and
conservationists in their efforts to better protect the region’s avifauna and other wildlife. Properly identified
and appreciated, Malta’s migratory and resident birds once again will thrive in this birth-place of avian
conservation concern. As they do, European and Mediterranean avifauna will benefit as well.
x A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
The guide includes up-to-date information on the country’s 429 recognized species of birds, including its
24 species of migratory raptors, the latter of which to me as a raptor biologist are of particular significance
and appeal. A quick review of the book’s species accounts indicates the degree of scholarship inherent
in the work. Even a cursory reading of the introductory material reveals the author’s thoroughness and
attention to detail that should make A complete guide to the birds of Malta an instant classic and effective
roadmap to finding and identifying birds in Malta.
Natalino Fenech should be proud of this work and its most promising potential effects on his nation’s
birdlife. The fundamental knowledge offered herein will serve the birding, ornithological, education, and
conservation communities of Malta well into the twenty-first century.
Keith L. Bildstein, Ph. D.

Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary,
Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, u. S. A.
July 2009
Introduction
This is more than a book about birds. It is a comprehensive almanac about all that has to do with birds
in the Maltese Islands. In it you will find anything from new records of birds, to birds in art, literature,
language and proverbs as well as history of hunting and bird protection legislation.
I have long wanted to write a book of this kind. Birds have been an integral part of my life since
childhood. I was brought up in families where relatives from both sides of the family were hunters. I still
have many vivid recollections of hunting with my grandfathers and uncles. Most of those memories are
still very positive and I do not regret the experiences. They taught me a lot about birds and about the way
people thought and felt about them and how they interacted with them.
In my teens, I formed part of the bird protection and later, the environmental protection movement.
The progression and sensitizing people to environmental issues was a natural one. Although birds were
important and so was their protection, halting environmental degradation too was a priority.
Having been on both sides of the fence, and always being interested in finding the whys and wherefores
in life, I wanted to find out more about the relationships between birds and men, about why hunters
hunted and why trappers were so passionate about trapping birds. I wanted to see the relationships
between local institutions and hunting, whether there was any truth that the hunting community was so
big that it could influence who would be in government in Malta, and finally what were the impacts of
hunting on birds and other related issues in the Maltese Islands. These topics were initially touched upon
in the book Fatal Flight, published by Quiller Press in 1992. Later I delved into much more depth about
these and other issues in my PhD thesis at Durham university in 1997.
Eu membership brought the hunting issue back on the political agenda, and though it might seem
ridiculous that a country’s future could hinge on whether hunters would be allowed to continue shooting
in spring or not, the hunting issue was one of the hottest issues and many feared the hunting lobby could
be so strong that its votes could keep Malta out of the Eu. I was always of the opinion that though the
hunting lobby was powerful in some ways, it had practically no effect on the polls because although
for most hunters and trappers their pastimes meant a lot, there were other things in their lives that were
equally important, if not more important.
However the chickens are now coming home to roost and hunters and trappers are demanding
that what they had been promised by politicians before Eu accession ought to be delivered to
them. The recent judgement by the European Court of Justice has complicated matters, because
as explained later, though it accepted the argument that hunting in autumn in Malta does not offer
a satisfactory alternative to hunting in spring, it also said that the small number of birds shot was
“disproportionate”. In a nutshell, the European Court of Justice said in principle one can derogate
from the Birds Directive, but because of the strict conditions under which one can derogate and
xii A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
because so few birds are allowed to be taken, it’s next to impossible to derogate in practice. Well
before the debate about hunting and Eu membership started, I had spelt it out in black and white
that if Malta joined the Eu, spring hunting would have to stop. This is clearly stated in the Eu Birds
Directive because derogations are next to impossible to sustain and justify and in spite of efforts
to find interpretations that would allow hunting of migratory birds in spring, this is very unlikely to
happen and the sooner hunters realize this, the less anguish it will cause them.
There is no magic solution. Instead of wasting time squabbling, we should be finding alternatives for
those genuine hunters and trappers for whom hunting and trapping are an integral part of their lives. We
do not have to re-invent the wheel here. Investment in getting trappers interested in captive breeding and
trying to involve them in bird ringing, as has happened elsewhere in Europe, could be a solution for some
of the trappers. Indeed, some of them can even become bird ringers. Others will be equally happy to
sit, watch and assist. For many, all they want to do is be in the company of birds, to enjoy the thrill of the
catch, and bird ringing can offer this to them too. Rearing of game birds and directing younger would-be
hunters into sport and clay pigeon shooting would work out with most genuine hunters. Involving both
hunters and trappers in rearing programs, even those aimed at re-introducing extinct species, as well as
encouraging them to attend bird ringing sessions, bird watching and bird study, would offer them a lot of
pleasurable ways to while away their idle time.
This is what spurred me on to write this book. I wanted to write a book about the relationship between
birds and man, to document in detail what part birds have played in our lives. Delving into the history of
conservation throughout the world, one finds that hunters at some point in their lives became active in
conservation and some ended up at the forefront of the conservation movement in many countries. Malta
is no exception and I invite more hunters and trappers to follow suit. I have many friends who still hunt
and trap and those whom I know are genuinely infatuated with their pastimes and have never been given
the opportunity of loving birds in a different way. Of course, there are many more others who still need to
mature and for whom birds mean nothing more than targets or things to be collected. Hopefully this book
will be a revelation to some of them.
This book also deals with the history of conservation in Malta and gives an insight about the issues
as they evolved way before the inception of the local conservation movement. Fresh issues that have
dominated the media over the past few years are not dwelt upon in depth because I am a firm believer
that for history to be written it has to be history. Time has to pass for one to be able to write non-
judgemental pieces about it.
There is a considerable amount of interest in birds in Malta. Most of this is from the few bird watchers
and from the many hunters and trappers. There is also mild interest from a section of the public who are
neither hunters nor birdwatchers. Perhaps there would be more interest in birds if people had a chance
to see them more. Although on paper there are quite a few bird reserves and sanctuaries, people do
not have easy access to most of them and have no one and nothing to guide them about what they can
expect to see and how to go about seeing them.
The relatively small number of regular breeding birds, most of which are small warblers, do not
encourage many non-bird watchers to have a second look. While some of the breeding birds are
resident, others arrive in spring and remain to breed and often spend the summer before migrating in
autumn.
Although the Maltese Islands have a diversity of habitats, the small size of the islands and the amount
of existing disturbance hinders more birds from breeding. The Maltese Islands have a high population
density, which is augmented by large numbers of tourists, particularly in the summer months. The
countryside is subjected to much disturbance ranging from hunting and trapping to off-road driving,
hiking, people walking their dogs and other outdoor activities. All of this, coupled with changes in the
way agriculture is practised these days, reduces the chances for birds to be allowed to breed.
The second part of the book is entirely dedicated to the birds of Malta. In it one finds several new
records of birds that have appeared in the Maltese Islands and which have not been published in other
ornithological literature. This is both because a number of species that had not been recorded before
have now been recorded, as well as because a number of sub-species have now been recognised as
species in their own right.
INTRODuCTION xiii
In a recent paper, some of the world’s leading taxonomists, remarked that the taxonomy of European
birds was “remarkably stable from the 1970s through to the 1990s, when very few people were conducting
research in this area. This was largely because of the mistaken belief that the avifauna had been
thoroughly investigated earlier in the century and that there was little new to be learned. This stability
occurred at a time when major advances were coming from molecular research using proteins and DNA,
and from studies using detailed fieldwork and vocalizations. There were also significant reappraisals of
species concepts and their application” (Sangster et al. 2002).
The recognition of new species is a continuous process and there are a number of different species
concepts and various interpretations of such concepts. There is the Biological Species Concept, the
Recognition Species Concept, the Phylogenetic Species Concept and the Evolutionary Species Concept.
As the Association of European Rarities Committees (AERC) notes, in all species concepts, taxonomists
are attempting to partition a continuous process (evolution) into artificially distinct units (species).
Sangster also noted that most ornithological publications in Western Europe as well as bird guides
followed Voous’s landmark work List of Holarctic Bird Species. “But it has become clear that there is
still a great deal to learn about the taxonomy of European birds, and proposals, mainly for the splitting
of species, have been put forward with increasing frequency. These have been adopted across the
continent in an ad hoc manner that has led to confusion between the practices and lists of various
countries.” Hence the AERC is striving to bring together information for a comprehensive list of European
birds, incorporating recent changes in taxonomy (Sangster et al. 2002).
The publication of new records is very important as an unusual bird sighting can be of interest in
the context of migration, orientation behaviour and range extension, and as consequences of weather
patterns. The AERC notes that there are numerous examples of rare bird records that, according to the
knowledge of that time, were considered insignificant deviations from the norm but which later proved
to be signs of a newly recognised phenomenon. Only long-term documentation at a high standard can
reveal such patterns that may be of special interest in the light of rapid environmental changes.
AERC argues that “the occurrence of rarities is a biological phenomenon to be studied like any other
part of ornithology. Thus, it has to be treated in the same way: from a scientific point of view. The listing
of records is just the beginning but probably the part bird watchers enjoy most. The neglected and most
important part is to use this knowledge in further research. If one looks at rarities in this way, it becomes
evident that a scientist can work only with proven or substantiated records, not with claims or unverified
reports. One recklessly accepted report might distort a whole pattern of occurrence. To state it more
bluntly, ornithology is a science and not a playground for listers. Rarities committees are responsible for
the decisions they publish.”
On the other hand, distortion can also happen if sightings are rejected without any valid reason while
others are accepted without much justification. As stated later in this book the Maltese Rarities Committee
has rejected species by experienced bird watchers and in some instances, years or months later, a stuffed
specimen of the species in question was noted in a local collection and further inquiries revealed that it had
been shot on the same or following day when it had been seen by the bird watcher, which makes it likely that
the bird was actually the same one. Hence it has been decided to list here new species, giving the greatest
amount of data possible, and in some cases even publish the photographs of the stuffed specimens of
these rare birds so that the necessary verification can be made by whoever is interested. This is being done
because the local Rarities Committee does not yet follow the guidelines established by the AERC about how
Rarities Committees should work. Among the procedures stipulated by AERC, one finds that :
• A rarities committee should work independently from societies or sponsoring organisations. In Malta
the rarities committee is part of BirdLife Malta.
• Whenever possible, the first record, or preferably the first five records, should be proved by photographs,
video films or tape recordings. In some cases, descriptions by highly qualified observers might suffice.
Some species have been rejected locally because no photographs or video footage were available but
there was a good description available and sightings were made by seasoned watchers.
• National rarities committees should give reasons for non acceptance of a record on request to the
appropriate birdwatcher. This does not happen in Malta and very often the person is not even informed
of the outcome or is informed verbally or hears “through the grapevine”.
xiv A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
• Reports of rarities committees should be published every year and all the relevant information on a
record should be given when available. This hardly ever happens locally. A systematic list of birds seen
in Malta was last published in 2005, but the last sightings given were those of 1999.
• The first (or preferably the first five) records should always be published in detail in a national journal,
including a full description and any photographs, even if of poor quality, with an English summary. The
full documentation of every record should be kept on permanent file and made publicly accessible.
• A list of species that are considered by the committee should be published periodically and be available
on the Worldwide Web and upon request. There is no consistency in the observation of any of these last
two guidelines and no publication is made by the committee, either in print or on line.
Another reason why a book like this has long been needed is that the status of some birds in Malta has
changed over the past twenty years or so and it is high time that the list of the birds of Malta is updated
again. The changes in status are due to a number of factors. Bird watchers in the past were mainly active
in spring and autumn and were hardly active in both summer and winter, when other birds are now being
recorded. This trait of bird watching only when birds were more common is spelt out in black and white
even in bird guides: “In Malta, more that almost anywhere else migration dominates the ornithological
year. Whilst one may be tempted to spend the summer cooling off in the sea and the winter writing up
one’s notes, in spring and autumn one cannot be in the field enough,” (Sultana et al 1975, 1982). In
some instances, populations of birds have changed; hence the numbers seen in Malta have either
increased or decreased. Marsh Harriers, for instance, are seen in very large numbers in September and
in considerable numbers between March and May, when they used to be considerably scarcer. More
seabirds are being recorded, but this is mostly due to the fact that for the past twenty years or so, more
bird watchers have been dedicating time to watching birds from vantage points on the coast, and started
using telescopes, in addition to binoculars. Hence more seabirds and other birds such as ducks are
being observed (Mangion et al. 1988, Borg 1986).
It is worth pointing out, for instance, that when speaking about Pintails, Sultana and Gauci (1982) had
remarked that few occurred in March and April. In March 2004, 6,066 Pintails were seen, with 2,750 being
seen in a single day and 2,127 on the following day. unless there are systematic watches, one can easily
miss the peaks on migrations, and failing to record these peaks will give an unclear picture of the status of
some species. In the past, duck migration was not properly monitored and therefore poorly documented.
In recent years a more organised approach has been taken where constant watching, when possible, is
taking place. This has proved that a regular migration much bigger than ever thought was taking place
with more than 17,000 ducks migrating in the spring migration, generally during February and March, but
sometimes extending into the beginning of April.
During this spring passage the majority of ducks may pass within a few days and unless there is
constant monitoring the passage could easily be missed altogether. For instance in 2002, more than
17,000 ducks consisting mainly of Garganeys but also Pintails, Shovelers, Ferruginous Ducks and
Wigeons were recorded by Michael Sammut and Charles Coleiro, in a five-day period.
Species such as Turtle Dove have seen a very marked decline over the past 30 years or so, and
many attribute this decline to drought in Africa. While many Maltese, especially hunters, tend to argue
that Turtle Doves have changed their migration route, rather than declined, there is strong evidence to
suggest that drought that brought famine to Africa in the 1980s also obliterated or considerably reduced
populations of many species since the water holes simply disappeared and many birds died as a result.
Pallid Swifts, previously considered very scarce with around four records annually, are now being
recorded much more frequently simply because not enough attention used to be paid to Swifts and
Pallid Swifts were mistaken for Swifts. Pallid Swifts have now also been confirmed as breeding. Other
species, such as Collared Dove, formerly a very rare bird, is now being recorded annually and over
the past few years it has already established itself as a breeding bird with a resident population being
present at Santa Marija Estate in Mellie˙a. Since the birds started breeding there, single birds and pairs
started being recorded frequently at G˙adira, id-Dahar and the surrounding areas as well as Salina and
MiΩieb. However, it remains to be seen whether this bird will be given a chance to establish itself or not.
Irrespective of the rapid rate of growth, the rate of destruction is unfortunately still too high and in July
2006, residents expressed the fear that Collared Doves were being trapped because their population
INTRODuCTION xv
suddenly thinned (Fenech 2006). The population is now stable and contains over 100 birds. This bird
would spread much faster if a few pairs were relocated to safe areas such as large gardens in urban
areas.
Quail too has seen a decline, but in some years more birds may be encountered than in others and
over the past few years, hunters and trappers have reported days with a strong migration of Quails,
making them recall “days of old”. Scops Owls and Nightjars, which in the early 1900s were sold by the
dozens by poultry sellers at the Valletta market, have become very scarce, verging on the rare. In 2004
however, there were two days when there was a large influx of Nightjars that made old timers recall “the
good old days”.
Some breeding birds have changed their status too. The Barn Owl has not been recorded breeding
since May 1988, when the young at the last known nest were found dead after the adult birds had been
shot (Fenech and Balzan 1988). There has been a lot of debate about re-introducing these birds and
augmenting the dwindling population before they had become extinct as breeders. In the early 1980s,
Mario Bosios, a hunter, who I dare say at the time was one of the few who did not shoot at anything that flies
just after he became aware of the impact of uncontrolled hunting, was willing to be involved and lead such
a project after saving an adult female and three nestlings from meeting their fate and becoming trophies in
someone’s showcase. But instead of assistance, he found many barriers from the least expected quarters.
The project never got off the ground and in spite of the fact that many bird fanciers are now breeding
imported Barn Owls in captivity, over 25 years after the idea was first mooted, Malta still does not have an
official captive breeding program aimed at reintroducing these birds into the wild.
A few pairs of Little Ringed Plovers are breeding annually at G˙adira Bird Sanctuary. Moorhens have
started breeding regularly in a number of sites, mainly in reserves while Little Bitterns were also recorded
breeding in two sites. Spotted Flycatchers have become more widespread as breeders and Bee-eaters
have bred each year since 2006. Other species, such as Cuckoo, Short-eared Owl and a few other
species have been recorded breeding once or twice. Kestrels too have bred over the past two years, and
their number has increased from two pairs in 2008 to five in 2009. Two pairs of Peregrines bred in 2009,
with each pair raising two young, the first confirmed breeding records in many years.
New birds for Malta
This book contains 50 new records of birds in the Maltese Islands, some of which are being published
for the first time. Others had been published in local newspapers by the author and are quoted here. In
recent years, ornithological works tended to ignore articles in newspapers that recorded new species or
breeding species and referred only to these records after short notes appeared in official ornithological
bulletins. In contrast, this book quotes the first published information, whether this came from newspapers
or not.
The new records range from birds observed in the field by seasoned and reliable bird watchers, such
as the Greater Black-backed Gull, Caspian Gull, Laughing Gull, Bonelli’s Eagle, Spotted Sandgrouse,
both Western and Eastern Orphean Wabler and Asian Desert Warbler. A number of other new species are
being listed following changes in taxonomy after sub-species have been declared as species in their own
right. Several changes in taxonomy have taken place over the past 15 years, but these have largely been
ignored in local ornithological literature. Examples of these are the Caspian Gull, formerly considered as
the eastern race of the Yellow-legged Gull, the Balkan Warbler, which was previously considered a sub-
species of the Bonelli’s Warbler and the Iberian Chiffchaff, previously a sub-species of the Chiffchaff.
Some species that have been introduced and are so far surviving in the wild, such as Bobwhite,
Chukar, Pheasant and Golden Pheasant, are also listed. Other new species were listed after specimens
were noted in local collections or at taxidermists when it could be ascertained that these were genuinely
taken locally. These include the Barnacle Goose, Red-breasted Goose, Great Shearwater, Red-necked
Grebe, Greater Spotted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Sabine’s Gull, Royal Tern, Lesser Crested Tern,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Tickell’s Thrush, Striped Crake, Thick-billed Lark, Bimaculated Lark, Red-headed
Bunting, Red-billed Chough, White’s Thrush and Daurian Shrike.
xvi A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
Other records, such as the Naumann’s Thrush and Pagoda Starling, had been listed in works that have
been ignored in previous ornithological works. Also included in this book is the first record of the Hooded
Vulture. This is being listed because the French naturalist Buffon wrote about it after one was sent to him
from Malta. Although there have been no records since, there is no reason why this species should not
be included. Another important record that no ornithological work has ever referred to is the occurrence
of the American Swallow-tailed Kite. Although this cannot be said to be a “bird of Malta” because it was
probably shot outside Maltese territorial waters, it was felt it should be mentioned here first because
the reference to the note by Becher (1884b) has never been published after Becher’s time and second
because this is the first record of the American Swallow-tailed Kite in Europe.
Some of the records that are included had been rejected by the local Rarities Committee, and as
explained before, the way the Maltese Rarities Committee operates leaves much to be desired. In some
cases, records that were rejected were confirmed to be correct by foreign ornithologists. The Bonelli’s
Eagle, is a case in point. A photo taken through a telescope by Michael Sammut was confirmed by
Dick Forsman, the leading world authority on raptor identification. Richard Porter, another renowned
ornithologist doubted Forsman’s identification, but as Sammut had seen the bird in the company of
Honey Buzzards and had the benefit of comparing sizes, it was felt justified to include this bird. The same
can be said for the Spotted Sandgrouse, seen by three birdwatchers but rejected by BirdLife Malta’s
Rarities Committee. A female was recently seen in a collection at Mosta. The specimen was taken on
the same day it was seen by the birdwatchers and close to where they had seen it; hence it is also very
probable that it was the same bird.
Several species that had been rejected by previous authors are also being included because their
exclusion was rather arbitrary. How can one discount the record of the Brahminy Kite? Despott says there
was a single specimen at the university Museum, which was shot in the vicinity of Si©©iewi in 1889 by
P. Mifsud Ellul, who presented it to Leach, who had it stuffed. How could one argue, as some did, that it
could have been confused with a pale Red Kite, without having seen the specimen that no longer exists?
On account of Despott’s record, who gave also the name of the person who had shot it, it is felt that the
bird should be mentioned, even though there have not been any records since.
The exclusion and re-inclusion of some species in recent ornithological literature is sometimes baffling.
For instance, a record of American Purple Gallinule that had been shot at Salina in 1977 was initially
rejected by Sultana and Gauci (1982) because it had Canary grass seed, associated with aviaries, in its
stomach. But Sultana (2001) included the species as “very rare” in his work, without giving any reason
why it was re-inserted.
A few dates that had been given for some rare species in recent ornithological literature are being
corrected after the original source was traced. In other instances, dates for birds that had been listed as
first record are being corrected when it was discovered that there were other records that preceded the
published dates.
One must point out that records given in ornithological literature do not necessarily reflect the number
of birds that pass over the Islands. Indeed, ornithological records are just a glimpse of what passes
through as birdwatchers record a very small percentage of birds that migrate. Not all areas are covered
by birdwatchers who usually concentrate on the same handful of localities, and rare birds that appear
individually or even in small numbers, usually end up shot before they may be seen by the few active
birdwatchers. Even records of rather common species are rather sparse if one had to rely on sight records
alone. Typical cases of these are Woodcock, Common Quail and several species of finches. Very few of
such species are recorded by birdwatchers, but large numbers of such species occur. Hence the terms
used to describe birds’ occurrence can be misleading. By saying a species is common, one does not
necessarily mean that it can be seen everywhere all the time. Some species can be common at times
and in certain places and rare in others. The use of the term ‘common’ usually denotes that a bird occurs
frequently on migration. On the other hand, some birds perceived as rare or not that common, may be
occurring more commonly but remain unrecorded.
INTRODuCTION xvii
Bird names in this book
The sequence of species, sub-species and English names given in this book follows that given by
the Association of European Records and Rarities Committees (AERC TAC 2003) and the British
Ornithologists’ union list of 2006, as updated by the taxonomic changes suggested by Knox (2008)
and Sangster (Sangster et al. 2007, 2009, 2010). This was as these lists, compiled following research
by some of the world’s leading taxonomists, reflect more accurately the current trends in ornithology.
With a few exceptions, the English names used by AERC follow Beaman and Madge (1998), in
which the authors mainly adopted the names used by Beaman (1994), which gave the rationale for
the choice of many English bird names in the entire Palearctic region. unfortunately there is still a
confusing array of vernacular bird names in the English language, but great advances have been
made in standardising them.
With a few exceptions, Maltese names are those that have been given in publications by Sultana
and Gauci (1982) and Sultana (2001). A number of new Maltese bird names are being given to
correct names that have been used in other ornithological works because some did not really make
sense. For instance previous names that had the word Geddum (chin) have been changed to Munqar
(bill), as birds have bills or beaks, but not chins. Hence the Audouin’s Gull, which breeds only on
islands, is being called Gawwija tal-GΩejjer, rather than Gawwija Geddumha A˙mar (Red-chinned
Gull). Furthermore, the bird has a red bill only in the breeding season, and it is hardly ever seen in
such plumage locally, as most birds recorded here are immature and have dark bills. The Maltese
name for Thrush Nightingale is given as RoΩinjol Skur rather than RoΩinjol Prim, as the name is more
descriptive of the bird. Secondly, the word Prim in Maltese implies something superior, finer and
nicer when in actual fact the Thrush Nightingale has a duller coloration when compared to the more
rufous Nightingale. Names of species being recorded for the first time in this book have been given
after considering both foreign names as well as the bird’s appearance, its particular features and
behaviour.
A review of Maltese bird names has been necessary for a long time. The reasons for the revision are
various: some bird names are incorrect as they neither describe bird’s features nor do they represent
it habits or song. The Hen Harrier is called Bag˙dan Abjad Prim freely translated meaning Great White
Harrier, when the male is blueish-grey and therefore the name Bag˙dan Ik˙al, is more appropriate. The
Montagu’s Harrier is called Bag˙dan GriΩ, Grey Harrier, when it is of a particular shade of ashy grey
for which there is an appropriate Maltese word and the name Bag˙dan Irmiedi, coined by Ardoino in
the late 1800s for the Pallid Harrier, is much more suited. The Grey Plover is called Pluviera Pastarda,
implying it is a hybrid when it is not and the name Pluviera GriΩa is more appropriate. Associations
with particular countries have been changed in the new names, as many of these are misleading. For
instance the name used for the Moussiers Redstart is Kudirross A˙mar, which had been coined by Vella
Gaffiero, is better than Kudirross tat-TuneΩija, used by Sultana. This is because exclusive association
with Tunisia is incorrect, as it is also found in Libya, Algeria and Morocco. Giving it a name describing
it as ‘reddish’, which is used in other bird names with similar rust coloured feathers, is more correct.
There is also confusion in names of waders. Some sandpipers are called Pispisell or Begazzin, some
sandpipers and godwits are called Girwiel, while the smaller stints are called Tertux. Some ducks of the
same family are given names of other families; for instance some diving ducks are called Brajmla while
others are Borka, the generic name for ducks. Other names are simply too long. There are no names
for many bird families. In warblers, the term Bag˙al, which means hybrid, is used for the genus Cettia,
Locustella, Acrocephalus and Cisticola. Bekkafik (fig pecker), is used for Hippolais and some Sylvia
warblers. Other Sylvia warblers are called Bufula, a generic name for warblers, while Phylloscopi are
called Vjolin (Violin). There is evident need for revision of Maltese bird names, but popular, rather than
academic names should be adopted, as otherwise local bird names will continue to fall into disuse.
Many locals, including hunters, already refer to birds only by their English names.
xviii A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
Old names
A list of old bird names, drawn up from nineteen different literature sources, is being given for nearly all
species. Although a decision was made to retain the old way of writing Maltese at the time, to make the lists
more manageable, names were not repeated when the only difference was where authors inserted hyphens.
Taking the Wood Sandpiper as an example, whose Maltese name, freely translated, means Pipit of the Sea,
four authors gave its Maltese name as Pespus tal bahar 8, 10-12, another inserted hyphens in the name and
gave it as Pespus-tal-bahar 9, some wrote it as Pespus tal ba˙ar 13, 14 crossing the h, as it should have always
been as it is a hard h, but without a hyphen between the il and ba˙ar (the sea). Despott inserted the hyphen
but omitted the hard h, giving it as Pespus tal-bahar 19, while De Lucca, as well as Bannerman and Vella
Gaffiero gave it as Pespus tal-Ba˙ar 18, which is the proper way to write the name of this bird as in proper
nouns capital letters should be used. However, to make the text less cumbersome, it was felt that where there
were no material differences in the spelling, such minor differences should not be included.
The numbers following each name refer to the following sources: 1. Wettinger (2000), 2. Thévet (1575),
3. Cassola (1992), 4. NLM 1187, 5. Agius De Soldanis (1750), 6. Ciantar (1772), 7. Vassalli (1796), 8.
Schembri (1843). 9. Wright (1864), 10. Grant (1866), 11. Crispo-Barbaro (1878), 12. Gulia (1890), 13.
Ardoino (1893), 14. Leach (1907). 15. Despott (1917, 1932-1934), 16. Roberts (1954), 17. De Lucca
(1969), 18. Bannerman & Vella Gaffiero (1976), 19. Sultana (2001), 20. Dialects, bird names collected
from the field or gleaned from other sources but which are not ‘official’ bird names.
As authors sometimes gave names that earlier authors had already given, instead of repeating them,
the number corresponding to that author is given next to the name. Taking the Barn Swallow as an
example, the first reference to the word Hottafa was found in 1733 and was repeated by Vassalli in 1796,
so one can see it as: Hottafa 1, 7. The rest of the references follow.
New records
Although the number of organisations that promote the protection of birds, wildlife and the conservation of
natural habitat has grown and there are today more people interested in watching birds, like in the past, a
number of species are still being recorded after having been shot or trapped. It would be ludicrous to pretend
that this practice no longer exists and therefore to ignore or deny the existence of birds recorded in this way.
This is does not in any way condone such acts, but is only an objective view of the prevailing situation.
From time to time, log-books or records that taxidermists used to keep become available and in some
of these one can come across rare or very rare species. Although one prefers recording birds by seeing
them alive rather than from shot specimens, details about birds that were killed or found dead are worth
recording from the ornithological point of view, especially when important records are involved. One
should also bear in mind that many of the species being recorded were not protected before 1980.
One must be careful not to add birds to the list of the birds of Malta without seeing the actual specimen
because birds might have been misidentified or birds or their skins could have been imported and some
might try to pass them off as taken locally. But the taxidermists whose records are being used some of
which were tapped in the past by others writing about birds in Malta, were very knowledgeable and willing
to give information about birds they had handled. The records that are given here after being seen in
logbooks were discussed with the taxidermists who recalled they had handled the birds in flesh and who
in some cases had shown them to others to confirm identification in the case of rarer species. Today, bird
identification has been made much easier through the widespread availability of excellent guidebooks
and handbooks that are within everyone’s reach, as well as the information revolution created by the
Internet. In some cases, the actual specimens were examined in the relative collections.
Some collectors do try to pass off imported birds as specimens taken locally. A case in point is a
specimen of a Baird’s Sandpiper. A stuffed bird was recently noted in a collection, and although the
owner said it was taken locally, it was learnt that the skin had been imported from abroad. Apart from the
second record of Dupont’s Lark being given in this book for the first time, another bird was recently noted
in a collection, but this was imported from Libya. Collectors sometimes come across specimens that
INTRODuCTION xix
either escape from captivity after having been imported or are found dead on ships that eventually call
at Malta. Carcasses of crakes, rails, hirundines that hailed from China as well as Chestnut-bellied Rock
Thrush have been found on ships calling at the Malta Freeport. Some of these end up in local collections
too, especially when found freshly dead and preserved in time. A large assortment of birds are annually
imported for the pet trade from countries ranging from the African to the Asian continents and specimens
of such imported birds also end up in stuffed bird collections.
Birdwatchers or bird ringers sometimes record rare sightings and sometimes, new species too. The
records of birds seen or captured listed in this book came from various sources. The older ones dating
from 1958 to 1986 came from logbooks kept by three taxidermists who used to stuff birds between 1958
and 1977, between 1976 and 1982, and between 1983 and 1986 respectively. The dates given are the
dates entered in the logbooks. Most birds were taken to the taxidermists either on the same day they
were shot or on the following day. Only records of scarce, rare or unusually late or early records are
given. More recent records were either seen personally or were recorded by reliable birdwatchers such
as Michael Sammut and John Azzopardi. Some records have been reported in the local press and in
other cases they can be seen on-line on the BirdLife Malta web site or on Surfbirds.com. A few have
also been reported in publications such as British Birds and Birding World. Records have been updated
till the end of December 2009 for most species, and till April 2010 for rare species or other note-worthy
birds.
It will be noted that while the terms spring, summer, autumn and winter which are used when describing
when species migrate, especially in the second part of the book, these do not necessarily refer to the
conventional dates of seasons one is accustomed to. This is because, as explained in the chapters
dealing with migration, so called autumn migrants are often seen on migration in the middle of summer,
or in winter. Similarly, spring migrants may be encountered in February, when is officially winter, or in late
June, when summer has started. That is why in various ornithological journals one now reads the term
‘outward migration’ for movements away from the breeding grounds while ‘return migration’ is used for
movements back to the breeding grounds. In Malta, the first spring migrants may be seen as early as
January while the first autumn migrants may be encountered in July, when it is still summer.
It must also be stressed that the number of birds listed as seen in this book are often a fraction of
the number of birds that visit the Maltese Islands. This is due to many factors. Firstly, with very a few
exceptions, birdwatchers visit very few places on a regular basis and most of these places are monitored
for a very short span of time. Secondly, many birds pass undetected. Thirdly, several species which
are seen in very small numbers or which are hardly ever seen by birdwatchers are actually much more
common. This holds true for species such as finches, Quail, Turtle Dove, Nightjar, Woodcock, Short-
eared Owl, Golden Plover, Dotterel, Lapwing and several species of pipits as well as other species. This
is either because of the habitat such species prefer, because of limited access to places where such
species may be more frequent or because of hunting pressure.
Bird ringing – a tool for conservation and education
People familiar with bird ringing know what it’s all about, but for those who don’t, it is worth describing it very
briefly. Bird ringing is a useful tool in the study of bird migration and behaviour. It is carried out by bird ringers,
who have a licence to catch all kinds of birds. Bird ringers do not catch birds to keep them and they are
authorised to use any means, unless they are harmful, to catch birds. Most ringers use mist nets, which are
special nets set up vertically in trees which the birds fly into and fall in a kind of pocket. The nets are checked
at regular intervals so that birds are not left in the nets for a long time. The birds are then identified, marked with
a lightweight, numbered metal ring, and are released as soon as possible after being weighed and measured.
Notes are made about the species of bird, the ring number and all the measurements taken. These records are
kept by the organisation running the ringing scheme, which in Malta’s case is BirdLife Malta.
BirdLife is affiliated with EuRING, a European organisation in which bird ringing schemes are
registered and whenever one finds ringed birds, details about these are passed on to the bird societies
which refer the details to the particular organisation where the bird was ringed. Information is then
xx A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
exchanged and data is published in ornithological journals and in this way people learn about the
movements of birds.
More people should be involved in bird ringing because as history has repeatedly shown, bird ringing
also helps change attitudes towards birds. It is often with hindsight that one realises the impact of certain
events in one’s life and I can safely say that bird ringing for me was what made me take the leap from the
world of hunting into that of conservation. My mother introduced me to the Malta Ornithological Society at
the age of 15. until that time, I was still accompanying my uncle on hunting forays and like many youths
of my age, I still trapped Robins. The beautiful patterns on birds considered as game, such as Turtle
Doves, Nightjars and Snipes, always mesmerised me, and as it were, initially I stood with one leg in each
camp, still going with my uncle to hunt and going on bird watching activities.
Ironically, hunting provided me with the opportunity to see birds in the hand. On one occasion, I was
with my uncle and he shot a Snipe. I could not stop patting it, admiring its feathers. The following morning
I accompanied Joe Sultana and Charles Gauci on a ringing activity at Xemxija, now a reserve, and we
caught a Snipe. Till this very day I cannot forget the feeling of holding the live bird in my hand and seeing
the beautiful look in its eyes. Then we discovered that the bird had been grazed by shot just behind its
right thigh. And I got a feeling of revulsion that one should destroy such a beautiful bird in order to be
able to see it closely, to eat it or to have it stuffed in as natural a position as possible, as if it were alive. I
recall protesting about its release as it would be shot.
The sights and sounds of a mere 24 hours before were still fresh in my mind: the pointer, Lassie,
stopping in its tracks and a Snipe flying up before its nose, uttering that characteristic call when flushed.
Then it zigzagged a few times before a single shot ended its flight and its life. I did not want the same
thing to happen to the Snipe I was holding and looking at. That episode distanced me from guns like
nothing else could have done. Many hunters and trappers do not shoot or trap birds because they hate
them. On the contrary, most love them in an overpowering way and they want to possess them forever.
On countless occasions, hunters told me about the anguish they feel when they pick up a winged or
wounded bird they had just shot and the conflict it creates in their mind that they have to kill it themselves
to end its misery. Bird ringing can do wonders for so many, if only it is made more accessible.
The current controversy about spring hunting and trapping can be partially eased, at least for genuine
trappers who can be turned into ringers of Turtle Doves, just like Golden Plover trappers in Friesland, The
Netherlands were turned into ringers when the plover became protected in the 1970s. A small number
of trappers who went to Friesland in March 2008 to see how the Dutch trappers were changed from
trapping for food to trapping for science, found the experience worthwhile and showed eagerness to
try and do the same locally. Embarking in an experimental pilot project to ensure that ringing does not
become an excuse to continue carrying trapping birds for the purpose of keeping them, can lead to help
turn trappers into active conservationists.
Natalino Fenech
April 2010
Acknowledgements
Writing and selecting photographs are essentially solitary activities, and I owe more than a simple word
of thanks to my better half Rose and my other two quarters, my young children Emma Marie and Norah
Ann for leaving me in peace in the little spare time I had, so that I could do what had to be done.
A word of thanks is also due to my parents, Carmel and Maria, who bore part of the burden of having a
son involved with conservation groups at a time when being green was not yet in fashion.
I would also like to thank Hugues Fanal and Jan Rodts, from Bird Protection Belgium, who were always
keen supporters of genuine conservation efforts. The bulk of the photos that feature in this book have
been taken by the author in Malta, and some were taken abroad. Some were provided by Michael
Sammut. Where birds are seen in the hand, these were photographed before their release after being
ringed.
Many people helped in different ways. I owe special thanks to John Azzopardi, a former president of
the Malta section of the International Council for Bird Preservation, and Michael Sammut, of Birkirkara,
the only Maltese so far to study ornithology academically and one of the younger breed of ornithologists
who observes and questions and does not take anything for granted. These two were of immense help
with their comments and suggestions about the various versions of the book as it evolved. It is with deep
regret that John Azzopardi passed away while this book was going to print, and that he did not see the
final version in print.
I would like to thank a handful of other people too: Charles Gauci, a very knowledgeable yet humble
and dedicated ornithologist who just retired from the post of managing warden at the G˙adira nature
reserve, a genuine conservationist who is always helpful and goes beyond the call of duty, and his like-
minded son Mark; Aldo E. Azzopardi, honorary life president of Malta’s St Hubert’s Club, who, in spite of
being a hunter, has been trying to instil some sanity into hunting practices, Joseph Vella, iç-Chippy, of
BirΩebbu©a, Sammy Borg of Birkirkara, Alfred Vassallo of Ûejtun and Frank Vassallo. All of these deserve
acknowledgement for unselfishly sharing information, records, knowledge, experience and time.
The Director of Conservation Science of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in the united States, Dr Keith L.
Bildstein, was so enthusiastic about this book that he often spurred me on. Others too deserve more than
a word of thanks: Joseph Vella Gaffiero, the former curator of Natural History Museum was helpful with
supplying copies of a number of old references and some records. Toni Corts and Stephen Degiorgio,
for their help in tracing various books; Charles Farrugia, the person managing the Santo Spirito National
Archives, who was is always helpful and prompt to assist when I was doing historical research; Pierre
Cabard, of Francois Rabelais university, Tours, France, was instrumental in leading me to Gessner’s
book and confirmed the interpretation of the bird names given in Godeheu de Riville’s paper; Anna Maria
Di Nistra and Fausto Barbagli from the Florence Museum, who supplied information on the skins of the
xxii A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
White Crowned Black Wheatear and the Barbary Falcon, and Dr Linda Birch, the Librarian of the Zoology
Library at Oxford; Sue Tapliss, from the Alexander Bell Library in Tring; Henry McGhie, the Head of Natural
Sciences, The Manchester Museum, The university of Manchester and Christine Johnson, of Wildside
Books and Gallery at Worcestershire, for always being so helpful in tracing rare works and transcribing
several references from the priceless multi-volume series by Henry Eeles Dresser, A history of the Birds
of Europe. Michel Desfayes, Federico Corriente, Mary Megalli, Juan Carlos Fernández-Ordóñez, Olvin
Vella and Frans Sammut were helpful in discussing some early bird names while Fr Joe Bezzina and
Victor John Galea were helpful in discussing both bird names as well as proverbs. Theresa Zammit
Lupi was helpful by supplying information and photos of the birds from the illuminated manuscripts
while Fr George Aquilina, Fr Martin D. Schembri and Fr Martin Borg were helpful in pointing out to me
embroidered birds on liturgical vestments. Adrian Strickland was both helpful and patient with imparting
knowledge about heraldry while Nicholas De Piro most kindly allowed me to see and photograph the
coats of arms from a unique 1783 manuscript found in the Casa Rocca Piccola collection, while Joe
Mercieca was keen to supply some old photos. Jim Pennigton kindly offered to read and scan this book
for typos and other errors.
C. S. (Kees) Roselaar and Lars Svenson, who without hyperbole are two of the world’s leading
taxonomists, found time to analyse a number of photos of various species and were more than helpful in
discussing, identifying or confirming identification of certain species and sub-species sent to them over
the past years. George Sangster, another leading taxonomist, was helpful in supplying a lot of material
related to taxonomy and discussing particular issues.
I would also like to acknowledge the help of Herman F. Arentsen, Dr Christoph Gasser, Jean Yves
Birabent, Andre Basset, Laurent Fedi, Patrick Riandiere, Vincent Marchand, Reymond Lembourg, Aldo
Cereda, Andrea Ceri, Angelo Piceni and Orio Ciferri and for their insights into aspects of birds and
hunting lore beyond Maltese shores.
Ben J. Koks, the man behind the Dutch Montagu’s Harrier Foundation, Christiane Trierweiler, Rob
Buiter and Dutch photographer Hans Hut deserve a word of thanks as much as anyone else.
A big word of thanks to Joe Mizzi, the publisher, who really believed in this book and to John Busuttil
Leaver, who patiently worked his way through the layout and Joe P. Borg for photo management.
Some did not lend a direct helping hand in this book, but their support in the past was invaluable
in many ways. These include the former editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine Rosamund K. Cox, Farley
Mowat, Clive S.M. Cohen, Donald S. Heintzelman, Alfred E. Baldacchino, Louis F. Cassar, Guido Bonnet,
Vincent Sammut, Richard Cachia Zammit, Ray Vella, Emmanuel Curmi, Anna Giordano, Max Farrugia,
the Marquis Anthony Buttigieg Depiro, Lawrence Formosa, Alfred E. Zammit, Roger Degiorgio and Peppi
Azzopardi.
I also acknowledge the help knowingly or unknowingly given to me by many others in the past. There
are many such people and I cannot possibly name them all, but my sincere thanks go to each and every
one of them.
If this book has any merit, it is due to those who assisted me or stood by me in any way. Any unfortunate
errors or omissions there may be are only mine.
INTRODuCTION xxiii
xxiv A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
MAN AND BIRDS 1
Man and Birds
Birds in history deposits, some of which date back to around

135,000 – 115,000 years Before Present (BP).
For many centuries and in many cultures, birds Such fossil remains were found from Ûebbug,
were considered as nothing more than ‘food with Mnajdra Gap, Tal-Ìnien and G˙ar Dalam. Some
wings’. Birds were there to be used. Although of the species listed still exist and occur regularly
they were principally taken for food, their feathers on migration. These include Pintail, Quail, Scops
were used for decoration and bedding, while flight Owl, Greenfinch and Hawfinch. But there are also a
A stuffed leg of a Nightjar
feathers of fowl and other species were used to write number of fossils of birds that are now extinct. These was believed to ward off the
with. Other feathers were used for bedding and included a flightless Giant Maltese Swan, which evil eye
pillows. Some Maltese fishermen used underwing was rather widespread, as fossil remains of such
feathers from shearwaters as bait. Some attributed a bird have been found in various deposits around
healing properties to feathers of various species. Malta. This swan had a wingspan of about 3 m and
In Malta for instance, breast feathers from herons weighed close to 17 kg (Northcote 1983). There
were placed on wounds instead of gauze. Some was also a Giant Maltese Crane, which was larger
bird bones were used as tools or implements. than the Common Crane, of which fossil remains
Superstition played a part with some birds too. were also found in Malta (Northcote 1985). Other
Some local hunters believed that a curse would extinct species include a Maltese Vulture, a Maltese
befall them if they shot a Blue Rock Thrush, while Dove and a Maltese Tawny Owl. There was also a
old timers often kept a preserved leg of a Nightjar number of species that have not been recorded
in their game bag or shooting jacket to ward off in recent times such as Rock Partridge and Brent
the evil eye. Some birds were caged for their Goose. Fossil remains of Bonelli’s Eagle were also
song. Bird song and flight inspired poets, artists found. This species of eagle has not been recorded
and scientists. References to birds are found in since, except for a single record in 2004. What was
legends, folklore and superstition. In a nutshell, thought to be a native species of Maltese Woodcock
birds have played an important role in civilisations (Scolopax melitensis) has been re-determined by
throughout the world and Malta is no exception. Olson (1976) to be Quail. Borg (1999a), who also
Like Malta’s own rich history, the ornithological published a list of birds identified from fossil records
history of Malta is rather colourful and studded from collections held at the Natural History Museum
with interesting anecdotes. in London, listed 43 species in all, which is 15 more
Before the advent of man in Malta, there were than Hunt and Schembri. He identified bones from Diagrams by Andrew Leith
species of birds that are now extinct. Hunt and Adams comparing thigh and
Cory’s Shearwater, Levantine Shearwater, Marsh
shank bones of the giant
Schembri (1999) list several species of birds that Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Golden Eagle, Woodpigeon extinct Swan C. Falconeri
had been identified from fossils found in Quaternary and Jackdaw. Borg also included species listed with those of Mute Swan
2 A COMPLETE GuIDE TO THE BIRDS OF MALTA
Table 1: Fossil birds from various sites in Malta
Ûebbu© cave fissure
Other cave deposits

Ta’ Kandja fissure
Tal-Óerba fissure
Tal-Ìnien fissure
Kalafrana fissure
G˙ar in-nag˙ag
Beng˙isa gap
Mnajdra Gap
Mosta ravine
Mista cavern
G˙ar Óasan
G˙ar Dalam
Beng˙isa
Scientific name English name
Calonectris diomedea Cory’s Shearwater · ·
Puffinus yelkouan Levantine Shearwater · · · ·
Cygnus equitum Dwarf Maltese Swan (E) · · · · · · · · ·
Cygnus falconeri Giant Maltese Swan (E) · · · · · · ·
Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan · · · ·
Cygnus olor Mute Swan · ·
Cygnus bewickii Bewick’s Swan ·
Cygnus sp. Swan species · · · · · ·
Anser fabalis Bean Goose · ·
Anser sp. Goose species ·
Branta bernicla Brent Goose · · · ·
Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose · · · ·
Tadorna ferruginea
/ casarca Ruddy Shelduck · ·
Tadorna tadorna Shelduck ·
Anas acuta Pintail ·
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard ·
Anas sp. Duck species · · ·
Aythya farina Pochard · ·
Marmaronetta
angustirostris Marbled Teal ·
Marmaronetta sp. Duck species · ·
Hieraaetus fasciatus Bonelli’s Eagle ·
Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle · · ·
Gyps melitensis Maltese Vulture (E) · · · · · ·
Gyps sp. Vulture species · ·
Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk ·
Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier ·
Lagopus lagopus Willow Grouse ·
Alectoris cf graeca Rock Partridge ·
Coturnix coturnix Quail ·
Grus melitensis Maltese Crane (E) · · ·
Grus grus Crane · · ·
Grus antigone Sarus Crane · ·
Tetrax campestris Bustard
Otis tarda Great Bustard ·
Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard · ·
Scolopax
ghardalamensis * Maltese Woodcock (E) ·
Columba melitensis Maltese dove (E) ·? ·?
Columba livia Rock Dove ·
Columba palumbus Wood Pigeon ·
Columba sp. Pigeon species ·
Otus scops Scops Owl ·
Tyto alba Barn Owl ·
Strix melitensis Maltese Tawny Owl (E) · ·
Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl · ·
Strix aluco Tawny Owl ·
Hirundo sp. Swallow species ·
Turdus philomelos Song Thrush ·
Turdus merula Blackbird ·
Turdus sp. Thrush ·
Corvus monedula Jackdaw ·
Corvus cf. frugilegus Rook ·
Corvus cf. corone Carrion Crow · ·
Corvus corax Raven · ·
Sturnus vulgaris Starling ·
Carduelis chloris Greenfinch ·
Coccothraustes
coccothraustes Hawfinch ·
Amandava amandava Red Avadavat ·
* This species has been redetermined as Coturnix coturnix (Quail) by Olsen 1976
(E) denotes the species is extinct
MAN AND BIRDS 3
by Despott in his reports written between 1924 and says one of them looks like a heron, Trump (2002) Incised pottery showing
birds in flight and another
1929 that were not referred to by Hunt and Schembri. suggested Hoopoes. A figurine of a plump short-
showing a Partridge or Quail.
These included species such as Shelduck, Short- beaked bird resembling some kind of Partridge or Miniature birds, ranging in
eared Owl, Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Raven. Quail was found in a field at the Tarxien Temples, size between 0.9 cm and 3
Table 1 lists the species of birds fossils of which were which date back to between the Copper and Bronze cm, carved out of Thorny
Oyster and bird-shaped
found and gives the localities where they were found. Ages, from 3,300 to 2,500 BC.
pendants made out of clay
Among the most impressive existing artefacts and decorated by shark teeth
are nine pendants in the form of miniature models
Birds and man of birds, some of them headless, which were found
by Sir Temi Zammit in the Óal Saflieni Hypogeum
Evidence that early man in Malta paid a degree (3,300 – 2,500 BC). These are carved out of Thorny
of importance to birds can be seen through the Oyster (Spodylus americanus) and range in size
existence of several artefacts. A piece of incised between 0.9 cm and 3 cm. The birds have short
pottery showing birds in flight was found at oval bodies and relatively long necks, suggesting
Ìgantija, Gozo, which dates back to the Copper ducks (Evans 1971). Each of them has a perforation
Age, 3,600 to 3,000 BC. Nine crested birds are on the bottom and one has eyes marked.
set in three rows, flying from left to right. The birds Other bird-shaped pendants found in
have an outstretched neck, a long arched single- archaeological sites include one made out of bone
plume crest and a short, pointed beak. Their tails or ivory, which had traces of red stain on the head
are quite long, broad and pointed and their wings and back when unearthed, and three birds, one of
are in different positions in flight. Only six of the nine which resembles a Coot, all made out of clay, were
birds are complete and one of them is represented found at the prehistoric Tarxien Cremation Cemetery
in a totally different position from the rest, having its (2400 – 1500 BC). The bone one is just 1.3 cm long An incomplete figure, listed
wings arched downwards and its legs are dangling. while the clay ones, which are decorated with shark as a “clay head of a sheep” at
the Archaeology museum is
Previous authors have suggested a range of names tooth markings, range between 5.8 and 6.7 cm.
more likely to represent the
of what these could represent. Azzopardi (1985) Another incomplete figure which is exhibited in head of a pigeon, dove or bird
suggested Lapwings, Zammit Maempel (2001) the Archaeology museum is listed as “a clay head of prey
of a sheep” also found at the Tarxien Temples, is

more likely to represent the head of a pigeon, dove
or bird of prey. Though one may argue that pre-
historic clay figures are very often open to different
interpretations, this conclusion is being drawn after
comparing the figure in question with other figures
of animals from the same period, which are very
clearly identifiable as rams, goats, pigs or cattle.
An ibis or curlew engraved Zammit Maempel (2001) also recorded a
on limestone at the Ìgantija headless 4 cm long bird, found in January 1974
temples in Gozo. Though the at Mnajdra, which dates back to the Copper Age.
temples date from the third
millennium BC, one cannot Zammit Maempel states this bird was given to the
say with certainty at which Museum of Archaeology, but apparently it had not
time this engraving was been catalogued and could not be located in the
made. This engraving was museum’s collection. All that remains is the sketch
discovered and sketched in
1839, but unfortunately it no made by Zammit Maempel at the time when he
longer exists was shown the bird.
An engraving of a bird with a long neck and
curved bill on a block of limestone 24 cm high,
was discovered and sketched when Didot visited
Ìgantija in 1839, which was subsequently
reproduced and described by Lacroix (1848,
1851) and more recently by Zammit Maempel
(2001). One cannot say with certainty at which time
this engraving was made, given that the temples
A bird resembling a Bittern date from the third millennium BC. unfortunately
and another that looks like a
the engraving, which was made on the softer
stilt or a long-legged wader
are depicted in the frescos globigerina rock, has disappeared, but the sketch
of St Agatha’s catacombs, that featured in Lacroix’s book remains.
Rabat dating back to the 3rd It has been recently postulated that the
century
engraving of two birds resembling Cranes that
was discovered in an early Christian rock tomb in
the limits of Gudja may date back to prehistoric
times (Mifsud & Mifsud 1997). These may be the
only known surviving graphics of the Giant Maltese
Crane, fossils of which were found in several sites.
Bird bones have also been discovered at a number
of archaeological sites, indicating that early people
made use of birds. The skull of a shearwater was
found at the Tarxien Temples, a bone belonging to
a swan was found at a rock tomb in Xag˙ra, Gozo,
bones belonging to a bird of prey, probably a kite,
Two birds resembling Cranes

carved in an early Christian
rock tomb in the limits of
Gudja.
MAN AND BIRDS 5
and another vaguely resembles a Bittern. A statue

presumed to be that of Astarte or Isis, preserved
at the Domus Romana in Rabat, has two birds
the size of a thrush, but having a small crest, in
a pecking posture, carved on either side of its
breast. This statue was most likely imported as it
is made of marble, a material that does not occur
naturally in Malta.
Other birds feature in mosaics at the Domus
Romana. This is one of the most famous and
diffused patterns of its period known as the
‘drinking doves of Sosos’, created by Sosos, from
An unidentified bird the
Pergamon (Anatolia). In another mosaic, only a
size of a thrush in a mosaic
part of which survives, which has been described described as “an allegory of
as “an allegory of autumn” (Bonanno 1992), autumn”
there is an unidentified bird similar to a Thrush in
size. A pagan symbol of Zeus on an eagle with
outstretched wings appears on an oil lamp dating
from Roman times. But one cannot say whether
this was made locally or imported at the time.
Birds as food
A number of bones found in various archaeological

sites show that birds formed part of early man’s
diet in Malta too. Though these bones have not
yet been analysed to determine what species they
belonged to, the size of some of them suggest
gallinaceous birds.
As discussed elsewhere in this book, wild
pigeons were consumed in the Middle Ages as
A pagan symbol of Zeus on
they were hunted with cross bows. As falconry an eagle with outstretched
was already practised at the time, it is probable wings appears on this oil
that the birds caught by falcons were consumed lamp dating from Roman
too and it is also very probably that trapping of times
other species, especially gregarious ones such as
Short-toed Larks and Yellow Wagtails, was already
practised at the time.
were found at Óa©ar Qim. Other unidentified bird The arrival of the Knights of St John must have Top left: Two birds the size of
bones were found at Bor© in-Nadur, BirΩebbu©a, introduced some new hunting methods particularly a thrush, but having a small
crest, can be seen carved on
the Brocktorff Circle at Ìgantija and at Pergla, both because French and Italian Knights, who were very
either side of the breast of a
in Xag˙ra Gozo, as well as in the Xemxija Tombs fond of hunting, brought their knowledge and habits statue presumed to be that of
in St Paul’s Bay. Carved leg bones of birds have with them too. A look at the Knight’s food entitle- Astarte or Isis, at the Domus
been excavated from the Cremation Cemetery at ment shows they were eating pigeon soup, pigeon Romana in Rabat
Tarxien (Evans 1971). tarts, roast pigeon, game and turkey. As Stone Cur-
Left: Birds similar to doves
The next image of a bird occurs around three lew and Partridges were reserved for the Grand feature in mosaics at the
thousand years later. In the frescos of St Agatha’s Master, these undoubtedly formed part of his menu Domus Romana, this is one
catacombs, dating back to the third century, too. Common people were already eating Turtle of the most famous and
diffused patterns of its period
one can see several doves, which had religious Doves at the time as references to Turtle Dove trap-
known as the “drinking
associations, but there are also other birds, one ping date from that time. Smaller birds were eaten doves of Sosos”, created by
of which looks like a stilt or a long-legged wader as well as the right to capture beccafichi (Garden Sosos, from Anatolia
Warblers) is specifically mentioned in contracts dat- in broth and their meat then ended up in a stew or in
ing back to the 1600s. Farmers tilling land around pies just like smaller birds. Woodcocks were highly
Buskett treasured this hunting right and litigations prized, but were not very common in those days, in
sometimes cropped up when farmers did not re- fact, in the 1930s, they cost two shillings six pence
spect the agreement as to who was entitled to catch to buy. Like Snipe, Woodcocks were either grilled or
these birds (Galea Scannura 1970). Evidence for baked in the oven.
the trapping of Short-toed Larks and Yellow Wag- Harriers, herons and gulls were eaten by some,
tails exists from 18th century documents too, and and like all birds whose flesh was considered miΩΩ
these were undoubtedly trapped for consumption. (musty), were marinated in vinegar and dressed to
Sparrows must have been eaten at the time too be- make them palatable. Honey Buzzards, especially
cause sparrowcotes, which are discussed in more those shot in autumn, which were more tender, were
detail later, were already being constructed. cooked in stews. Some more detail about the role of
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, all kinds birds in people’s diet will be found when discussing
of birds were sold as game from the Valetta market individual species later on.
and apart from individual collectors who went to the
market in a bid to find specimens for their collection,
most of those who went there were in search of meat Birds in art
for the table and included a range of people such
as the Governor’s emissary in search of delicacies. Birds also feature on 21 of the 90 Medieval stone
In spring, Turtle Doves, Quail, Nightjar and Scops slabs that probably formed part of a church that
Owl were consumed and some hunters specialised was built in the late Middle Ages, in the early
in Nightjar and Scops’ Owl shooting as they were 1500s in Rabat. The church has since been re-built
able to detect them while roosting in trees. Indeed, but the original slabs can now be seen at the St
such hunters even loaded special cartridges Agatha’s Church and Museum in Rabat. Buhagiar
containing less powder and shot to be able to shoot (2005) argues that though difficult to date, they
these birds at a very close range without rendering “betray a style that is a mixture of Romanesque
their flesh inedible. This practice lasted until about and early Gothic filtered through the Sicilian Arabo-
the 1970s, when such species were still common, Byzantinesque experience. This seems to suggest
and it was not unusual for such hunters to shoot two the 13th or early 14th centuries, but the church to
dozen birds in one morning. A hunter from Ûebbug, which they belonged was built on earlier foundations
Malta, whose wife ran a grocer’s shop, used to scour in 1504”. A precise dating could be made more
the trees in a nearby valley to see whether there were recently by local heraldry expert Adrian Strickland
any Scops Owls and after calculating the number he after his attention was drawn to some of these slabs
could shoot, he’d go back and ask his wife to take which portrayed coats of arms. Strickland dated
orders from customers. As not everyone had fridges one of the coats of arms to between 1377 and 1391.
at the time, one had to consume what was shot as This is discussed in some more detail in the section
soon as possible. People typically ordered a pair or related to birds in heraldry.
three or four birds and he would then go to shoot the One of these slabs shows a falconry scene, with
birds he had on order. Scops Owls were cooked in a falcon on a heron’s back. This is the earliest and
broths and often ended up in stews afterwards. only known falconry scene from Malta. Another
Smaller birds such as Yellow Wagtails and Short- carving shows birds in flight and a man pursuing
toed Larks, formed an essential part of people’s diets them with a crossbow. This is the only known graphic
in the early 1900s and most looked at such birds representation of hunting with crossbows. But there is
as “free meat” if they could catch them themselves. a court document from the 1480s in which a witness
Such birds, like other small insectivorous birds, testified that the accused was in the habit of carrying
were cooked in broths or made into pies. a crossbow for shooting Rock Pigeons in the west of
In autumn, Turtle Doves and Quail and later Gozo (Fenech 1992), and this stone slab reaffirms
Golden Plover, thrushes and larks, were also the use of hunting with crossbows at the time.
consumed. Larks ended up mostly in pies. Other Some of the slabs show birds with a curved beak,
small birds such as Meadow Pipits, also ended up resembling birds of prey, but a crown on their heads,
in pies. Bigger birds, such as Kestrels, small falcons signifies these were coats of arms. Others feature
and Short-eared Owls, were usually either cooked small or large birds, some of which are seen feeding
MAN AND BIRDS 7
The earliest and only known falconry scene from

Malta found on a stone slab that once formed
part of a church built in the late Middle Ages, in
the early 1500s in Rabat
A hunter aims at a flying bird with a crossbow. A

dead bird can be seen hanging from the man’s
waist
Birds feeding or drinking from a vase or chalice
Two dogs, possibly engaged in a dogfight. Both

are wearing collars
A bas-relief carving from St Agatha’s Church

that probably shows bull baiting
Two birds perched on a tree
A dog on a stag’s back suggests a stag hunt

of Renaissance sensibility in them and the designs

remained essentially Gothic. The author suggests
these may have been copied from a late Medieval
pattern book that could have reached Malta with the
baggage of one of the early Knights. The panels
show a rather fat goose or heron-like bird on the
back of a monkey amid foliage, a bird flying amid
foliage with a dog underneath a displayed bird in
a scene with a mythical dragon, another heron-like
bird holding a stone in one of its legs suggests that
this could be a Crane. In ornithological folklore one
finds various references to the notion that Cranes
A mummified falcon, which the young in nests or feeding fledged young; feeding were vigilant birds because sentry birds used to hold
from the flight feathers that or drinking from vases or chalices or in a posture a stone in one of their legs so that if they slept, they
are visible, is most likely to
suggesting preening. Although Camilleri (n.d. 1984?) dropped the stone and woke up again immediately
be a Red-footed Falcon
states that most of the birds are Pelicans, none of (Ingersoll 1923). This panel on the Mdina Cathedral
them has the typical bill, and with a few exceptions door could well be representing vigilance. Another
most are more likely to be figurative representations panel shows another bird and a dog.
rather than representations of actual species. The Other early representations of birds can also
habit of the Pelican, storing great quantities of fish in be found in illuminated manuscripts. The oldest
its pouch under its lower mandible, then disgorging illuminated manuscripts found in Malta date back
them to feed its young by pressing its bill against its to the early 1500s. The best examples are the L’Isle
breast, led to the origin of the fable that it fed its young Adam choral manuscripts. These ten illuminated
with its flesh and blood, and hence its application in manuscripts are now found in the museum of St
A symbolic depiction of a Medieval ecclesiastical emblems to the feeding of John’s Co-Cathedral. They were commissioned
bird feeding its young from
its own flesh
the Christian church. by Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L’Isle Adam
Other slabs feature combat scenes, animals, after the church in Birgu was gutted in a fire in 1532
crosses or ornamental designs. If some of these and the choral books that had been brought from
scenes are snapshots of daily life at the time, then Rhodes were destroyed. The manuscripts were
it is likely that dog fighting, stag hunting with dogs produced in Paris and are dated 1533.
as well as bull baiting were practised as all of these The manuscripts are richly decorated using gold
are represented. and silver together with a vibrant palette of colours.
In the museum of St Agatha where the stone Among the numerous motifs one finds birds, flowers,
slabs are found, one can also see two mummified fruits and beasts as well as dragons. The birds in
falcons, one of which is likely to be a Red-footed these manuscripts are not accurate portrayals. The
Falcon. The shape and length of the toes on the most obvious is a male Mallard, but this too has
other mummified bird suggests a true falcon such its feet in very awkward positions. Others vaguely
as a Hobby or perhaps an Eleonora’s Falcon. But resemble egrets or fowls with heron-like features.
the origin of these mummified birds is not known Some also represent smaller birds. The fact that at
and it could well be that they had been imported at least one shows a bird of prey on a boar, where
some stage. In the same museum, one also finds even the tusks are clearly visible, confirms that the
small vases with geese or ducks on them, which drawings are not local as there are no records of
date to Egyptian times, but which again are likely Wild Boar from Malta.
to have been imported. Rather interesting are the embroidered birds
Birds feature on five of 16 panels found on a found on some liturgical vestments which were
highly ornate chestnut wood door at the Mdina mostly worn by the clergy during particular feasts.
Cathedral, dating back to 1535. The door was Embroidered vestments were most commonly
made by Maltese craftsman Kola Curmi and it is ordered from France or Italy and both schools used
believed that it originally had eight more panels, but either gold or coloured thread. Examples of both
A vase with three similar it was made smaller and fitted at the entrance of the can be found in Malta.
geese painted on it found at
the museum of St Agatha
sacristy. Buhagiar (2005) argues that the carvings The birds found on liturgical vestments found at
exhibit “stylistic anachronisms” as there is no hint the Augustinian Conventual Church, the Church of
MAN AND BIRDS 9
Birds feature on five of

the panels of the highly
ornate wooden door at
the Mdina Cathedral,
dating back to 1535. A
panel shows a rather
fat heron or goose-
like bird on the back
of a monkey, another
shows a Crane with a
stone in one of its legs,
representing vigilance,
a third shows a bird
flying amid foliage with
a dog underneath it
while another shows a
displayed eagle
it was nuns who usually did the needlework, using

coloured thread as they deemed most fit, hence
the birds were more the result of imagination rather
than an actual portrayal of a particular species.
While on the topic of birds in needlework, one
cannot fail to mention images of birds in lace.
Though uncommon, one can come across images
of birds in lace, particularly palls placed by priests
on chalices to prevent insects from settling in them.
Some fine examples are found in the Church of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta. The palls in
questions are made of lace or embroidery on silk and
depict birds drinking from chalices or flying towards
Our Lady of Mount Carmel and at the convent of them. Some such birds have forked tails. Others
the Cloistered Nuns of the Order of St John, at Saint feature pelicans feeding young. Birds sometimes
ursula’s, all in Valletta, are amongst the finest one also feature in canutiglia, a form of art that evolved
can see locally. Other religious Orders around the in the 16th century and which consisted of making
Island have other fine examples of such works. decorative bouquets of flowers and leaves using
Some of these date back to the early or mid-17th silk thread, beads and metal filaments. Examples
century. Figurative birds resembling parrots and of birds in such works are found in St Domenic’s
other unidentifiable birds can be seen on such Church in Valletta, but because they are so intricate
vestments. But a bird which vaguely resembles a and fragile, such works are only exhibited during
Goldfinch can be seen on a chasuble found at Saint the feast of St Domenic in April.
ursula’s Monastery. The richest works, at least in Images of birds are also found in sculptures. A
terms of the number of birds, can be seen on a set heron, which was the emblem of the Rosselli family,
of four highly ornate ceremonial vestments: a cope, can be seen engraved on Casa Rosselli Massa, which
chasuble and two dalmatics found at the Church is now the head office of PriceWaterhouseCoopers
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta. There is a in Merchant’s Street, Valletta. The house originally
discussion about the age of these vestments, with belonged to Pietro Rosselli, a goldsmith who lived
the Provincial, Fr Martin Schembri arguing that these in Valletta in the 1600s and Pietro Rosselli’s initials
date back to the early 1600s while Fr Martin Borg, as well as those of his wife, Aluisetta Massa, appear
who studied embroidery but who belongs to another beneath the carved heron. Two sets of three herons
religious Order, argues that the style of embroidery under the word Charitas are also engraved lower
suggests that these date to around the 1800s. down on the façade (Zahra de Domenico 1995). A
Whatever the precise date, which may one day be few other houses, especially in Mdina and Valletta,
accurately determined if any documents about their can be seen sporting sculptures of birds, usually
purchase come to light, these ceremonial garments emblems taken from the family’s shield-of-arms.
are impressive because of the quantity of birds Birds feature in a number of Neapolitan school
Birds from the L’Isle Adam they contain, in fact they are called tal-pappagall, still-life paintings depicting dead game found in
choral manuscripts found at the parrots’, because some of the birds have beaks Malta. Many of these are unsigned and undated
St John’s Co-Cathedral. The resembling those of a parrot. But most of the birds paintings but are believed to date from the 17th and
birds in these manuscripts
actually have beaks resembling those of finches. 18th centuries. Though these paintings show birds
are not accurate portrayals
of birds, with one vaguely Most of the birds in question are brownish in colour that commonly appear in Malta, such as Purple
resembling a male Mallard and some have crests, but one cannot attribute Heron, Marsh Harrier and Honey Buzzard, they also
them to any particular species. Many of them can depict species that are either alien or which are
be seen pecking flowers. very rare, such as Swan, Jay, Green Woodpecker,
There are various other examples of birds on li- tits, Bullfinch as well as partridge and deer. Many
turgical vestments, most of which are found in con- closely follow Neapolitan schools, and this indicates
vents, but the ones being shown here are amongst that they were imported.
the best one can see in Malta. According to Fr Mar- One, in a private collection in Valletta, features
tin Borg OCD, the patterns for such embroidery a dead Short-toed Eagle and parts of a flintlock
used to consist of outlines on pieces of paper and musket, clearly showing its firing mechanism.
MAN AND BIRDS 11
Details from an inlaid 17th century chest of drawers at the

National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Birds sometimes feature
also on gun stocks, game bags, as well as in crochet. Top right:
Joe Borg Ganutell depicting birds from St Dominic’s Church, Valletta.
Part of a frieze showing displayed bird of prey
Embroidered
birds from the
early 1800s
on liturgical
vestments
found at the
convent of
the Cloistered
Nuns of the
Order of St
John, at Saint
Ursula's
vaguely
resembles a
Goldfinch while
the other bird
resembles
some kind of
parrot
Though
one can’t
attribute with
certainty the
birds found
on sacred
vestments
found at the
Church of
Our Lady of
Mount Carmel
in Valletta to
any particular
species, the
embroidery
work is
amongst
the finest
one can
see locally.
The bird in
gold thread
is from St
Augustine’s
church in
Valletta and
dates from
mid- to late
1800s
MAN AND BIRDS 13
Birds on a
tabernacle
curtain dating
c.1850 from
St Theresa
priory church,
Cospicua
Though we have no accounts of shooting of birds of to identify as well as a number of birds looking
prey during the time of the Knights, this painting, as like Bee-eaters, but both the colour and size of
A graffiti of a bird can be well as others being discussed here, shows birds of these birds bears little resemblance to reality
seen on the side of the
chapel dedicated to San prey were taken at that time too, and like most other as the birds are more drab and too large. Even
Pawl tal-Qlejg˙a, built around birds, it is very likely they ended up being cooked. the Spoonbill in the first painting has a curious
1690. A heron in the emblem Two other oil on canvas 18th century paintings reddish ring and a black patch around the eye
of the Rosselli family and an on display at the President’s Palace at San that is uncharacteristic.
engravings of three herons
under the symbol of the Anton Gardens, show a number of dead birds. A Goldfinch can be clearly seen in the hands of a
Confraternity of Our Lady One shows a dead Spoonbill, probably a Godwit child in a portrait dating from the early 17th century
of Charity, to which the and another unidentifiable bird. The other shows and is shown on p. 71, where the issue of keeping
Rossellis bequeathed all their a dead bird of prey, probably a female Marsh of songbirds is discussed. Birds, probably Turtle
property. Right, birds in lace
from palls dating from the Harrier, as well a Little Egret. This painting Doves, feature in hunting scenes depicted by Jean
1700s to the late 1800s also shows a few more birds that are difficult Houel around the 1780s and again in watercolours
MAN AND BIRDS 15
by Charles Brocktorff, painted around the 1830s.

F. Brocktorff drew the supposed new species of
Storm Petrel for Antonio Schembri’s book (1843a).
In Andre Thévet’s book of 1575, there is one of
the earliest representations of birds, which shows
a line drawing of two birds of prey, one of which
is eating or plucking its prey in flight, while the
other is perched. A number of shark fossil teeth A frieze of an Mdina house
are also visible in the same sketch. An unknown showing a bird which is
artist penned rather intricate drawings of Egyptian the shield-of-arms of the
Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Honey Buzzard as well surname Giorgio.
as the first Rough-legged Buzzard known to be
shot in Malta (Anon 1843a, c, d & e). Sir William
Medlycott, who was in Malta in the mid-1800s,
drew and sketched several animals in Malta
and his manuscript contains 13 miscellaneous
drawings of birds which he had shot while in Malta.
These include Subalpine Warbler, Yellow Wagtail,
Sandwich Tern, Little Stint, Icterine Warbler, Grey-
headed Wagtail, Black-tailed Godwit and Tawny
Pipit.
An engraving published in Lacroix’s book of A painting dating from the
1848 shows Gozitan fishermen scaling down cliffs 1700s showing a dead Short-
to fish and the description in the text says that toed Eagle and a detail of
part of a flintlock musket
pigeons were taken from the nests by those who from a private collection in
scaled the cliffs. In Andrew Leith Adams’ book of Valletta
1870, one finds artist’s impressions of those extinct
animals whose fossil remains he had discovered,
including the Maltese Swan. The sketch, entitled
Denizens of ancient Malta, was made by Mrs
Hugh Blackburn, a painter of animals from
Glasgow, who exhibited in London in 1863 and
1875 (Zammit Maempel 2007). The extinct birds
and animals were also painted later by Robert
Caruana Dingli, who drew an artist’s impression
of Wied Dalam and its fauna during the Ice Age. A hunting scene depicted
The painting was commissioned to accompany by Jean Houel around the
the Pleistocene vertebrate remains sent by the 1780s showing birds, most
probably Turtle Doves
National Museum for display at the Malta Pavilion
at the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley
in 1924. It shows a flying eagle, the Giant Maltese
Crane, a Maltese Swan, the Maltese Tawny Owl
and a goose or duck. The painting is now found at
the G˙ar Dalam museum, in BirΩebbu©a (Zammit
Maempel 2007).
In a number of paintings and drawings, one
can see figurative birds in flight. One of a series
of highly interesting sketches appearing under the A detail from a water-colour
heading Sport in Malta in The Illustrated Sporting by Charles Brocktorff, made
and Dramatic News of 2nd August 1879 shows around the 1830s, shows
a hunter shooting at birds,
peasants shooting pigeons from boats, which had again probably doves, at the
been described in some detail by Ciantar (1774) Ìgantija temples in Gozo
Alien or very rare species

such as swan, Jay, Green
Woodpecker, tits, Bullfinch
as well as partridge and deer
indicate that a number of
Neapolitan school still-life
paintings depicting dead
game found in Malta were
likely to have been imported.
These are found in Palazzo
Falson at Mdina and show a
Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Robin,
and Chaffinch. While below
there is a Purple Heron,
Curlew-like birds, wildfowl,
waders and a Honey Buzzard
A detail from a large painting

in a private collection shows
species that are very rare in
Malta
MAN AND BIRDS 17
Two oil on canvas 18th

century paintings on display
at the President’s Palace at
San Anton Garden, show a
number of dead birds. One
shows a dead Spoonbill,
probably a godwit and
another unidentified bird.
The other shows a dead bird
of prey, probably a female
Marsh Harrier, as well as
Little Egret
A detail from a large painting

in a private collection shows
species that are very rare in
Malta
The extinct Maltese Owl,

Crane and other fauna, as
depicted by Caruana Dingli.
This painting is found at the
G˙ar Dalam Museum
MAN AND BIRDS 19
Opposite page: A Honey

Buzzard, an Egyptian
Vulture, a Short-toed
Eagle and a Long-legged
Buzzard were drawn in 1843
by an unknown artist to
accompany a series of
articles about Maltese
ornithology. A watercolour
of an Icterine Warbler sent to
Medlycott by Charles Wright
The supposed new species

of Storm Petrel, drawn
by Charles Brocktorff for
Antonio Schembri’s book of
1843
Left: One of the earliest

representations of birds in
Malta from Andre Thévet’s
book of 1575
A drawing of extinct Maltese

birds and animals from
Andrew Leith Adams book
of 1870
who wrote that in the shooting of pigeons from land Owls sometimes feature in majolica vases and other
and sea started in June and went on throughout the birds often feature on ornamental china such as vases
month of July. Hunters on boats roamed the sea and plates. Most of these are imported and such
cliffs where pigeons were known to breed while themes are still common, if not more common, these
beaters on land made a lot of noises to compel days. A stylised owl made out of pieces of coloured
pigeons to fly out of their nests and these were shot glass can be seen on the façade of the Mystique, an
by harquebus from boats and the dead birds were architectural folly in Madlena, built in the mid 1900s.
picked up from the sea. Others climbed down the The foot of a bird of prey can also be seen on a
rock faces, blocked the entrance to pigeons’ nests clay pipe dating from about 1860. Clay pipes came
The foot of a bird of prey on with hand nets, again scaring the pigeons out of in different designs ranging from heads of rams to
a clay pipe dating from the their nesting holes, which then flew into their nets. abstract designs. Pipes showing a bird claw holding
1860s
This method of catching pigeons was described the bowl appeared as early as about 1840 and the
by other authors, such as De Riville (1749), De theme persisted until the main decline of the industry
Boisgelin (1805) as well as Lacroix (1848), and is in the 1930’s. Some makers in England and Europe
discussed in some more detail later on. continue to produce it and the claw pipe is still made
The stylised head of an owl has recently been today. Clay pipes were undoubtedly imported, and
noticed on a piece of 19th century crockery. The as Malta was part of the British Empire at the time,
crockery is called baqra in Maltese, meaning cow. it is likely that most of the examples found locally
But this piece of glazed earthenware had nothing would be British in origin. Clay pipes often turn up
to do with cattle and was only called so because at archaeological sites, having been widely used by
it vaguely resembled a cow, as it even had four servicemen and locals alike at the time, and most are
short legs. It was used to cook rabbit stew. Some found in Victorian era sites.
of these seen in private collections recently have Sometimes one comes across key plates shaped
the head of an owl motif. like birds. Though by no means common, such key
A door knocker with a bird

motif
An old key plate with a

bicephalic eagle
An owl made of different

pieces of coloured glass at
the Mystique architectural
folly in Madliena
The stylised head of an owl

on a piece of crockery dating
from the 19th century used
for rabbit cooking in Malta
MAN AND BIRDS 21
plates, which also remind one of birds on coats of

arms, have been noted in Qormi and Mdina and most
probably date back to the 17th and 18th centuries,
if not earlier. In the 1950s and 1970s, it was not
unusual to see outlines of birds in wrought iron grills
forming part of doors or on windows and because
of their outline, herons were the most popular birds
in such grills. Today one can sometimes see birds
in modern stained glass. Hunters sometimes spray
paint birds on their vehicles while, as discussed
later, house names of hunters, trappers and to a
lesser extent, bird watchers, sometimes feature
birds. Though none of these images accurately
portrays birds as such, they are worth referring to
as they shed light about social history and the role
of birds in people’s diets and habits at the time.
Ironically, birds also featured on several cartridges
used by hunters. Cartridges produced in Italy, the
uK, Germany and Austria, which were available in Bird motifs in wrought iron
grills forming part of doors
Malta, often had birds ranging from birds of prey to or on windows were quite
waders such as Snipe, Curlew, Woodcock as well popular between the 1950s
as Quail or Pheasant on them. Though cartridges and 1970s and can still be
were also loaded locally, the cardboard and later seen
plastic shells were always imported and some of
the ones produced these days still carry images of
birds on them.
In 1954, Elliot Langley Roberts drew a number of
bird sketches that appeared in his book (Roberts “were easy to paint”. The heads on such decoys
1954) while around the same time, Guido Lanfranco were either made of wood and later polystyrene.
and Anthony Dandria likewise drew simple sketches Sometimes heads from old stuffed birds were
of birds, some of which accompanied their own used. John Gera, a very keen duck hunter who
articles in the local press. In the early 1960s Joe hunted at Salina, is also known to have made
Sultana followed this trend too. A few others, such as a handful of very high quality cork and wooden
Charles Borg, Sammy Borg, and later Victor Falzon, decoys, but none of his works, has unfortunately
tried their hands at line drawings in the 1970s and survived.
1980s, and some continue to do so. People who could afford to, such as Major Alfred
While hunters on the continent as well as in the Sant Manduca, who owned the shooting rights at
uS, and later bird lovers, often made bird decoys G˙adira, Carmelo Cassar Torregiani who hunted at
that are now considered as folk art, the art of decoy il-Mag˙luq at Marsaxlokk, and Col. John Francia,
making never flourished in Malta. Individual hunters who often went to hunt abroad, had wooden
made decoys in Malta. A man from Ûejtun who decoys they bought from abroad, but even these
hunted at Marsaxlokk made papier-mâché decoys are rare in Malta. In an interesting photo album of
of Golden Plover and Lapwings that have survived Col. Francia’s hunting exploits, one sees a photo
to this very day while Supt. Carmelo Bonello, who of a paper kite in the shape of a bird of prey being
hunted wildfowl at Salina, used to make duck used. This was used on the continent to keep
decoys out of palm frond, but none of his decoys partridges or Quail on the ground while hunting
are known to have survived. them with dogs.
A handful of other hunters made duck decoys Birds, mostly large birds of prey, feature on a
from palm frond or other material. Joseph Galea, number of fountains found in public and private
known as il-Ga˙˙, from St Julians, had taught a places. In Valletta one finds an eagle on a pair of
few how to make them and he had a rig consisting fountains in St George’s Square. An interesting Birds in modern stained
of Mallards, gulls and Shelducks, which he said aspect of these fountains is that the Eagles were glass works
made of lead, which is very rare in local fountains. had carved several birds out of limestone as
Birds feature on a small bell that was used by the an alternative to taxidermy. But flirting with bird
late Archbishop Michael Gonzi. Birds may be seen sculptures was a short lived experience for Attard
both perched and flying on this bell, where hounds and the flame died out. Luckily some of his works still
chasing deer can also be seen. The bell appears survive. Joseph Grech, known as Peppi l-Isqof, from
to have been imported.
Birds sometimes adorn Birds feature on a few sculptures made locally.
hunters’ and trappers’ Anton Agius, one of the leading Maltese artists,
vehicles as well as old made large plaques of flying birds of prey and an
cartridges used for hunting
owl from this artist can be seen at the Museum of
Fine Arts. In the 1970s, Lorry Attard, of Hamrun,
Above: Line drawings from

Langley Roberts’ book of
1954
Line drawings by Guido

Lanfranco and Anthony
Dandria, which accompanied
their own articles in the local
press in the 1950s
MAN AND BIRDS 23
ix-Xerriek, limits of Ûejtun, made a number miniature

birds in the late 1970s and early 1980s, very few
of which have survived. Lately, Sammy Borg too
made a few birds using different materials, but he
too ceased from such an activity. Some factories
producing ceramics, such as Alka Ceramics which
was started in the 1970s by one of the leading
Maltese ceramic artists, Paul Haber, produce birds
in ceramics, mainly for the tourist market.
Rodney Ingram, a Briton who supported the
Malta Ornithological Society, drew several line Birds, mostly large birds of
drawings and painted several plates for books prey, feature on a number of
published by the MOS while Chloe E. Talbot fountains found in public and
Kelly drew the plates for the book by Bannerman private places. This is one of
a pair in St George’s Square,
and Vella Gaffiero (1976). In the early 1980s, Valletta. Above, ceramic
birds made by Alka Ceramics
Freddie Fenech held an exhibition consisting of 42

watercolour bird paintings at the Natural History
Museum. He also drew a number of birds on ceramic
decorative plates as well as on ceramic tiles used
as house names, especially while he worked for a
ceramics company Çeramika Maltija. Most ceramic
factories produce house names, some of which
feature birds especially Turtle Doves, Woodcocks,
and some birds of prey, notably Osprey as well as
colourful birds such as Flamingo and Hoopoe and
several finches now often feature on ceramic house
names. Bird names today feature in street names,
though in Sannat, Gozo, a street has been called
Triq il-Gruwa, which had wrongly been translated to
Stork Street, when Gruwa is Crane, for a long time. A papier-mâché decoy of
Saviour Xuereb, known as Sonny Xuereb, painted Golden Plover made in the
a series of plates featuring birds recorded in Malta, late 1920s in Malta and a
Spanish wooden decoy
which he later published first as individual plates
that belonged to the late
and then in book form (Xuereb 1991). Colonel Francia who used
But the only person in Malta who really developed decoys when hunting abroad
a talent for painting birds is Andrew Micallef, a (opposite page). A man is
seen holding a kite shaped
young man from Ûebbu© whose father Peter was a
like a bird of prey. These
very knowledgeable hunter who had an important were used on the continent
collection of birds in the 1970s. His work is easily to keep game birds on the
on the same level as that of the internationally ground while hunters walked
to flush them with their dogs
acclaimed wildlife artist Robert Bateman, who has
personally written to Micallef to congratulate him
after seeing samples of his work.
Andrew Micallef’s first exhibition was held at Left: An owl by one of the
St John’s Co-Cathedral Annexe, in Valletta in leading Maltese artists Anton
December 1986, when some 180 bird-paintings Agius. A miniature Grey Heron
by the late Joseph Grech in
were displayed. In June 1989 he held a second
the late 1970s
exhibition of 40 paintings at the Natural History

Museum. He has held other exhibitions since then
and painted several works both on commission
as well as under his on steam. His style has really
improved and his eye for detail is second to none.
Although Andrew is very modest about his work,
it easily compares with leading bird artists around
the world. Apart from a number of plates for books,
Andrew Micallef has also designed stamps featuring
flora and fauna, birds and studies of other particular
species as well.
The new trend in art to produce installations is
yet to gain ground in Malta, but the first installation
exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta in
March 2000 actually dealt with birds. The installation
was set up by Gozitan artist David Camilleri, who
hailed from Nadur and now lives in New York.
Birds frequently feature on Camilleri was formerly a hunter and trapper who
house and street names realised the impact of his pastime was having on
birds and dumped his hobbies. He later set up
the installation to expose “the cruelty of hunting”
(Massa 2000). The installation consisted of a large
aluminium cage with a video showing excerpts from
footage taken over a 24 hour period of a man who
MAN AND BIRDS 25
volunteered to stay in the cage and have his actions designed by Richard J. Caruana. A set of bird Barn Owl, Peregrine Falcon
recorded. This was made to highlight the suffering and Wren by Andrew Micallef
stamps showing four species of raptors: Honey
and below, a brass bell with
that a cage could cause. There was also a video with Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Eleonora’s Falcon and birds and a hunting scene
a commentary about trapping and to see the video, Lesser Kestrel, designed by Harry Borg, were that was used by the late
and viewers had to sit in the cage and close the door issued on 3rd October 1991 to commemorate the Archbishop Michael Gonzi
behind them to get the feeling of a caged bird. World Wide Fund for Nature while a stamp featuring
Birds also featured on Maltese stamps. The first the Little Ringed Plover and another depicting the
stamp depicting a bird in Malta was issued by the Kingfisher, again designed by Richard J. Caruana,
postal administration on 18th September 1971 and were issued on 6th April 1999 commemorating
featured the Blue Rock Thrush. This was designed nature reserves.
by Reno Psaila. Following the bird protection laws of On 22nd June 2001, a set of 16 stamps featuring
1980, the postal administration issued a set of bird the Yellow-legged Gull, Kestrel, Golden Oriole,
stamps on 20th January 1981. These were designed Goldfinch, Blue Rock Thrush, Bee-eater, House
by Maurice Tanti Burlò and depicted the Barn Owl, Martin, Swallow, Spanish Sparrow, Spectacled
Sardinian Warbler, Woodchat Shrike and Storm Warbler, Turtle Dove, Pintail, Little Bittern,
Petrel. On 26th January 1987, another four stamps Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Lapwing and
depicting the Robin, Peregrine, Hoopoe and Cory’s Moorhen, were issued. These stamps were
Shearwater were issued, this time to commemorate designed by Andrew Micallef. One of these
the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the stamps, that of the Lapwing, also featured on a
Malta Ornithological Society. These stamps were postcard also issued by Maltapost.
The first stamp depicting a bird

in Malta featured the Blue Rock
Thrush
A set of stamps showing four

species of raptors:s were issued
in 1991 to commemorate the
World Wide Fund for Nature
Right: A set of 16 stamps issued
in 2001 designed by Andrew
Micallef
Stamps featuring the Little Ringed

Plover and another depicting the
Kingfisher were issued in 1999
commemorating nature reserves
Stamps depicting Barn Owl,

Sardinian Warbler, Woodchat Right: A set of four stamps depicting the Robin,
Shrike and Storm Petrel were Peregrine, Hoopoe and Cory’s Shearwater issued
issued following the bird in 1987 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
protection laws of 1980 setting up of the Malta Ornithological Society
MAN AND BIRDS 27
Birds in heraldry fight in the Middle Ages, it became convention to

display their paternal arms on a lozenge-shaped
Birds also feature in heraldry that one finds in field rather than a shield if unmarried or their husband
Malta. Like many other things, most of the heraldry would impale (that is join side by side) with his wife’s
in Malta that one can speak of, especially the arms on marriage.
earliest heraldry, is imported. This detail is important in the Maltese context,
Heraldry was first established in Europe following because one of the earliest shields-of-arms in
the Norman Conquest of Britain in 1066, and Malta features the eagles of the Stauffens, together
rapidly gained in popularity during the end of the with the arms of Aragon and these arms are shown
12th and beginning of the 13th centuries. Shields-of- on a lozenge and so belonged to a woman. These
arms developed as a way of identifying the knights are displayed in St Agatha’s museum in Rabat.
in battle, who bore them painted on their shields. Another stone slab displayed in the same museum
Animals, usually wild ones such as lions or wolves, show the arms of Castile and Leon.
and birds of prey, usually eagles and falcons, and According to Adrian Strickland, founder
later mythical creatures, were depicted on shields. president of The Heraldry and Vexillology Society
In England after the establishment of the College of Malta, this shield-of-arms could quite possibly
of Arms in the 15th century, individual shield-of- show the arms of Mary (daughter of Frederick III)
arms were registered and pertained exclusively who was sole ruler of Sicily from 1377 to 1391. This
to one man only. They were inherited, as other could conceivably be the earliest known shield-of-
property by one’s male-descendants, who’s arms in Malta, as it may be dateable to that short
second and subsequent sons had to differentiate period of 14 years.
them to signify the family they belonged to but on Birds may also be seen in heraldry in the
the other hand making it visibly obvious the bearer shields-of-arms of the Grandmasters. Of the 28
of the arms, was not the head of the house. Grandmasters who ruled over Malta between 1530
Women without brothers were also able to inherit and 1798, six had birds on their shields-of-arms.
the arms of their father but as women did not usually These are Didier de Sainte Jaille (1535-1536) who
Left: One of the earliest
shields-of-arms in Malta is
most probably that of Mary,
daughter of Frederick III,
who was sole ruler of Sicily
between 1377 to 1391.
Above: Shields-of-arms also
featured on coins
bore a Stork, Jean Parisot de la Valette (1557- two featured a displayed eagle. Nicholas Cottoner
1568) who bore a Gyrfalcon wearing a hood, (1663 – 1680), whose shield-of-arms featured only
signifying it was a bird used in falconry, and a lion, a cotton plant and no birds, still had a bird as one
Martino Garzes (1595-1601) a heron and stars, of the assay marks used in this period.
Antoine de Paule (1623-1636) a Peacock, and Apart from the Grand Masters, a considerable
Jean de Lascaris Castellar (1636-1657) bore a number of knights who served in Malta also bore
double-headed (bicephalic) eagle. Emmanuel de birds on their shield-of-arms. Most of them were
Rohan de Polduc (1775-1797) had his shield-of- birds of prey. A bird of prey features in another
arms resting on the breast of an eagle with wings shield-of-arms sculpted in stone that may be
spread out and charged with ermine tails. The seen on the gateway of property belonging to
shields-of-arms of the Grandmasters were also the Fondazzione per la Redenzione degli Schiavi
borne on coins minted during their Grand Magistry at Mistra and which dates back to the time of the
and many sculptures of these arms may be seen Knights.
all over these islands. Those buried in Malta Birds also feature as supporters on some
have their shield-of-arms on the highly ornate shields-of-arms. Supporters are figures holding
mausoleums in St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. shields-of-arms in a complete achievement.
Symbols form their shield-of-arms were also used Birds also appear on shields-of-arms of several
in assay marks on Maltese silver produced during Maltese noble families. As Gauci (1981) noted,
their time (Strickland 1995). these were granted along with their titles. In some
Symbols from Grandmaster’s One can see a goose on assay marks from the cases, the family was of foreign origin and was
shield-of-arms were also reign of Garzes, a peacock from De Paule’s times, entitled to bear arms prior to their arrival in Malta.
used in assay marks on the double headed eagle was one of the four assay In many cases, shields-of-arms were assumed
Maltese silver produced marks used in Lascaris Castellar’s time while out and accepted over the passage of time. Some
during their time
of fifteen assay marks used in De Rohan’s reign, of Maltese arms were recognised by the British
Coats-of-arms of
Grandmasters, knights,
clerics, and nobles can be
seen all over these islands
including on the highly
ornate mausoleums in St
John’s Co-Cathedral in
Valletta
MAN AND BIRDS 29
and registered by the English College of Arms in be seen in one of the quarters of the shield-of-arms
and after 1878 after a Commission set up to draw of Count Ciantar-Paleologo, granted to Ignazio
up a report on the claims of Maltese Nobility, had Francesco Wizzini-Paleologo by Pope Clement XI
completed its work. in 1711, and in that of Vincenzo Abela, Baron of
As a result of marriage, what is known as San Giovanni, whose title was granted by Grand
marshalling, that is, merging of a shield-of-arms Master De Redin in 1657. It can also be seen
into another, took place. Hence one sees a degree in the centre of the shield-of-arms of Salvatore
of repetition in shield-of-arms of Maltese Nobility. Baldassere Sant, Count Sant, whose title was
For marshalling, shield-of-arms were often divided granted in 1770 by Maria Theresa, the Empress Some shields-of-arms of
Maltese noble families bore
in four and arms were placed in any of the quarters. of Austria. birds too. The same can be
Sometimes a fifth was placed in the centre. The shield-of-arms of Manduca, which features said for shields-of-arms of
The arms of the Testaferrata family, consisting a dog with a bird in its mouth, can be seen in surnames of Governors and
of an eagle with displayed wings and a bull, may the shield-of-arms of Dr Bernardo Piscopo- several towns and villages
be seen in several shields-of-arms where they are Macedonia, Count Montalto, whose title was
marshalled together with the arms of that family. granted by Francis I, Duke of Parma in 1720. The
For instance the eagle can be seen in the arms shield-of-arms of Saverio Gatto, who was made
of Marquis Testaferrata Olivier, granted to Mario Baron of Benwarrad by Grand Master Despuig in
Testaferrata de Robertis by the King of Sicily in July 1737, has the Attard emblem, a sitting bird and
1717, in the arms of the Marquis of Ìnien is-Sultan, three stars, on its first and fourth quarters.
Filippo Apap, whose title was granted to by Grand The arms of some of the British Governors of
Master De Rohan in 1792, in the arms of Igniazio Malta had birds in the shields-of- arms. Sir Thomas
Bonici, Baron of Qlejjg˙a, whose title was granted Maitland had two black eagles supporting his
by Grand Master Despuig in 1737 and in the arms shield-of-arms. Sir Henry Bouverie had a double-
of Isidore Viani, Baron of Tabria, which title was headed eagle and two eagles as supporters of his
granted by Grand Master de Vilhena in 1728. shield-of-arms. Sir William Reid had a swan feeding
The Marquis of G˙ajn Qajjied, whose title was its young above the shield-of-arms.
granted to Dr Gerolamo Delicata by Grand Sir Gaspard Le Marchand had three owls in his
Master De Rohan had two fierce looking doves shield-of-arms while Lt. General Sir Henry Storks
as supporters to his shield-of-arms. Similar doves had three standing storks in his arms. General Sir
can be seen supporting the arms of the 5th Baron Charles van Straubenzee too had a Stork in one of
of Grua. De Rohan had granted the original title the sections of his shield-of-arms and another one
to Saverio Carabott-Testaferrata-Ghaxaq in 1794. above it. General Sir John Lintorn Simmons had a
The shield-of-arms of the latter displays the arms black eagle-looking bird and a heron supporting
of the Testaferrata family, on its fourth quarter his shield-of-arms while a displayed eagle was in
while another bird of prey with outstretched wings, two of the quarters inside his arms.
forming part of the Carabott arms, can be seen on
the third quarter.
The arms of the Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri,
whose title was granted to Mario Testaferrata de
Robertis by Philip V, King of Sicily and Naples in
1716, has an eagle with its wings spread out in one
of the quarters.
Two eagles support the shield-of-arms of Dr
Luigi Maria Gatto, Count of Beberrua, which title
was granted by Grand Master De Rohan in 1783.
The shield-of-arms of Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati-
Bologna, Count of Catena, granted by Grand
Master Pinto in 1745, has a male Black Grouse
above it while the shield-of-arms of the 6th Count of
Catena is borne on the breast of a double-headed
The shields-of-arms of
eagle and incorporates the arms of Bologna, three Governor Sir John Gaspard
wings with claws. The double-headed eagle can Le Marchant
General Sir Mansfield-Clarke (1903 – 1907) social history that it would be rather pointless to
had three swans on a red band in his arms, while pretend that they do not exist,” (Gauci C.A 1988).
Field Marshal Viscount Plumer (1919 – 1924) had Shields-of-arms of many Maltese surnames
a chevron with three blackbirds in his, and Sir feature several different kinds of birds, which can
Gerald Creasy 1949 – 1954 had two swallow-like be seen in several postures: perched, where they
birds called martlets on the chief of his arms. The can be both looking forward and back, about to
martlet is a fictitious bird without beak and feet, take flight, in flight and standing with wings spread
existing only in heraldry. In English heraldry, it is out.
a swallow; in French heraldry, it looks very much Comparisons of the different versions of these
like a duckling while in German heraldry, it is said shields-of-arms of surnames illustrated in the books
to be a lark. mentioned above as well as those found in Stemmi
In a bound manuscript containing about two Maltesi and those of Maltese nobles, one cannot
thousand shields of arms, dated 1783, found in the help but notice considerable inconsistencies.
Casa Rocca Piccola collection, one finds coloured For instance the shield-of-arms of Attard, found
drawings of shield-of-arms of Maltese surnames, in the arms of Saverio Gatto, Baron of Benwarrad,
of which several feature birds. Apart from these, has a bird in it, while that given in Stemmi Maltesi
a number of others show parts of birds such as is entirely different and has no birds. The shield-
wings, feathers and claws. of-arms of Manduca incorporated in the arms of
In a book entitled Stemmi Maltesi, published in Dr Bernardo Piscopo-Macedonia, Count Montalto,
the 19th century, one finds 806 armorial drawings shows a dog with a bird in its mouth, while in
of shields-of-arms of Maltese surnames. A total Stemmi Maltesi and Gauci (1989) it is entirely
of 802 of these had been republished by Gauci different, while in Gauci (1988) it is given as a bird
Shields-of-arms of Governors (Gauci C.A. 1989). Of these, 81 feature birds. displayed. Again, the shield-of-arms of Rosselli,
from top: Van-Straubenzy,
Storks and Bouverie and Apart from which, a number of others show parts as engraved on a building dated from the 1600s
right: Lintorn-Simmons of birds such as wings. shows three herons while in Stemmi Maltesi and
In another book about Maltese shields-of-arms, Gauci it is given as a lion against a tree.
Gauci argued that “the strict legal basis for many Gauci (1988) mentions 16 species of birds
of the arms may be somewhat dubious, but they including doves, swans, blackbirds, crows, eagles,
are now firmly interwoven into the fabric of Maltese falcons, gulls, pheasants, sparrows, geese and
MAN AND BIRDS 31
owls, all featuring in Maltese arms, though when features a tree. The birds have red feet and bills,
one looks at these drawings, it is indeed hard to but it is hard to say what species these represent.
ascribe some of the birds to any particular species. A bird perched on top of a tree can be seen on the
One should point out that many of these surnames coat of arms of Ciappara. Two birds on top of each
are no longer existent in Malta. A cursory glance other feature in the shield-of-arms of Tortel.
at the coats of arms of surnames featuring birds A Crane-like bird, but wrongly coloured, appears
shows a bird falling down with an arrow in its neck in the crest of the surname Graua, meaning Crane.
in the coat of arms of Alfieri while an arrow passing A flying bird, also with webbed feet, suggesting a
through the wing of a bird can be seen in the coat gull, can be seen in the coat of arms of Gorgiun. A
of arms of the surname Peralta. black bird in flight with a fish in its beak is featured
Though the word Buadam stands for harrier, in the coat of arms of the surname Sciortino. A bird
the bird in the crest of this surname has no lifting a snake can be seen on the arms of Grauagna.
resemblance whatsoever with this bird of prey. Curiously, the bird, which must represent a bird of
Swan-like birds appear in the crest of the surname prey, does not have a hooked beak.
Baiula. The head and neck of a wader with a red A perched bird with a largish crest and long
bill can be seen in the shield-of-arms of Bertolino. drooping feathers on its back can be seen on
The heads and neck of three similar birds appear the shield-of-arms of Infermo while a black bird
in the crest of Gulin. The shape of these birds is carrying blue flowers is depicted on the shield of
very similar to those featured in the shield-of-arms Inguardiola. Three heron-like birds appear in the
of Bertolino, but lack the red bills. arms of De Gruel.
A caged bird is featured in the coat of arms A hand holding a duck from its neck appears
of Digrazia while two tethered birds flying while in the shield-of-arms of Mahnuk, which in Maltese
attached with a ribbon held in a hand can be seen in means hoarse voice. The surname Surban features
the coat of arms of the surname Layn. As discussed a swimming black bird resembling a Curlew or
later on, such practice of keeping birds thethered perhaps a Glossy Ibis, while two crane-like birds,
rather than in cages, was popular in Europe from the or perhaps, Black Storks, are depicted on the crest
1800s. Though it is hard to identify with any certainty of Strozzi. A sitting, wader-like bird is featured on
the bird featured in the crest of the surname Dorbes, the coat of arms Spinello.
the crest is interesting as it seems to show a seabird Three black birds with medium sized bills appear
where the way the bird’s feet are drawn suggest in the crest of the French surname Merle while a
webbed feet. Could this be a shearwater? bird feeding on the branch of a tree can be seen in
Two largish birds can be seen in the arms of the the shield-of-arms of the surname Pellerano.
Bonafece, and though because of that size, when Falcons and birds of prey are popular features
compared to the tree next to which they stand, in coats of arms. Three birds, probably falcons
must represent birds such as Crane, their reddish wearing jesses, indicating they are falconer’s birds,
colour as well as their shape, make it difficult to appear in the shield-of-arms of the French surname
identify what birds they can be. Laurens. A small falcon with jesses can be seen on
Some of the surnames have rather misleading the gloved hand on the crest of the surname Sirgan.
coats of arms: a bird which has no resemblance The shields-of-arms were reproduced in a
to the Gyrfalcon can be seen in the crest of the number of ways and from printed material to
surname Girifalco (Gyrfalcon) while a brown bird carvings as well as highly ornate marble plaques,
with a slightly crooked bill and a seemingly forked floors and tombstones one can see in several
tail flying over the sea appears on the coat of arms public buildings and churches.
of the surname Quaglia, meaning Quail. The crest A list of surnames and the birds that appear on
of Turturello shows a dark grey sitting bird while their shields-of-arms appears in Appendix II.
three similarly coloured birds flying over the sea are Local towns and villages also have shields-of-
shown in the shield-of-arms of Tortorella. The birds arms, some of which have been in regular use
have no resemblance to Turtle Doves. for quite some time. Castagna (1888) recorded
Two coot-like birds appear on the crest of several of these in his book. They were probably
Galizia, but having red bills it is more likely they designed by Dr Nicoló Zammit, who had also
were Moorhens. Five flying birds can be seen in designed the arms of Gozitan villages prior
the crest of Giamperi or Gioamperio, which also to the visit by Edward Prince of Wales in 1876
(Bezzina 1987). The design of the arms was then Bason, was issued in 1986 as part of the decimal
influenced by the origin of the village names and coin set. The Lm1 coin replaced the Lm1 note
related lore and many of them were not designed (Azzopardi 1993) and was in turn replaced with
in accordance with heraldic principles. When the introduction of the Euro in January 2008.
Local Councils were introduced in Malta in 1993, Bird photography, that had become popular with
some of their shields-of-arms were revised for this a number of individuals in the early 1980s, led to the
reason. New ones were designed for locations publication of various calendars, postcards as well
that lacked shields-of-arms, particularly in new as posters. Some of these were published by the
areas. The revisions and new designs were made Malta Ornithological Society and other environment
The old emblem of Xaghra in by Adrian Strickland. groups, but there have been a number of private
Gozo, which featured birds The village of Ûebbu© in Malta, originally had commercial initiatives too, which is an indication
and now again has a dove with an olive branch on that the interest is now more widespread.
its arms. The arms of Pietà consist of a pelican ‘in Bird photography, though still restricted to
her piety’ on a black background, the term means a handful of people, and in spite of limitations
that the pelican is feeding her young with her own because of hunting and disturbance, has
blood. There is also the Wren on the midship spoke produced some stunning pictures of birds in the
of the yachting wheel in the arms of Ta’ Xbiex. This wild in Malta too.
is to commemorate the WRNS (Womens’ Royal An Osprey, drawn by Andrew Micallef, featured
Naval Service) who were formerly accommodated on a phonecard issued by the Maltese phone
in Whitehall Mansions, an imposing building found company Maltacom to commemorate World
in this locality. Environment Day in 1994. In May 1999 Maltacom
The village of Xag˙ra, in Gozo, had a Mallard in issued a set of four phonecards depicting birds
its emblem, while in another emblem, it also had to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
three dead plovers. Another emblem, with three hunters’ society, the Federation for Hunting
birds flying over a tree and another bird on the and Conservation. Though it was claimed that
right hand side of the shield, began to be used the photos had been taken in Malta, these had
late in the nineteenth century and was used well actually been reproduced from several bird books
into the third quarter of the twentieth century. The and Maltacom had issued them “in good faith and
flying birds were probably drawn because of the on the premise that the photographs provided,
wrong assumption that caccia, the old name for including copyright, belonged to the hunters’
Xag˙ra, meant kaçça (hunting). However Caccia association. In 2002, Maltacom issued another
was an Italianization of the Maltese word qaçça, set of four phonecards with photos of 15 species
the uppermost part of a promontory. The highest of birds taken by the author. With one exception,
part of Xag˙ra is known as il-Qaçça to this day, that of the Griffon Vulture, all the photos had been
and there is also Triq il-Qaca in Xag˙ra (Fr Joe taken in Malta.
Bezzina pers. comm.). There are no birds in the Birds sometimes feature in cartoons published in
current arms of Xag˙ra Local Council. the press, but like all caricatures, these are hardly
ever accurate representations but aim to make a
Top: The cast of the Lm20
point about a particular event. Most such cartoons
gold coin, showing the Blue Birds on coins and other images make fun of hunters and it is interesting to note
Rock Thrush on a Lm20 gold that the first such cartoon called a caccia was
coin issued by the Central Apart from the birds forming part of shield-of- published in 1869 in the newspaper Don Basilio.
Bank of Malta in conjunction
with the Sovereign Military
arms described before, which were often used The cartoon, probably the work of Giuseppe Calì,
Order of Malta in Rome in on coins, closer to our times, one finds birds on depicts a smartly dressed shooter walking over
1972. Below it, The “Maltese coins as well. The Blue Rock Thrush was featured some boulders with a gun over his shoulder. The
falcon” featured on a Lm10 on a Lm20 gold coin issued by the Central cartoon depicts the gun just at the point of firing
gold coin in 1975. The Storm
Petrel on a Lm20 gold coin
Bank of Malta in conjunction with the Sovereign and hitting the hunter’s own dog, which is seen
issued in 1976. The Blue Military Order of Malta in Rome in 1972. In 1975, howling, while a flock of birds can be seen flying
Rock Thrush on the Lm1 coin the Maltese Falcon was featured on a Lm10 in the distance. Between 1869 and October 2009,
which was replaced by the gold coin while the Storm Petrel was shown on there have been a total of 255 bird or hunting
euro Right: Shields-of-arms
of various Maltese surnames
the Lm20 gold coin in 1976. The Lm1 coin with related cartoons in the local press. The majority
from various old manuscripts the Blue Rock Thrush, designed by Noel Galea of these made fun of hunters while several were
MAN AND BIRDS 33
Birds in Maltese literature
When discussing birds in Maltese literature, one

should keep in mind that Maltese literary works
written before the mid-1900s rarely mention
birds and as hunting and trapping were part and
parcel of the mainly rural life that prevailed at the
An Osprey by Andrew
Micallef and photos of birds
by the author on a telecards
making a point about hunting and politics and Eu

membership. Others made a point about specific
incidents, such as shooting of protected birds.
Swans, Spoonbill and birds of prey have featured
in such cartoons several times following reports
that such birds had been shot. Following a call
for suggestions of what image should be on the
Maltese Euro, Maurice Tanti Burlò, the most prolific
Maltese cartoonist, depicted a bleeding dead Blue
Rock Thrush as one of the options.
While discussing graphic descriptions of birds,
one should not fail to mention that birds also
feature in tattoos. Sailors and seafarers were
particularly fond of having images of Swallows
tattooed on their arms, because for seamen,
Swallows were a sign that land was near. Heads
of birds of prey or eagles with outstretched wings
can be encountered as well.
Images of birds now feature in several publications,
ranging from adverts to educational and other
material published by both government as well as
Cartoons by Maurice Tanti non-governmental organisations. Birds often feature
Burlò (above), and (right) by on stickers, though the popularity of these has
Victor Pulis and Calì
waned. Bird stickers were very popular from the late
1970s to the early 1990s, and most of these carried
messages in favour of bird protection.
MAN AND BIRDS 35
time, such works were hardly ever harsh in their attempts to praise nature, not only show a shallow
condemnation of hunting. This contrasts sharply knowledge of the subject, but also display nature
with literature written in the late 20th century. Though as being there to be used. In a poem about the
only a relatively small number of poems were written Narcissus by Anton Buttigieg (Buttigieg 1978), the
about birds in Malta, they practically all share the Maltese ‘poet of nature’ speaks of Meadow Pipits
same concern for the birds’ fate. The same can nesting in apple trees, when these pipits are ground
be said to references to birds in novels and other nesting birds, which do not breed in the Maltese
forms of literature. The few works where one finds Islands. The only poem written about a bird by
a reference to birds, this is usually in the form of Malta’s national poet Dun Karm Psaila is about his
strong overt anti-hunting sentiments, while earlier Canary, which sings from his cage and keeps the
works have a softer stance, with some showing that author company (Aquilina 1979). Like other poets
hunting was an essential part of daily rural life. did, Dun Karm sometimes mentioned birds in his
But this should not come as a surprise poems, but these were just part of the landscape.
because romanticism, which as Cartmill (1993) The only exception is a piece of prose about a pet
states, resented hunting, is practically absent sparrow which he wrote about in one of his letters,
from Maltese literature. Romanticism in Maltese which will be discussed later.
literature developed in the early 1900s and it
was not until later that Maltese literature started
to distance itself from Italian literature (Friggieri Birds in folk tales
1979). Maltese literature suffered from the same
symptoms which stifled art. Cutajar argues that Although undated, the folk tales published by
nineteenth-century Malta was excluded from the the Jesuit priest Manwel Magri are probably the
socio-cultural life of the continent as a result of earliest chronological reference to bird hunting
its new colonial status: “the general stagnation that one comes across in popular literature. Magri
of Maltese art throughout the 19th century was collected a series of folk tales he heard between
conditioned by general cultural considerations 1894 and 1907. He used to publish them with a
and socio-political developments. Isolated from Syro-Phoenician interpretation, which was already
the increasingly emancipated culture of Europe, a dying trend in his time (Mifsud Chircop 1994).
local efforts were confined within traditional and Magri used to write down particular expressions
insular limits — for the great part condemned to a and the general plot on hearing the folk tale and
sickly, stunted growth” (Cutajar 1988). then went to the convent where he wrote the tale
Hence, Maltese literature of the early twentieth as he remembered it. Although Magri did most of
century is dominated with characteristics of his work during the late 1800s, it is obvious that the
accepting established norms rather than creating folk tales he published were much older as they
new ones. In a country which was under foreign were orally handed down from one generation
rule since the Middle Ages, it is not surprising that to the next. In Magri’s tales, one comes across
the earliest examples of Maltese literature were a number of references to birds, hunting and
aimed at creating the nationalistic feeling, and later trapping. This is not surprising since many of
started writing about nature in a Maltese context. the tales are set in the open countryside or in the
But their vision was rather limited and restricted woods. But it is unlikely that the folk tales are of
by the cultural lenses of the time. Nature is used Maltese origin as their plot is rather international.
as a metaphor, its beauty was used as a tool to Parallel versions of these tales may be found in
convey a message and there are hardly any works many Mediterranean and European countries
celebrating nature for its own sake. In Maltese ranging from Morocco to Syria and from Portugal
literature, there are no examples of poetry such as and Germany to Bulgaria and Finland (Aarne and
Thomson’s ‘The Seasons’. British poets in the 18th Thompson 1961; Mifsud Chircop 1994). Most of
century saw nature as something in which to glory. the tales, have Maltese customs kneaded in them,
At a time when anti-hunting sentiments can be but when one compares them to the foreign folk
found in British poetry, Maltese literature was in its tales, one finds that the references to hunting
infancy and it was after the birth of nature protection are also present in the foreign tales. Some of the
movement in the early 1960s that such sentiments scenery described confirms that Magri’s tales are Stickers issued by the MOS
could be met with in Maltese works. The few earlier not local in origin. There is frequent mention of in the 1970s and 80s
large woods, which Malta lacked. There is also a These narrations may have very little literary
mention of a train (vapur tal-art) which was absent value and no educational value, but they shed light
from Malta at the time. The tales do not depict real on hunters’ and people’s perceptions about birds
life situations and are saturated with fantasy. They and are an intrinsic part of Malta’s oral history, of
contain references to trappers (a literal translation which only a very small part has been recorded or
of the term used by Magri is “those who fish for transcribed.
birds” sajjied l-g˙asafar). One also comes across
mention of the words kaçça - hunting, xkubetta -
muzzleloader and wadab – sling. Direct or implied Birds and hunting in literature of the 1900s
references to hunting are found in eight out of
the 70 of the tales published by Magri. Hunting is The earliest reference to birds in children’s books
never the central element in any of the tales and in in Malta is found in a textbook published in 1831.
all cases, the reference to hunting is found in the The book was probably written by Cleardo Naudi
variations found all over Europe. (1780-1837), a medical doctor who occupied the
Apart from these tales recorded by writers, old chair of Natural History at university from 1824 to
hunters in villages throughout Malta and Gozo 1829. Dr Naudi had left the Catholic Church and
have their own stories which they like to recount collaborated with the Anglican Church Missionary
time and time again and are likely to die with Society in the dissemination of the Bible in the
their narrator unless they are recorded. Attempts Mediterranean. The textbook contains some
to record some of these accounts have been information on birds, some of which reflects the
made and these will hopefully be published misconceptions and old wives’ tales of the time.
shortly (Fenech in press). These stories have a In images accompanying the alphabet, one finds
strong element of reality but are embellished with an image of an eagle with a caption that eagles
splashes of colour. To younger listeners, they sometimes took children; while another caption,
seem full of fantasy and wishful thinking because which accompanies the image of an owl, makes the
of the numbers of birds they speak about. Such mistaken statement that owls’ eyes were made to
stories are narrated by hunters to fellow sportsman. see in the dark but not in daylight. Among the short
The more colour fantasy they contain, the more stories found in the book, one finds information
attention they generate and the more likely they about birds’ nests with messages against both
are to be remembered. Most of these tales usually cruelty and trapping.
Images which accompanied either dwell about the abundance of game in days In one of the short stories about mercy, the author
the alphabet in a children’s gone by, or feature a particular hunter, making him states that “a kind boy does not trap birds or other
book by Cleardo Naudi the subject of a joke or dwell on his feats or failure. creatures and leave birds entangled in a net”.
published in 1831 One such story was recorded in the village of In another story about the birds’ nest, there is a
Luqa during the Second World War by Cassar description of how the parent birds feed their young
Pullicino. The story goes that a man called Luqa while in another short passage, also about nests,
nicknamed ta’ Çinelli slept with a plover call in the message is against stealing the young birds.
his mouth and started calling while breathing. In most instances, short stories in books meant
When he woke up he heard the sound of wind, for children intend to convey a message, and
but it was a flock of plovers. He tossed around some of these involve birds. In a didactic short
and woke up and heard a plover calling beneath story, about a warbler and a giant, the little bird is
him and found a few more dead ones and singing merrily on top of a tree while the giant is
another one injured. He tossed himself again, angry and hungry. The dialogue between the two
and killed another three plovers. Then he could contains messages about the need to be happy
not sleep anymore, woke up and went to work in with small things and not to waste or consume
the field. On another occasion, the same person everything at one go (Naudi 1831).
had four streamers. He tied a lark whistle to each Other fables involving birds are found in a book
and started turning them round. Skylarks started published at the turn of the 1800 (Vassallo 1895). In
coming towards him and when he went back the first tale, a lawyer who is fed up with sparrows
to his hut, he found a large quantity of dead chirping in his fig tree, shoos them away. But the
larks, filled seven sack fulls and returned home sparrows remind him of all the patience that the
(Cassar Pullicino 1967). Judge has when listening to all his arguments. In
MAN AND BIRDS 37
another story, a Jackdaw, was hiding a stingy old which was reprinted many times right up to 1970.
man’s money and, when the miser discovers this The stories try to teach the reader that things could
the Jackdaw is able to teach the miser that it is always be worse and that one should always obey
better to use his money well instead of hoarding it. one’s parents. The use of birds in the stories and
Although there may be earlier examples, it is not the metaphors employed show that hunting and
until the 1970s that the foundations of a literature trapping were acceptable norms of daily life. The
that disapproves of hunting are laid. From this time text books with these stories, called Ìabra ta’ Ward,
on, one sees a gradual increase in a number of were used in the classrooms of all government A story with a moral to obey
authors who lament the way birds are treated and primary schools. In the first story, called Nixtieq one’s parents dwelt on a
often compare hunters and trappers to animals, (I wish), there are two anonymous voices: one Linnet a father bought his
son and which escaped after
who are not just unfriendly but are a nuisance as expressing the wish to become a lark, singing
the boy, full of curiosity,
well! In other cases irony is used to portray the merrily, while the other voice argues that he already disobeyed and opened the
writer’s feeling while in some writings hunters are had what he wanted. But the first voice insists: he is handkerchief in which it was
ridiculed for shooting the wrong prey. In works bored and would rather be a “thoughtless lark flying wrapped
prior to the 1970s, one finds examples of sensitivity about”. Then there is a loud “Bang” and the lark falls
towards birds, as well as simple hunting-related dead to the ground - shot by a hunter. In another
references. For instance in a novel written by Juann story called Ìi©i u l-Ìojjin (Ìi©i and the Linnet),
Mamo in 1930, a man says if he becomes rich he’ll one reads about this boy Gigi, a boy who always
buy a muzzle loader and spend his time hunting did what he felt like doing. He had been asking his
ducks, just like an affluent dentist did. There is father for a Linnet. His father went and bought him
also a mention of “fried thrushes” (Mamo 1984). one from the market and to teach him a lesson,
But such references do not really shed any new wrapped it in a handkerchief and left it on the table,
light on the actual situation because even as early with clear instructions to his son not to touch the
as 1870, the ornithologist Charles A. Wright had package and doesn’t tell him what it is inside.
already noted that all kinds of birds were caught He then goes to buy a cage, and while he is
to be eaten. Mamo’s novel is about the Maltese out, the boy reaches out to see what’s in the
who at the turn of the century migrated to America handkerchief and the Linnet escapes. Images of hunters and
where they thought they would become wealthy For children brought up with such stories, there stories about trapped birds
overnight. Mamo uses the fluttering decoys used was no inconsistency with what they saw at home in school books from 1934
to 1970 made such activities
by trappers as a metaphor for the way people were and around them and what they learnt at school. acceptable to children and
being treated by the politicians, like puppets on a In those times, hunting, trapping and keeping reinforced what they often
string. Other references in literature simply record birds in cages, though not as widespread as they saw at home
daily events without making any statements either
for or against such activities. In a story written by
Dun Xand Cortis in 1907, who like Magri, wrote
down the tales he heard, there is a reference to the
early Sunday morning mass, which used to be held
for hunters before they set off to hunt (Mifsud 1991).
But in the works of a few writers, one can start
detecting a streak of sentiment towards birds. In
a short article about the trappers, Sir Temi Zammit
compares trappers to spiders by giving vivid
descriptions of how spiders trapped other forms
of life. He gave a narrative account of what the
bird trapper did, how birds were attracted to the
nets, and how the happy trapper placed finches in
cages while larks, pipits and warblers were killed
and thrown in a sack. The author laments the way
birds were caged for life or thrown lifeless into the
sack (Zammit 1931).
Two short stories featuring birds are found in
a textbook that was first published in 1934, and
are today, were still very acceptable norms of shooter “to destroy the magic of songs from the
everyday life. The situation has now changed and fields”.
references to hunting and trapping to-day are no In one of his short stories in the book Fil-Gzira
longer positive. taparsi jikbru l-fjuri, (In the Island where flowers
In Leli ta’ ÓaΩ-Ûg˙ir, written in 1938, Ìuzè Ellul pretend to grow) Friggieri mocks the Church for
Mercer, mentions rabbit hunting and describes how its lack of commitment towards bird protection. In
hunters used to go to hunt rabbits on moonlight the story, Saint Francis of Assisi went to the rescue
nights bis-sokta. The section ends by hunters killing of a wounded Quail, and while in Malta, he went
a dog when they mistook it for a rabbit (Ellul Mercer to speak to the bishop to ask him to intervene on
1990). Ellul Mercer himself, who was known to be behalf of the birds. The sacristan who opened the
fond of hunting (Cassar Pullicino 1985), seems to door did not recognise Saint Francis and would
have had an ambivalent stand about it. In an article not let him in without an appointment, but went to
with an ironical bent entitled ‘Malta Genna tal-art’ tell the bishop of the man who wanted to see him.
(Malta, heaven on earth), the author writes “amidst The bishop was at first worried that Saint Francis
all this peace and this magic life, amongst this might go back and report him in Heaven, but soon
Several authors lamented
that Malta does not have a tranquillity, nature lives happily in silence. ...Game agreed with the sacristan that “the words of Saint
very good reputation in the (birds) live and nest unmolested by hunters...” (Ellul Francis do not count and God never speaks, only
world of birds Mercer 1930). Writing about autumn, he noted the bishop does”.
that the season is the time “when creation moves. Ironically, the bishop had Quail for dinner that
Animals move. Birds move. And the Quail and the night (Friggieri 1991b). In another short story in the
sweet finches visit us from distant lands, and half same book, Friggieri wrote about a bird, lamenting
way on their long voyage, they rest on this tiny that, in spite of never harming anyone, it had many
island, and those amongst them which avoid the enemies ready to kill it. The bird is shot, and falls
trappers’ nets and the hunters’ barrels, continue into a convent’s courtyard where it sees a crucifix.
their flight to distant lands” (Ellul Mercer 1927). In the conversation which ensues, Christ promises
More recent works contain clear statements in the bird a place in heaven, where there is no
favour of birds and against hunting. In an article hatred and where there are no hunters killing birds
about the birds of Malta forming part of a four (Friggieri 1991b).
volume series of a historical biography entitled Most contemporary works which deal with
Rajt Malta Tinbidel (I saw Malta changing), hunting have focused on particular aspects and
Ganado states that the islands do not only suffer exposed the hunters’ traits. A short story called
from a lack of trees, but hunters and trappers and il-kaççatur (the hunter), mimics all that hunters
their children “cannot stand seeing a bird without say and do. The novel, written by Mikallef, shows
shooting or trying to catch it”. The author questions how birds tend to boost or deflate shooters’ ego
whether this is the correct way to treat birds and (Mikallef and Kassar 1982). A novel by Buhagiar
states that “in the world of birds, Malta does not refers to an old man who in his younger days
have a very good reputation” (Ganado 1977). used to hunt, and depicts him as a proud man in
In a write-up about trappers found in a series of the village square but, at home, he is completely
childhood recollections Spiteri (1993) describes dominated by his wife, giving the allusion that by
how bird trapping took place and how some men hunting he was getting his own back (Buhagiar
(including two of his uncles) became obsessed 1980). In a guidebook about Malta, which, as the
during the migration period. The author says that author puts it is “a breezy account of laid-back
God created birds with wings, but trappers devised people”, the author ridicules shooters as primitive
the cage and that the songs of caged finches are hunter-gatherers. The satiric account covers most
not songs of joy and love, but cries of those who topics from hunters clad in army clothes fighting
have lost hope. The author also notes that on over prey to trappers netting birds and selling them
Sundays, hunters passed by with glittering guns, on the market (Abela 1988). Two short stories by
cartridge belt and hunting bag. The author says the late Paul Xuereb, who at one time was acting
that he did not know why, but these men appeared President of Malta, speak against Robin trapping
to walk more upright when they were dressed for while another speaks about an irresponsible hunter
hunting — they felt manlier. He ended by saying who shoots at anything that flies. The latter ended
that he did not want to become a trapper, nor a up killing a farmer who requested compensation
MAN AND BIRDS 39
for killing his pigeons (Xuereb 1989). The hunters’ environmental protection, go hand in hand and
eagerness to shoot is reflected in novel by whether animals should be killed for fun.
Buhagiar (1979) where one of the characters is In a recent Carroll-like adventure storybook, Zahra
out hunting and saw a movement in a field. He (1994) wrote a lengthy piece dealing with hunting
thought it could be a rabbit, but was not sure. Still and trapping. In the adventure, children find them-
he pointed his gun and shot, but there was nothing selves on an “isolated rock”, a reference to Filfla
except a mound of soil. off the south west coast. Filfla is renowned for the
The idea that hunting shatters the tranquillity number of seabirds which breed there. In the story,
of the countryside is expressed in short stories a solitary Jackdaw speaks to the children and tells
by both Zahra and Lino Spiteri. In the story by them that the “savage race of those who destroy
Zahra, two families who went for a family outing the countryside” had destroyed all her ancestors.
were frightened by the sudden sound of gunfire. The children are invited to participate in a pastime
The hunters are described as “holding the guns in “but not one of those with firearms as those are
their arms as if holding a baby, caressing it...they left for savages”. The children are invited to play
proudly pass through the streets as if they were Óa©a mo˙©a©a, in which one recites a rhyme with
rendering some special service to society” (Zahra a number of clues and the other has to guess what
1981). The story by Spiteri (1982) underlines the the item is. The rhyme is about a “fish which is not a
peace one finds in the countryside, the beauty in fish, which spits fire, in whose belly there are a thou-
which one seeks to escape when under stress. In sand graves and has a heart of steel”. The children
one of his forays, the author sees a pair of pigeons guess the obvious reference to Malta. The island of
courting each other. For a moment he wishes he Malta is in the shape of a fish, the hunters’ guns spit
was one of them, without the troubles of life. He fire, the graves symbolise the birds killed and the
refrains from looking at them, “to leave them in heart of steel implies a heart without feelings for the
peace”. He takes a fleeting look again before he birds. The story speaks about the “thousands of li-
walks off to face the troubled world again, and censed killers who pay a fee to kill birds and who
the sound of a gun and flapping wings made him call themselves conservationists” and about trap-
look back, only to see one of the pigeons flying up pers. The children are taken to see the “temple of re-
scared and the other with a blood stained head membrance”, a cave full of pillows, on each of which
and beating its legs and wings in agony (Spiteri there is embroidered a bird. The children could see
1982). a Swallow, a Lapwing, and a Honey Buzzard. Birds
The conflict which frequently occurs when of prey, Turtle Doves and Quail were the common- Robins and Robin trapping
hunters and non-hunters meet in the countryside est. They are told that each pillow is filled with a feature rather frequently in
is dwelt upon in a story meant to be used as a feather from every bird killed in Malta (Zahra 1994). Maltese literature
topic for discussion in a teachers’ journal. Cauchi
(1993) describes the following scene in a story
called Kuççarda (Honey Buzzard), the author
describes a family in the countryside. A Honey
Buzzard they see is shot and both the father and
son run towards the fallen bird, which dies in their
hands. A hunter appears on the scene and thanks
them for retrieving the bird, but the son argues that
he had no right to shoot it. The hunter argues that
“even cows and pigs have a right to live, but we kill
them just the same”. The father defends his son,
saying there is a difference between killing to eat
and hunting for fun. Another hunter appears on the
scene, and an argument ensues between the two
hunters over the bird. While the hunters continue to
argue, the man leaves the dead bird on the ground
and a hungry dog snatches it away. The story is
accompanied by a number of questions aimed to
provoke discussion about whether hunting and
Robins are a popular subject both in poetry and played in everyday life. In the poem Log˙ob
in short stories. In one such story, published in a (Games), written in September 1944, Buttigieg
school textbook, two children go Robin trapping speaks of “a game between pointers and flocks of
and a Robin they caught died after four days. Quail, whistling (by hunters to their dogs), running
The child vowed not to trap any more robins and around, barking and shooting” (Buttigieg 1978).
enticed his friend to break his robin trap by giving Buttigieg wrote several poems inspired by birds
him a brand new cage for a Canary — which is an and nature. L-Ag˙safar tal-Bejt, the sparrows,
aviary bred bird (Bugeja 1988). written in 1939, speaks of the beneficial effects of
sparrows eating insects. In G˙anja lil bufula, a song
in praise of the warbler, written in 1941 Buttigieg
Birds in poetry asks the warbler why it has been endowed with
happiness while he has been saddened and
Some of the earlier poems are a testimony to the burdened with the difficulties of life. Some poems
prevailing mentality, looking at birds in cages as show that the author was not familiar with the
part of everyday life. In il-Kalandra w l-Apparell, the birds he was writing about. In L-Ajkla, the eagle,
Calandra Lark and the Serin, the poet describes a written in 1945, the eagle is described as black,
singing contest between a caged Calandra Lark, with ten claws (when eagles have only eight), and
which tries to show off his versatility and a Serin returns to the nest with two pigeons in its beak,
which outdoes it. The lark dies of a heart failure! very unlikely prey for an eagle. In another poem
Some early poets expressed the wish to be like about the owl, Il-Kokka, written in 1944, it too is
a bird, adorned with beautiful feathers, free and described as black.
hopping on a tree, pecking fruit, and singing The owl is described as ugly in another poem
praise to Malta (Belli 1925). In the work of GuΩepp Kruha ma kruha, ©miel ma ©miel, (ugliness with
Cassar, a self-professed hunter from Gozo, there is ugliness, beauty with beauty), written in 1948.
a poem about the passion for hunting, and another Buttigieg says nature chose the “ugly black owl
about the Robin. In the poem about hunting, he with black eyes” to destroy the mice in the stores
describes waking up in the morning, taking along and fields while it chose the Skylark to destroy
his muzzleloader, powder, shot, bird call and the harmful insects. This poem too betrays lack
Malta’s poet of nature depicted game bag and his two dogs. Cassar specifically of knowledge about birds because if anything, it
the owl is depicted as black, mentions Woodcock, Golden Plover, Nightjars, would be the Barn Owl, which is white, that would
ugly and with black eyes
pigeons and Turtle Doves and Starling. He says be feeding on barn mice. In the same poem, the
he sometimes shot at swarms of bees, mistaking Skylark is described as leaving its nest in a tree,
them for Starlings, as well as pigeons, mistaking though Skylarks only nest on the ground. In another
them for Nightjars or Turtle Doves. He ends by of his early poems written in 1947, Anton Buttigieg,
complaining that in spite of his zeal for hunting, wrote about the harrier and stresses the harsh,
he does not take home the equivalent of what the cruel qualities birds of prey possess, but eulogises
hunting licence costs him (Cassar 1927). The poem the benefit such birds do. He states that farmers
about the Robin shows the prevailing attitude of should not mind it if, occasionally the birds take a
that time, that birds in cages need nothing else as pigeon, as “they too can have a small share from all
they have shelter, food and water (Cassar 1938). the wealth” (Buttigieg 1978). Here again one has to
It is extraordinary to see that these arguments are observe that harriers do not take pigeons.
still used by trappers to-day. What is interesting In his later works, Buttigieg associates hunting
in the poem is that the author invites the Robin to with death and draws parallels between the death
put aside what Renzo, one of the characters in of his wife and shooting. He does the comparisons
Alessandro Manzoni’s I Promessi Sposi, said that in at least two poems: once speaking about the
‘better a bird in the wild than a bird in the cage’, killing of a female thrush while a pair of thrushes
and invites the Robin to enter the cage where he was flying together (Buttigieg 1988). In another
will no longer feel the cold. poem, Buttigieg describes the practice of how
In earlier works, such as those by Anton boys used to trap nesting sparrows with cup
Buttigieg, who later became President of the shaped nests attached to long poles, with which
Republic, there are frequent references to birds they blocked the exit and made noises to scare
and hunting, which shows how large a part this the birds into the nets. In the poem, the male and
MAN AND BIRDS 41
three young escape but the female gets caught

and he compares the loss of the female sparrow to
the loss of his wife (Azzopardi and Friggieri 1995).
In poetry, the roots of such change in favour of
birds go back to the early 1960s. In a poem written
in 1963, Philip Sciberras writes about birds being
shot “by the intelligent enemy” (Sciberras 1984).
Concern for the killing of birds is found in a
number of poems and verses published in the
literary pages of daily newspapers. In a four-
stanza poem about the Jackdaw, Cassar (1978)
outlines the fate of a bird which was once
common in Malta, but is now extinct from the
islands. The underlying message of a nine-stanza
poem about ‘Tony the hunter’ is that hunters do
not need to kill birds to survive (Briffa 1983). In
a poem about Turtle Doves, Baldacchino (1973)
highlights the stress of migration and describes
the decimation of the flocks of birds. The author
urges the surviving birds to fly away and tell the
other birds to take the longer route across the shearwaters), the poet speaks about a breeding Trapping and caged birds are
spoken against in Maltese
sea and so avoid crossing an island bristling bird that ends up as ‘a certificate of marksmanship’
poetry and authors speak in
with guns. The noise of gunfire shattering the (Psaila 1993). The national bird of Malta, the Blue favour of birds flying free
tranquillity of nature is expressed in a poem by Rock Thrush, is the subject of a number of poems.
Cauchi (1983), who describes the beauty of early In a poem entitled Bejta fis-sur, (a nest in the
morning: “a magical orchestra of lights, sounds, bastions), written in 1931, Buttigieg compares two
tranquillity. But the sound of gunfire sounds like lovers to Blue Rock Thrushes, but the wind blew
a swearword in a silent temple” (Cauchi 1983). their nest away. Later poems featuring this bird
In more recent poems, Azzopardi comments invariably speak against the “destruction” of this
about the sky reddening with bird’s blood and thrush (Farrugia 1973).
shattered hopes of spring. In another poem an Trapping and birds in cages feature in both
artist strives repeatedly to paint a bird flying over poems and prose. Valletta describes trapping
a stream but never succeeds because his brush (Valletta 1983) Several other authors mention
always breaks on the birds’ wings (Friggieri and trappers in their works (Buttigieg 1969, Spiteri
Azzopardi 1994). 1973, Cutajar 1988a, 1988b, Friggieri 1992,
Sparrows inspired several other poets. George Chircop 1994, Magro 1995).
Zammit wrote about a sparrow’s nest behind a Some authors refer to “birds deprived of freedom,
statue in a roadside niche. In G˙asfur tal-bejt Wistin in tiny cages were they can hardly stretch their
Attard speaks about a female sparrow which was wings” (Chircop 1974) and “birds enslaved in
building its nest and drowned in a water tank from tiny cages” (Valletta 1983). Magro (1995) takes a
which it was trying to drink. Paul Borg was inspired different twist and invites trappers to fly with the
by the death of a bird in the nest, which had failed birds and savour freedom. Buttigieg also dwelt
to fledge (Borg 1993). on birds in cages and argues that trappers “take
Several other poets have shown sensitivity to away the fresh air of the sky, of the fields, of the
birds dying as a result of hunting. In Talba t’g˙asfur valleys and the happy freedom of flying wings”
(A bird’s prayer) one finds a bird asking a hunter each time they put a bird in a cage. He states that
why he wants to kill him (Cauchi 1982). Friggieri all the birds are left with is their song, which the
wrote a protest in the name of a Honey Buzzard birds sing in desolation (Buttigieg 1969). The last
(Protesta f’isem Kuççarda) in which he laments paragraph of this poem is a parallel to the Italian
that the bird’s fate was doomed, as politicians and proverb which states l’uccello in gabbia, se non
the Church were doing nothing to save it (Friggieri canta per amore, canta per rabbia: meaning ‘if the
1991). In a poem Liç-Çief ibbalzmat (For stuffed caged bird does not sing out of love, it sings out of
despair’. In a poem It-Tellerita (the Stone Curlew), welcome), speaks of a stork admiring the beauty of
Friggieri states that the bird calls incessantly in the Malta when it is suddenly shot down. The second,
barber’s shop and constantly hits its head against Kaççatur, is a parody of the way hunters boast and
the cloth of the roof of the cage. The author notes speaks of a hunter who shot a lark and kept saying
that the bird has ample food and water and asks he shot something bigger until he was boasting of
“if the bird lacks nothing, why is it hitting the roof shooting a heron.
of the cage?” (Friggieri, J. 1992). The poem is a The third, Kaççatur attent speaks about a hunter
reaction to trappers’ arguments that birds in cages who is craning his neck all the time in search of
are well-off since they have food and water for free birds and ends up with a stiff neck, whilst the last
but the trappers have to work to earn a living. In G˙asfur, a bird, speaks of a man who liked to
the poem, the author is probably referring to the whistle and wish he could fly like a bird, and when
Quail but probably mistakes the name as one who he flew, he was shot and ended up in hospital.
rambles on is called Tellerita (Stone Curlew) but The author says all the limericks were inspired by
from the description of the cage in which the bird observations he made, what he heard or thoughts
is kept is more likely to be a Quail. that came to his mind. All of them in fact reflect
As mentioned earlier, Robins are the subject of well known situations. Massa uses satire as well
a number of poems in which the authors bemoan to highlight hunters’ actions when in a poem
the fate of Robins and question the motive behind called Id-difiza tal-ambjent (the defence of the
the trapping of such birds. In a poem written in environment), he writes that hunters, descendants
1937, Valletta states that “merciless children” trap of the heroes who fought off the Turks in the Great
them and advises Robins to keep away from Malta Siege in 1565, now lengthen the barrels of their
(Valletta 1983). Other poems speak of “enslaved guns and from rubber dinghies, defend Malta from
Robins” and question why “cruel hearts” deny the ducks (Massa 1989).
The shooting of Swans birds their freedom. Some beg Robins to seek an In one of the strongest and most eloquent hunting
provoked several authors to alternative migration route (Mifsud 1974, Grech related protest poems written so far, Friggieri takes
lament about their killing 1988, Attard 1992, Caruana 1995). In a “diary of up the cudgels in the name of a Honey Buzzard.
a Robin”, Zahra (1990) gives a week’s diary of a He says that the buzzard was born with its luck
robin in Malta and trapping crops up. The inside hinged to a gun. “No one wants you to live, except
cover of the booklet also contains a Robin song a few weak spirits like yourself. God, who created
which may be sung to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’ you, was also killed, so you too must die. Those
and has messages against Robin trapping. Similar who defend you are bound to lose votes, and the
thoughts are also found in a poem by Theuma pulpit does not defend you either. Once there are
(1993), which also has a number of details which no priests and no politicians supporting you, why
show that the author is well aware of the trapping do you keep pro-creating?” the poet asks (Friggieri
methods employed to take Robins in Gozo — 1991a).
where Robins are often caught in nets at night Although most poets write on different themes,
or by placing a mirror in a trap, instead of a live events sometimes prompt a number of them to
Robin as a decoy. The seven stanza poem also write about particular subjects. A case in point
speaks of the widespread killing of other birds and was the shooting of swans in late 1993, about
in a soliloquy asks the Robin: “why did you return which a number of poets expressed themselves.
to Gozo, don’t you know that there is a war going Spiteri (1994), Micallef (1994) and Mercieca
on?”. He informs the Robin that the Kestrel and (1994) wrote short poems paying tribute to the
the Barn Owl, as well as other birds are killed for swans. Friggieri (1994) was the first to spark
“sports and fun”, that birds are shot to be kept as off the writers with a piece of prose entitled ‘a
trophies. The author concludes by making a plea prayer for the swan’. In the prayer, the author
to let the heart-broken bird “fly with the wind”. discusses the motives behind the creation of the
A number of limericks ridicule hunting and swan and draws conclusions about what should
A poem states that in the hunters. Some use double meaning to drive the be peaceful co-existence between man and
past the Maltese fought the point home (Azzopardi, J. 1992, Cutajar 1993, animals. Friggieri ends his piece by asking God
Turks in the Great Siege of
Lanfranco 1995). Out of 200 limericks in a recent to forgive us, “as we know what we are doing”.
1565 and now hunters from
boats are defending Malta book by Lanfranco (2008), four feature birds Borg (1994) wrote a poem in the form of an
from birds and hunters. The first, Mer˙ba Maltija (A Maltese account of a group of Swans migrating and one
MAN AND BIRDS 43
With the exception of

Starlings, swarms of
migrating birds are a thing of
the past, and are only present
in hunters’ minds and
imagination and in the tales
they recount
of them is shot, senselessly and meaninglessly. satisfied hunter meets a Monsignor, who praises
Borg’s poem shows the irony of what happens in him for “giving birds a tough time”.
a “church ridden country” where people do not “God is with him as he filled his game bag”.
yet know how to appreciate nature. Azzopardi concludes by saying that guns were
The largest number of poems with anti-hunting blessed during mass and at the offertory a magnum
sentiments in a single anthology is found in Mario cartridge and the head of a Quail were presented
Azzopardi’s collection of poems written between (Azzopardi 1995).
1984 and 1994 (Azzopardi 1995). Azzopardi, a Other works dealing with birds are found in an
poet with a social conscience, is influenced by anthology with a collection of poems and novels
the concepts of Pope, Bentham and the great published by the Environment Ministry (Azzopardi
chain of being, where if one removes a single link, and Friggieri 1995). Some poems written at around
the whole chain disintegrates. The poet not only the 1930s speak of birds flying free, without facing
describes the birds’ pain and anguish, but also the problems and hardship people faced. In birds,
raps the Church for keeping mum about the issue. poets saw the beauty of nature and the hand of
In a poem called ‘Fatal Flight’, Azzopardi says God, the Creator. There are several examples of
that shooting “takes the virginity out of spring” this, either in poems which at first glance seems
(Azzopardi 1995). In another poem, the author to be about birds, but in fact, deal with something
gives graphic, metaphoric descriptions of fear and completely different (Vella 1932a, 1932b), or in
pain: a sparrow caught in a vertical net dies slowly, other poems about the poet’s own life or state of
“crucified”. To further evoke the sentiments, the mind, such as Dun Karm Psaila’s Non Omnis Moriar
author describes the “humble sparrow, which does (Not all of me will die), written in 1927 or Il-Jien u
not ask for much except a simple nest behind a Lil Hinn Minnhu (The I and Beyond Self), written in
drain pipe” (Azzopardi 1995). The poem Offertorju 1938, where birds, and other elements of nature,
criticises the ecclesiastical apathy and stresses are a central part of the tranquil landscape and the
the Church’s responsibility in taking part in the idyllic way of life that people long for. Birds help
destruction of birds. First it describes a hunter, with poets understand the whys and wherefores of life
all his macho ways: “swearing and blasting birds and make them realise there is something much
out of the sky”. Returning from the hunt, the now larger than life: God. Dun Karm, frequently talks
about the song birds and specifically mentions the Curlew, an eagle (he says a small prayer as he sees
Short-toed Lark, Nightingale and Linnet in some the bird approaching), a duck (which drowned in its
of his poems. In a letter to ÌuΩè Aquilina in 1935, own blood when he shot it), and an owl. The author
Dun Karm wrote a rather lengthy piece describing ends that this was not reality, but only a hunter’s
a pet sparrow he had hand reared, a common dream (Anon 1996). Apart from this poem, there
practice in his time and after. He describes how are no recent poems exalting hunting or trapping.
tame this was, flying and settling on his hand and Although Maltese literature is young compared to
shoulders, nibbling his hair, staying at the table as literature in other countries, Maltese writers were
he ate, and eating whatever he gave him: a sliver not slow in catching up with the consciousness
of meat, a thin piece of pasta or a crumb of bread, resulting from environmental awareness.
but which ended up escaping, never to be seen It is not only established poets and writers who
again (Cassar Pullicino 1985). express anti-hunting sentiments. Contemporary
The Short-toed Lark inspired several poets poems written by school children also show
such as George Zammit, who in 1959 wrote strong, overt anti-hunting messages, even if some
about the bird “drunk with happiness in song” of the writings are naive. A number of poems
(Zammit 1980) while Montebello wrote about its published in the annual magazine of the Zebbug
nest (Montebello 1996). In his poem L-g˙anja Primary schools pity the birds killed “on the way
tal-bera˙ (The song of wilderness) Pawl Aquilina to Europe” and plead on behalf of birds kept in
compares himself to the Skylark and the Turtle cages (Ûebbu© Primary School Council 1995).
Dove. In other poems, such as Notturn maç-Çief A poem by a twelve-year-old published in the
(a night with shearwaters), one finds a profound children’s comic starts off in a romantic mood
interaction with nature. In a poem about migration saying “birds are sweet, with their “tweet, tweet,
(il-passa) Achille Mizzi asks what clock is it that tweet”, turns to reality “but ‘Bang, bang, bang’
can make birds fly in search of the rest they dream you hear all day”, and ends with a cautionary
The best piece of prose about of but can never find. Of contemporary poets, tone that “if we are not careful, there will soon be
a bird by Malta’s National
Achille Mizzi, who hails from a family where his no more birds; so leave them free to fly” (Calleja
poet Dun Karm Psaila is
about a pet sparrow he had father and relatives were hunters and trappers, 1995).
shows he has ample knowledge about the birds
and bird-related issues he mentions in his poems.
In G˙asfur ibbalzmat (The stuffed bird), he shows Birds in rhyme and song
he knew how taxidermy was practiced, and
speaks against it. Birds also feature in a number of rhymes, some
Il-Kan©u, a poem about the Storm Petrel, of which also feature hunting. Rhymes, or one-
RoΩinjol (the Nightingale), as well as other poems stanza poems, were often sung by women while
where birds are not the central theme, show that doing housework, by men in village bars or by
the poet’s knew very well what he was writing children. Some of the rhymes are very localised
about (Cortis 1993, Mizzi 2007, Cortis 2009). and are fast being forgotten. Some of such
Some poems have subtle messages in favour of rhymes hardly make any sense and the mention
birds. In a poem about St Francis and the Turtle of birds, hunters and hunting could be simply
Doves, Guzè Delia says St Francis urged a boy incidental and was inserted only as the words at
to release caged doves. Other poems in this the end of the verses had to rhyme. The following
anthology contain overt anti-hunting messages. In are rhymes from G˙asri, Gozo, compiled by
a limerick called Kaçça (hunting), Joe Azzopardi Attard (1993).
says that hunters do not give a damn about what U sparajt g˙al tajra fl-ajru
the birds think. u lqattha fl-istonku tag˙ha
One cannot but observe that in spite of the large u ara marret qalet ’l ommha
number of hunters in Malta, the only two poems li jien kont il-ka©un tag˙ha
exalting hunting are those written in 1927 discussed
earlier and another anonymous one written in U fejnek tal-libsa Sewda
1996. In the latter, the author boasts of shooting, jiena ˙sibtek xi wirdiena
in a single outing, a Kestrel (which fluttered like u ma ni˙dokx g˙all-kaçça mieg˙i
a butterfly), a Woodcock, three Quails, a Stone g˙ax tikolli xi summiena
MAN AND BIRDS 45
I shot at a flying bird

and I hit it in its stomach
it went and told her mother
that I caused its death.
Where are you, the one in black

I mistook you for a cockroach
I will not take you hunting
as I fear you may eat my Quails
Another rhyme is similar to the proverb which A detail from a folkloristic
painting by Sonny Xuereb
says that poor is the bird hatching in the wrong nest: showing a woman giving her
husband their child so that
Dik it-tajra serpentine he could take care of it on his
li trabbiet ©o post ˙aΩin return from hunting
‘k ma joqtluhiex il-kaççaturi But this too showed that the commitment towards
Ω©ur joqtluha l-˙allelin bird hunting was very strong.
Rhymes were also recited by children. A particular
That snake-like (bad) bird one in which children sung while holding hands and
reared in a bad place going round in circles to the tune of “A ring a ring o’
if it is not killed by hunters roses” mentions shooters, but is otherwise unrelated
it will be killed by thieves to shooting. The rhyme, which was quite popular
with children up to the late 1960s goes: IΩ-ΩunΩana
Another rhyme shows the hunters’ urge to shoot,
ddur iddur, fuq il-bejt tal-kaççatur... meaning “The
a motive recurring in songs and literature.
wasp goes round and round, on the hunters’ roof...”.
Lanfranco suggests that the use of the word kaççatur
Dak fardalek ja ˙anina
(hunter) is simply used as it rhymes with the word
qieg˙ed jinxef fuq il-˙ajt
iddur (Guido Lanfranco pers. comm.). The mention
jien ˙sibtu ˙amiema bajda
of hunters simply because the word happens to
il-grillu rfajt u sparajt.
rhyme with a word at the end of another verse is
clear in the following rhyme where it is clear that
Your apron, my beloved
the word kaççatur (hunter) is there to rhyme with
is hanging on the wall
misjur (unripe).
I mistook it for a pigeon
cocked my gun, and shot it. Ajma Ωaqqi kemm tu©g˙ani
kilt il-g˙eneb mhux misjur
Two rhymes by Xuereb (1994) illustrate the iddendilt mal-kannizzata
shooters’ and trappers’ commitment to their qisni kelb tal-kaççatur
pastime: L-g˙arusa tistenna fuq ix-xwiek, u
l-g˙arus jaqbad l-g˙asafar bl-ixbiek, the girl waits I’ve got a tummy ache
impatiently at home, while her lover is trapping Through eating unripe grapes
birds). The other rhyme goes il-mara ˙aduha I hang to the vine trellis
l-isptar g˙ax g˙alqilha Ω-Ωmien, u r-ra©el mar fid- Like a hunter’s dog.
dura g˙all-gamiem (A woman was taken to hospital
to give birth while her husband went to hunt Turtle Cassar Pullicino (1983) states that such verses
Doves). Though seemingly unrelated, a detail from awaken the child’s sense of action and adventure.
one of Sonny Xuereb’s folklorlistic paintings, shows They may tell of some childish escapade.
a woman rushing to give the baby to her husband If more proof is needed of the way birds are
as he is returning from hunting. In this painting, intertwined in people’s lives, one can finally
Xuereb makes a statement about a scene which mention a tongue twister involving the Meadow
took place during the hunting season as men Pipit. Tongue twisters are phrases or sentences
spent a long time away from home to hunt, and which are hard to speak fast, usually because of
women got fed up minding the kids on their own. alliteration or sequences of nearly similar sounds.
There are only a handful of tongue twisters in Maltese songs in the lyrics, one hears about “the
Maltese, and it is significant that one of the most tired hunter and the sparrow sighing with relief”
popular ones is the one about the pipit calling a (Demicoli 1997). Another song written in the early
female pipit and the way she calls back, which 1980s by Cassar deals with a bird, which gets
in Maltese goes: il-pespus pespes pespisa lil trapped after a long flight. The bird recounts its
pespusa tal-pespus u l-pespusa tal-pespus g˙at- days of freedom and the hardships it goes through
tpespisa tal-pespus, pespset. in the cage (Cassar 1980?). Before he emigrated
Birds are also mentioned in a number of songs. at the age of 15, the singer was a trapper. While
Turtle Doves are mentioned in a song L-a˙˙ar abroad, he realised that it is “not right to trap
bidwi f’Wied il-G˙asel, a song about ‘the last birds” and wrote the song on his return to Malta
farmer of Wied il-G˙asel, written in the middle (Joe Cassar pers. comm.). The only song which
of the 1970s, which speaks of the movement of makes reference to Robin trapping is one called
people away from the countryside and into towns. il-Pitirross (the Robin) (Briffa 1984). The song, like
The sparrow was immortalised The singer notes that the land is no longer tilled, most poems dealing with Robins, describes the
in a very popular song by but is rented out for guns and dogs and hunters life of a “harmless Robin”, which is trapped and
David Azzopardi
during the Turtle Dove shooting season. The destined for a “cruel life behind bars”.
Cormorant is mentioned in a type of song locally But perhaps the best known song is the one
known as an g˙anja tal-fatt, a ‘song based on a about the sparrow, l-G˙asfur tal-Bejt, composed
fact’, released in 1993 which recounts the story by David Azzopardi, which speaks about the
of two brothers, aged 22 and 13 respectively, sparrow one sees around houses, and how this
who went hunting together on a stormy day on bird is also mentioned in the bible.
23rd November 1983, and died tragically. The The above-mentioned works, as well as an in
younger boy missed school to accompany his depth analysis of representation on birds and
brother, who had been married for only a month. hunters in art was carried out by Fenech (1997).
The elder shot a Cormorant, which fell in the sea. It is, however, worth noting, that references to
The younger one dived in to fetch it and found birds in literature is not increasing and is actually
himself in difficulty and his elder brother jumped waning. The peak was in the 1990s and coincided
in to save him, but both died. The song recounts with strong local campaigns for the protection of
the tragic event and advises shooters not to jump birds, which, for a number of reasons, have waned
in the sea to fetch a bird as “a bird comes and over the past few years. It is only over the past
goes” but one’s life does not (Spagnol 1993). three years or so that BirdLife in Malta has started
Though in some works, birds are hardly ever the campaigning vociferously again in favour of birds,
central theme, just like the trend in literature and but some saw this campaigning as coming at a
other forms of art, most songs written have clear time when the inevitable protection had to happen
messages in favour of conservation. Two songs because of Malta’s Eu membership.
by Micallef (1981, 1990), speak of the birds’ fate Although Maltese literature is young compared
at the hands of hunters. In the first song Lil dik il- to literature in other countries, Maltese writers were
povra krejatura, (For that poor creature) Micallef not slow in catching up with the consciousness
deals with a bird’s migration, which brings many resulting from environmental awareness. As one can
birds to the Maltese Islands, where “the innocent conclude from the works cited, most references to
are massacred each season”, where “hunters brag hunting and trapping in Maltese literature contain
about their catches”, and take to boats to shoot birds messages in favour of birds or strong doses of anti-
before they reach land. Micallef describes birds as hunting sentiments. Poems written by young children,
“offering no resistance” and of being “victims of although one can hardly describe them as pieces of
violence”; they are shot to be stuffed and placed in literature, are often even more overt. Even the older
showcases, along with other victims (Micallef 1981). works cited, such as rhymes, fables and tales do not
In the second song, the author is awakened by the glorify hunting, but simply mention or talk about it.
sound of a gun, and associates himself with a bird Specific mention of birds and hunting often
whose life that shot has taken at the very first light takes place in theatrical performances, notably
of day (Micallef 1990). In a song entitled Il-Maltin at the Christmas pantomimes, where jokes are
(the Maltese), written by Joe Demicoli in 1997, in cracked about many facets of Maltese life. The first
which the songwriter juxtaposed titles of known representation of birds in theatre was in a street
MAN AND BIRDS 47
theatre organised by Ûg˙aΩag˙ g˙all-Ambjent in and is now called DiΩΩu while Night Herons are
the late 1980s during a campaign Kampanja g˙all- called Kwakk, which are all the sounds of the birds’
Kampanja (a campaign for the countryside). In the calls. A classic recent example is the Maltese name
street theatre, people dressed up as birds pranced of the Zitting Cisticola, formerly known as Fan-tailed
to the tune of a rhyme about the Blue Rock Thrush, Warbler. The name given by ornithologists is Bag˙al
and were shot. In the Panto about Hercules at the ta’ l-Imrew˙a but country folk call it Ûippu, because
Manoel Theatre in 2006, the Dame in one of the of the call uttered while in flight. In Nadur, Gozo,
scenes was wearing the costume of a Swan and the Nightjar used to be called Pa˙˙u, because of its
danced to the tune of Swan Song, and inevitably habit of sitting still like a brooding hen.
ended up being shot. Some bird names start with the prefix Bu, which in
old Maltese meant ‘father of’. Warblers were generally
called Bufula, which literally, translated from old
Bird names and man Maltese means ‘the father of the bean’, because of
their small size, but one also finds Bumistur for the
A number of Maltese bird names are also indicative Wren, because it is very difficult to see it, so it was
that man paid a degree of attention to birds because literally called “father of the hidden”.
names were either coined after observing the birds, The Woodchat Shrike was called Bugiddiem,
or noting particular characteristics or hearing their ‘the father of those who bite’, because of the bird’s
song. Some birds have acoustic, predominantly habit of biting when caught. Harriers were called
onomatopoeic words as names, evidently given after Bug˙adam, ‘the father of bones’, as it was believed
the bird’s call. These include the Redwing, called they had more bones than other birds. The Storm
ÛerΩur, Stonechat, called Buçaqq, Buçaqçaq or Petrel was called Bunittien in Gozo, describing the
Ûinçaq, which really captures the sound of its call. bird from the foul smell of its nest. Divers are called
The wagtail is called Ûakak or Zizka the Meadow Bug˙addas, father of those who dive, because of
Pipit is called Pespus, the Tree Pipit was called TiΩΩ their diving habits.
The Maltese name for

Stonechat is derived from its
call: Buçaqq, Buçaqçaq, or
Ûinçaq
Table 2: Bird names in early Maltese dictionaries
Cassola Ms1187 De Soldanis Ciantar Current Current
late 1600s 1700s 1750 1772 Maltese English
Aluet Aluetta Alwetta (pl. Alwett) Skylark
Avoltoi Avultun Vulture
Beccacce Bekkacc Snipe
Beccaccine di rocca Begazzina tar-rokka Common Sandpiper
Beccafichi Bekkafik Garden Warbler
Beruini (pizzarde) Beruini Birwina (pl. Birwin) Dotterel
Biccazzine Begazzina small waders
Bies Bies Bies Peregrine falcon
Bilbole Bilbil Bilbole Bilbla Short-toed Lark
Blongos Blon©os Grebe
Boghdan Bughaddam Bug˙adam, Bag˙dan Harrier
Boroch Borok Ducks
Bukraik Bukraik Buqrajq Nightjar
Calandra Kalandra Calandra Lark
Cavalier Gallina tal-bahar Oystercatcher
Ceuceu Ceuceu Çewçewa Greenshank
Cerlewwa Çirlewwa Tern
Chagel Óagel Partridges
Chamiem Óamiem Pigeons
Chauief Óawwief Hirundines
Chert-innahal Qerd in-Na˙al Bee-eater
Ciaula Caula Çawla Jackdaw
Coche Kokka (pl. Kokk) Owl
Code bianche Kuda Bianca Black-eared Wheatear
Colluvirdi Kuluvert Mallard
Cucciarda Kuççarda Honey Buzzard
Cuclait Çuqlajt Wood Lark
Dacchuca-chala Daqquqa Ka˙la Cuckoo
Dacchut-tal-panneg Dakkuka Pipetoni (?) Daqquqa tat-toppu / tal-pennagg Hoopoe
Dorrais Durrajsa (Pl. Durrajs) Corn Bunting
Ecore Ecore Ekra Siskin
Ewrep G˙orab Raven
Fra servente Fra servjent Black-winged Stilt
Gallina-cieca Gallina Woodcock
Galloz Gallozz “Moorhen, Rail or Crake sp.”
Gamiena Gamiem G˙amiema Gamiema Turtle dove
Gardilli Gardell Goldfinch
G˙arnuch G˙arnuq Stork
Giambubo Ìianbublu Rock Thrush
Gioini Gioini Ìojjini Linnets
Grieuel Grieuel Griewel Ruffs
Grisa,-Farrucia Farru© Roller
Gurlini Gurlini Curlews
Óamiena Chamiem Óamiena Pigeon
Óida Hida Astun Kite
Óutafa Chuttaf Chottafa Óuttafa (pl. ˙uttaf) Swallow
Laparelli Laparelli Apparelli Serins
Malvizzi Malvizz Thrush
Malvizzoni Malvizzun Larger thrushes (eg Mistle Thrush )
Bughaddas Marguni Margun Cormorant
Merilla Merilla Merill (F = Merilla) Blue Rock Thrush
Om issubien Omm is-subien Short-eared Owl
Ortolani Ortulani Ortolan Bunting
Pettorros Pitirross Robin
Pitarre Pitarre Pitarri Bustards
Pluieri-di-mare Pluviera pastarda Grey Plover
Pluvieri Pluviera Pluvieri Golden Plover
Pluvirotti Pluvirotti Shanks
Psiepes Pespus Pespus (singular), Psiepes (plural) Meadow Pipits
Rusignol Rozinjol Nightingale
Russet Russett Heron
Seger Secher Seker Seqer Falcon
Soltan-issommien Sultan is-Summien Wryneck
Somiena Sommien Sommien Summien Quail
Spagnol Spanjulett Kestrel
Spirviel Sparvier Sparrowhawk
Sporviel (Milvo)
Spunsuni Sponsun Chaffinch
Storne Sturnell Starling
Taira-safra (sofor) Tajra Safra Golden Oriole
Tallarida Tillirit Tillarita Tellerita Stone Curlew
Tudoni Tudun Woodpigeon
uiss WiΩΩ Geese
Veneu Veneu Venew Lapwing
Virduni Virdun Greenfinch
Zachach Zakak Wagtail
Zin Çinju Swan
MAN AND BIRDS 49
Others were given names after observing them or to assume that the words existed long before these
their behaviour. The Greenfinch is called Verdun, were recorded by the first notaries on contracts.
derived from the Italian word verde, which means The generic name for a bird g˙asfur (plural
green, because of its colour. The Wheatear is called g˙asafar) is derived from Arabic. The word Hisafar
Kuda or Kuda Bjanka, meaning tail or white tail, was first recorded in 1456. The generic name for
because of its tail pattern; the Blackcap is called warblers was recorded as Bufule in 1495. It is now
Kapinera, which literally means black cap, the Mallard written Bufula in standard Maltese. The stork, now
is called Kuluvert, meaning green neck, while the called G˙arnuq, was called Garnuc in 1542. The
Crossbill used to be called Mqass, meaning scissors, falcon, Bes in 1499, is now written Bies. The Short-
because of the shape of its bill. The Yellow Wagtail toed Lark was virtually known by the same name
was called Kaççamosk, which literally means fly since 1512, when it was written as Bilbile. It is now
hunter, or Pappamosk, fly eater, because if its habit called Bilbla. The Jackdaw, now known as Çawla,
of eating flies. The Meadow Pipit is sometimes called was called Chaula in 1496. The Hoopoe, known as
Pespus tal-Ìar©ir because of its habit of feeding Daqquqa (plural Daqquq), was called Dacuc in
on the ground where White Wall Rocket (Diplotaxis 1481. The Roller was Farug in 1535. It is now called
erucoides) grows, known in Maltese as Ìar©ir. The Farru©. The Raven, called Gurab in 1457, is now
Wryneck is called Bulebbiet because of its habit called G˙orab. The Crane, now called Gruwa, was
of skulking. The Spotted Flycatcher is sometimes already so called in 1372, when it was written Grua.
vernacularly called Ta’ Ferg˙a Wa˙da, meaning The Blue Rock Thrush was called Merille in 1551.
‘of a single perch’, because of its habit of flying up That is the name for the female these days. The
for insects from a perch and returning to it whether male is called Merill, which was recorded as Meril in
it catches it or not. These anthropomorphic names a 1572 document. The partridge, now called Óagla,
show an affinity of man to birds as they were coined was called Hagile in 1496. The Swallow, called
after a degree of observation. Chitafe in 1436, is now called Óuttafa. The name of
The way some bird names originated is intriguing the Turtle dove has virtually remained unchanged The Swallow’s name in
and it is impossible to know why a particular since it was first recorded in 1574 Gamime, now Maltese is the same as it was
name was given unless its origin was recorded. Gamiema. The same can be said for the generic some 600 years ago while
the current Maltese name for
An interesting and in a way funny circumstance name for small falcons, Seqer, written as Sechir the Blue Rock Thrush has
led to the coining of the name Ûubbajbli for Tree in 1467, and Quail, written Summeni in 1517, now existed since at least 1551
Sparrows in Mellie˙a in the early 1950s. Trappers written Summien. The Redwing, called Ûarzur in
did not know about the existence of Tree Sparrows 1590, still retains its name these days ÛerΩur.
until Verdano Balbi, a trapper, caught some such The Snipe’s Arabic name Bakaashiin, looks
sparrows and other trappers decided to call them different from Beccacce or Biccazzin for Jack
Ûobb Balbi, meaning Balbi’s penis. But not to use Snipe, the earliest recorded names for these two
such an crude name, they later corrupted the word species from the 1700s, but a careful look shows
to Ûubbajbli (Carmelo Bartolo pers. comm.) the Arabic name is quite close because of the way
Maltese bird names are particularly interesting the Arabic name is pronounced. The Stone Curlew
because, like the Maltese language, they have was called Tallarida in the 1600s (Cassola 1992).
evolved through contact between languages. It is now called Tellerita. The same can be said for
Originally Arabic, the Maltese language evolved various other bird names that existed in the 1700.
following influence by Romance languages, hence Dotterel were called Beruini in the 1700s, now
one comes across names that retained their Arabic Birwin. Ruffs (Griewel) and Curlews (Gurlini), have
sounds and structure, others that are evidently retained their names, except for some changes in
derived from French or Italian as well as mixtures of spelling (MS 1187 1786, Ciantar 1772). Other birds
both. After analysing Maltese bird names and how such as finches have also basically retained the
these changed over the years, a clear observation same names that were in use over 300 years ago.
that has to be made is that the names of birds that On the other hand, other birds, such as small
were common or with which people were familiar, warblers like Chiffchaffs, are collectively called
remained virtually unchanged since they were first G˙asfur tal-Maltemp, meaning bird of bad Some bird names describe
recorded in written sources and are essentially weather, with Maltemp being derived from Italian, particular features. A typical
example is the name of the
Arabic in origin. Dates can be given for the first time while the first part of the name is Arabic. The Mallard Kuluvert, meaning
when they appeared in writing, but it stands to reason Skylark is called Alwetta, undoubtedly derived green neck
from the French Alouette. It is interesting to note Asaph, Thévet gives l’epervier, the Sparrowhawk.
that a Semitic word Qambra existed until the late This is derived from the Tunisian word for the
18th century. The word Qambra is recorded in one Sparrowhawk sef, which with the article added,
of the earliest dictionaries, where the word aluett is sounds very similar to asaph. The word Albas (le
also recorded (Vassalli 1796). The word Qambra faucon), undoubtedly refers to the falcon, derived
is also recorded in Falzon’s dictionaries of 1845 from the Arabic al-bâz, a collective name for small
and 1892, but he gives more importance to the raptors. The word Aroch (l’aigle) is derived from
word Alwetta. In the tri-lingual dictionary, Falzon the Arabic Al rochma, used for Egyptian Vulture.
says that Qambra means lark, but for the Italian The word eagle was used for both vulture and
words Allodola, Lodola and Panterana he gives the eagles in early Maltese ornithological works. The
In the late 1700s, birds of
Maltese word Alwetta, not Qambra. undoubtedly, last word, Balarg, for which Thévet said it was
prey were dubbed ‘birds
which frighten’ in Maltese French influence helped get the old word out of le vautour, the vulture, there could be confusion
usage and this is one of the very few birds which with the White Stork, known as bellarij in Tunisia or
did not retain its original name over time. belarej in Algeria.
A few bird names can be extracted from early Agius De Soldanis (1750) lists several bird
descriptions of Malta, some of which contain names, some of which are still in use. He however
some words in the Maltese in use at the time. For mentions Çikala as a bird name but it is not
instance André Thévet, a French knight, who wrote clear what bird he could have been referring
the renowned Cosmographie Universelle in 1575, to as it cannot be traced in later publications or
described Maltese as a Moorish language and gave dictionaries. He also gave another interesting and
a list of some place names and words, some of which suggestive name Kaccalepri, which he translates
were bird names. These were later reproduced into accipiter gallorum. This bird was likely to be
by the German scholar Hieronymus Megiser in his some kind of bird of prey, but while the Maltese
Thesaurus Polyglottus published in 1603, as well name suggests a bird that caught hares or
as in Propugnaculum Europae published in 1606. rabbits, the Latin one speaks of “a fowl catcher”.
Megiser had visited Malta between 1588 and 1589. Knowledge of certain birds was still shaky at that
Friggieri and Freller (1998), who studied Megiser’s time, and the female Marsh Harrier seems to have
work, gave English translations of the original word been confused with the Black Kite as according to
list. Further research into these names has revealed Agius de Soldanis, the female of the kite was the
more meaning for some of them. But Megiser, or female harrier.
whoever made his typescript, misspelt some of the In his dictionary of 1796, Vassalli too lists a
names as he copied them from Thévet. For instance number of birds and gives the expression or
while Thévet wrote Behri, Megiser wrote Beheri, for bird name Tajra byzziae (tajra beΩΩieg˙a), Avis
Thévet’s Sayak, Megiser wrote Sajak while for Albas, depredatrix, accipiter, uccello di rapina, a raptor.
Megiser wrote Allas. But Thévet too may have written In old Maltese tajra beΩΩieg˙a meant a bird which
incorrectly some of the Maltese names he heard as frightens. But apart from word lists, a considerable
evidently the language was not familiar to him. number of birds can be gleaned from place names.
Thévet mentioned Borin, Behri, Sayak, Asaph,
Albas, Aroch and Balarg. For Borin, Thévet gave
the French name Laniers, for Lanner. In Tunisia, Birds in place names
the Lanner Falcon is called borni bahri. In Tunisia,
the Peregrine is called Borni l’horr meaning free Before the advent of maps, with place names
falcon. In Hispanic Arabic however, borni is a term indicated on them, contracts listed both people’s
used for the male Marsh Harrier, but once Thévet and place names as well as nicknames, some of
gave the French name for the Lanner, one can which are also bird names. In these contracts, one
assume it was this falcon he was referring to. finds names of birds such as Crow in 1372, Crane
For Behri, Thévet gives the French word L’Autour. in 1372, 1540 and 1563, Swallow in 1436, the
In current Arabic, Beheri is the name of the generic name for birds in 1456, Hoopoe in 1481,
Peregrine Falcon. For Sayak, he states le tiercelet. the generic name for warbler in 1495, Jackdaw
Sayak is perhaps a misreading of the Arabic saqr. in 1496, Quail in 1517, Blue Rock Thrush in 1551
Like all falcons, the male was called tiercelet, as and Turtle Doves in 1574. Wettinger (2000) states
the male is one third smaller than the female. For that the name G˙ar Qawqla, in Marsalforn, Gozo,
MAN AND BIRDS 51
either originated from a person’s nickname or from Some place names were probably given after
the name of the male Partridge, called Qauqal in the nicknames of the farmers who tilled the land or
old Arabic. A table with such names and the dates the owners, who had birds’ names as nicknames.
where they were found is given in Table 3. However, historical evidence indicates that places
After written contracts, birds’ names started like Ta’ Óida and G˙ex il-Óita (or G˙ox il-Óida) are
featuring on maps, and this continues to reinforce probably called so because a species of kite used
the notion that birds played an important part in to breed there. Abela (1647), Agius De Soldanis
people’s lives. The maps shown on page 54 show (1746) and Wettinger (1976) mention a number of
the places with bird names plotted on the maps places called Osc el hida, Hosc el hida and G˙ux
according to where they feature on the Ordnance il-Óida respectively. At Manikata, there are caves
Survey sheets of Maltese Islands (1958). The map called G˙erien il-Óida. The names are of Arabic
of Gozo is after Zammit Ciantar (1979) who lists a origin and literally mean “the kite’s nest”. The words
number of place names with avian connections in G˙ex, Osc, and Hosc being derivatives of the noun
Gozo, many of which are no longer used. G˙oxx, meaning nest, and hita or hida meaning kite.
In Gozo one finds places named after the From his observations in Palestine, Tristram
Jackdaw, Raven, Osprey, Barn Owl, Peregrine, (1883) said that the kite in Hebrew was called
Dotterel, Spotted Redshank, Woodcock, Goldfinch, dayah while in Arabic it was called h’dayah, and
Crane, Kite, Calandra Lark, Storm Petrel, Night when used without the epithet Red, referred to the
Heron, Song Thrush, Cormorant, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Kite. He observed that in Palestine, “it lived
Little Ringed Plover and Lapwing. In Malta one close to camps and people and was careless in its
finds place names after the Stone Curlew, Short- selection of a spot for its nest, generally selecting a
toed Lark and Jackdaw. One also comes across tree, often in a glen, sometimes the roots of a shrub
generic names such as stork, ducks, sandgrouse, growing out of a cliff and frequently a mere ledge in
gulls, pigeons, owl, falcon, hawk, warbler and bird. the rocks.” So it was most probable that in Maltese,
Zammit Ciantar observes that a linguistic this referred to the Black Kite. Agius De Soldanis
analysis shows that these place names were all (1746) described G˙ox ta’ Hida as “a nest of a bird
established, or at least had taken shape before of prey”. But as he also said that the female of the
1800 when British rule commenced in Malta. kite was the female harrier, it could be that it was
A number of place names composed of words a species of harrier, probably the Marsh Harrier
of pure Arabic origin indicate that these place which was breeding, not a species of kite.
names were coined during Arab rule. He argues It could also be that a number of place names
that place names featuring the word nigret or were coined due to the presence of a particular
nigred (meaning blackish) were associated with bird. Several cliffs and headlands, which are
the Jackdaw (in Maltese Çawla). Zammit Ciantar suitable breeding habitat for Peregrine Falcons
argues that the name Çawla came into Maltese today, bear the bird’s name.
from Neapolitan and replaced the word nigret. In Vassalli’s dictionary, one finds occasional
He cites a document dated 1580 showing that a references to place names, some of which feature
stretch of land Gozo was called either Ta Ciaula birds. A place close to Fomm ir-Ri˙ is called Ta’
or Ta’ Nigret. G˙asfurija while a very interesting place name
A place name indicates that
Vassalli (1796) states that dark skinned women that no longer exists was found in Gozo and was the Black Kite bred in Malta,
were also called Çawla while Wettinger (2007) called Cief del Vellerano, the word Çief meaning but it could also have been
states that the word negredo was used for black shearwaters and Vellerano meaning Glossy Ibis. the Marsh Harrier that bred
slaves. Whether the word nigred was used both
for black slaves and crows is debatable. The fact
that Çawla was also used to describe dark skinned Birds in popular language
women, adds to the discussion. A number of
localities in the central part of Malta, and the north A number of families still have birds’ names as
and central parts of Gozo are called Taç-Çawla nicknames. One finds nicknames such as tal-
(the Jackdaw’s). This could be both because the Bufula (the warbler), tal-Pespus (the pipit), il-
landlord or tenant was called so, but could also be Bag˙dun (the harrier), taç-Çawla (the Jackdaw),
a result of the birds’ habits of breeding, feeding or il-Bies (the falcon), il-Gardill (Goldfinch), iç-Çevett
congregating there. (Redshank), il-Merill (the Blue Rock Thrush), tal-
Venew (the Lapwing’s), tal-Blongos (the grebe’s) An interesting expression found in Vassalli sheds
and tal-Ganbublu (of the Rock Thrush). light about the large flocks of birds that were
There are also several expressions involving seen in his time as he mentioned the expression
similes with birds, and some of these are quite s˙aba tajr, a cloud of birds. Hunters used different
old. Vassalli, in his dictionary of 1796, lists two expressions for different sizes of flocks. Flocks
expressions, one of which is defunct but another which could be counted, till about ten birds, were
still exists. One of them goes: Lsynek donnu referred to by numbers: Ωwie©, tlitiet, erbg˙at,
merylle, which literally means your tongue is like a disg˙at (twos, threes, fours, nines). Larger parties
Blue Rock Thrush, undoubtedly an expression said were referred to as teftifa or teftif while larger flocks
for one who talks a lot. There are two expressions were referred to qtajja’ or qatg˙at. In the case
similar to this defunct expression that are still in of Turtle Doves, old time hunters used another
use and which involve other birds: jg˙id daqs expression blalen, which referred to large ball-
Tellerita (he rattles like a Stone Curlew) or qisu shaped flocks of birds.
Kalandra (he chatters like a Calandra Lark) is said The habit of Jackdaws to pick up shining objects
for one who talks incessantly. Another expression led to the coining of the expression Donnok Çawla
found in Vassalli is tatek id-daqquqa, which (you’re like a Jackdaw), for one who was bent on
literally means you’ve been struck by the Hoopoe obtaining gold objects by fair or foul means. This
or Cuckoo, an expression said when one is hit with expression was also used for one who was always
an irresistible desire to laugh. There are variants talking and letting out secrets. On the other hand,
of this expression: illum bid-daqquqa tad-da˙k, the verb içawwel, derived from the Jackdaw’s
meaning today I have the urge to laugh. call, is used for one who sings badly.
Table 3: Bird names from early place names
Current Maltese Name English name Old spelling Dates
Avultun Vulture Nusur 1186
G˙onoq Vulture Ta Hanc 1524

il Honc
G˙arnuq Stork Garnuc 1542

Carnuc 1585
Gharnuq 1595
Harnuch 1595
G˙erienaq Storks Girenac 1536, 1542
Beççuna Small pigeon Bechuna, 1545

Bechune 1577
Bies Falcon Bes 1499, 1522, 1528

Bess 1501
Bies 1531, 1688, 1746
Bilbla Short toed-lark Bilbile 1512, 1540

Belble 1556
Bolbile 1548
Bliebel Short toed-larks Blebel 1585, 1595
G˙asafar Birds Hisafar 1456, 1508, 1557

Hasafar 1561
Asafar 1567
Hamiem Pigeons Hamem 1498, 1526, 1558

The Maltese name for the Chamem 1508, 1540, 1544
Marsh Harrier and Goldfinch Hammem 1544, 1555
are examples of two bird Hammiem 1746
names which are also used
as nicknames in Malta Bufula Warbler Bufule 1495, 1500, 1536
MAN AND BIRDS 53
Current Maltese Name English name Old spelling Dates
Çawla Jackdaw Chaula 1496, 1500, 1522, 1571

Chiaula 1577
Ciaula 1560, 1588, 1599
Çawliet Jackdaws Chaulat 1530
Çawl Jackdaws Ciaul 1647
Daqquq Hoopoe Dacuc 1481
Farrug Roller Farug 1535
G˙orab Raven Gurab 1457, 1500, 1503, 1511, 1528, 1530, 1533,1549, 1556
Gurabi 1512
Gorab 1534, 1539, 1548, 1556
Ghrab 1647
Horob 1585
Girob 1539
Churab 1522
Óida Kite Hide 1494, 1505, 1508, 1548, 1647

Chide 1467, 1517, 1534, 1543, 1584, 1586
Hida 1505
Chedde 1541
Gide 1556
Gruwa Crane Grua 1372, 1540, 1563
Merilla Blue Rock Thrush Merille 1551
Merill Blue Rock Thrush Meril 1572

Merel 1586
Óa©La Partridge Hagile 1496

Chagle 1522
Haggle 1586
Óuttafa Swallow Chitafe 1436

Hottafa 1733
Nigred (Nigret) Crow Nigret 1372

Nighyrid 1486
Nigrid 1497
Nigrit 1520
Nichired 1538
Nigired 1562
J Nnighired 1568
Nigred 1581
Gamiema Turtle Dove Gamime 1574
Ganga Sandgrouse Ganga 1559
Seqer Small Falcon Sechir 1467

Sekir 1540
Seker 1546
Secher 1567
Summiena Quail Sumieni 1187

Summien (Pl) Quails Summeni 1517, 1527
ÛarΩur (ÛerΩur) Redwing Zarzur 1590
Source: Wettinger 2000, 2006.

Rdum il-Bies
Tal-Bilbel
G˙ar G˙asfur
Wied Bufula Tas-Seqer
Taç-Çawla
G˙oxx il-Bies Nigred
Taç-Çawla
G˙oxx il-Óida L-Ingiered
G˙ex il-Óita Taç-Çawla
Il-Pellegrin
Óabel Bies
Ûaqq it-Tajr
Tal-G˙orab
Ta’ G˙asfura Tal-Bies

Tat-Tellerit
Ta’ Sejqer
G˙ajn Óamiem Taç-Çawla
Tal-Gawwija
Rdum il-Bies
Ta’ G˙arnuqa Nigred
Il-Munqar
Il-Fonda tal-Margun
Taç-Çawla G˙ar Qawqla
Nigred
Wied Çawla Tal-Gallina
Óalq Óamiem Ta’ Óida
Tal-Bies
Wied Merill
Il-˙ofra tal-Berwin
G˙oxx il-G˙orab
Da˙la taç-Çawl
Il-Wardija Tas-Seqer Ìebla tal-Barba©ann

t’G˙oxx il-Óamiem Ìebel taç-Çawl
Tas-Summiena
Il-Kalandrijiet
Taç-Çawla Tal-Gruwa
Wied il-Óamiem
Il-Ìebla tal-Kwakki Il-˙otba taç-Çevett
L-G˙ar taç-Çawla Taç-Çawla Is-sofor ta’ Ganga
Il-Óotba tal-Ingriet Il-wied ta’ Ganga
L-Ingriet
Il-Bor© tal-Milon
L-G˙ar tal-Bies
Tal-Kokka
L-G˙ajn tal-Venew
Tal-Gardill
L-G˙ajn tal-Óamimiet
Tal-Birka
Tal-Imlievez
Ta’ Minkella
Ta’ Kan©u
Tal-G˙oroba
Wara tal-G˙arab L-G˙ar tal-Arpa
Maps of Malta and Gozo
showing place names related Tal-G˙arab
to birds
MAN AND BIRDS 55
There are other expressions involving birds in each other’s thumbs and uttered the name of the
use: qisu Pespus, (he’s like a pipit) is used for a game and as they finished it, ran off to reach a
fragile person. This expression is so well rooted corner and the odd one out lost.
that it can be used as an adjective: tifel impespes, Butchers use the term g˙asfur tal-ispalla for a leg
(a thin boy) or tfal impespsin (thin children). The of mutton. For doctors, g˙asfur tal-istonku is the pit
expression qisu g˙asfur is said for a person who of the stomach. G˙asfur may also be the child’s
is lightweight. There are various expression linked penis. Ilsien l-g˙asfur is a type of small pasta used
to the hawk, seqer in Maltese. G˙andu g˙ajnejh ta’ in broth. It is so called because it resembles a
seqer, his eyes are like a falcon’s, is said for one bird’s tongue in shape.
who has a good eyesight; seqri means hawk-like, There are also a number of derivatives from the
seqqer is used for someone who watches before word G˙asfur (bird): G˙osfor means he vanished,
he pounces, mseqqer is used for a self-satisfied tg˙asfar – became full of birds, mg˙asfar means
person while tisqir means hovering. The expression frequented by birds. This led to an expression Hawk-eyed: the keen eyes
G˙asfur darba jtir means that an opportunity comes sirna mg˙asfar kul˙add jitkellem, we became like of birds of prey never fail to
impress. The expression that
once and if not grabbed, it’s lost. The equivalent of a chatter box, with everybody speaking. one is hawk-eyed exists in
a little bird told me, G˙asfur qalli or ©ie g˙asfur Bird names or images of birds are sometimes Maltese too
jg˙idli, which means that one got to know and won’t used as names of band clubs or businesses or
reveal who told him, is also found in the Maltese on logos. Band clubs in several localities are
language. Donnu g˙asfur (he’s like a bird), is said called Tal-Ajkla (of the Eagle) while a famous
for one with a poor appetite, because he eats little. nougat maker from Ûebbu©, Malta, was called
A similar expression goes tiekol daqs g˙asfur you tal-Petrel, meaning of the Storm Petrel. The Blue
eat as little as a bird. Qisek papra (you’re like a Rock Thrush used to be the emblem of the Malta
duck), is said for one who makes a mess or who Ornithological Society until spring 1995, but
waddles when he walks. this was changed to a tern, which is part of the
Other expressions, such as miet b˙al g˙asfur corporate logo of BirdLife International. It should
(he died like a bird), is an expression for one who be noted that some BirdLife partners, such as
dies suddenly; in˙ataf b˙al g˙asfur (he pined the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,
like a bird) is said for one who withers away, just retained both their names and their logos when
like finches often do after being trapped. The they became BirdLife partners.
expression, g˙asfur tal-passa (a migratory bird) Children playing football often exclaim gamiem!
is used for something sporadic or transitory, b˙al (Turtle Doves) when someone shoots the ball
g˙asfur barra mill-ga©©a (like a bird out of the up high while in some parts of Malta, the term
cage) is an expression used for one who suddenly seqqirtulu, derived from the word seqer, a generic
found his freedom. Óafif daqs g˙asfur (as quick as name for small falcon, when a ball is lobbed.
a bird) is used for someone who is nimble. Another Another expression which is rooted in bird
expression goes sa l-g˙asafar fil-bejta jkollhom xi behaviour, though few make the association, is
jg˙idu; it is an expression which means that even the word titg˙axxex derived from the behaviour of
nestlings have arguments so even the best of nidiculous young in nests, and is used for one who
friends can quarrel. Another bird related expression stays crouching in bed, is lazy or looking unwell. In
is bejjet f’qalbu, literally meaning nested in his heart, old Maltese, g˙axxex meant building a nest. Some
but which means to harbour a grudge. Agius de of these expressions have been used since time
Soldanis listed the expression mdorri jisma’ b˙aç- immemorial while others have been coined more
çawl tal-kampnar, an expression said for one who is recently and are a testimony of the continued
used to hearing the same thing. affinity between humans and birds.
In Maltese, a bird can also mean a lover: Another expression that is associated with birds
g˙andha xi g˙asfur (she has a bird) may be said used to be said when someone is seen walking
for a girl who is seeing a lover. G˙asfur il-qalb is on the street carrying a ladder. It was not unusual
an imaginary illness making one feel faint. G˙asfur to hear someone shouting out Mela sejjer g˙all-
taç-çomb ma jtirx, g˙asfur tar-rix itir (a bird of lead bejtiet?, meaning are you going in search of nests? The Blue Rock Thrush in the
does not fly, a bird with feathers flies) is the name This expression is undoubtedly rooted in the original logo of the Malta
Ornithological Society was
of a game that used to be played by five children practice of taking sparrow’s nests from ventilators replaced by the corporate
in a cross road with four corners. The children held of houses to rear their young. Hunters during BirdLife logo
the hunting season are often heard complaining remains are confetti strewn during band marches.
’qas missejtu, which means I have not touched In Gozo, hunters used the expression tir ta’ ˙abib,
it, or anqas bdejtu or anqas bdejthom (I have not tir bil-fjokki or tir ta’ ra©el to signify a good shot. Old
started it or them yet) but actually means they have timers used the expression jispara g˙al bufula,
not yet shot a single bird. The latter is usually used meaning he’d shoot a warbler, for one who was
in connection with thrushes. a miser. Old timers also said ir-Russett g˙admu
Though there are three distinct words in artab, meaning herons have weak bones as they
common usage denoting bird song: isaffar, believed that herons had such brittle bones that
meaning to whistle, jg˙anni, meaning singing and one could often catch them without actually hitting
jg˙ajjat, meaning calling, trappers and hunters them. They believed herons broke their bones
use particular expressions involving the use of with the sudden movements they made when
onomatopoeic words that describe the songs of frightened by the sound of shot.
certain birds. In a poem, Mifsud Bonnici (1924) Hunters also use expressions based on their
mentioned some of these words, but there are knowledge of birds, such as libet qisu Kappun (he
several others that were not recorded. crouched like a Bittern), ©ellied b˙al pitirross, he
The drawn-out call of the Greenfinch is referred fights like a Robin.
to as ikerker while particular notes from the call
of this bird are referred to as iΩamΩam, jg˙aΩΩeΩ
or iwexwex. The Chaffinch, içamçam or ipenpen, Birds in hunters’ language
the Linnet iΩaqΩaq, the single call of the Robin,
izekzek; the squeaky call of the Serin is referred to There are also other bird-related expressions which
In the Maltese language as iΩarΩar or iΩaqΩaq and some trappers say that are almost exclusively used by some hunters.
one finds different words the call of the Serin qisha tarjola bla Ωejt: a pully Social historian Peter Burke wrote that different
describing different calls of without oil; the flight call of the Skylark is tbeΩbeΩ; social groups use different varieties of language in
birds, especially finches
one of the notes the Goldfinch utters is given as different situations. This is very true of hunters. To
ipetpet while the versatile Calandra Lark, which begin with, the word dilettant, which in the Maltese
sings from the throat, tfesdaq or tivversja. One of language stands for amateur or hobbyist, has a
the calls of the Ortolan Bunting, usually uttered by different meaning to the shooting community. To
a decoy bird seeing a wild bird close by, is referred them, dilettant, implies something more passionate
to as ipakpak. Iterter is used for the shivering-like than that as it implies one who is enthusiastically
note of various singing birds. The alarm call of interested in birds, that is, a shooter, a trapper,
the Spanish Sparrow, usually uttered on seeing a or a combination of both. But the enthusiasm has
larger bird, is called izerzer while the Tree Sparrow no negative connotations. Indeed, hunters often
i©a˙©a˙. say a˙jar delizzju milli vizzju (better a hobby than
There are five words describing different calls of a vice), a reference to a common argument that
the Quail: the call of the female is referred to as it’s better to have hunting as a hobby rather than
tkerker or tnewwa˙ while ifaqqa’ and itaqtaq are having other vices or becoming a drug addict.
used for the repetitive call of the male. IpejjeΩ is Another hunters’ saying goes id-delizzju tag˙mlux
the particular call of the male, usually uttered by sagrifiççju, advising one not turn one’s pastime
a decoy bird placed under the net, on seeing a into a sacrifice, or to sacrifice one’s family for it.
wild bird close by. The chattering call of the Song The same can be said for the word namra, which
Thrush is known as i©a˙©a˙ while the song uttered means passion. To shooters and trappers, the
in flight is izekzek. The crooning of Turtle Doves il- word signifies one who has a passion for shooting
gamiem ibarqam, or iparpar while the humdrum of or trapping birds. Hunters make a clear distinction
Starlings is referred to as l-isturnell igedwed. between namra and passatemp (pastime).
Hunters use particular expressions when Shooting clay pigeon is a pastime but hunting is a
speaking about birds and, though not all of these passion. One of the sayings hunters and trappers
mention birds, they are used when speaking about use is that in-namra passa jew passjoni – either
birds. A hunter who misses a good migration and a good passage or passion, but passion in this
goes out on the following day, when few birds are sense refers to pain.
seen, would say that wara l-festa, karti biss issib, Hunters also use very strong expressions to
a reference to the day after a feast when all that describe their kills when discussing the subject
MAN AND BIRDS 57
amongst their kind, but tend to speak guardedly

when conversing with others who do not form part
of the shooting fraternity.
While talking to strangers, shooters speak of
birds falling from the sky - tajtu tir u waqa’ – ‘I shot
it and it fell’ they say, as if their shooting had little
to do with it. The verb to kill is hardly ever used.
Instead, shooters use the verb taqbad which
means to catch, which does not imply killing. The
birds which they shoot are caught or captured.
The emphasis is on the skill, a sense of fair play,
the gentlemanly conduct of the shooter and on his
honest affection for and admiration of the beauty
of nature.
But when speaking to like-minded people,
the expressions shooters use to describe their
catches differ significantly from that which are
used with the man in the street. Some shooters
speak about their catches using distinctly sadistic
vocabulary and speak in an emotionally violent
way. According to their descriptions, the birds
they shoot are not simply killed, but blasted out
of the sky. Apart from boasting about the altitude
at which the bird was shot and its speed in flight,
shooters use hyperbolic verbs which emphasise
their performance in shooting. In village bars where
In bars where shooters meet, one can hear shooters meet, one hears
phrases such as: issussajtha bit-tir, meaning I expressions and stories that
one does not normally hear
lifted it with shot; t˙antu or ©ibtu tabakk, I made
elsewhere
mincemeat of it, or ©ibtu stoppa, I turned it into
oakum, li jid˙olli fit-tir, niskumnikah, I destroy Two rather vulgar expressions which are
whatever comes within range. Words like qridtu often used are: ˙ar©itli summiena, ©ibtha ˙ara
(I destroyed it), da˙˙antu (I smoked it), fqajtu (I meaning I turned it into shit; sparajt g˙aliha
busted it), farraktu (I smashed it), kissirtu (I broke it u mank basset which means I shot it and it
to pieces), nixxiftu (I dried it), biççirtu (I butchered didn’t even have time to fart (i.e. it was killed
it), tertaqtu (riddled it with shots), ©ibtu rmied (I instantly). The word ˙raqt, which means I burnt,
turned it to ashes), in˙ataf bit-tir (it shrunk with has become very popular and has substituted
shot), nittiftu fl-arja (I made its feathers fly off in the the word sparajt, which means I shot, in many
air, or its feathers were plucked in flight with shot), shooters’ vocabulary.
damdamtu (tore it open with shot), ©ibtu g˙arbiel Trappers have particular expressions which
(peppered it with shots), ka˙˙altu (I plastered it), sound less violent: knisthom, meaning I swept
sammartu (I hammered it), inxartu (I hung it out to them, or g˙attejthom, I covered them, are often
dry), kebbibtu (I wrapped it up) and imbuttajtu (I used when trappers pull their nets over a flock of
pushed it) are frequently used. birds and trap them all.
Other expressions include: Sparajt g˙aliha If taken literally, the verbs used in these
w g˙amiltha rag˙ad, I shot it and smashed it to strong phrases can be described as crude, but
smithereens, ixxuttjajtha bit-tir, I kicked it with the the intention is not so much an expression of
shot, qsamtu, I blasted it into two; Ωelli©tu, I smeared crudeness as an expression of vulgar boasting
it over the ground; nifqg˙u bit-tir, meaning I burst and superiority.
them with the shot, or ©iddimtu bit-tir, which means Yet another aspect that continues to reinforce
plagued with shot, or inqattg˙u bit-tiri meaning I the notion that people were interested in birds is
tear them to pieces with shots. that bird names, some of which are very similar to
those in use today, were already in use in the 17th Birkirkara Dun Filippo Borg, at about 1633, gives
century. Table 2 gives a list of these names gleaned a similar saying with a similar meaning, but which
from the early Maltese dictionaries or important features two birds of prey: the Sparrowhawk and
works where bird names were given, and shows the Peregrine. The saying, recorded in Italian by
how some remained practically unchanged. Dun Filippo Borg, used to be said in Maltese by
his maternal grandmother and other old persons
and went: Verra da levante un sparvere spennato
Birds in proverbs and sayings che caccerà il falcone peregrino dal suo nido
(a plucked Sparrowhawk shall come out of the
As popular sayings, proverbs are often a source Levant and chase the Peregrine Falcon away from
Proverbs which speak about
of information tapped by anthropologists, its nest).
the taking of Golden Plovers
are found in the earliest ethnographers, historians and students of other Wettinger says that Dun Filippo Borg was the
collection of proverbs dating disciplines. Proverbs can provide insights about first to state that people had for a long time been
back to 1750 behaviours and customs, some of which may praying that God send a master who would ill-
be long lost. A number of Maltese proverbs and treat the nobles as much as the commoners. The
sayings involve birds and some show a relationship coming of the Order had, in fact, been foretold in
between man and birds. a popular saying about a plucked Sparrowhawk,
The earliest collections of proverbs of Agius De representing the Order defeated at Rhodes,
Soldanis of 1750 (Gatt 1984) and Vassalli (1828) coming to Malta to chase away the comfortable
list 11 proverbs that mention birds. Of these, two Nobles, represented in the saying by the Peregrine.
are related to trapping and one to the “taking” of unfortunately, Dun Filippo Borg did not record the
plover as it states that he who wakes up early and proverb in Maltese.
stays out late, takes plovers without calling them The contemporary works of Aquilina (1972) and
min ibakkar u jwa˙˙ar jie˙u l-pluvieri ming˙ajr ma Manduca and Mifsud (1989) list 62 proverbs that
jsaffar. The rest are metaphorical. The proverbs mention birds. As with the earlier collections, most
about bird trapping imply the use of vertical nets proverbs are metaphoric, the rest are related to
that were set and left unattended. One of these weather and a few deal with migration. Azzopardi
proverbs, which has four known variations, goes (1985) lists a number of sayings used by hunters,
that a bird that likes to fly about ends up entangled some of which mention birds. Others speak of
in a net, while the other states that a bird that firearms or somehow relate to the hunters’ way of
gets entangled in a net won’t easily get out of it. life. Galea (1999) mentioned a number of sayings
Trapping with clap-nets, although known to exist associating birds with days when feasts of various
in the mid-1700s, started becoming widespread saints are celebrated.
after the 1960s. Quite a large number of proverbs associate
A rather interesting proverb with historical the appearance or departure of birds with saints.
connections given by Fr Manwel Magri in 1900 Saints’ feast days provided points of reference
mentions a bird of the crow family: G˙ad ji©i g˙orab with certain days of the year and old timers liked
iswed, jag˙nikom u ja˙likom u jmur u j˙allikom (a to pin specific events to such days. It was a form
black Crow will come and enrich you and ruin you of Saints’ calendar which shooters made use of
and then will go away leaving you alone). The Crow too and there are a number of dates linked with
or Raven in this proverb is believed to represent migration, hunting or trapping.
the Order of St John and the saying was uttered by According to this calendar, it was believed that
Maltese people, who were ruled by Nobles whom the third migration of Golden Plovers occurs on
they despised. The saying was a sort of hunch feast of the Three Kings (6th January). Redwings
that the Order would come and take possession of appeared between 25th January and 10th February,
Malta and denude nobles of their privileges. feasts of St Paul, the conversion and his shipwreck
The rule of the Order would at first be pleasant and in Malta. Turtle Doves to be used as decoys had
sweet, and endearing itself to many and enriching their flight and tail feathers plucked on the feast of
others but in the end the Order’s rule would become St Matthias (24th February), so that they would have
harsh and overbearing (Cassar Pullicino 1991). re-grown in time for the spring trapping season.
Wettinger (1974), who wrote a paper about a Some proverbs speak about arrival and
manuscript probably written by the provost of departure dates of Cory’s Shearwaters. One said
MAN AND BIRDS 59
that they arrived on the feast of St Matthias (24th

February) and left on the feast of St Catherine (25th
November). Another proverb spoke of All Saints
Day (1st November) as the departure of Cory’s
Shearwaters.
Another proverb spoke about Quail, and said that
on the feast of St Matthias, if you do not find it (the
Quail) in the morning, you’d find it in the evening.
The feast of St Gregory on 12th March marked the
start of Quail shooting season; while the Nightjar
appeared on the 19th March, feast of St Joseph.
The feast of the Annunciation on the 25th March
saw the departure of the Skylark and the arrival
of the Short-toed Lark. Turtle Dove migration had
three peaks: the first migration of Turtle Doves
took place on 23rd April, feast of St George, the
second migration took place on the feast of the
Holy Cross on 3rd May, while the third took place
Skylarks were considered
on 12th May, the feast of St Philip. In spite of these as edible and it comes as
proverbs saying that significant passages of Turtle no surprise that they feature
Doves would appear on particular feasts, another in proverbs and hunters’
proverb says Turtle Doves come with the right sayings
weather: il-gamiem ji©i meta jkun tempu, implying arrival of the Skylark with the feast of St Michael
that saints and feasts have little to do with the (29th September).
birds’ appearance and weather conditions played October, known as the month of the Rosary, was
a more important role when birds appeared. deemed to be good for Skylarks, while another
According to the saints’ calendar, Turtle Doves proverb said that on the feast of St Francis (4th
could still be seen until l-Imnarja — the feast of St October) the Skylark and Song Thrush arrive.
Peter and St Paul, celebrated on 29th June. A variation of this proverb also mentioned the
Two proverbs speak of the arrival of the Cuckoo: arrival of Woodcock and Song Thrush. On the
one said it appeared on the feast of Our Lady of feast of St Theresa (15th October), trapping
Mount Carmel (15th July), while another put its started. Another proverb spoke of “the star of
arrival a month later, on the feast of St Mary (15th St Theresa” bringing Skylarks, Siskins and other
August). The latter went: F’Santa Marija tidher id- songbirds. Another proverb went that one should
Daqquqa Ka˙la u d-Daqquqa Seqrija. The Maltese go for Skylarks on St Simon’s day (28th October).
proverb refers to the “blue Cuckoo” and the brown It is interesting to note that in Italian proverbs, St
phase, which is similar to the Kestrel in colour Theresa is associated with migration of thrushes
and which many hunters believed it to be another (Lapucci 1983), while St Simon is associated
species. The feast of St Mary also signalled the with Skylark migration too.
start of the migration of Honey Buzzards in autumn All Saints’ Day on 1st November brought thrushes
Il-passa tal-Kuççard g˙al Santa Marija. and the Goldfinch. On the feast of Our Lady of
In September there were various sayings Light (6th November), a small passage of Golden
associating Saints’ days with birds: Turtle Dove Plover took place while the first migration of Golden
and migration in autumn started on 8th September, Plovers occurred on the feast of St Catherine
the feast of Our Lady of Victory. This was the best (25th November). Another proverb says that by
time for Quail too. Another proverb linked Quail St Leonard’s day (6th November), “the Chaffinch
migration with the feast known as Kwattrutempri, does not rest its feet on the ground”, meaning it
formerly celebrated after 14th September and which is difficult to trap Chaffinches and according to
was abolished with the new Missal published in another proverb, this meant the end of the trapping
the 1960s. Our Lady of Sorrows (15th September) season. But there is another proverb that delays
saw the departure of the Short-toed Lark and the the season by another 17 days, as it says that St
return of the Skylark. Another proverb linked the Catherine marked the end of the trapping season.
Yet another proverb puts the end of the trapping Old timers had noted that the Wryneck and
season between these two days, as it says that on Quail migrated at the same time. The Wryneck
St Martin’s day (11th November) the nets are put is sometimes called Sultan is-Summien, which
aside on the loom. St Catherine also meant the end literally means the king of Quails and there were two
of the season for Woodcock. proverbs which mention these two birds together:
According to proverbs, the full moon in One went: Meta tisma’ l-Bukag˙war jg˙ajjat,
November is deemed to be the best time for saffar lis-Summiena (When you hear the Wryneck
Golden Plovers, and their second migration takes calling, call for Quail). The other says: Fejn hemm
place on the feast of the Immaculate Conception il-Bulebbiet g˙id li hemm is-Summien, meaning
(8th December). A contradictory proverb says that where there is the Wryneck, there are Quails. It is
one should not expect Golden Plovers before the worth pointing out that in the first proverb, some old
15th December. country folk used to call the Wryneck Bukag˙war.
According to sayings, Turtle It is worth noting that in the sayings relating Some previous authors and compilers of proverbs
Dove migration had three migration to feasts of certain saints, there are have mistakenly translated Bukag˙war to Scarab
peak days in spring
conflicts in dates of departure and arrival of Beetle (Aphodius omissus), which does not call
migrants. According to sayings, there were three and has nothing to do with Quails.
migrations of Turtle Doves in spring: on 23rd April, Proverbs contain various aspects that one could
on 3rd May and on the 12th May. Yet another proverb notice in nature. The proverb Kull fejn hemm il-
says that Turtle Doves may be seen until the feast qniepen hemm ukoll il-Bliebel is a case in point.
of Our Lady of Pompei, celebrated on 8th May. The proverb goes that where there is the Honeywort
Another proverb said Turtle Doves could be seen (Cerinthe major) there are Short-toed Larks.
until the feast of St Peter and St Paul, celebrated Greater Short-toed Larks appear and breed in late
on 29th June. spring and summer, when the Honeywort plant
In the calendar of saints, there are two dates for is common. In the past, some have erroneously
the arrival of the Skylark: one is the feast of Our interpreted the reference to bells (qniepen) in
Lady of Sorrows on the 15th September, while this proverb to the ringing of church bells in the
another saying gives the date of the arrival of feasts in summer. Another proverb says that when
the Skylark a fortnight later, on St Michael’s day, the Sea Squill or Sea Onion (Uriginea maritima)
celebrated on 29th September. blossoms, Turtle Doves should be expected. Sea-
The origin of most of such sayings is not squill blossoms in August, and Turtle Doves start
known, but although many were not recorded appearing in the last week of August.
by compilers of proverbs and other works in the Several proverbs make other associations:
past, this does not automatically imply that they When Turtle Doves call while resting in trees,
did not exist. It may well be that their use was the end of the migration season is near, one
restricted so much that unless one was a hunter proverb says. A proverb says that “when you
or trapper, one would not get to know them. What hear the Bee-eater pack your nets and go
is pertinent to note is that the calendar of saints home”. This is related to Turtle Dove trapping,
refers only to species considered as ‘game’, or as Bee-eaters tended to appear at the end of
rather edible birds, and some sayings refer to the spring migration of Turtle Dove, and when
the opening and closing of hunting seasons. It Bee-eaters appear, this is taken as a sign of the
is also worth noting that there is no reference to end of the migration period. Another proverb
trapping in spring in Maltese proverbs. In a study says that when you see no more Scops Owls,
about bird catching in Italy, Bondietti (1974) Song Thrushes start appearing. The arrival of the
noted that the Italian hunters too associated Short-toed Lark in spring signals the departure
birds and their migrations with particular Saints’ of the Meadow Pipit, and this led to the proverb
feasts. il-Bilbla tkeççi l-Pespus, meaning the Short-
toed Lark drives the Meadow Pipit away. The
converse held in autumn, and another proverb
Proverbs related to migration went that the Meadow Pipit drives away the
Short-toed Lark il-Pespus ikeççi l-Bilbla. It must
The proverbs related to migration show that these have been noticed that when Skylarks migrated,
were coined after observing certain factors. Dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus) migrated too
MAN AND BIRDS 61
as there is a proverb that says so: Passa Alwett,

passa Lampuki. The sight of Cory’s Shearwaters
and gulls meant the presence of shoals of fish:
fejn tara ç-Çiefa u l-gawwija g˙id hemm il-˙ut.
A number of proverbs associate birds with
weather, and again, show a degree of keen
observation. It must have been noticed that when
there was an early migration with northerly winds,
one should not expect any more Turtle Doves in
spring, and there was a proverb that said so.
Swifts flying high meant northerly winds were
coming while low flying Swifts meant southerly
winds were to be expected. When the Song Thrush
called during the night, a southerly wind is to be
expected, while when gulls flew high up together,
or when gulls flew inland, strong winds were to be
expected.
The appearance of large numbers Skylarks
heralded a lot of rain. A passage of Cranes flying
high in the sky was also a sign that bad weather
was approaching, as Cranes also appear when
bad weather turns up. It was also said that bad
weather “moves the wings of the Crane”, as they li jafda s-seqer itemmu. The Maltese language has Migration of birds
appeared with bad weather. Golden Plovers too its variation of the saying “a bird in the hand is worth mesmerised people and
certain migration dates are
heralded bad weather. The arrival of Swallows was two in a bush”. The local saying goes: A˙jar g˙asfur recorded in Maltese proverbs
also seen as a sign of approaching rain. f’idek milli mija fl-ajru, literally translated, it says a
The proverb ix-xita hdiet, kull tajra mxiet, means bird in the hand is worth a hundred in the sky.
that when the rain stops, every bird passes. This
proverb was undoubtedly coined as it was noted
that on migration, birds usually appear as soon as Hunters’ sayings
the rain stops. Another proverb that is the result
of observation is the one that states that Quails Hunters and trappers too had their sayings and
arrive when it is warm. There are also a number of these usually spoke of weather, nature and birds.
metaphorical proverbs related to birds. Jackdaws, Some sayings show the kind of affection old time
Crows and Ravens feature in a number of such hunters had for a good plover call. The saying
proverbs. They are seen as greedy, wanting to eat went suffara tal-Pluvieri tintiret mhux tinxtara, a
but do not feed their young, Çawl u G˙orob, af illi Plover call is inherited, not bought. Plovers feature
jiekol, ma jitmax. Such birds are also perceived in a number of other proverbs. The full moon of
as harbingers of bad luck G˙orb G˙orab u Çawl November was said to be good for plover, while
ma j©ibu l-ebda risq and being black, they are he who went out early and stayed out late, could
unwelcome L-G˙orab, iswed, immela ˙ajr ma take Golden Plover without calling. A large number
fihx. Another saying went that the Raven turned of hunters’ sayings are associated with winds and
black by envying others Il-G˙orab bi ˙sieb l-o˙rajn weather. Though migration had certain patterns of
swied. The owl is said to perceive its young as large numbers of birds appearing with certain winds
beautiful, a metaphoric proverb meaning that and weather conditions, there were exceptions to
everyone admires their children. the rule and one proverb said that the day game
Another metaphorical proverb says that the little appears would be the ideal weather! Another
fish is ill-fated — if it dives down it is eaten by bigger proverb recommends that during migration, one
fish, if it surfaces it is eaten by gulls Xortiha ˙aΩina should ignore the weather vane and go out every
l-makkuwa; jew tinΩel ’l isfel u tikolha Ω-Ωabrija jew day. For trappers, it was a different story as it was
titla’ ’l fuq u ta˙tafha l-gawwija. Another goes that good weather they needed to trap birds: ix-xbiek
the foolish pigeon is killed by the falcon Il-˙amiem bin il-bnazzi.
Some sayings associate birds with changes in Christmas heralded the end of the hunting season,
the countryside, like the proverb which goes: when and a proverb advised hunters to leave their fowling
the sea-squill blossoms, expect Turtle Doves. piece at home during the months of January and
Others link bird behaviour with migration: Meta February. A similar proverb existed for the month
l-Gamiem ibarqam ©os-si©ar tkun waslet tmiem il- of August f’Awwissu, is-senter m’hemmx g˙alfejn
passa, (when Turtle Doves croon while resting in tmissu, there is no need to touch your shotgun in
trees, the end of the migration season is near). The August, as there is no game.
disappearance of Scops Owls in autumn heralded These proverbs, and the others listed in
the arrival of Song Thrushes. Appendix 1, are a clear indication that birds played
Pointers were highly esteemed for Quail an important role in people’s lives.
shooting, so much so that a proverb goes that for
shooting Quail one needs an expensive dog and
a cheap gun (G˙as-Summien, kelb ta’ mitt lira u Falconry
senter ta’ sold). Another saying was that a hunter
A proverb goes that for Quail
shooting, one needed a good without a dog is like a crib figurine (Kaççatur bla Falconry was an important activity in Malta during
pointer and a cheap gun kelb, kaççatur pastur). the Middle Ages and continued to have a degree
Hunter’s marksmanship is spoken about in of importance until 1798, when the Knights were
proverbs: One who killed half of what he shot at, ousted by the French. The practice is likely to have
was considered to be a good shot. Another says died down at that time as the last reference to it was
that the good shooter went wrong once; the bad in official documents in 1800 and guns probably
one gets it right once! Yet another saying goes that replaced the falcons for hunting purposes.
he who shoots plenty of shots will finally hit, but Although references are very scant, falconry must
another advises hunters to shoot only when a bird have been practised in the 13th century and it is evi-
is within range, even if one fails to kill. According dent that falcons that were trapped from Malta were
to a saying, Alwett fotti tiri, Skylarks are difficult to held in high esteem as in 1239, Emperor Frederick
shoot and makes one waste shots. II had sent a team of 18 falconers with horses and
While a proverb states that a flying bird presents a men under the leadership of Falconer Guiljermo
target three times larger than a sitting one, another Ruffino for a two-month tour to trap falcons for him.
proverb cautioned that the sky is bigger than the Documentary evidence shows that the falconers
fowl, meaning it is easier to miss than to hit. brought with them a team of 22 men and 39 horses.
While a proverb goes that hunters and trappers Each of these men were paid 13 gold grains a day,
are liars, because they are always recounting and when one considers that they had to feed their
tales about what they caught and the ones that horses, they were still rather well paid at that time.
got away, another saying went that a hunter is a They had to send the falcons to Messina on a spe-
gentleman all year round except in the hunting cial boat and had to inform the Emperor about the
season, because at that time, hunting is the only number of falcons that there were on the Islands,
thing on their mind. how they were kept and how many were caught
A number of sayings are related to gun safety. from the wild that season (Huillard-Breholles 1963).
One saying goes that it takes only one cartridge A medieval votive stone slab that once formed
to burst the barrel of a gun. An even earlier saying part of a church in the late Middle Ages in Rabat is
goes that the hunter loads the muzzleloader perhaps one of the most tangible of the references
but the devil fires it. Another saying said that an from this period. It features a falconry scene with a
empty gun kills a man, and this saying was coined falcon on a heron’s back and a man following the
because accidents sometimes happen when two birds.
someone thinks the gun is empty while in fact, it What appears to be a falconry scene also exists
is loaded. Another proverb advises old hunters to in the form of a doodle in a vignette in one of the
stop hunting: When your eyesight dims and you Libri Bullarum manuscripts found at the National
become hard of hearing, put your gun away as Library of Malta. These manuscripts contain the
you won’t need it anymore. Though migrations administrative orders issued at the time and it
were heavier, catches were not guaranteed and a seems that the scribes who wrote the books took
proverb warns: Do not prepare your frying pan as the liberty of drawing doodles, some of which
it is not guaranteed you will catch anything. bear associations with the surnames of people
MAN AND BIRDS 63
involved in the writings. The scene in question,

showing a man with what looks like a falcon on
his left hand and accompanied by a dog, is found
in the manuscript which contains orders issued
between 1564 and 1565 and was scribbled next
to the name of Federico Cazza. Another doodle
showing a hooded falcon is found alongside the
name Filbert Faucon (Bonello 2008).
In 1271, during Angevin times, Charles of Anjou
wrote to the Castellan of Malta and Gozo, Bertrando
de Real, that falcons were to be trapped, cared
for and sent to His Majesty by expert people. The
Castellan was instructed to keep a note of the
names and surnames of those who transported
the falcons to the royal court from Malta (Laurenza
1934). Evidence of payment to Maltese falconers
exists in 1374 (Fiorini 2001).
Trapped falcons were passed to the Royal Falconer
in a very formal way, with notarial deeds registering
the species, quantity and expenses involved. The
falconer was responsible for ferrying the birds to Portrait of Don Artal de
Alagon holding a falcon
Sicily and then to Catalunya. Hoods for falcons were found in a Maltese collection
made from lamb skin while jesses, that were tied to
the birds’ legs, were made out of dog skin.
In the early 1400s, falconers were considered
to be important people and were exempted from
carrying out night watch duties (Wettinger 1979).
Falcon trappers enjoyed many exemptions due to
the privileges and provisions laid in their favour by
the overlords and their ministers, particularly the and falconry prevented them “from becoming
Viceroy of Sicily. In May 1470, the town council, idle”. The villani were not the best kind of falcons
which was the local government of the time, to be used in falconry as they were adult birds that
discussed whether the falconer had to pay taxes were difficult to tame and train and the petition
and while some council members insisted that shows that the people at the time were begging to
he should pay, others said that ancient customs be at least allowed to use such birds.
should be observed (Wettinger 1993). Privileges Between 1428 and 1458, the Falconer, one of the
and exemptions to falcon trappers were also given few officials of the medieval administration, was a
in May 1492 and confirmed in 1493 (Abela 1647, Maltese called Baldo Zebi. The administration had
Ciantar 1772). In 1563, there were not more than very limited expenses and “the only significant
20 falcon trappers in Malta and Gozo and they expenditure was on the hunting, capture, feeding
petitioned to be exempted from various taxes and and shipment to Sicily of falcons for the king.
watch duties (Fenech 1992). Falcon hunting was a major royal prerogative on
In the 15th century falcons were being used for Malta, and partly explains the king’s interest in the
hunting in Malta too. Specific mention of the use of island” (Bresc 1975).
a falcon for hunting is found in a petition on behalf The birds themselves came to be possessions
of people from the upper and middle class in of the greatest value and were looked upon as
1494. The town council pleaded with the Kingdom symbols of power and influence. They even made
of Sicily to allow them to at least have falcons such their appearance on crests and on coats of arms.
as the villani, since King Ferdinand’s falconers had Writing about falconry in France during the reign
taken all the birds away (Abela 1647, Mifsud 1917, of Louis XIII (1610–43), Charles D’Arcussia (1554– Doodles from Libri Bullarum
from the mid-1500s show
Dalli 1993). The petition states that there was 1628) one of the most renowned falconers of his a falconer with a dog and a
nothing else for them to do except to go hawking time, stated: “I can say that falconry has never hooded falcon
The Gran Falconer as

depicted by Zimelli, note in
the background, a warden is
seen speaking to a Maltese
hunter with a game bag and a
dead rabbit
An edict dating back to

1773 forbidding people from
hindering in any way falcon
trappers while these were
trying to trap falcons
MAN AND BIRDS 65
been practiced so well in France as it is today.

Never has a King had so many nor such good
birds as His Majesty has at present. People bring 11
him birds from everywhere, because they know he 1 10
loves them. The Greeks bring him Sakers and the 2 9
Dutch, Gyrfalcons. From Malta there is an annual
present from which His Majesty last month most
graciously gave me a Sakeret (female Saker) 12
which I hold as dear as my life. It is called Real 3 8
because he gave it to me, His Majesty honoured
it with that name and commanded me to call it so” 4
(Schlegel and Wulverhorst 1844). 7
5
Falcons in Malta were trapped while on migration 6
in autumn and the falcon trapping sites were called
paragni. In 1563, the falcon trappers and owners The location of falcon
of paragni numbered 20 at most (NLM AOM 429). trapping sites on Gozo in
Both Abela (1647) and Ciantar (1772) mention the yearly nominal rent of a falcon or a hawk on All 1746
use of paragni, a set-up of net and a domesticated Saints Day (1st November). However it later 1. Tal-Maqjel, G˙arb
falcon used as a lure, with which other falcons became customary to send a number of falcons to 2. Ta’ Ìarriska, near San
Dimitri Chapel, G˙arb
were caught. This they termed as “an ingenious the kings of France, Spain, Portugal and Naples. 3. Il-Qasam ta’ San Pawl,
invention”. These were vertical nets. A graphic of The custom of sending falcons to kings existed between Santa Luçija and
them can be seen on a map made in late 1565 before the Knights of St John were given Malta as Ras il-Wardija
by the German engraver Mathias Zündt. The map documents dated 1446 indicate that falcons were 4. Il-Wardija
5. Ta’ Çenç
shows various battles of the Great Siege of Malta, already being sent to the King of France. However, 6. M©arr ix-Xini
but a pair of standing nets can be seen on the cliffs falcon trapping goes back to even earlier times. 7. Ta’ Brieg˙en, between
on the south west coast of Malta (Ganado and Records of the number and types of falcons Xewkija and G˙ajnsielem
Agius-Vadala 1994). that were trapped exist and date back to 1431, 8. Il-Qortin tal-Im©arr,
overlooking M©arr
Paragni existed at Corradino and between when 14 falcons had been caught, of which 11 Harbour
Mellie˙a and Marfa in Malta (Abela 1647) while in were Peregrine Falcons and one was a Saker. The 9. Il-Qortin overlooking
his description of Gozo, Agius (1746) gives a list number of falcons trapped varied and up to 50 Wied ir-Ri˙an, between
of 13 places where 20 falcon traps were set and were trapped annually, but there were years when Wied ir-Ri˙an and Da˙let
Qorrot
states that in some years, up to 50 falcons were fewer were caught, as had happened in 1771, 10. Rdum iΩ-Ûg˙ir, limits of
trapped, adding that the pigeons or Turtle Doves when only 5 falcons were sent to the King of Naples, Nadur
were used as decoys. The trapping sites in Gozo and the accompanying protocol letter said that 11. Rdum il-Kbir, limits of
were situated at Ta’ Giarriska, tal-Maqjel, two at the usual number of 6 could not be sent because Nadur
12. In-Nuffara
Qasam ta’ San Pawl, four at Ta’ Çenç, singles at falcons had been scarce. The King of France was
M©arr ix-Xini, il-Qortin tal-Imgarr, in-Nuffara, Ta’ usually sent 12 birds each year. Twelve falcons
Brieken, Rdum il-Kbir, Rdum iΩ-Ûg˙ir and il-Qortin were sent to the King of France in 1727 and 11
overlooking Wied ir-Ri˙an and four at Wardija. in the following year and there were several years
Agius De Soldanis (1750), who wrote the first when 10 or 8 birds were sent. Records held in the
Maltese dictionary, mentions the mansab tal-bies, archives of the National Library show that between
a trapping site for falcons. This continues to confirm 1646 and 1789, between 4 and 21 falcons were
the existence of these sites. It is worth noting that sent annually to the Kings of France, Naples and
edicts permitting people to trap “birds and Turtle the King of the two Sicilies (Table 4). In some years,
Doves” specifically forbade them from moving their entries in the annals simply record the despatch
decoy birds when a falcon was seen, so as not to of “some falcons” and list neither the quantity nor
interrupt the falcon trappers, obviously by attracting the type that were sent. When a number of falcons
the bird to their nets. In his dictionary of 1796, were sent, these were usually mixed and one finds
Vassalli lists the long defunct word Bejjys, saying names such as Laniers de Russie and Laniers de
this meant cacciatore di falconi, falcon trapper. Sicile, showing that the Knights made distinctions
Detail from a 1565 map of
The Knights of St John, who were granted the between plumages or races of Lanners, calling Malta showing the nets used
Maltese Islands in fief, were obliged to pay the them Lanners of Russia and Lanners of Sicily. Most for trapping falcons
Table 4: Number of falcons sent from Malta was 766 crowns in 1781. It seems that the expense
Year Peregrines Saker Lanner Lanier de Russie Lanier de Sicile Total was not directly proportional to the number of
Saker Lanner falcons sent as while 1,184 Crowns were spent
1646 4 4 in 1783, when 10 falcons were sent, 989 Crowns
1676 7 4 2 13
1683 9 2 11 were spent in the following year, when 12 falcons
1684 11 1 1 13 were sent and 842 Crowns were spent in 1785,
1685 11 1 12 when only six falcons were sent. In 1788, 1,172
1705 8 2 10 Crowns were spent on the dispatch of another
1706 6 1 2 2 11
1707 9 1 10 six falcons. In 1787, ten falcons were sent at an
1708 7 1 2 10 expense of 1,213 Crowns while 945 Crowns were
1709 8 1 1 10 spent in 1786 when 8 falcons were sent.
1710 8 1 1 1 11
References show that from the mid-1500s, the
1711 6 4 10
1713 6 2 8 Grandmaster used to send falcon trappers to
1715 6 6 Lampedusa during the migration period in order
1721 17 1 3 21 to trap falcons from there too (Bosio 1683). In
1727 9 3 12
1728 7 4 11
1545, the Grand Master sent the Knight Fra Diego
1732 7 7 Lopez de Aiala to Spain to give greetings to King
1741 10 10 Philip and to deliver a quantity of falcons Pellegrini
1742 8 8 e sagri, part trapped in Malta and another part
1744 6 2 8
1745 4 2 6
trapped in Lampedusa.
1747 4 4 8 Once caught, falcons used to be marked and
1752 8 8 a female falcon belonging to Henry II (1547-
1753 10 10 59), which escaped while he was hunting with
1762 10 10
1764 15 15 it at Fontainebleau, was caught in Malta on the
1765 16 16 following day and recognised from the ring it was
1766 6 6 wearing (Bachman 1833).
1767 6 6 The obligation to send falcons compelled the Or-
1768 6 6
1771 5 5 der to create the post of the Grand Falconer. The
1772 6 6 Grand Falconer was appointed by the Grand Master
1778 10 10 but had no rank, thus other senior officers entered
1783 10 10
the Grand Masters’ room before him. Apart from tak-
1784 12 12
1785 6 6 ing care of the Grand Master’s reserves, he had to
1786 8 8 look after, and prepare, the falcons to be sent to the
1787 10 10 Kings abroad, for which he had an allowance of 3
1788 6 6
1789 6 6
carlini per falcon per day until they were delivered.
He paid for the powder and shot used by himself and
his hunters, he was responsible for issuing hunting
of the falcons sent were Peregrines of different licences and to determine the dates when the hunt-
sexes and ages, but up to 1747, several Lanner and ing season was to open and close. At the begin-
Saker Falcons were also sent. There was a whole ning of the hunting season he had to send game to
protocol that had to be observed on how the Knight all the Council members of the Order as well as to
sent by the Grand Master had to present the falcon the Inquisitor. He also had to provide game for the
to the respective King. Grandmaster’s table. The Grand Falconer also ac-
De Boisgelin noted that the expense of sending companied the Grandmaster on his hunting excur-
and presenting falcons to the Kings of France, sions and presented him the gun, which was loaded
Spain and Portugal and the Viceroy of Sicily in the by the chief hunter and carried by the pages. He had
10-year period between 1779 and 1788 amounted an allowance of two cartouches of wine per day, 3
to 10,393 scudi, 3 tari and 8 grani, equivalent candles a week and had free lodging, had a house in
to £103, 18 shillings and 7 pence. The average town and another one in the country (Fenech 1992).
annual expense 1,039 crowns a year represented under Grandmaster Lascaris, one of the buildings
four per cent of the whole budget. The most that in Valletta housed the falconry of the Order and
was paid was 1,272 crowns in 1779 while the least was the Grand Falconer’s official residence. The
MAN AND BIRDS 67
street where it was located was then called Strada

della Falconeria and is now called Melita Street, but
the original building no longer exists. The Grand The coat of arms of
Grandmaster De Vallette
Falconer had some support staff which included showing a hooded Gyr
the posts of cacciatore (hunter), Guardiano della Falcon. Coat of arms of
caccia (game warden) and a supervisory rank other French knights who
Capo caccia (chief hunter) also existed. served in Malta also show
birds used in falconry
Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, who was
the Grand Master during the Great Siege of 1565,
liked to hunt partridges with falcons close to St
Paul’s Bay and had a Gyrfalcon which was sent
to him by the King of France. A hooded Gyrfalcon
can be seen on his shield-of-arms. De Valette died
of sunstroke he got while hunting with falcons.
Three days before he died, his lioness died.
The following day his parrot died and then his
Gyrfalcon died. These were seen as premonitions
that his death was close, and he did indeed die
after his falcon (Bosio 1683). During his reign, De
Valette had confirmed the exemption from night-
watch duties and taxes to those who manned the
falcon-trapping stations. There were 20 falcon
trappers at the time. When the falconers’ regiment
was formed in 1751, its soldiers, who numbered
20, were exempted from paying taxes.
Sending falcons to dignitaries abroad was not
always without hitches. Documents dating back
to 1551-53 show that on one occasion, falcons
meant for the King of France were held up in
Trapani. On 4th April 1609 Fra Geronimo de Britto
was sent by the Grand Master to take falcons to
the King at Saragoza in the Kingdom of Aragon,
but the guards of the kingdom forbade him entry
and demanded payment of 200 Reals (20 Scudi,
approximately €8.50). This was later halved and
being “such an extraordinary expense”, the
Knight had asked to be reimbursed.
Yarrell (1843) stated that Louis XVI, the King of
France, had Lanners sent annually from Malta, “but
they were brought from eastern countries”. Yarrell
gives no supporting evidence to his statement
that these were imported into Malta. Furthermore,
records held in Malta show that Lanners were sent
on several occasions. Schlegel and Wulverhorst
(1844) stated that every year, the Grand Master
of Malta sent a French knight with 12 birds for the
King. The King of France made a gift of a thousand
ecus to this Knight and the Grand Master of Malta
paid for his journey to the court of France. This habit
of sending falcons to the King of France was also
followed by the King of Denmark and the Prince of
Kurlandia, who sent Gyrfalcons and other birds of
prey to the King of France. Kurlandia, or Courland, evidence of the use of such nets for catching Quail in
formed part of Poland and now forms part of Latvia. 1551, as a man was found using such a net without
The Knight presenting the falcons was given a a licence from the Grand Falconer (Wettinger 2006).
letter by the Grand Master to be presented to the A regulation published in the Malta Government
respective King and another to the Ambassador. The Gazette on 2nd October, 1883 stipulated that the
letter contained a list of the falcons that were being terrieha and another kind of net called xibka, which
sent as well as named the person who was helping referred to the nets traditionally used for catching
the Knight with the falcons. In one such letter dated Quail, were the only nets that were allowed for the
13th October 1764, the Grand Master told the King of taking of Quail. The use of vertical nets had already
France that he was sending him “Three Peregrines, been banned by the Police Laws published on 1st
two females and four tiercels”, adding that he was March 1854 and a subsequent Government Notice
“full of joy in sending these birds of haute volerie,” published on 22nd May 1872. The use of the terrie˙a
a term used to describe the hunting of herons, kites was finally made illegal by a Government Notice
and hares by the falcons. Basse volerie included published on 24th January 1911.
flights at Partridge, crow and Magpie. Quails were trapped with nets set on standing
In Medieval times, hoods for
falcons were made from lamb
Falcons were sent to the King of Sicily even corn in spring and from special trapping sites in
skin. Today some are still during the uprising against the French in 1798 as autumn. Farmers often complained about the
highly decorated the expenses for sending these birds are listed damage done to their crops because of such
in official accounts of the time. The last time the practices and on 19th April 1879, Notary Carmelo
falcons appear to have been sent is by the first Gauci wrote on behalf of 109 Gozitans petitioning
British Governor, Alexander Ball, in 1800. the Governor to ban the use of the regna for
Quail trapping (LGO 1131/1879). The signatories
included several parish priests and other clergy as
Trapping and bird keeping well as a number of farmers.
In the late 1800s, Quails were also trapped with
One cannot state with certainty who introduced vertical nets, which were fixed along the shore.
bird trapping to the Maltese Islands. It is probable Some people applied for permission to fix stakes
that the early settlers had some catching methods on which nets standing some 12 feet high would
as bird bones have been found from several be hung for the purpose of catching Quail in
archaeological sites. It is unfortunate that these September and October, but such permission was
have not yet been analysed to try and identify what refused because this meant an encroachment on
species they represent. public land (LGO Petition 4033A/1881).
The words xibka (net), mansab (trapping site) This practice however seemed to have gained in
and insib (trapping) have been derived from popularity and in 1883, the Police Superintendent
Arabic, and as the Arabs ruled Malta from 870 aired a grievance on behalf of hunters (LGO 15741
to 1090 AD, one can assume that some forms of Police). Hunters were complaining that nets 8 to
bird catching may have been taking place at that 10 feet high and spanning up to 3,500 yards were
time. An expression in old Maltese that has fallen being set up in different places in April, May and
into disuse speaks of sajjied l-g˙asafar, which September. Shortly after, a total of 210 hunters
literally translated means one who fishes for birds, sent a petition asking “that the custom lately
but which actually means a bird snarer. Agius De introduced of laying Quail nets on the sea shores
Soldanis (1750) defines mansab (trapping site) as may be prohibited (LGO 6909S). According to this
a place where “one fishes for birds”. petition, nets spanning 800 yards were fixed and
In the mid 1500s, people caught Quail by cast nets, hunters were unable to find any Quail to shoot as a
locally called terrie˙a. The terrie˙a is sometimes result. Hunters were threatening that they would no
used by fishermen from the shore, but this fishing longer pay the hunting licence, arguing this would
method is almost obsolete. One cast the round, mean a loss of revenue to government. The law
bell-shaped net with weights on its sides over fish in was subsequently changed and only small nets
shallow waters or birds such as Quail or Partridge, could be used to catch Quail (Malta Government
that were seen crouching. The nets had to be thrown Gazette 1883).
from very close range and both partridges as well During the time of the Order of St John, vertical
as Quail were caught with it. Criminal records show and other nets were used. Edicts regulating
MAN AND BIRDS 69
hunting specifically mentioning the use of nets,

can be traced back to February 1655 (NLM 149).
An edict dated 29th March 1773, for instance,
permitted people to catch ‘migratory birds and
Turtle Doves’ with nets (NLM 429). In the first
Maltese dictionary, Agius De Soldanis (1750),
who defined the trapping site, as a place where
nets are laid to trap migratory birds, also mentions
trapping sites for Turtle Doves, falcons, Short-toed
Larks and pigeons. Agius De Soldanis must have
been speaking about clap-nets, as it is difficult to
imagine how Short-toed Larks could be trapped
with any other nets. But he also mentions the
trapping site for falcons and ragna and ragnaja,
which were vertical nets or nets placed on trees.
Davy (1842) gave the first and only known
illustration of the netting site for Turtle Doves in
Malta as well as the seesaw contraption (©oga) for
the live decoy birds. Davy states that he had seen
a priest using such trapping equipment in Malta,
and the priest had termed it “land fishing”. He said
the nets were 7 feet long by 3 feet wide (2.1 m by 90
cm). The notion that priests used to trap birds was
very colourfully exposed by Wright (1864a), who
wrote that “the sport is a favourite amusement of
the country gentry; and in most casals, or villages,
the village priest, whose occupations and duties
afford him an abundance of idle time, pursues it
with great assiduity.” In another instance, when
Wright (1864) refers to ‘a man netting for larks’, he
implies that clap-nets were used.
Wright (1864a) was also the first to describe
the ‘nets spread on the standing corn’ which
were used for catching Quail. Such nets were still
used until 2009, before Quail trapping became
illegal. Adams (1870) wrote that ‘the bird catcher
is hard at work filling his cages with hundreds [of
Yellow Wagtails], all of which will be dead and imported at that time. Quarantine records show that An edict dated 29th March
1773 permitted people to
eaten before another day’. From the information 8 consignments of birdseed were imported from
catch ‘migratory birds and
available, it is evident that the use of clap-nets and Maghreb ports between 1654 and 1665 (Cutajar Turtle Doves’
trapping of finches to be kept as songbirds was 1987). It may well be that more birdseed was also
another development of the 19th century. imported from European ports, since the mentioned
Duke Ferdinand Albrecht, who was in Malta records were kept only for countries to which
between February and March 1663, states that quarantine control applied during the plague.
while passing through the villages of Naxxar and The keeping of songbirds in cages started
Lija, he saw some of the famous Maltese falcons of becoming popular in the middle of the 19th century
which the Grand Master was obliged to send one a and it is hard to tell whether finch trapping was
year to the viceroy of Sicily. In the Grand Master’s the cause or the effect of this new fad. A number
Palace in Valletta, there were whole corridors full of of portraits of children from noble families depict
living birds of all types (Freller 2008). children holding tethered birds. A Canary, a
Some nobles probably kept caged birds in the Goldfinch, what looks like some form of Cockatoo
middle of the 17th century since birdseed was and another unidentified bird can be seen in four
half a penny and sometimes 1½d., and for no

purpose of enjoyment (as in the case of the cheap
song birds), but merely as playthings for children;
in other words, for creatures wilfully or ignorantly
to be tortured. Strings are tied to their legs and so
they have a certain degree of freedom, but when
they offer to fly away they are checked, and kept
fluttering in the air as a child will flutter a kite.”
In Europe, this practice lasted until about
1920 in Belgium and The Netherlands and
there are numerous paintings and pictures
showing this from all over Western Europe. It is
also mentioned in rhymes for children. In some
instances, the bird was trained, in a way similar
to a falcon used in falconry, to fly free and come
back on a special perch. It was then rewarded
with a delicacy.
The string one sees in portraits was only used
during training. In several parts of Europe, children
played in competition and after the birds were set
free, the first one whose bird was back on the perch
was the winner. At around 1910, the reward for the
winner of this competition in The Netherlands was
a number of apples. Birds that were easy to tame
An illustration of a trapping such as Siskin or a Goldfinch, were normally used
site for Turtle Dove from but other species were used as well. Poor children
Davy’s book of 1842. The used a female bird, because they were cheaper, and
see-saw for the decoy bird is
still essentially the same in the female was as good as the male for this game.
our times different portraits dating from the early 1700s. Because of the training, birds were not kept in cages,
Keeping finches in this manner was popular in but were kept on perches to which they were tied by
Europe at the time and these portraits show that the same string (Arentsen in prep). But apart from the
Malta was following this trend too. portraits and the above mentioned poem, nothing is
The existence of a block of wood used locally known about such habits from Malta.
in printing in 1757, which shows two men holding Despott’s works from the early 1900s contain
tethered, flying birds, reinforces the idea that this several references to trapping, and though there
practice was prevalent in Malta too. The block in are a number of instances where trappers or
question forms part of 14 medium-sized baroque finches are mentioned, it is evident that many
engravings in wood, produced by an unknown of the birds that were trapped ended up in the
Maltese artisan, who was commissioned to pot. In one instance, Despott says: “hundreds
produce them for use in printing, These blocks of dozens of Linnets were caught with both clap
had greatly enhanced the typographical repertoire nets and bat nets (that is nets wrapped around
of the printing press at the time and were in use trees), and sold as beccafichi or are more quickly
until around 1869 (Zammit 2008). A hand holding consigned to the pot of the netters themselves”
the strings of two tethered birds in flight seen in the (Despott 1917). In a reference to Greenfinches,
crest of the surname Läyn in the 1783 manuscript Despott states that “like all other finches, the
also shows that this custom existed in Malta and Greenfinch is severely persecuted, and, being
was still practiced in the late 1800s, as there is rather a confident species, it is very difficult for it
reference to it in a poem L-G˙asfur Imjassar by not to fall a victim to one of the numerous guns or
Dwardu Cachia (Friggieri 1987). nets” (Despott 1917). The same can be said for
An account by Mayhew (1851), who described Serin, which “like the Linnet, it is also subjected
A hand holding tethered birds
in the coat of arms of the life in London at the time, states that “sparrows were to persecution and is wantonly destroyed by both
surname Laÿn sold in the streets generally at 1d. each, sometimes clap and bat nets … it is even said that many
MAN AND BIRDS 71
Details from 18th century

portraits of Maltese
nobles showing children
holding tethered birds
persons earn a living by the capture of these

birds” (Despott 1917).
In another reference about the Lesser Redpoll,
“taken by two boys who were netting for finches
near Ûurrieq on the 18th November,” Despott
reaffirms that finch trapping was carried out as a
means of subsistence as the bird, which was a first
record, ended up at the market and was bought
by “a bird fancier from Marsa” (Despott 1916a).
Some birds were obviously kept as cage birds as
Despott says Goldfinches were “often imported
and kept in confinement” (Despott 1917b).
A poem about trappers written by Guzè Muscat
Azzopardi in 1872 shows that the traits that are
discussed later, the interactions between trappers
and hunters in bars, their fantasies about trapping,
their stories and the way they boast and lie about
how much they caught, have been around for
quiet some time. The poem also shows that acts
of vindictiveness, committed out of spite against
each other, such as damaging trapping sites,
have also existed for a long time (Friggieri 1987).
But as one shall see later on, finch trapping
gained in popularity and became a pastime in
the 20th century when free time started becoming
more readily available.
Right: Men holding tethered birds in a wood-block dating to the mid-1700s,

while, above, a typically larger than life image Caged Songbirds by British
artist George Large. Men holding caged finches, usually Greenfinches bred
in captivity, as these are very tame, are popular in some village squares or in
front of village tea bars
ORNITHOLOGICAL WORKS 73
Ornithological Works
Birds in early works also mentions tokba t’ghosc tal-bliebel, defining it

as the hole where birds nest, a clear reference to
In 1582, Partridges were common while other the shallow depression birds sometimes make in
birds abounded as in a description of Malta at the ground which they line with fine grasses. He
the time, the author spoke of “wild Partridges, also mentions nests of partridges, pigeons apart
rabbits and some hares”. He also mentioned from the afore mentioned Ghox ta’ Hida, which he
Peregrine Falcons and other birds “esteemed by describes as “a nest of a bird of prey”.
hunters” and spoke of “very large numbers” of In 1749, the French Knight Godeheu de Riville
beccafichi (warblers) and Quails (Vianello 1936). wrote a short letter packed with information about bird
But the first rather detailed references to migration migration through Malta. In 1772, Giovanni Antonio
in Malta were given by Abela in 1647. He spoke Ciantar expanded Abela’s work and specifically
about bi-annual migrations of Quail, Turtle Doves, mentioned at least 69 species of birds and stated
thrushes, ducks, pigeons and Partridges. Abela “there were many more birds and one needed a The Woodpigeon was
also mentioned Peregrine and Saker Falcons, whole volume to describe them all.” He wrote that apperently more common in
Sparrowhawks and Merlins. Maltese rabbits, hares (now extinct) and Partridges Malta in the late 1700s
In Casparis (1660), one finds a passing reference were of a better quality than those found in Sicily.
to birds and migration. The author mentions Ciantar also lists the birds that one could expect
Peregrines, kites, hawks “and other birds of to hunt in particular months and with which winds
prey”. He also mentioned Partridges, Attaginum they were most commonly seen. Among the birds
(vulgarly called Francolinas), Quail, thrushes and mentioned by Ciantar, one finds generic names such
Ficedularum. Although this term is the scientific as geese, ducks, storks, herons, cranes, crakes,
name of flycatchers, it is believed that the term was plovers, falcons, vultures, owls, curlews, thrushes,
used as a generic name for smaller birds. The term larks, tits, as well as specific species such as Quail,
is derived from Latin Ficedula, meaning eater of figs. Garden Warbler, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Nightjar,
It is possible that ficedularum were birds otherwise Black Kite, Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Peregrine
known as beccafichi, i.e. Garden Warblers. Falcon, Sparrow Hawk, Great Bustard, Golden Oriole,
Information about birds can also be gleaned Ortolan Bunting, Starling, Blackbird, Short-toed Lark,
from early dictionaries. The dictionary of Agius De Calandra Lark, Dotterel, Lapwing, Ruff, Redshank,
Soldanis (1750) shows that a number of birds were Greenshank, Woodcock, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon,
breeding in his time as he specifically mentions nests all three species of Snipe and three species of Curlew,
of certain species while for other migratory birds, he Black-winged Stilt, Mallard, Jackdaw, Nightingale,
just gives their name. Agius De Soldanis mentions Goldfinch, Linnet, Greenfinch and Siskin. He also
nests of Short-toed Larks and apart from the nest mentioned species called Cardinali.
Table 5 Bird names given by Ciantar in 1772

Aironi Irsieset Herons
Allodole cappellute Çuqlajta tat-toppu Crested Lark
Allodole senza pennacchio in capo Alwett Skylark
Avoltoje Avultun Egyptian Vulture
Beccacci - minori delle beccacce Bekkaçç Snipes
Beccaccine Griewel Ruff
Beccacine di rocca Bekkaçina tar-rokka Common Sandpiper
Beccafichi Bekkafik Garden Warbler
Bilbole Bilbla Short-toed Lark
Calandre Kalandra Calandra Lark
Calderini, cardellini Gardell Goldfinch
Calengoli Bukraik Nightjar
Capiverdi Kuluvert Mallard
Cardinali Bu©eddum Bullfinch
Cavaliere Gallina tal-ba˙ar Oystercatcher
Cicogne Çikonja Storks
Cingallegre o cercelle Ceuceue Greenshank
Civette Kokka Little Owl
Colombi dell’ulivo Tudun tas-sigar Stock Dove
Colombi selvatiche Tudun selvagg Rock Dove
Corlini primi Gurlin Curlew
Corlini secondi Gurlin Sekond Slender-billed Curlew
Corlini terzi Gurlin Ûg˙ir Whimbrel
Cornacchie Çawl Crows / Jackdaw
Falconi villani Bies mara Haggard, female Peregrine
Falconi Gentili Bies fer˙ Fletched young Peregrine
Falconi Pellegrini Bies Peregrine Falcon
Falconi Terzaruoli Bies ra©el male Peregrine
Fanelli Gioini Linnet
Filinguelli, fringuelli Laparelli Serin
Fra-serviente Fra Servjent Black-winged Stilt
Galli Sriedaq / Velleran Glossy Ibis
Gallinacci di mare Ti©ie©a tal-ba˙ar ? Coot
Galline pratajuole Pitarre Little Bustard
Galline Gallina Woodcock
Gallucci primi Gallozz prim Crakes / coot
Gallucci secondi Gallozz sekond crakes
Grifoni Avultun Griffon Vulture
Lebraccini Tellerit Stone Curlew
Lodole Alwett Larks
Luccherini Ecore Siskin
Merli Malvizz iswed Blackbird
Mezze beccacce Bekkaçç meΩΩan Snipe
Milvi Astun ahmar Red Kite
Monachelle Monakella Ringed Plovers
Nibbi Astun iswed Black Kite
Oche Wizz Geese
Ortolani Ortolan Ortolan Bunting
Pavoncelle Veneu Lapwing
Pernicette Perniçjotta Pratincole
Piccoli privieri Pluverotti Redshank
Pipettoni Daqquqa tal-pennaçç Hoopoe
Pispole Bilblun Tawny Pipit
Pispise Pespus or Isfar Meadow Pipit or Yellow Wagtail
Pivierotti (Beruini) Birwin Dottorel
Pivieri Pluvieri Plovers
Quaglie Summien Quail
Re delle tortorelle Sultan il-gamiem Cuckoo
Rigogoli Tajr isfar Golden Oriole
Rigoletti, verdoni Verdun Greenfinch
Rondinelle Óawwief / Óuttaf House Martins / Swallows
Rosignoli Rozinjol Nightingale
Smerigli Seqer ta’ denbu Merlin
Sparvieri Sparvier Sparrowhawk
Stronelli Sturnell Starling
Tordi Imlievez Thrushes
Tortorelle Gamiem Turtle Dove
Tudoni Tudun Wood Pigeon
uccelli d’oro (Gialli) Tajr Isfar Golden Oriole
uccelli rossi (March) Be©©azzina Óamra Curlew sandpiper
uccelli simili a pappagalli (October) Kruçjat Crossbill
Ciantar gives generic names of a number of families (e.g. geese or herons) and mentions 71 species or families of birds that occurred with different
winds in different months. He said many more birds could be seen with different winds and to describe them all “one needs a separate volume”.
Ciantar says there were four types of falcons: cane or metal and it was attached to bellows made
Villani, Gentili, Terzaruoli and Pellegrini. All these from leather or rubber that forced air though it to
referred to Peregrines. The term Gentile was used make it call.
for a falcon trapped between June and September Badger (1838) said game was plentiful in
which could already hunt on its own but which was September and April, “when there are generally a
easy to tame and train. The Villani was the term great many quails, which light upon the island in
used for a falcon that cannot be trained. Terzaruoli, their flight, and are not infrequently caught by hand.
Tiercel, was the male, which was a third smaller Wild duck, snipe, fig-peckers, woodcocks, plovers
than a female. and doves form the chief game for sportsmen.”
Macgill (1839) noted that a variety of game birds
could be seen in Malta during both spring and
Travellers’ accounts autumn migrations but “from the want of cover, and
the immense number of sportsmen few birds breed
Travellers, who came to Malta from the late 1700s on the Island.”
onwards and who wrote about the countryside William Tallack’s work of 1861 has been totally
Small metal round whistles
or places of interest, sometimes depicted ignored by anyone writing about the ornithology were used for thrushes, larks
birds or wrote narrative pieces in which there of the Maltese Islands, except for Wright, who and pipits. Some used these
are references to birds. In some such works, referred to his work just once. Tallack devoted calls for finches such as
references to ornithology and natural history can 13 pages, out of 322, to the birds of Malta. Linnet and Siskin
be quite extensive. Although Tallack does not appear to have done
De Boisgelin (1805) said that “flights of birds any fieldwork himself, he specifically mentions or
of passage come to Malta and afford much describes 166 out of the 232 species recorded in
amusement to sportsmen, who shoot them with Malta up to that time. For certain families, he also
great perseverance. The Maltese are remarkable mentioned the number of species recorded, for
for imitating the notes of different birds, and catch instance he mentions eighteen species of gulls
them with surprising skill. They have also a very and six species of wagtails. He also mentions
long sight and perceive falcons and others of the key people such as Antonio Schembri, William
feathered race at a wonderful height in the air. They Medlycott, who used to spend winters in Malta,
are excellent shots, and seldom miss those birds Gavino Gulia and Charles Wright, then proprietor
which they do not take in the nets.” of a newspaper called the Malta Times, who was a
“Beccaficos, quails and plovers are the most keen hunter and collector and who wrote important
delicate juicy food. These birds of passage are papers about the ornithology of Malta. Tallack also The Quail call, Kwaljerin, was
in much greater quantities in some years than in acknowledged the help he received from Samuel made from bone, reed as well
others; and the quails almost constantly arrive Strafford Allen, who is often mentioned in Wright’s as spent brass cartridges
during the September equinox”. Most of what De diaries.
Boisgelin wrote was practically reproduced by Tallack gave a good description of Manoel Island
Bigelow a mere 25 years later (Bigelow 1831). and the vegetation as well as mollusca one could
Bigelow noted that feathered game was plentiful come across there. He also listed insects as well as
in Malta in certain seasons and says he had seen marine molluscs and fish found in Maltese waters. He
live Partridges exposed at the market in cages and also mentions interesting anecdotes that shed light
baskets. Quails, plovers and ‘beccaficos’ (Garden on the quantities of birds that could be seen, and
Warblers) were the most favourite birds. He too shot, at that time. Commenting about Bee-eaters, A call made from Giant
stated that the Maltese had “acquired the faculty of he wrote that a man had killed 35 of them in one Reed was used for calling
imitating the notes of different birds and catch them shot, when they were densely grouped in one flock. for Golden Plover, Dotterel,
Stone Curlew and Curlew
with surprising skill.” Tallack says that Scops Owls were sold for 2 pence
Old time hunters made use of different calls to each at the market. He also speaks of “scores” of
lure thrushes, larks, plovers and Quail, and these Turtle Doves in wicker baskets which were hawked
references are the first known written references to about the streets in Valletta and sold for making
these of bird calls from Malta. Calls for plover and “pigeon pies” in the season. He also speaks about
Quail used to be made locally and are sometimes the “new record” of the Rough-legged Falcon, as
still used. Plover calls were made from reeds. The the Rough-legged Buzzard was known at the time.
whistle part of the Quail call was made of bone, Medlycott too mentioned the “Mongloian larks”
along with Short-toed Larks, Skylark, Woodlark and including some which were later rejected. One such
Crested lark. bird is the Goshawk, which was listed in all major
Rev George Nelson Godwin, who was Chaplain ornithological works without a single specific record
to the British forces in Malta, also devoted a section being given. Another is the Imperial Eagle, which
to birds in his book dealing with geology, botany was said to be common, particularly on Gozo. The
and natural history of the Maltese Islands (Godwin Italian Sparrow is another such species.
1880). Godwin spoke of ornithologists who wrote Like many of his time, Rev. Henry Seddall (1870)
G˙adira, Salina and
about the birds of Malta, starting from Adams, was also a hunter and collector. His 355 page book
il-Mag˙luq at Marsaxlokk
(above) were the best places Sedall, Wright, Gulia, Grant, Crispo Barbaro and contains an appendix with notes on geology, botany
for wildfowl shooting. Here ending with Schembri, and quoted extensively from and natural history, of which three and a half pages
an exceptional bag from their works. are devoted to birds. Sedall wrote that had he had
il-Mag˙luq sometime before
Some of these works, as is typical of the writings more space, he would have written at greater length
World War I was so big that
it was even recorded in a of their time, referred blindly to pre-published works about birds, but a rapid survey was all he could do.
photograph and list a number of birds that had been recorded Sedall was a friend of Wright, and even mentioned
his work, hence it is somewhat baffling why he The number of skins ornithologists had at
concluded there were only six resident species those times is indeed staggering and most had
when Wright (1864) had said there were “ten or thousands of skins, birds’ eggs as well as nests
twelve”. Seddall mentioned the Jackdaw, Blue and some collected a host of other items. Colonel
Rock Thrush (then called Blue Solitary Thrush), the Richard Menertzhagen collected bird skins, eggs,
Spectacled Warbler, Robin, Kestrel “and perhaps birds’ tongues, duck down, mammals, reptiles,
the Herring Gull”. plants, seeds, bulbs, ferns, rocks, soil grit from
Seddall wrote, “Malta fails to convey any animals’ stomachs, crop contents as well as stamps
impression of its being in any sense an ornithological depicting birds. He also studied fleas and mites that
paradise. Yet, with all these detracting influences, came off birds’ feathers (Mearns 1998).
a day occurs now and then on which neither could Hence it should come as no surprise that those
the sportsman desire better sport, nor the collector interested in birds in Malta were also interested in
a greater variety in his bag. Such a day, I remember other aspects of natural history. Charles Wright,
occurred on 17th April, 1854, when, having taken for instance, not only collected skins and mounted
my station on the shores of Fort Manoel Island, near specimens but also kept some live birds, on which
the bridge, I was fully occupied the whole day in he noted moult patterns, was interested in geology
observing and securing specimens of the flocks as well as flora and mammals as well as reptiles.
of sandpipers, herons, and other waders, which By 25th April 1869, Wright had 641 skins of birds
descended every few minutes...The oyster catcher, (Wright 1968) and when he left Malta, he took
the glossy ibis, stilt plover, besides many other his collection with him back home to the uK and
treasures, found their way into my bag” (Seddall between 29th September 1884 and 17th March 1886,
1870). Wright paid a taxidermist H.A. Pigott a total of £49
and 6 shillings for re-stuffing of around 325 “Malta
birds”. In 1885, Pigott also started cleaning other
Victorian attitudes birds, to turn them into skins.
From the notes, it emerges that Pigott charged
Travellers’ and other accounts highlight an Wright 7 shilling 6 pence for a Short-toed Eagle, 6
important detail that while locals hunted for food, shillings for Spoonbill, 4 shillings 6 pence for Honey
foreigners shot birds for sport and for collections. Buzzards, Herons and Egrets, 4 shillings for birds
This is not to say that the game birds shot by the size of a Mallard or Marsh Harrier, 3 shillings
foreigners were not consumed, but hunting had six pence for the smaller harriers and Short-eared
different meanings for locals and foreigners, at Owls, 3 shillings for birds the size of a Kestrel, 2
least at that time. shillings sixpence for birds such as Merlin, Cuckoo,
In this day and age, when most people look at Wood Sandpipers, small terns and smaller birds
hunting and collections in a very different light, it such as wheatears and flycatchers, though he
is worth going to the roots to be able to see how sometimes charged 2 shillings for the latter, which
shifts in attitudes were made over a period of was a considerable sum of money for those days
time. As Mearns (1998) noted, in Victorian times, (Wright 1886).
“indiscriminate killing was the order of the day” all Antonio Schembri too had a collection, which
over the world. Early collectors were motivated by was however not that well kept for in August 1859,
the need to discover and ornithologists collected on visiting Schembri’s collection, Wright wrote: The Oystercatcher, Glossy
Ibis and Black-winged Stilt
skins to make study skins or mounts. A strong and “unfortunately Schembri’s birds have been much
were among the birds shot by
competitive element drove them to acquire bigger neglected, and many are half destroyed by the Rev. Henry Sedall in Malta in
collections. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the dust and the insects. The indiscriminate mixture of a single day in spring 1834
expansionist mentalities and race for the colonies foreign birds with birds taken on the Island throws
led to the powerful countries of the time to learn a doubt over the genuineness of those supposed
about various aspects of their new colonies, to be Malta specimens,” (Wright 1860a). Despott
including natural history, which was a resource (1917) noted there was “a pretty good number”
that could be tapped at that time too. A number of local collections, although some may have
of governments supported scientific expeditions, little or no scientific merit.” He then mentions 11
which Mearns (1998) calls “government-sponsored collections, including his own, in which he had over
collecting”. 1,000 specimens of 250 species.
Collections were important and the major the Plover yesterday, I perceived a bird among
ornithological literature written between the 18th and the shingle, which looked very much like my old
early part of the 20th centuries was written by collectors friend. I carefully made a circuit, and from behind
and based on collections. In his Handbook of field the governor’s boathouse, reconnoitred the locality.
and general ornithology published in 1890, Elliott As I showed myself to take aim, the bird rose, but a
Coues, the father of American ornithology, wrote steady shot from my old fire iron speedily brought
that “the true ornithologist goes out to study birds him to the ground... What was my delight, when, on
alive and destroys some of them simply because raising it out of the pool of water into which it had
that is the only way of learning their structures and fallen, I discovered I was right in my calculations.
technical characteristics” (Coues 1890). My bird was the Grey Plover and in capital condition
One should also keep in mind that neither field for preservation. It was in summer plumage and I
guides nor binoculars were available at those was later ascertained from the bird stuffer, of the
times. “Ornithologists up to the first decades of female sex.
the 20th century carried a gun for the same reason “It now occupies an honourable position among
that today’s ornithologist carries a binoculars or a my other favourites. It is strange that only a few
telescope. The gun enabled them to identify what weeks previous I remarked to the bird stuffer that
they saw. One should keep in mind that the prism the Grey Plover was a bird I had never met within the
binoculars were not invented before the early 1900s course of my shooting excursions and one of which
and they were still prohibitively expensive until after I was particularly interested curious of obtaining a
the First World War. specimen for my collection. My wish was gratified in
“The aspiring ornithologist had to watch the the first occasion I went out with a gun after passing
commoner birds, becoming familiar with their this observation” (Wright 1858).
song and habits, and shoot at least a few of each In another instance, in autumn 1865, Wright says
to begin a reference collection, after which it was that he “went after two black looking birds, which
only really necessary to kill the more unusual birds appeared to be Cormorants, but smaller than the
as they turned up,” (Mearns 1998). Mearn’s quotes common kind. They were probably Phalacrocorax
are confirmed with several passages one finds in Pygmaeus, which has not yet been recorded as
Wright’s diaries from Malta: a Malta visitor. unfortunately I could not get within
“Wednesday August 22, 1855 – Went out shooting shot of them, so the matter remains in doubt for the
for the first time this season. Visited the Island of present,” (Wright 1867).
Fort Manoel where I flushed a bird which I took Indeed, shooting enabled ornithologists to
to be a Grey Plover, from its general appearance ascertain what they had seen: On 21st May 1869,
and note. It got up out of shot from the sandy shore Wright wrote the following note. “Visited Fort
near the Governor’s boathouse on the quarantine Manoel. As soon as I arrived saw a large tern
side of the Island. After flying a short distance and passing over the bridge. It was very fearless, and
making several evolutions, it alighted on the shore approached repeatedly very close to the soldiers
within a few yards from the place where it originally on guard. One of the soldiers threw some pieces of
started and close to a hollow in the ground where bread into the water which it immediately pounced
I lay anxiously watching its movements. As I rose upon and swallowed. It had been there, they told
to obtain a shot, it took to wing, upon which I me, several hours, catching small fish, which were
immediately presented and pulled the right trigger rather plentiful there.
of my fowling-piece, when unfortunately the cap “I laid in waiting for it more than half an hour, not
missed fire. I let fly the contents of my second barrel, liking to chance a long shot. At length it came within
but it did not succeed in bringing down the bird. On fair range and I shot it from my skiff. It proved to be,
the Sliema side of the Island, I also put up several what I indeed expected, a splendid specimen of the
Common Sandpipers and a sandpiper which I took Caspian Tern in full summer plumage, the head of
to be either of the Wood or the Green Sandpipers, a velvety black and beak of a bright coral red. This
but as it rose at a considerable distance I was fine tern had not hitherto been recorded as Maltese.
unable to establish to which species it belonged. Another was shot here this spring” (Wright 1868).
“August 23, Thursday – visited the island towards He later added it was a female, with two eggs in
four o’clock in the afternoon, and took a turn round the ovary in an advanced stage of development
its shores. On approaching the spot where I flushed (Wright 1874).
Without books, it was not only birds that could

not be easily identified, but also other things.
Drawing up a list of moths, Wright commented that
his list included those “which have been observed
here. I have found many others, but without
proper books have been unable to determine
them,” (Wright 1868). Though a limited number of
books about birds were available, the forerunners
of today’s field guides only appeared in 1934,
when Roger Tory Peterson revolutionised the bird
guides concept and rather than going for a five
or ten volume series, like the major ornithological
works of the time, came out with a small book that
could fit into one’s pocket: a Field Guide to the
birds. This was an instant success in the united
States and 20 years later he co-authored, with Guy
Mountford and P.A.D. Hollom, the Field guide to
birds of Britain and Europe.
Ironically, in Malta, field guides and books
with beautiful plates, such as those of Archibald
Thorburn, were popular with hunters and Birds for the pot
taxidermists, who tried to mount birds in the
postures shown in such books. But as Mearns noted, ornithologists of the 19th
Still, the new idea that an experienced birdwatcher century killed not only birds for collections but
could confidently identify every species he saw habitually killed birds to eat. One can find several
using a pair of binoculars and field guides, “was examples of this from Malta. Sperling (1864) wrote:
only slowly and grudgingly accepted by the old “if a flight of Quail, doves or owls come in during
shotgun school of ornithologists. The belief that the night, they are all shot in the morning, in the
‘what’s hit is history, what’s missed is mystery’, was market at noon, and eaten by the evening; for the
firmly entrenched in their minds,” (Mearns 1998). Maltese are an omnivorous nation, and are not Decorative frames with
Indeed, this motto can be met with on bookplates of averse to eating owls, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes etc,” stuffed birds were popular
in Victorian times while up
books coming from Henry Witherby’s library. but then adds that one might easily shoot ten or to the late 1970’s, it was not
The move by collectors to have mounted birds twelve Quails before breakfast during the shooting unusual to see stuffed birds
as well as skins led to another development and season and that he did not think “any one would decorating houses of non-
the idea started rubbing off. It started becoming regret going to the Mediterranean to shoot in hunters too
fashionable to display stuffed birds in Malta too. winter.”
up to the 1970s, even in houses where there Seen with today’s eyes, such writing is often
were no hunters, it was not uncommon to come puzzling as it seems very insensitive. Writing
across a stuffed colourful bird such as a male about the Woodchat Shrikes, Sperling said they
Golden Oriole, a Hoopoe or a Bee-eater, placed were “brave and affectionate little birds. On one
on the television set, or to see a Kestrel or Honey occasion I shot a hen, which fell about fifty yards
Buzzard often with outstretched wing on a piece from the tree: the cock accompanied her fall, and
of furniture. Hunters who did not habitually shoot sat chattering defiance at me from an adjoining rail
at these birds, mostly to economise on powder as I went to pick up his wife’s dead body.”
and shot, were often asked by neighbours to get General Sir Frederick Ponsonby, who governed
them one so that they could decorate their houses. Malta between 1827-36, had a shooting resort at
This later developed into a collecting mentality Marfa and certain people, especially guests of
with some hunters building up a small collection the Government or distinguished people, were
of ‘trophies’ of birds they shot. Others however invited to accompany the Governor on shooting Thorburn’s paintings were
made it their point to amass as large a collection expeditions. In one of his letters from Malta, Disraeli used by some Maltese
taxidermists to see how to
as possible of Maltese birds as well as others that wrote that he had accompanied the Governor mount birds in a more life-
could be obtained following shooting trips abroad. on a shooting expedition (Mifsud Bonnici 1936). like posture
(25th November), armed with every second-hand

gun that can be begged or borrowed”.
Davies (1893) also wrote that one of the military
secretaries had started a code systematic signalling
system and whenever a fresh flight of Woodcock
arrived and could be located in any valley, “their
presence was made known to him by vigorous flag-
waving at daylight the next morning. The cart would
be brought round, the gun slipped under the seat,
and two or three couple of cock would be served
up, freshly killed, for lunch at the palace that day.”
A similar reference was given later by Robert
Baden-Powell, but his experience was limited to
Buskett Gardens. Baden-Powell was in Malta in the
early 1900s and used to hunt. His memoirs show
that he used to shoot Woodcock at the Governor’s
country palace at Buskett. Baden-Powell, who was
in charge of the gardens, wrote: “I arranged with
the head gardener that when any Woodcock were
seen, he was to hoist a yellow flag on the tower. This
was visible to me from my office eight miles away in
Valletta. When I saw the flag flying, I would jump into
my cart and drive out to Verdala, and the gardener
in the meantime would have called together a few
beaters, and we would proceed to get the cock”
(Daily Malta Chronicle 1932).
In his many accounts, Wright shares his
experience about how best to shoot Quail. In one
A drawing entitled Patience
rewarded — A study of a
instance, he says that to be a good shot, “you
Maltese sportsman by Dudley must take care not to fire as soon as the bird
from The Sketch of 1906 gets up near you. Allow it to get off say twenty or
twenty five yards before you fire” (Wright 1860a).
Schembri (1843) recorded that General Ponsonby In a more elaborate account, we read: “On the
shot two extremely rare birds - a Demoiselle Crane 4th September, wind being pretty nearly from the
near Corradino and in 1835 he shot a Great Bustard S.E. fresh, quails were even still more abundant,
at Marfa. Wright’s works are littered with names of arriving all day. On the 5th there were also a good
officers of the British Services who had shot rare many, and without a dog I put up in the fields
species of birds for their own collections or which near Hunter’s some twelve or fourteen, and shot
they had passed on to him. Ponsonby seemed to seven. I was out from 3 to 6½. They seem to like
be a very keen shooter as he is said to have killed the shade of fig trees and carobs and any little tuft
11,000 rabbits in seven years (Slade 1937). This of weed, green or dry, to hide under, or to shelter
works out to an average of over four rabbits a day them from the sun. It is a good plan, especially
if one assumed he hunted every day, which was when the sun is still hot, to walk along the sides
most unlikely. of the low walls which divide the fields from one
A brief mention about hunting in Malta is given another, and especially to look into the corners for
in the chapter dealing with wildfowl in Sicily in Lt. nine out of ten will be found in such places. Cotton
Dayrell Davies’s book Sporting notes in the Levant fields are also good localities which should not be
(Davies 1893). Davies, a Royal Navy officer, said passed over. If not fired at, the quail when put up
that Woodcock “occasionally drop pretty thickly will alight again after flying a short distance. It is
on their passage across the Malta Channel, and well to let it alone for a few minutes to get over
so regular are their visits that hosts of sporting its alarm, and not to follow it up immediately, as
Maltese turn out to a man on St Catherine’s Day there being generally no cover at this season, if
pursued at once it is likely to get up out of shot if

pursued at once,” (Wright 1862b).
In a book about Malta, Castagna (1888) dedicated
a section to birds. He listed 134 species of birds of
which he highlighted 20 that bred. Davies (1893)
spoke of quail shooting in Malta, saying “an old hand”
from HMS Dreadnought had “picked up twenty four
couple of Quail round the Corradino area in one
morning in spring while a sharp shooter from the
Connaught Rangers “had accounted for forty couple”
in one day in the same spring, but from Gozo. “Ninety-
eight couple at Corradino is the record bag for one
day during our time,” Davies wrote. Corradino Hill
overlooks the Grand Harbour from the Marsa side and
is now an industrial area. But one can imagine what it
must have looked like in those days, when there was
practically nothing here except for the military prison
shown in the illustration of a hunter about to shoot at a
bird perched on a telegraph wire in.
The late Joseph Mangion
Ballou (1893) noted that various game birds could shows sticks of cordite.
be seen on the Valletta market and these included During World War II, hunters
Quails that were brought from Gozo. He said Quails used cordite stolen from anti
bred freely and appeared in large flocks “from aircraft shells, grated it with
cheese graters or ground it
Algeria”. Ballou wrote that during the open season, with coffee mills and mixed
officers of the British garrison went to Gozo for Quail it with home made black
shooting. He said a variety of ducks, plover, snipe powder because gunpowder
and other aquatic birds could be shot. “Only about was unavailable
a score of species of the feathered tribe make their
permanent home in the Maltese Islands, but “there the 1960s and peasants would readily tell you that
are hundreds seen resting here from time to time, they could eat meat more easily in April, May and
on their migratory course.” The author noted that “in September, when Turtle Doves and Quail were
stormy weather, dead birds were found at the base plentiful, and to a lesser degree in October and
of the lighthouse in Gozo”. November, when Skylarks abounded.
Peto (1927) made a passing reference to birds Speaking about the pre and post war years, the
when she mentioned dogs used in duck and dove late Joseph Mangion, of Wardija, recounted: “You
shooting and said one might receive “a queer did not eat meat everyday in those days, except
invitation for the April dove shooting” in Malta. when Turtle Doves migrated (Fenech 2000). Hence
“There is not much to shoot” she said, adding that it comes as no surprise that birds were seen as a
“there is so little to eat in the island that every kind source of food. During the hard times of World War
of bird is shot and cooked immediately it appears. II, when everything was scarce and both means
Malta is assuredly no bird sanctuary”. and resources were limited, hunters used to grind
Peto’s remarks should come as no surprise as cordite stolen from military ordinance and mix it
descriptions of Malta and travellers accounts from with home-made black gunpowder, as imported
the 1500s speak of the frugal diet that the Maltese gunpowder was hard to find.
lived on, with bread as a staple food. In a description
of Malta in 1582, it was said that the majority of
people ate bread, vegetables and cheese (Vianello Early ornithology
1936). De Boisgelin (1805) wrote that the usual diet
of Maltese people consisted of “a clove of garlic, or Although it is generally accepted that Antonio
an onion, anchovies dipped in oil, and salted fish”. Schembri drew up the first ornithological list of
Though the situation improved gradually, birds Malta’s birds in 1843, others before him had
remained an important source of food until even already drawn up lists of birds or families, and
In summer, three types of sandpipers (bécassines)

were seen with easterly winds: Common
Sandpipers, noires, possibly Green Sandpipers
(called Swejda in Maltese), pispous, possibly the
Wood Sandpipers, (which is still called Pespus
tal-Ba˙ar today in Maltese). Curlews appeared in
summer and in September with westerly, northerly
and north-westerly winds. Woodcocks followed. De
Riville noted that the French proverb à la St Denys
(20th October) bécasse en tout pays (On the feast
of St Dennis, Woodcock appears everywhere), was
not applicable to Malta, because it was rare to find
Woodcock at that time, since the peak was after the
feast of St. Martin (11th November) and lasted till the
end of the month.
The Roller bred in Malta in
the mid-1700s and its nest Falcons, buzzards and other raptors appeared
was described by De Riville in April with north-easterly winds and in October
in 1749. The French name with southerly, westerly and south-westerly winds.
Geais de Barbarie or Geais
In October and November thrushes, Skylarks,
de Strasbourg was given by
the naturalist Conrad Gesner Moorhens, Golden Plovers, Teals and other ducks,
(1516-1565), who received appeared. Golden Plover appeared with north-
one of these birds from easterly winds. Woodcocks appeared with northerly
Strasbourg
and north-westerly winds. Thrushes appeared with
An engraving published north-westerly winds and when signs of a brewing
by Lacroix shows men storm appeared in a fine sky, the ground was then
scaling down cliffs to take covered with thrushes. Other species migrated in
pigeons from the nests at October and November. Skylarks could be found
around 1848. This method of
catching pigeons was already in winter and in March, most species that appeared
described by De Riville in in September, except for Woodcock, could be seen
1749 and De Boisgelin in again.
1805 spoken about migration. As we have seen earlier, De Riville said that in March, wild pigeons arrived
in 1647 Abela had mentioned the migration and bred in caves in cliffs and left in the beginning
of hawks and falcons, “fat” Garden Warblers, of July for Sicily and Calabria where they fed on
Quails twice a year, Turtle Doves, thrushes hemp seed. These pigeons built their nests in caves
and other birds “that resided here”, such as on craggy cliffs and the Maltese had a dangerous
Partridges, ducks, Stone Curlews and Gallacci way of taking their young.
(probably Moorhens). “They attach a rope to the rock above the cave,
In 1749, the French Knight Godeheu de Riville and armed with a wooden stick with a metal hook
wrote about bird migration through Malta. He said that attached to its end, they let themselves slide all
in April birds called bouchraies (Nightjars) which he along the rope until they come opposite the cave
described as almost black, similar in size to Golden entrance. Then they sit in a kind of stirrup that they
Plovers, but had a big head and a flat pointed bill, would have made in the rope before the descent,
appeared with south-westerly winds. On the feast of and with the aid of the stick they give themselves a
St George (23rd April), Quails and Cardinaux, which few good swings until they can get inside the cave.
probably were Goldfinches, appeared with north- They use the stick to hook on to the rock face to
westerly winds while Turtle Doves and Cuckoos stabilize themselves while they collect the nests,
appeared with south-westerly ones. In May, ‘thin’ which they usually find in large quantities. There are
Garden Warblers appeared. These were fatter and times when a hunter, busy searching, lets slip the
A Hooded Vulture features in
a 1778 engraving by François
’more delicious to eat’ in September. Snipes, or Jack rope; he is lost without hope because of the rocky
Nicolas Martinet, made for Snipes, (Demi-bécasse), arrived on the feast of St situation, without an idea about what happened.”
Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle John (24th June) and remained in Malta until the end De Boisgelin (1805) as well as Lacroix (1848) and
des Oiseaux of the Woodcocks’ migration. others, described the same practice. Lacroix quoted
De Riville, but also gave a graphic description of Citing De Riville, Buffon said that Quails were seen
men climbing down cliffs to take birds as well as in Malta in May and September. Buffon also spoke
fish. De Boisgelin spoke of “lower order people” of a species of vulture Vautour brun sent to him
in Gozo who lived “in the midst of gulfs of caves, from Malta, which was similar to another specimen
and gain livelihood by exposing themselves to the sent to him from Africa. If Buffon’s identification
greatest dangers. Many among them were let down was correct, and there is little reason to doubt
the perpendicular rocks by ropes in order to search him as he described several other species of
in the clefts and fissures for wood-pigeons’ nests, vultures, this was a Hooded Vulture, which has not
and other kinds of birds, the flesh and plumage of been recorded since from Malta. Those sending
which were fit for sale”. the bird to him probably did so because they too
De Riville said there was another species of realised this was something rare. Again relying on
wild pigeon which migrated during October and information supplied by Knight Desmazy, Buffon
November, and he had sent a specimen of this stated that Garden Warblers were more plentiful in
unidentified species to the Academy of Sciences. Malta in autumn than they were in spring.
De Riville also said that Geais de Barbarie or Geais Buffon speaks of differences in plumages and
de Strasbourg, Rollers, appeared in May and races of falcons, including Peregrine and Barbary
September and a nest with two eggs was found Falcons. He said Peregrines could be found
on the ground in June. The French name for the in cliffs in Malta too and that those caught from
Roller was given by the naturalist Conrad Gesner Malta were much darker than those occurring in
(1516-1565), who received one of these birds from Europe. Young birds, called Sors, were caught in
Strasbourg, but the name is no longer in use. September, October and November and as they
had not been in the wild for too long, were easier
to tame.
Buffon and Malta
Several references to birds in Malta can be found Ciantar’s work

in Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon’s work Histoire
Naturelle, a 44-volume encyclopaedia describing Ciantar, who in 1772 updated Abela’s work
the natural world, the last few volumes of which were mentioned more species than both Abela and De
published after his death. Several volumes of Buffon’s Riville. Like the French author, he went into detail
work were dedicated to birds. Buffon acknowledged of which birds were expected to be seen in which
information communicated to him by a Knight of the months as well as which winds brought them to
Order of St John, Commandeur Desmazy and also Maltese shores. Ciantar mentions no less than 69
referred to the work by Godeheu de Riville (1749). species or families of birds. He probably knew De
Buffon stated that Golden Plovers and Curlews Riville’s work because he also mentioned Cardinali
appeared in Malta twice a year, in spring and autumn. as passing through. Ciantar speaks of both migratory
These passed through “with flocks of other birds birds such as thrushes, Quails, Garden Warblers
that crossed the Mediterranean and which stopped and Turtle Doves as well as resident species such
to rest on Malta”. When speaking about migration, as Partridges, ducks, pigeons, crakes and Stone
Buffon also mentioned the story of one of Henry IV’s Curlews. He said Partridges were of better quality
falcons, which escaped from Fontainebleau and than those found in Sicily. He wrote that in March,
was found in Malta the following day. The bird was plovers, some thrushes, snipes, three types of larks,
recognised by the ring it had. Hoopoes and Wrynecks migrated. Easterly and Buffon’s works were
Buffon said he was informed by Knight Desmazy southern winds brought Quails, Greenshanks and republished, abridged and
that Stone Curlews migrated twice in Malta, in Redshanks, while Golden Orioles, Nightjars, Ruffs modernized several times
spring and in August. Stone Curlews bred and the and hirundines migrated with various winds. as well as translated into
many languages. Several
incubation period was of 30 days and the young were In April, Quails and Turtle Doves appeared with references to birds in Malta
“a good strong game bird”. He described adults as north-westerly winds while the south-east brought may be found in Buffon’s
having “dark and tough meat”. Stone Curlews were Nightjars. Hoopoes, Short-toed Larks and other 44-volume encyclopaedia
among the game reserved for the Grand Master. Red birds appeared in March and continued to be seen Historie Naturelle. Buffon
was given information from
Partridges, introduced by the French Knights in the in April and May. The north-easterly in June brought French Knights living in
mid-1600 were also reserved for the Grand Master. three species of Curlew and other shore birds. Malta
Pigeons which nested along sea-cliffs and inland

were caught and hunted by various means between
June and August. In September, Ortolan Buntings
and Garden Warblers appeared with easterly winds,
while Quail, Turtle Doves, owls, Nightjars, Hoopoes,
larks, Starlings, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons and
Stock Doves appeared with easterly winds. Ciantar
also mentions Cardinali, which he said were called
Bag˙al ta’ Ìojjin, which today is a term used for
crosses between Linnets and Canaries. De Lucca
(1969) uses Bag˙al ta’ Gojjin for Lesser Redpoll
(Acanthis flammea cabaret). As these do not
Charles Bonaparte, was migrate, it is not known what exactly Ciantar could
in contact with Antonio
Schembri (Right) have been referring to.
In October, southerly and easterly winds brought
thrushes, larks, Starlings and Blackbirds. North-
easterly and northerly winds brought Snipes, plovers,
Dotterel, Golden Orioles, Lapwings, crakes and
Stone Curlews, that remained in the islands. Easterly
and southerly winds brought ducks, Mallards and
geese, Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers
and Woodcocks. Tempestuous north-westerly winds
brought Bustards while southerly winds brought
Cranes, Vultures, Sparrowhawks, Black Kites,
Merlins, Red Kites, Peregrines and other falcons and
Jackdaws. Northerly winds brought Nightingales,
Goldfinch, Calandra Larks, and Linnets. Storks were In the second book, Schembri compares the
seen in October and November and could be seen species found in Malta, Sicily, Rome, Tuscany,
until January. Liguria, Nice and the department of Gard, in France.
Matteo Nicola Ardoino was His third work was meant to be a reference work for
a keen hunter and a good
taxidermist who mounted
students of ornithology. This was published as an
birds for both Schembri Ornithology in the 19th century extract of the Nuovi Annali delle Scienze Naturali
and Giuseppe Despott, who di Bologna in 1846 and was called Vocabolario
posthumously published Schembri is considered as the father of Maltese dei Sinonimi Classici dell’Ornitologia Europea. In
Ardoino’s bird list in 1928
ornithology because he compiled the first this work, Schembri collected the scientific names
complete ornithological works, two in 1843 and of every species and it was considered to be an
another in 1846. As was customary at the time, important milestone as there was no scientific
the books were all in Italian. The first was a 139- standard nomenclature at the time (Attard 1972).
page book in which he gives the status of the 230 Schembri was the secretary of the Società
species recorded at the time. Schembri listed the Economico Agraria, which worked to promote and
breeding species, winter and summer residents as protect agriculture. It seems ironic it was Schembri
well as migratory species. He also gave the birds’ himself who had, in February 1845, advocated
scientific, Maltese, English and French names. the destruction of the Jackdaw in view of the
Like most ornithologists of his time, Schembri had harm these birds were perceived to be doing to
a collection of stuffed birds. Schembri was in contact agriculture. In his capacity as secretary to the
with Charles Bonaparte, the son of Napoleon’s Agrarian Society, Schembri advised that a bounty
brother Lucien. Bonaparte had taken up residence should be paid on every Jackdaw killed and that
in Italy and became one of the leading naturalists. those presenting a dead bird would be reimbursed
Schembri used to send Bonaparte a number of with the equivalent of the cost of a shot, while the
specimens of birds, and this is acknowledged in bounty was also paid to anyone presenting dead
Bonaparte’s book Iconografia della fauna Italica chicks or eggs. The bounty had to be paid by the
(Attard 1972). Parish Priests.
Nicola Ardoino whose first name was actually Schembri and Wright, for whom he stuffed “the A letter by Antonio Schembri,
secretary of the Società
Matteo, but was always known by his second best and rare specimens”.
Economico Agraria, dated 8th
name, Nicola, was born in Malta on 20th December Ardoino compiled a list of 281 species of birds, February 1845, advocated the
1817. His father Gaetano hailed from Messina giving their scientific and Maltese names and their destruction of the Jackdaw
and was a consul in Malta and married a Maltese status. Ardoino stated that the Nightingale bred, because of the harm these
birds seemed to be doing to
woman Maria Carmela Mitrovich. Ardoino was but was not a common breeder and that the Eagle
crops
interested in natural history, particularly in birds, Owl was not common but appeared annually in
and was a close friend of Prof. Temi Zammit, October. Like other authors, he too mentions the
the director of the National Museum and Prof Whooper Swan as appearing accidentally. About
Ruggero Falzon, who like Ardoino, was a keen Quail, Ardoino says they used to be common but
hunter. According to Despott, who posthumously their numbers were diminishing. Ardoino was the
published Ardoino’s bird list in 1928, he was “an first ornithologist to mention the Zitting Cisticola,
accurate observer, a keen hunter and one of the saying it appeared in early September, adding
first and best taxidermists Malta had.” He had that it was scarce.
taught the art of taxidermy to Pollacco, whom Ardoino’s work was in Italian. The list was
Wright later refers to in his diary and comments compiled on 1st February 1893 but was only
that his birds were far superior to those mounted published in 1928 by Despott. Ardoino died on
by his taxidermist, as well as Giuseppe Micallef, 26th December 1903 and his manuscript was given
the taxidermist from Birkirkara who was often to Despott by his nephew Col Giuseppe Ardoino.
mentioned by both Wright and Despott in their According to Despott (1928), Ardoino was a painter
works. Ardoino was a close friend of Antonio and close friend of the renowned Maltese artist
Giuseppe Calì, and birds were naturally a favourite formed the backbone of his later publications, a
subject for Ardoino. But unfortunately, none of lot of other information he jotted in them was never
his paintings portraying birds have come to light published. In some instances the diaries contain
yet. Despott says Ardoino was one of the first, if more information than what was published while
not the first, to introduce photography into Malta. sometimes what was published complements
Ardoino lived in Sliema, and even in his old age, them and adds to what he had made notes about.
often walked all the way to St Paul’s Bay, where he His diaries, covering the period from August 1855
had a summerhouse, and on his return, he would to 1867, are preserved at the library of the British
carefully note down the birds he had observed on Museum of Natural History in Tring. This library
the way before he went to rest. also has other manuscripts, including a six-page
list entitled Catalogue of Malta birds by Charles
A Wright, drawn up in March 1860, in which he
Wright appears on the scene listed 242 species; as well as another, much more
Charles A. Wright published extensive work, entitled Rough list of the birds of
several papers about bird life Charles Augustus Wright published extensive Malta 1860.
in Malta between 1863 and
1874
important papers about bird life in Malta in The Wright was born at Regent’s Park, London in
Ibis between 1863 and 1874, in which he recorded April 1834 and died in 1907, aged 74. It is not clear
28 new species of birds. He also kept meticulous when he came to Malta but his first diary on the
diaries in which he made notes about ornithology island starts on 28th August 1858. He is believed to
and other aspects of natural history. Though have finally returned to England in 1875. Wright was
some of the information contained in his diaries the founder of The Malta Times and Mediterranean
correspondent of The London Times. He collected
birds, shells and plants, and was author of papers
on the birds of Malta. He was Vice-President of
the Malta Archaeological Society and in 1883 was
awarded the Order of Knight of the Crown of Italy
in recognition of his ornithological studies.
Wright lived in Sliema and his “chief hunting
grounds”, as he himself called them, were Manoel
Island, St Julian’s Valley and Kappara Valley. He
also paid several visits to Filfla and from time to time
visited the Salina saltpans as well as other areas. His
notes about the birds he saw for sale at the Valletta
market shed a lot of light about ornithology in his
time. By August 1857, Wright had four shotguns,
after buying “a Dean and Adams double barrelled
shotgun from Frank Sunkey for £10,” (Wright 1858).
He later also bought a “walking stick gun” and the
following episode sheds light about his sense of
humour:
“Yesterday I was shown a walking-stick fowling
piece, which would do admirably I should think
for obtaining specimens of these small birds. It
Labels often found on belongs to Rigo Critien, and I believe he is willing to
pedestals of mounted birds part with it for a consideration. I fell in with another
stuffed by one of the best
walking stick gun last week, which is constructed on
taxdermists of the time,
Giuseppe Micallef, who a very singular principle. It is so contrived that while
sometimes also signed the knocking down birds with it, you may be certain of
backdrop of his works, such knocking down your throat and your own front teeth
as those on p. 78
at the same instant. To be more explicit, the stick
The first hand-written list of formed of two hollow tubes (brass) of about equal
birds of Malta by Wright length, which screw onto each other. One of these
hollow tubes is the barrel, which is furnished with a

breech and a nipple, but the nipple instead of being
fired in at an angle with the barrel, as in ordinary
guns, lies horizontally with it. In the other tube is
a small iron pellet, which is blown, like a pea of a
peashooter, and smartly striking the cap, explodes
and sets off the charge. The manner of loading is
the same as in the ordinary muzzle-loader. I had a
narrow escape of being disfigured in the ingenious
way described, and can unhesitatingly recommend
it to friends desirous of getting rid of an aching front
tooth expeditiously, or the whole set if required,
without having recourse to a dentist,” (Wright
1860a). Yet in spite of this, Wright seems to have
been quite successful with a walking stick gun as in
an entry in May 1865, one reads: “I generally took
with me a light walking stick gun and scarcely ever
failed in bringing home specimens of some kind,
amongst the rest, a whiskered tern,” (Wright 1867).
He also kept birds in cages, and had, amongst
others, a live Magpie, which in August 1862 started
moulting (Wright 1862b). He also speaks of having
Scops Owls, as well as Nightingales: “My third bulbul,
the nightingale of eastern poets, died yesterday.
After dropping its primaries in August, it gradually
became weaker, and never recovered its plumage His narrative accounts, full of Victorian language A typical page from Wright’s
diaries, full of colourful
or health. The second apparently died from the same typical of his time, contain information about birds narrative. This one deals with
cause, but its death was hastened by about a month and local customs as well as his knowledge about a Grey Plover he shot in 1855
because of a cold bath,” (Wright 1867). birds. In April 1856, he wrote that he had shot “three
scops-eared owls and a goatsucker. One of the
owls I have had set up. It is perfectly wonderful to
Wright’s diaries witness the way in which country-boys discover the
birds in the thick foliage of the carrubi trees. Owls
In his diaries, Wright noted down both his personal from their similarity of their plumage to the general
observations as well as information he obtained appearance of the bark, are particularly difficult to
from his contacts. For instance on 5th September distinguish, and if it were not for the assistance of
1855, he wrote that his taxidermist informed him one of the native lads of the valley, I feel sure that
that some young Goldfinches had been taken from I would not have been able to bag a single owl, as
a nest at Sa Maison and a nest of Linnets had also this nocturnal bird, during the day will not leave a
been taken from another locality (Wright 1858). On thickly foliaged tree, whatever may be close to
21st April 1869 he wrote that “a good many Rollers disturb it,” (Wright 1858).
have been seen passing. One person I know saw a In another entry, one reads that on leaving his
flock of 37,” (Wright 1868). On 1st September 1857, house on his way to town on 15th October 1856, he
he was informed about shearwaters breeding on “caught sight of a largish bird flying as if to alight on
Filfla, and was told they sat on the egg for nine the rising ground on the rocks near Capt. Hallets’.
months! He also wrote that young birds were Realising immediately I mounted and loaded my
Wright commented about
very ferocious and tore a man’s hands with their new gun and hastened further in the direction I had how difficult it was to spot
powerful beak and that the eggs of shearwaters observed the bird and was successful in finding it. Scops Owls in trees, adding
was so hard that it would not break even if thrown It rose at some distance and flew towards me in a that were it not for locals
on the ground. However such information was later who could see them while
semi-circle. Its fate was sealed. A green cartridge
roosting, he would not have
crossed out in pencil, no doubt after gaining first laid it inanimate on the ground. It proved to be a fine been able to shoot any of
hand experience himself in later visits. specimen of the Short-eared Owl, and it now forms them
a handsome addition to my stuffed collection,” “a crested grebe on the 26th November 1862 at
(Wright 1858). the mouth of St Julian’s Bay. It was very tame or
The diaries often betray Wright’s eagerness to stupid and allowed me to approach very near in a
build up a big collection. In an entry on the 25th sailboat, after snapping two caps at it, and missing
February 1858, Wright wrote: “My ornithological it altogether once,” Wright (1863b).
ardour having come upon me with increased On the afternoon of 15th January 1864, Wright
fervidity this year, I have made up my mind to sailed in a boat and took his gun, “in hopes of
do great work amongst the feathered tribe in the meeting with something after the late stormy
approaching season, having added little during the weather. It was a beautiful sunny day with not as
last two years to my collection,” (Wright 1858). much as a zephyr to ruffle the glassy surface of the
His desire to shoot a Woodcock was evident sea, which, however, was still somewhat agitated
from the following episode in autumn 1856: “In the with the ground swell that generally lingers for some
quarry (at Manoel Island), which was partly filled time after the rough weather. Marked down a duck-
with rain water, I flushed a Lapwing, and knocked looking bird, which had alighted once or twice in
it over with a green cartridge. The bird flew a few Sliema Creek, before making up its mind to settle.
yards, apparently not touched, when it suddenly fell Followed it up, and as it rose from the brink of the
dead. Quitting the island I wounded up my way up water, on Fort Manoel Island; I brought it down with
the valley of Cappara, in hopes of falling in with a my gun.
woodcock. Finding nothing in the trees but a few ”It was only winged, and it made several
Song Thrushes, and small birds, I directed my ineffectual attempts to escape, first by landing and
steps to the trees on the left side of the valley, where running inland, but on being intercepted, by taking
two sportsmen had started a Woodcock which they to the water and diving repeatedly. I was at first at
afterwards killed. They had already bagged one. loss to know what it was, never having seen it in
Amongst the trees which rose littering a curious kind that plumage before, but it soon occurred to me
of stench, near Puslow’s, I met two other sportsmen. that it must be a young female Smew, as indeed,
One of them suddenly turned round as if something on referring to Yarrell, it proved to be. It is a bird of
had attracted his attention and levelling his gun let the first winter, as the black patch on the side of the
fly into a tree about three or four paces off. Out flew head is wanting,” (Wright 1867).
a fine woodcock, which seemed to be slightly hit. It appears that several Smews must have visited
Presently it alighted, and having agreed to give the Malta at that time as he saw two other first year
man eighteen pence provided he would allow me to females on the market on the following day while
shoot it, I walked up to within twenty or thirty paces three days later he noted that a female White-
of where it stood and massacred it in cold blood. I headed Duck and another Smew, this time an adult
have had it set up and it is now in the company with female, had been shot (Wright 1867).
my other favourites,” (Wright 1858). After adding the Spur-winged Plover and
In another curious episode in September 1862, Bartram’s Sandpiper to the list of Maltese birds after
Wright describes how he mistook a Short-toed Lark obtaining specimens shot by others, it was his turn
for a Kingfisher: “I shot a short toed lark which from to add the Caspian Tern after shooting it himself on
its peculiar manner of flight I felt it was a kingfisher. 21st May 1869.
Who would think it possible to confound the two? On His diaries also contain interesting records which
picking it up I found the poor thing had an immense for some reason he did not publish in his later works.
tumour on one of its legs, as large, or nearly so, as a In April 1859, at St Georges Wright shot “a Mongolian
hazel nut, and on the other leg another swelling of a lark, but unfortunately not fit for stuffing” (Wright
Small birds, such as this
male Whinchat, were
smaller size. These greatly interfered with the bird’s 1860a). It is indeed a pity that Wright did not give
consumed up to a mere 70 natural flight, which was also much impeded by the any further information to enable one to ascertain
years ago high wind and it being without any or scarcely any exactly what he was referring to. It could well be that
tail from moulting, led to the mistake – a commentary the bird was a White-winged Lark (Melanocorypha
of hasty judgements of birds on the wing. (Wright leucoptera), which was later recorded by Despott
1862b). (1917), or “a pied example of the Short-toed Lark”,
Waterfowl and waders seem to have been among which also existed in the university Museum
his chief victims as there are several episodes Collection and which, according to Despott (1917),
featuring such species. In one of them, he shot was wrongly identified by Leach (1907).
Writing about spring migrants in 1861, Wright said great facility, it is easy to obtain when it makes an
the Spotted Flycatcher arrived in great numbers appearance,” (Wright 1862b).
late in the season. “It is one of the latest birds to The diaries contain notes about what appeared
leave us, and from its actions it appears inclined to to be aberrations. On 23rd January 1864, Wright
breed here.” shot an Adriatic Gull (Larus melanochephalus),
“I have often watched its airy and rapid movements now known as Mediterranean Gull, which differed
in pursuit of its insect food. It will dart off from a stone, from any Wright had seen as it had ‘livid white’ legs
leap into the air and return quick as a lightning to (Wright 1867).
the same spot, displaying in the performance of the They also contain information about places of
feat the most surprising agility, and rarely failing in ornithological importance that have been lost, such
capturing its prey.” (Wright 1861) as the marsh that existed at Marsa, and the hunting
Wright said it was “not improbable” that the practices employed at the time:
Chiffchaff, if left unmolested, would breed “for “Some years ago an extensive marsh at the head
from the motions of the male and female and that of the Great Harbour formed an attractive resort
season which I have often commonly watched, they for the wading and swimming orders of birds. This
appeared to be inclined to do so,” (Wright 1862b). marsh, like the fens of old England, has disappeared
He also gave a suspected breeding record of before an increasing population, having been long
Scops Owls: “These birds come in great numbers since drained and turned into arable land or more
in spring and autumn, and are occasionally taken recently, portions of it, common land.
in winter. I have heard an instance of them having “Little now remains of its attractions for the
bred here, which is very probable, but can only give feathered tribe. The ditches, and a small spring of
it on hearsay,” (Wright 1863b). brackish water, however render it still one of the
His diaries often contain a lot more colour and best spots of the kind in the Island, and offer some
narrative than his articles in The Ibis did. His first inducement to wild and hungry travellers to alight
records of Red-rumped Swallows, seen by Adams and partake of the refreshment such places afford.
and Wright at Salina on 5th April 1862, are worth The forfeit of life is generally the penalty. The poor
transcribing: “There were several Swallows and bird seldom escapes unscathed from the numerous
Sand Martins flying about. Suddenly Dr Adams sportsmen lying in wait at the most enticing points,
exclaimed there goes a daurica, and although a very or scouring every inch of ground with pointers,
good shot, in his anxiety to shoot it, missed it five or water-spaniels, and mongrels of all sorts. I have
six times. At length, he brought it down, and sure heard of twenty-one barrels being discharged at
enough it proved to be H. Daurica, a new bird for one unfortunate duck. It is truly astonishing to see
the Malta catalogue. I had long looked for this bird with what patience and perseverance, the native
being almost sure it would be occasionally found sportsman pursues his self-imposed task. The
in this Island and said it in Dr Gulia’s Repertorio result of a whole season’s shooting, perhaps, will
(di Storia Naturale). We saw two others but could not equal an ordinary morning’s bag in any part,
not succeed in getting another shot.” Afterwards say, of Great Britain, where wildfowl shooting is
Wright noted that later that month, Dr Adams went carried on. And yet, led on by the hope of better
again to the same spot where he had shot the first success, he may be seen, morning after morning,
Red-rumped swallow and succeeded in shooting long before day has dawned, be it weather wet
another specimen and promised Wright one of the or dry, winding his way from the town, about two
specimens (Wright 1862b). miles off, to take up his post on the borders of the
On 19th January 1862: Wright noted a Little Gull pool, to return most probably, with an empty bag. According to Wright, Spotted
in the quarantine harbour. “No doubt other kinds Before this marsh was drained and intersected by Flycatchers were inclined to
of gulls are to be found if diligently searched for mechanized roads, many species of wading and breed in the 1860s
amongst the numerous flocks of gulls that are now swimming birds which delight in places of this kind,
to be seen. The port regulations against shooting there abounded at the proper seasons. They now
in the harbour present an almost insurmountable alas became comparatively rare, and some indeed
difficulty in the way of properly examining these of the larger kind, have entirely disappeared,”
birds.” He said that in some years the Little Gull was (Wright 1860).
“pretty numerous, and from its unconsciousness In another diary, Wright wrote: “Marsa is a great
of danger, allowing itself to be approached with attraction to ducks and snipe, especially in the
winter and spring. Hunters went there at midnight or Well connected

some hours before dawn. It often occurs they hear
ducks quacking and splashing in the water close From his notes, it is evident that Wright was well
to them, but owing to the darkness, are unable to connected and kept himself informed about
see the birds. At times, numbers of snipe are heard latest developments of his time. In one of his
getting up. One sportsman tells us that one night he diaries, he comments that the autumn migration of
was there, he thinks from the noise the birds made Quail in 1863 was very poor and that “the same
as they flew off, there must have been fifty brace of observations have been made in France,” (Wright
snipe in the marsh. But when daylight appears, not 1863b).
a bird is to be seen there, nor in the neighbouring In his diaries, one finds several references of him
country. It would seem the birds arrive during the accompanying Andrew Leith Adams and other
night and leave the Island entirely before dawn. Blue people interested in various aspects of natural
lights are sometimes burned by the sportsmen, and history. In autumn 1855, he wrote that he frequently
an occasional shot is obtained. Several birds have went gull shooting from his skiff, which was called
thus been shot,” (Wright 1860a). ‘Egret’. “My companions generally were either
In spite of the relatively large numbers of birds Byron, Wolluston, Ther, Bainbridge, Hume or some
that were shot and captured in nets around 150 young fellow who would enjoy the sport,” (Wright
years ago, on an individual scale one did not 1858).
shoot large numbers of birds daily, but it was the While in Malta, Wright met several influential
collective effort that was responsible for such a ornithologists and corresponded with several
large scale slaughter. In Wright’s diaries one finds others. On 11th May 1858, he met Rev. Henry Baker
various testimonies to this. In an entry in early Tristram, an English clergyman and ornithologist
February 1860 in one of Wright’s diaries we read founder of the British Ornithologists’ union; who
that John Quintana, a friend of Wright who later “enlightened” Wright about several birds. At the
became British Vice-Consul in Syria, visited Marsa time, Rev. Tristram had some 3,000 birds and
almost every morning. “His success has not been Wright gave him a specimen of a male Red-
in proportion to his pains, a teal or two and the footed Falcon, then called Orange-legged Hobby.
same number of snipe having been the reward Wright’s contact with Tristram led him to correct
of his labours (Wright 1860a). On several other the occurrence of Pink-footed Goose (Anser
occasions we read about poor passages of Quail brachyrhynchus), after Tristram had obtained two
and other birds. geese, believed to be Pink-footed Geese, from the
Yet nowhere was safe for birds in Wright’s time. market in May 1858, but these were subsequently
On 3rd November 1861, a Pelican which alighted identified by Tristram as Bean Geese after Wright
on the terrace of a farmhouse not far from the had published them in Gulia’s Repertorio di Storia
Salina saltpans was shot by the farmer’s son Naturale. This error was subsequently corrected
(Wright 1862b). Wright himself shot birds in his by Wright (1864a).
back garden in Sliema. In an entry in February Wright was a close friend of Adams, who also
1860 one reads: “For the last four or five weeks, or introduced him to Sir William Jardine the Scottish
In Wright’s times, small birds more, I have observed in a small garden adjoining naturalist who brought natural history within
could be shot everywhere,
even in gardens in built up
my house, almost daily, several little birds, about everybody’s reach by editing and issuing a
areas the size and colour of the Willow Wren. I shot two, series of forty volumes of The Naturalist’s Library
but I’m not quite sure what they are. I think they in the Victorian era. In June 1858, Wright went to
are Bonelli’s Warbler (Wright 1860a). Wright and Filfla with Jardine (Wright 1860a). His contacts
Adams often went to shoot in the gardens near with Adams led him to record his first Rosy
the Inquisitor’s Palace, where on 7th October 1861 Starling (Rose Coloured Starling), after he had
Leith Adams shot a female Sparrowhawk (Wright found an immature bird among Song Thrushes
1861). San Anton Gardens too were a hunting in the market in the first week of November
ground as in September 1863, Wright noted down 1858. In a letter to Adams, which he asked him
that “a friend sent me a Crossbill shot from a flock to forward to Sir William Jardine together with
at St Antonio Gardens. This is a very rare bird in the skin, Wright said he was puzzled by the bird
Malta and I have only seen one other specimen,” and Jardine informed him it was a juvenile Pastor
Wright (1863b). roseus (Wright 1860).
Wright’s diaries contain several entries in which when Dresser finished with each species and
Adams is mentioned. On 28th May 1861, Adams that if he was interested in keeping any, it would
went to see Wright’s collection (Wright 1861) while be possible to “affect an exchange”. He also
the two often went out in the countryside together. insisted with Dresser to endeavour to keep the
On 29th November 1861, Wright wrote: “Took a drive birds “free from moth”. Wright’s letter sheds some
on a cart with Dr Adams on a geo-ornithological light about the contacts he had when he asked
voyage of discovery. Dr Adams took his hammer Dresser to intervene with Howard Saunders, a
and chisel and I my gun. Drove to the great fault prominent English collector who travelled in the
at Naxxar. Here Dr Adams alighted to trace its line Mediterranean, who had to send Wright some
and I went in the cart to Salini,” (Wright 1862b). skins, as well as glass eyes used in taxidermy, and
On 14th June 1862, while inspecting skins in to give his regards to Richard Bowdler Sharpe,
Dr Adam’s collection, Wright found the skin of a who was in charge of the bird section at the British
Long-eared Owl that Adams had obtained in the Museum Natural History.
market on 12th October 1861. “This is the first In his letter, he pointed out several mistakes in
authenticated Malta killed specimen of the Long- Dresser’s work when citing Wright’s own work. He
eared Owl I have seen. But there exists a skin in also informed him about certain mistakes Wright
the Malta university not labelled, which I presume himself had made regarding the identification of
was taken here. Schembri does not have it in his Great Skua, Guillemot and Whooper Swan, which
list, so I believe the present is the first record of its Wright had included in his works but which had to
capture on the Islands,” (Wright 1862b). be corrected as they had been misidentified. The
On 30th August 1861, Dr Charles Robert Bree, skua was a Pomarine Skua, the Guillemot was a
who was working on the four-volume series The young Razorbill while the Whooper Swan he had
Birds of Europe not observed in the British Isles, identified on 27th January 1847 (Wright 1864), and
wrote to Adams to obtain a specimen of Slender- which was preserved at the university Museum, had
billed Curlew from Wright for his work, and Wright to be deleted as it was an immature Mute Swan.
sent him a specimen along with a note (Wright He also informed Dresser about new species
1861). But Bree strongly disagreed with Wright he intended to include in his following paper in
over the identification of skins of Slender-billed The Ibis, which was eventually published in 1874.
Curlews. Bree was adamant that the skins were Wright said he would be including a new species of
those of Whimbrel, but in the end, it was Wright Flamingo (Phoenicopterus erythraeus), which is a
who was proved to be correct. “There was never a smaller Flamingo found in Sardinia, and recorded
doubt in my mind on the matter. But Dr Bree was also by Count Salvadori (1864). There was a
so positive that at least two were N. Phaeopus difference in opinion in the ornithological world at
(Whimbrel), and his opinion being at first confirmed the time whether it was a different species from the
by so great an authority as Sir William Jardine, I Greater Flamingo and it was eventually decided
had reason to be staggered,” Wright later wrote that the smaller and often brighter specimens were
in his diary. Bree later wrote to Wright “asking for simply individual variations. Wright also said he
notes about Curlews, Francolin, Rufous-necked intended to include the Large-billed Reed Bunting
Nightjar and the Daurica Swallow, as he wanted (Emberizia palustris) and sought Dresser’s opinion A male Spanish Sparrow.
to use the information in an appendix in his work,” whether the latter species was a good species or The variation in plumage
(Wright 1862b). not. In his description of the Large-billed Reed of sparrows in Malta is a
question that still haunts
Wright seems to have been in regular contact with Bunting, he wrote: serious ornithologists about
Henry Eeles Dresser, and had probably even met “It always has the beak much stouter and more what species or sub-species
his family, as in a letter dated 6th November 1871, arched than E. schoeniculus (Reed Bunting) but I these Maltese sparrows really
he asked him to “remember me to your kind family have seen similar differences in specimens of E. belong to
circle at the Firs”. In this letter he offered to lend cia (Rock Bunting). Again, two examples I have
Dresser his collection of skins so that they may be of E. schoeniculus (Reed Bunting) I have, differ in
used while Dresser was drawing up his monumental the size of their beak though the shape is so much
work History of the Birds of Europe, which was the same on the whole, I however am inclined to
being published in separate volumes at that time. accept it.” It is not known what Dresser’s reply was,
Wright said he would be sending the skins but Wright did not include it in his fifth appendix of
on condition that they would be returned to him 1874.
Arrigoni degli Oddi (1929) had included the known as the Slavonian Grebe. In a later work,
Large-billed Reed Bunting as a good species, Wright corrected the occurrence of this grebe by
adding it was one of two species of Reed Buntings, saying its occurrence was doubtful (Wright 1874).
and stated it was never observed in Malta. Arrigoni It is most likely that the grebe in question was a
degli Oddi stated there were variations in sizes of Black-necked Grebe. Nevertheless, the account is
Reed Buntings and it could well be these were a worth reproducing:
single species that had adapted differently due “January 6, 1860. Paid a visit to Fort Manoel this
to the vast area where it could be found, but still morning at dawn. Pulled myself across in Medlycott’s
listed it as a separate species. He had however little boat. Walked round the low part of the Island.
ruled out Phoenicopterus erythraeus, saying it was Saw near the middle of the quarantine creek a Horned
the same as the Greater Flamingo. Grebe (P. auritus), probably the same that has been
In his letter to Dresser, Wright also put in a word seen for the last ten days or more, and frequently shot
of caution about the Icterine Warbler, as he had at from shore. I retraced my steps to the boat and
already done in one of his earlier works ten years rowed through the bridge. It allowed me to get within
before (Wright 1864a), stating that: “If we are to easy shot, without diving, merely swimming slowly
take Gerbe’s description as correct there can away. Now was my time. I had never shot a horned
be no doubt it (Icterine Warbler) is the common grebe before, and wanted one for my collection. I
species here. I have reason to believe that what raised the gun, pulled the trigger – pack – missed
Tristram and others have written of H. Polygotta fire. The second trigger – pack – missed fire again.
(Melodious Warbler) refers to H. icterina (Icterine This was annoying. Luckily the bird did not seem
Warbler). Both Bonaparte and Longchamps are much scared, only swimming perhaps a little faster.
said to have figured one bird for the other.” A few strokes of the oar brought me within shot of
“Write to me soon like a good fellow and answer him again. This time I made certain of him. I fired. He
my queries,” Wright urged Dresser. Together with fell over in the water. He is mine. No. He recovers,
the letter, Wright sent Dresser skins of Icterine shakes himself, and takes to flight. Provoking. He
A male Yellow Wagtail. Such Warbler, two Reed Buntings and a female Cirl alights in the water some hundred and twenty yards
wagtails decoyed very easily Bunting and as a postscript informed him that he off. Evidently touched. He makes no attempt to dive.
and were caught by clap nets had found a “little male Merlin in the market and it I fire. He falls dead upon the water. Shot in the head
eats readily out of my hand” (Wright 1871). and neck, but not spoilt. He will, I hope, in a few days,
take his place amongst my other feathered friends,”
(Wright 1860a).
Shooting mishaps Though killing birds was seen as essential to
their study, one sees streaks of sensitivity towards
Wright’s shooting excursions were not without birds in several of Wright’s notes. In January
mishaps. Once he lost his ramrod while shooting 1863, for instance, Wright commented that “one of
shearwaters on the way to Filfla. Another time he the commonest little birds in the gardens at this
saw a Slender-billed Curlew, which he missed with season is the Robin, and with every desire to avoid
both barrels. As the bird settled again, he tried to killing him, he has more than once been by me
shoot it but could not load the gun as he had lost his mistaken when partially hidden by the leaves of a
powder flask, so he sent a boy home to fetch him tree, for some other bird of which I was in pursuit,
another one. In the meantime, he stayed watching and paid the penalty of his life for not exposing his
the curlew, and some boats were approaching. red throat and breast, which would have put his
Fearing the bird would fly away; he approached it identity beyond doubt. Often have I heaved a sigh
cautiously and found the powder flask. He loaded on picking up my dead bird, to find it was ‘poor
the gun, but fired hastily and missed it again. cock robin’,” (Wright 1863b).
But the bird settled down again and this time “he In another instance, on 16th May 1863 while
finished him off,” at which point the boy returned on the way to a visit to Filfla, Wright shot at a
empty handed as Wright’s servant was not at flock of Jackdaws, which were in a field by the
home and no one opened for him (Wright 1860a). roadside at Ûurrieq. “I knocked over two with
In January 1860, Wright pencilled a very one barrel and wounded a third with the other.
colourful episode of a rendezvous with what he Whilst looking to see him fall, the two others
then identified as an Eared or Horned Grebe, now recovered themselves, and one by one took to
wing and flew right off. One of them seemed to be Bags and prices noted
hit in the head as he flew round several times in
circles but ultimately went out of sight, leaving me Wright’s diaries are also interesting because
looking very foolish at my ill luck (Wright 1863b). he often jotted down remarkable bags he heard
In another episode concerning Robins, Wright about. For instance in autumn 1855, he noted that
wrote: “Several Robins were merrily singing their he had heard of a man who had shot 45 Quails
evening hymn, which they continued for time after near Mdina. In autumn 1856, a man shot 30 Quail
the sun had disappeared in the west, as if the day and 21 Nightjars, while over 40 Quail were shot
had been too short for the expression of all the joy by an individual at Naxxar on 27th April 1859
little hearts contained (Wright 1862b). (Wright 1860a). In another entry he noted that from
One of the striking things about Wright’s notes the 30th April to the middle of May, one man who
and works is that while hunting, as well as when “went out every day, and beat the fields for many
out in the countryside, he was constantly observing hours a day” shot 193 quails (Wright 1861). On
and later noting down what he had seen. 7th December 1861 a dealer told Wright he had a
“Friday 25th January 1862, being a holiday, and hundred Golden Plover for sale that day.
a fine calm day, took a stroll to the old Protestant On 23rd April 1862, “an immense number of Quail
Cemeteries in Floriana. Was delighted to see visited the island, more than had been seen for
several pairs of our pretty little Spectacled Warbler many years. As many as 148 were shot by one man
hopping briskly about the stones and bushes, and bags of from seventy to one hundred were not
seeming to enjoy thoroughly the bright sunshine. uncommon. The wind was from westwards and they
I watched them for some time, and listened with continued arriving till ten o’clock in the morning,
much pleasure to the song of the male, delivered which was rather unusual as at this season, Quails
by the little unseen songster from amidst the dark rarely come during the daytime. Large numbers
thick leaves of the cypress trees, with which several of Golden Orioles and Cuckoos arrived on the
of the graves are surrounded. From the actions of same day (Wright 1862b). On 23rd November
the little birds, they appeared to be preparing for 1861, he noted “a good many Woodcock for sale, A male Black Redstart.
the coming breeding season, although I did not one man had about fifty, as well as Golden Plover Just like today, these birds
find any nests,” (Wright 1862b). and Lapwing”. In the same passage we learn that were noted on fortifications
around Valletta and in built
Wright’s diaries show that he was active Golden Plovers sold for six or seven pence a piece up areas
throughout the year as in June he commented (Wright 1862b).
about Kestrels breeding at Wied il-G˙asel (Wright Small birds, particularly Garden Warblers and
1863b). His ears were tuned to hear birds at all Nightingale were very common in the market. On
times of the day for there are several instances 2nd September 1862, he noted “there were upwards
when he speaks about birds calling at night. On 1st of thirty dozen Garden Warblers caught on the 1st
June 1869, he noted that although the night was and amongst them a few Nightingales and two or
dark, “the Short-toed Lark was singing merrily at 2 three passerine warblers,” (Wright 1862b). On 29th
am today,” (Wright 1868). August 1862, he wrote there were “30 to 40 dozen
He was also out looking for birds in August, beccafichi at the market during the last few days,”
the peak of summer: “Although I made frequent (Wright 1862b). On 16th, 17th and 18th August, about
excursions in the harbour during the last fortnight a dozen warblers, the first of the season, were noted
of August, no signs of autumnal migration were on the market. “When they first appear they are sold
observed till the latter days of the month. On the for 2 shillings or even 3 shillings a dozen, but on
26th I saw a long wavy line of largish looking birds, becoming plentiful do not fetch more that 6 pence or
but they were too high and too distant in their flight so (Wright 1863b). up to 100 dozen Skylarks were
to say what they were. A few days previous a tern taken to the market on 5th November 1862 (Wright
flitted by in the dusk of evening, probably Sterna 1863b), while in autumn 1865 an “immense number
leucoptera (White-winged Black Tern). Another day of Meadow Pipits” were taken (Wright 1867).
the familiar note of Totanus glottis (Greenshank) Birds were taken to the Valletta market even
struck my ear and soon afterwards the well-known from Gozo and it was bird catchers themselves
call of Totanus calidris (Redshank). There has who sold birds on the market, as in November
been nothing to attract the field ornithologist,” 1861, Wright commented: “the bird catchers are
(Wright 1867). now sometimes absent altogether from the market,
showing that small birds are getting scarce. A when he bought a live tern for a penny from a man
few larks, Linnets and White Wagtail are still to who said he had picked it up from the sea after
be found for sale,” (Wright 1862b). On 1st April seeing it dive for fish (Wright 1863b).
1862, he noticed several Rock Thrushes on the
market, “all males in beautiful plumage,” (Wright
1862b). Apart from rarities, the market often turned Wright’s collection
up unusual records, such as a Golden Plover in
summer plumage on 23rd May 1861 (Wright 1861), Wright’s desire to build up a collection of birds
a Pallid Harrier on 2nd November 1862, a Nightjar is evident in a number of passages. In an entry
on 5th November 1862 and a Sparrowhawk on 14th in his diary of 1855 one reads: “In the last week
December 1861 (Wright 1862b). of July, while enjoying the moonlight at my door,
Imported birds also surfaced there: “Three days when everyone had retired to rest, and a delightful
ago I was much surprised and pleased to find a stillness hung around, a well known and peculiar
Magpie in the market. It was a young bird, and note struck my ear. I could not, however, for some
moulting. The owner told me it had been brought time, bring to mind the species of bird by which
two or three months ago from Rome and that it was it was produced. At length I remembered it was
a bird of the year (that is an immature). I purchased that of a Turnstone, and I longed in my heart, to
it for a shilling. It is a pleasure to see anything or be able to obtain a specimen for my collection, as
possess anything that reminds me of the green it is at present without one. I did possess one but
fields and hedges of England and scenes of our it was destroyed by the feline domestic,” (Wright
childhood,” (Wright 1861). It appears this bird was 1858).
still alive in August 1862, as Wright noted it had Wright was keen to keep his collection of bird
started moulting (Wright 1862b). skins in shape and on 22nd September we read that
In his diaries, one also comes across other he “strewed a quantity of tobacco leaves among
anecdotes, such as one about an exhausted stork my specimens as a precaution against destructive
that was “knocked down with a stone,” (Wright insects,” (Wright 1858). In August 1862, he went to
1858). They also shed light on prices paid for game see a collection belonging to a certain Pollacco,
at the time: a bustard shot in Gozo in 1859 sold for who had set up several birds himself. “Some of
one shilling six pence (Wright 1860a). Three years them were very well done and surpassed those set
later, the price had trebled as Wright had to pay up by my bird stuffer”.
3s 10d for a Little Bustard shot on 30th November Pollacco also had “a good many natural
1862, but he seemed happy to pay such a price curiosities”, and Wright identified a Baillon’s Crake,
and lamented that “On the 9th December, a Great which was wrongly labelled as a Little Crake, which
Bustard, a still rarer bird, was shot, but I was too Pollacco had shot 16 years before.
just too late to secure it for my collection, which Wright noted that Pollacco “used 2 oz of soap and
is still without one. It fetched 10 shillings. It was 3 dr of arsenic to preserve the skins. For relaxing the
a male in an excellent state of plumage. GW tells skins, he recommended laying them on cotton wool
me he saw six of the birds on the 22nd November in a plaster of Paris box, which had been allowed
this year fly past him within about double shot to soak in water for six to eight hours, and the
range. They flew up the valley behind Tufia (G˙ajn water thrown off. The box should be kept covered
Tuffie˙a), but being alarmed by some shots did with a lid. For getting the bird into shape it should
not alight, taking the way towards Marfa,” (Wright be wound with cotton wool thread, pins having
1863b). been first inserted in the skin to prevent the thread
The law of supply and demand was in operation slipping. For stuffing birds with long necks he winds
at that time too for he noted that on 5th September silver paper round a stick of the desired length,
1862 Quails “as cheap as ¾ or a penny apiece. covering it with cotton wool, then by withdrawing
I never remember them being sold at so low a the stick a clear way is left for passing the wire,”
price before, a sign that great numbers must have (Wright 1862b).
been taken,” (Wright 1862b). Wright bought birds This gentleman also had a collection of eggs and
from whoever he could, and apart buying from he gave Wright eggs of Woodchat Shrike, Quail,
Wheatears were shot for his taxidermist, he sometimes bought birds from Short-toed Lark and Jackdaw. He also had eggs
consumption in Wright’s times people on the street, as he did in November 1862, of Swift, which were “very rare, as they are very
difficult to procure owing to the dizzy height of the I am glad to say, has secured most of them for
precipices in which they breed,” (Wright 1862b). the museum. Amongst them are some interesting
In another notebook, one finds a note about how specimens. For instance Jay, a fine male C.Cyaneus
a British taxidermist, H.A. Pigott, used to clean (Montagu’s Harrier) with no bars on the rump, and
feathers of the specimens he was preserving: “First hairy streaks on the breast and flanks, an Eagle
wash with lukewarm water and soda or Hudson’s Owl, a Spotted Cuckoo, a Little Owl, a Magpie, three
soap. Then clean with Benzoline and afterwards female circus probably cyaneus, a tit species, three
dust with plaster of Paris over feathers. Then tern species, a gull species, a pelican species, a
beat out the plaster. Plaster of Paris will not set in Merlin, a Kestrel, a Wren, a Rose-coloured Pastor,
Benzoline,” (Wright 1886). a Little Grebe, another grebe, a C. Rufus, a Short-
By 25th April 1869, Wright had 641 skins (Wright eared Owl, a Raven, a Nightjar, a Hobby, a White
1868). When he could not preserve whole skins, Wagtail and a few others,” (Wright 1862b).
he preserved whatever he could, especially when Wright sent Dresser a Slender-billed Curlew for
a rare species was involved. An Osprey, shot on illustration in the Birds of Europe. (Wright 1862b)
the shore at St Julians in October 1861, after it had while both Adams and Wright sent skins to Sclater
caught a mullet and was eating it, was a case in (Wright 1863b).
point. Wright “succeeded only in obtaining the head In June 1862, while on the way from Egypt, Stafford
and legs as trophies,” (Wright 1861). The rest was Allen brought Wright a Lanner Falcon, a Black-
eaten. shouldered Kite, two species of Sand Grouse and a
It appears that Wright was rather well equipped box of eggs (Wright 1862b) while he later received
to maintain his collection and in December 1864, a “a beautiful specimen of the Smyrna Kingfisher. It
colleague brought him from England “a pretty little was shot about two years ago by the French Consul
blowpipe and an egg drill which I expect to find at Beyrout, on the river Kadisha, which rises in the
very useful,” (Wright 1867). mountains of Lebanon, and falls in the bay of Tripoli.
Wright must have had a considerable collection “The interest attached to this species arises
of birds’ eggs as on 10th December 1865 for £2 he from the circumstance of it having been described
bought “three or four hundred birds eggs collected and pictured by Albin about 120 years ago, as a
at Bona, North Africa by a Maltese physician in the variety or distinct species from the Great Bengal
French Service, Dr Camilleri Muscat. About half are Kingfisher,” he noted in his diary (Wright 1867).
named but most of them wrongly,” (Wright 1867). In another notebook Wright kept after leaving
He also sent and received skins of birds. A Malta, it is evident he continued to receive skins
friend gave him “a fine specimen of Black Cock originating from Malta as in January 1886, he
from Scotland. unfortunately it is not set up and I speaks about receiving a Great White Egret from
am afraid cannot be done well in Malta,” (Wright David Bruce. The bird had been shot at Fort Ricasoli
1860a). On 16th November 1861, Stafford Allen, on 12th April 1885 and Bruce had taken it with him
the same man who had brought him the blowpipe, to England, where it was given to his brother in law
was to get Wright skins and mounted birds from by Bruce’s son, David Jr., who sent it to Wright.
the uK, which would “enrich” his collection. These He was also sent skins directly from Malta, and
included Red Grouse, Whimbrel, Turnstone, speaks about receiving a parcel containing an
French Partridge, English Partridge, and skins of Oystercatcher, a Quail, several warblers as well as
Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, 3 Bullfinches, a Red-backed Shrike sent to him by David Bruce Jr.
3 Yellowhammers, 2 Common Sparrows, 4 Tree These birds were either bought from the market or
Sparrows, 1 Great Titmouse, 2 Blue Titmouse, 1 shot in places ranging from Sliema valley to Buskett
Long-tailed Titmouse, Squirrel skins, as well as and Mta˙leb (Wright 1886).
nests of Long-tailed Titmice, Golden-crested Wren, After he left Malta, Wright remained active in the
Whitethroat and nests with eggs of Greenfinch and field of ornithology. In a Zoological Society meeting
Nightingale (Wright 1862b). held on 2nd February 1886, Wright exhibited a
Trade and barter of skins was commonplace at dove of the genus Turtur from Malta and identified
the time and even the university Museum bought it as a semi-albino variety of Turtur auritus. At the
skins from “an Italian bird stuffer” who arrived “from same meeting, important ornithologists of the time
Smyrna and Beyrout. He had brought here some 30 also made presentations about other birds. These A female Redstart in typical
or 40 skins collected in Asia Minor. The university, included Seebhom, who exhibited a Ross’ Gull garrigue habitat
obtained in Greenland; Wardlaw Ramsey who moths which have been observed here,” adding
exhibited a new species of bird obtained in Borneo, that he had found many others, but without proper
and Richard Bowdler Sharpe, who read the first of books have been unable to determine them (Wright
a series of notes on birds in the Hume collection 1868).
(Wright 1886b). His diaries show Wright was also interested
Wright remained interested in birds till the very in geology, as he often describes places of
end and a list of birds watched from his bedroom geological importance following visits with people
in Kayhough, Kew Gardens Road, Kew, while he such as Andrew Leith Adams and others. He was
was “laid up with an attack of gout” over a ten- also concerned about archaeological heritage. In
day period in June 1899, is rather touching (Wright an entry on 25th January 1865, one reads: “Visited
1899). In this list, Wright mentions 20 species and the ruined temple of Mnaidra and observed with
adds that he had seen some 20 other species “in much regret the wanton damage to which this
the course of years”. interesting relic of a past age is being subjected
from the ignorance of the stone breakers, who are
actually using up a portion of it for road material. It
Other collections is to be hoped that the government will take steps
to preserve it from utter destruction before it is too
Apart from birds, Wright collected insects, late,” (Wright 1867).
molluscs and plants. His diary for 1860 lists 44 In another entry in August 1866, Wright expresses
insects he had in his collection by that time (Wright concern about the larger number of people visiting
1860). In May 1863, he started collecting wild Manoel Island and the number of houses that
flowers Wright (1863b) and while visiting Filfla, he were being built in the surrounding areas and
found two Armstrong 40 lb shells fired from HMS associated these with a shortage of birds: “In
Marlborough and took one home “as a curiosity August, the usual birds made their appearance
and have made use of it as a weight for preserving on their passage southwards, but I noticed little of
plants,” Wright (1863b). interest in the way of novelty. The Island of Fort
In his diaries, one finds several references to Manoel has become so much frequented and
frequent visits to “Fort Manoel in search of birds, houses are rising up everywhere at Sliema and
plants and shells,” (Wright 1867). In another entry for in its neighbourhood, that every year birds are
1865 he says: “April and May were chiefly employed getting scarcer (Wright 1867). One wonders what
in botanical excursions, when I added largely to my Wright would say if he were to visit Manoel Island
herbarium. Added a few species not included in Dr or Sliema today!
Delicata’s list and one or two not recorded by any
botanist as Maltese,” (Wright 1867).
As with bird skins, he also received material Wright’s publications
from abroad and in one of his diaries, one reads:
Wright was interested in all
aspects of natural history and
“My Museum has lately received some interesting Wright’s first published work on ornithology in
dried plants are often found additions, consisting chiefly of British Molluscs,” Malta was a paper he wrote at the request of
in his diaries (Wright 1867). Gavino Gulia and which formed part of Gulia’s
Wright collected even reptiles and wrote about a Repertorio di Storia Naturale (1858-63). This was
“fine specimen of Platydactylus muralis, (Moorish an encyclopaedia of Maltese natural history in
Gecko) the dark coloured kind, which I popped which Wright wrote a 14-page paper that appeared
into spirits,” (Wright 1862b). In another episode under the word G˙asfur (bird). In this work, Wright
he describes how he preserved a snake someone listed 267 species which he split up as 143 regular
caught in a garden close to Wright’s own home. migrants, 98 irregular migrants, 17 breeding birds
He also collected beetles and butterflies and and nine doubtful species.
speaks of having “paid several visits to Mr Blood’s In this paper, Wright took the opportunity to
garden with my butterfly net, between the last week make some corrections to Schembri’s work, by
of October and the first three weeks of November suggesting the deletion of the Sociable Plover
(Wright 1867). A list of his collection as on 9th April and Red Avadavat because the former had been
1869 had 22 species of butterflies (Wright 1868). inserted by Schembri on a simple assertion made
In the same diary, he gave a list of “a few of the by hunters and the latter was an Indian species
Wright got tips about how to

clean feathers of specimens
meant to be preserved from
the British taxidermist, H.A.
Pigott, who was paid a total
of £49 and 6 shillings for re-
stuffing around 325 birds for
Wright
of which two specimens had been taken on 19th now known as Little Tern), were taken at Ìnejna
and 23rd September 1842. Partridge also had to about 1867 in June”. He also said that Chiffchaff
be deleted from the list, while the name Pyrrhula had bred in a garden near Mta˙leb and listed both
erythrina was to be used instead of Fringilla incerta White Wagtail and Grey Wagtails as breeding birds
for the Scarlet Grosbeak. (Wright 1868). However in his published works he
Wright also spoke about migratory birds as well omitted the information about Scops Owl, grebe,
as listing 10 sedentary breeding ones and 17 Sparrowhawk, Hoopoe, Little Tern, Chiffchaff and
migratory birds that bred rarely or only occasionally. White Wagtail as breeding birds.
Among these he included the Hoopoe, Short-eared In Wright’s works one also finds anecdotal
Owl, Roller, Goldfinch, Linnet, Turtle Dove, Quail information about the use of calls and the way
and Stone Curlew. He said the Tree Sparrow was birds were caught. He noted hunters used Quail
not a breeding bird. In his subsequent work on the call to lure harriers within range and that country-
birds of Malta, published in The Ibis, Wright (1864a) people in Gozo had a way of snaring Nightjars
said the Kingfisher was “said to breed here” and with a noose at the end of a stick. He also said
included all the species he had mentioned, except that Yellow Wagtails were caught in nets and were
for the Hoopoe, saying it bred in great numbers in frequently kept alive in shops or houses to catch
Tripoli, Libya. The corrections to Schembri’s work flies, a practice that still took place until the late
were again included in his work of 1864 in The 1960s or early 1970s. He also noted that nets were
Ibis. In several of his diaries, Wright drew up a list thrown over a low spreading carob tree, and birds
of “Birds which nest in Malta”. In one of the earlier were then driven from other trees into it (Wright
ones, Wright lists the Kingfisher, Scops Owl and a 1864a). One comes across various references
species of grebe with a question mark, alongside about trapping of larks and finches. Wright
other birds which were known to breed. He also described in detail how Turtle Dove trapping took
listed the Sparrowhawk, Bee-eater, Hoopoe and place and said that twenty or thirty birds and more
Roller as breeding birds (Wright 1860). In another were frequently taken in one haul and how male
diary, he stated that eggs of “Çirlewwa (Lesser Tern, Quails were caught in nets spread on standing
Scops Owls from John corn in spring by attracting them by the call of such aspects with references to species such
Gould’s The Birds of Great
the female (Wright 1864b). From his diaries one as Willow Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler and Icterine
Britain. Gould visited Malta
and in his works referred to can conclude that Wright himself used bird calls Warbler (then known as Vieillot’s Willow Warbler).
Wright’s work and birds in as in one instance, he states that a Quail flew up He had also noticed that Chiffchaffs taken in Malta
Malta as he suddenly sounded his plover whistle (Wright were generally smaller than those from Northern
1860a). Europe. Sir William Jardine had also noticed this
Wright also noted that the Sardinian Warbler from specimens sent to him by Andrew Leith
generally appeared in winter, and was hence Adams (Wright 1864a). Adams had also sent Sir
often called G˙asfur tal-Maltemp, meaning bird William Jardine a Moustached Warbler shot from
of bad weather. One can notice Wright was a Malta. Wright (1874) said he was indebted to Henry
careful ornithologist who paid a lot of attention Eeles Dresser for identifying the Lesser Short-toed
to differences in sizes and took measurements, Lark from a number of skins sent to him from Malta
particularly of small warblers and often discussed (Wright 1874).
An influential ornithologist of the American Ornithologists’ union, and edited

its journal, The Auk, and several other ornithological
Wright’s works were also quoted by Gould (1873) periodicals. Coues died when he was 57, but in
in his monumental five-volume series The Birds his short lifespan he had achieved a great deal,
of Great Britain, which contained lavish hand as he was an American army surgeon, historian,
coloured plates of all the birds recorded in Britain. ornithologist and author. In 1872 Coues published
From passages found in the description of the Blue his Key to North American Birds, which was revised
Rock Thrush and Dunnock, it is evident that Gould and rewritten in 1884 and 1901 and promoted
was in Malta for some time because he gives first the systematic study of ornithology in America.
hand observations of how Blue Rock Thrushes Between 1873 and 1876 Coues was attached as
were never seen together on the same wall, and surgeon and naturalist to the united States Northern
recalled that one of the earliest descriptions Boundary Commission and between 1876 and
assigned to the bird was solitarius, a reference to 1880 was secretary and naturalist to the united
his peculiar habit of being alone. States Geological and Geographical Survey of the
In the account about the Dunnock, Gould Territories, the publications of which he edited. Wright recorded several new
remarked that the bird he killed in Malta and He was also a lecturer on anatomy in the medical species, such as the White-
a specimen he had from Batum, Turkey, were school of the Columbian university from 1877 to tailed Plover
“somewhat redder in their general tone of colouring 1882, and later professor of anatomy from 1882 to
and of smaller size than our birds”. Gould also 1887. He resigned from the army in 1881 to devote
noted that “sparrows (passer hispaniolensis) were himself entirely to scientific research until he died in
abundant.” In the passage about the Whitethroat, 1899, leaving some unfinished work behind.
Gould said “As an article of food for the Italians and Between 1878 and 1880, Coues was working on
Maltese, to whom few small birds come amiss, it is the publication A Bibliography of Ornithology and
doubtless equal to any of those birds known by the some 38 of the most respected naturalists in Britain
name of beccaficos, a term which appears to be of the time had got together and signed a statement
applied indiscriminately to any of the sylviine birds.” to Coues saying “we wish to place on record our
Gould’s work was published by subscription and gratitude to you and the Surgeon General of the
in the list of subscribers in Volume I, one finds the uS Army for the scientific work you have performed
Public Library of Malta. In Gould’s work, there are in your compilation of American Ornithological
several references to Wright’s work. Most of the bibliography” (Sauer 1982). Amongst others,
references are found in relation to birds that were this letter was signed by Charles Darwin, whose The Sardinian Warbler,
rare in Britain and examples of which were also theory about the origin of species, evolutionary then known as G˙asfur tal-
shot in Malta or birds commonly seen on migration change and natural selection, is still considered Maltemp, appeared in winter
in Malta. One finds references to Wright’s work in to be the cornerstone of biology; John Gould, the and was very rare in Wright’s
times. It is now a very
the accounts dealing with the Red-footed Falcon, ornithologist who had identified Darwin’s finches, common breeding bird
Scops Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Golden Oriole, which was pivotal in the development of the theory
Orphean Warbler, Garden Warbler, Crested Lark, of the origin of species; Henry Baker Tristram, an
Little Egret, Black Stork, Glossy Ibis, Temminck’s English clergyman and ornithologist and a founding
Stint, Manx Shearwater and Gull-billed Tern. From member of the British Ornithologists’ union; Henry
the Maltese ornithological scene, Gould also quotes Seebohm, a widely travelled amateur ornithologist
Schembri (1843a) and Sperling (1864). These works involved in expeditions to Siberia who was the first
were quoted alongside works of great ornithologists European ornithologist to accept the American
of the time such as Dresser, Jardine, Temminck, trinomial system to classify sub-species; Alfred
Giglioli and Lord Lilford, the president of the British Newton, a professor of zoology and comparative
Ornithologists’ union, who in 1875 met Wright while anatomy at Cambridge and ornithologist, and one
on a visit to Malta, and spoke very highly of him, his of the founders of the British Ornithologists’ union;
knowledge and his collection (Lilford 1875). Richard Bowdler Sharpe, the librarian of the Royal
The stature of Wright, whose life remains yet to be Society who later joined the Department of Zoology
studied in depth, can be seen through his contacts. of the British Museum, and who had founded the
One also finds his name, alongside that of eminent British Ornithologists’ Club in 1892 and edited its
ornithologists and natural scientists of his time, in a bulletin; Henry Eeles Dresser and H.W. Fielden, who
letter to Elliott Coues in 1879. Coues was a founder had been involved in the Arctic expedition of 1875,
as well as Charles Wright. The fact that Wright’s had and how this took four years to moult into “the
name appears alongside the aforementioned full garb of the male” (Adams 1870). Adams also
names shows how respected he was at the time. studied geology and fossils, including fossils of the
Wright’s works were also used by W. R. Ogilvie- extinct Maltese Swan (Cygnus falconeri).
Grant (1911-13) to draw up a list of birds that Like most naturalists of his time, Adams referred
were to be protected throughout the year in Malta. to Wright’s work, but also added a lot of his personal
Ogilvie-Grant drew up lists of birds that should be observations, some of which are very interesting. He
protected in British Colonies and protectorates after wrote that among the sedentary birds, the Spanish
the Colonial Office thought it would be desirable to Sparrow was the most abundant bird and in Malta
restrict the demand on plumage by using legislation took the place of the House Sparrow. He noted the
and international agreements. There was an Maltese sparrow was less gregarious than the ones
informal conference between the Colonial Office he had seen elsewhere. Obviously this observation
and the British Natural History Museum to discuss was not based on plumage appearance, and the
this matter. Ogilvie-Grant undertook to organise clear implication here is that the Malta sparrows
Andrew Leith Adams spent the necessary information and a confidential report behaved very much like the House Sparrow
almost six years in Malta in about birds requiring protection in certain British because of their close association with humans.
the 1860s and apart from Colonies and Protectorates was drawn up. In the He also noted that while the sparrows he had seen
birds, was also interested in section about Malta, Ogilvie-Grant listed the Golden in Egypt were all boldly streaked on the flanks,
geology and fossils
Oriole, Swallows and Swifts, Kingfisher, Bee-eater, the males in Malta were often faintly marked and
Hoopoe, Roller, Barn Owl, (Scops) Owl, Short-eared sometimes lacked any markings and suggested
Owl, Osprey, Glossy Ibis, gulls, terns and grebes that this change was perhaps due to “abnormal
as requiring protection throughout the year. He also change in the habits of the Malta sparrow”. Adams
placed the Quail on the list of birds that “should be dismissed an opinion expressed to him by John
protected entirely for the next few years and at all Gould, that the Malta sparrow could be a cross
times during the spring and autumn migrations”. between the Spanish and Italian sparrow.
Adams and Wright (1864a) had sent a large
collection of skins of sparrows taken from different
Leith Adams and Malta localities and at different times of the year to Sir
William Jardine in a bid to establish their race.
Dr Andrew Leith Adams, a naturalist and geologist, Jardine had concluded they were Pyrgita italica
was essentially a contemporary of Charles Wright. and P. salearia sive hispaniolensis”.
Adams wrote about his sojourn in Malta in a book Adams was in contact with Gould and had sent
in which he described both natural history and him a large collection of Yellow Wagtails from which
archaeology of the lower Nile region and Malta Gould drew the plates of the Ashy-headed Yellow
(Adams 1870). Before coming to Malta on 22nd Wagtail (then known as Budytes cinereocapilla, now
June 1860, Adams had served for six months in known as M. flava cinereocapilla) and Blue-headed
Turkey and before that time, he had also served for Yellow Wagtail (then known as Budytes flava now
seven years in India with the 22nd Foot Regiment, known as M. flava flava). Gould acknowledged “the
the Cheshire Regiment. He arrived in Bombay in persevering kindness of Dr Leith Adams. No one
1849 but while on his tour of duty he also went to rendered me more valuable assistance towards
Poona, Karachi and Rawalpindi. He also made illustration of wagtails. During his sojourn in Malta
private expeditions to Kashmir and Ladak. Some of he collected for me a very large series, obtained
his early specimens were sent to Sir William Jardine, during their passage from Africa to Europe in
In his book, Adams who identified the Orange Bullfinch, which was spring, and on their return in autumn” (Gould 1873).
commented that the sparrows described by John Gould, and the Tibetan Snow
he had seen in Egypt were all
boldly streaked on the flanks, Finch, which carried Adam’s name Montifringilla
while the males in Malta adamsi. Field ornithologists
were often faintly marked Adams stayed in Malta until 24th March 1866
and sometimes lacked any and later gave a detailed ornithological account Adams made several remarks that show he was
markings and suggested that
this change was perhaps due about Malta. Apart from having a collection of quite active in the field. Commenting about the
to abnormal change in the skins, he also studied birds in captivity and made Short-toed Lark, he says it bred, and was “the
habits of the Malta Sparrow observations on the moult of an Egyptian Vulture he harbinger of the hot summer months and when
they were seen gathering in flocks to depart, it was long when they were taken to another place. This
a true sign of approaching winter.” He noted that had also been noted by Wright, who had stated
the Jackdaw was another resident, breeding in the that when the new market place opened in Valletta,
fortifications of Valletta. The Spectacled Warbler many dealers took the cages with the birds from the
was described by Adams as the “most attractive old market and “one after the other, the birds pined
indigenous songster”. He also spoke about the song away and died and in a few weeks, not one survived
of the Blue Thrush (Blue Rock Thrush): “During the the change of locality, and yet they were fed by the
bright sunny days, it is delightful beyond measure same hand, and with the same description of food,”
to wander along the cliffs and listen to the mellow, (Wright 1864a).
melodious, and plaintive notes of this bird, as Adams mentioned other breeding species, such
it flutters from rock to rock, now sallying forth the as the Corn Bunting, which he suspected had two
beetling crag, fluttering its azure wings, it pours broods in spring. He mentioned several species of
forth its love-song, then wheeling suddenly round, birds of prey and said Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel and
returns to its perch, where in a crevice, sits its mate Kestrels bred in Wright’s
Orange-legged Falcon (Red-footed Falcon) may
times in the mid to late 1800s,
on the straw built nest, which contains generally be seen hunting together in flocks, and that “a while Lesser Kestrels were
from four to five green-blue eggs, mottled and few Kestrels breed”. He wondered why the Pale- very common on migration.
spotted with pale red and violet”. chested Harrier (Pallid Harrier, then known as Circus Left: The Ashy-headed
Adams noted that young Blue Rock Thrush were Yellow Wagtail and Blue-
swainsonii) and the Moor Buzzard (Marsh Harrier),
headed Yellow Wagtail in
avidly sought as cage birds and fetched high did not breed as they fed on lizards and small birds, Gould’s book were drawn
prices. Like Wright, he noted that a red cloth and and lizards abounded. Adams presumed it was the from skins sent to him
cowrie shell were suspended in its cage “to repel the absence of trees on which to breed was the cause from Malta by Andrew Leith
influences of the evil eye” which the “natives believe Adams
of their short stay in spring while the cold, “that
exerts baneful effects on man and beast”. Adams drove lizards into the dikes, drove the birds to North
suggested that the basis of this belief originated Africa in autumn.”
from the fact that birds were strongly attached to the In the list of birds one could see in spring, Adams
locality were they were raised and rarely survived also listed the Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), which
no other ornithologist had ever recorded, and this for food: “Nowhere are the feathered tribes more
was probably a mistake. He spoke of large annual persecuted than in Malta. I believe that I shall be
migrations of Wryneck and flocks of Red-throated within the mark in stating, that about one-half of the
Pipits “that pass and re-pass annually.” He said the migratory species are captured or shot, and of all
Hoopoe appeared about the 7th of April while the days, on Sunday the greatest carnage is perpetrated,
Cuckoo appeared early and as late as 10th May. so that on the following day the poulterers’ shelves
He also spoke of flocks of Bee-eaters and Collared are stocked with all manner of birds, great and small.
Pratincole, amongst many other species. He said a Thus by regular visits to the market, a good collection
small number of duck, Shelduck, Mallard, “summer of migratory birds may be made.”
and common teal”, Wigeon and Castaneous Duck It was not only the Maltese who ate the birds,
(as the Ferruginous Duck was then known), were and as Adams noted “dozens of Garden Warblers,
killed every spring and autumn. He also spoke about scores of Nightingales and other soft-billed birds,
several species of the wintering birds, of which the are also eagerly sought after, not only by these
“Tit Lark” (Meadow Pipit) was most plentiful. He olive-oil and pickled fish-eating islanders, but
Adams had listed the noticed that Robins seen in Malta were smaller than Englishmen, who, in their native country, would
Nuthatch as occuring in those seen in England. scorn to breakfast off ‘jenny-wrens’”.
Malta, but this was probably a As Adams was a surgeon, it is not surprising
mistake to read that he dissected birds he had caught to
examine whether they were in breeding condition or Food and sensitivity
not or, in the case of birds of prey, to see what they
had eaten. Lizards and Quail were frequent finds Like Wright, Adams showed sensitivity towards
in stomachs of harriers. He noted that the Egyptian birds he too ate: “Although I must plead the same
Vulture occurred, but single birds were usually weakness as regards the white-throat and garden
observed. warbler, I would fain put in a word in defence of
He explained how he procured an immature bird that prince of songsters, the Nightingale; for it was
in its first year to observe how it changed its plumage among the fig-trees of Malta that his melodious
and noted that it first changed the dark colour of the strains first fell on my ears, and I shall never
cere to a faint yellow and legs to reddish white when forget the scene and circumstances that brought
the bird was nearly three years old. Then, without us in contact. How often afterwards, during the
casting any feathers, a sort of marbling process few weeks he honours the islanders with his
began on the feathers of the back, scapulars, tail presence, have I wandered to one of my favourite
coverts, wings, tail and belly, presenting a sooty- haunts, and, with gun across my knees, listened
white colour, which rapidly passed into white by for hours to his sweet voice; and alas! far oftener
the beginning of the fourth year, when the iris too has it been my lot to count his form by the dozen
became reddish as in adults. It then moulted in the on the counter of the Maltese poulterer. It may be
following spring “and by midsummer it appeared in a small subject on which to moralize, but I don’t
the full garb of the male”. think anyone who can appreciate the beautiful in
Adams said the “coming and going of Quail are nature, but would feel somewhat sorry to witness
very regular as to time, and their rarity or abundance such a scene, when he thinks of the hundreds of
in spring or autumn, is generally to be accounted mellow throats now silenced for ever, that might in
for by the prevalence or otherwise of favourable more northern climes have gladdened the heart
winds.” He noted that the stronger the sirocco, and aroused the finer feelings of humanity; and
north wind and the denser the sea haze, the more all for what?”
likely it was for an abundance of Quail, which were One should note that the custom of catching birds
fatter and more plump in spring than in autumn. He for their song as well as for food was practised
said the Maltese believed that Quail kept one wing widely across Europe and elsewhere at the time.
motionless, raised like a sail, and thus crossed like Mayhew remarked that there were some 200
a vessel when migrating. people in London who made a living out of trapping
Adams wrote that “myriads of Turtle Doves pass finches and other birds and that birds such as larks,
over Malta with every south and east wind in April thrushes as well as other birds were sold for food at
and May, and are captured by clap nets and decoy Leadenhall market, where 215,000 larks were sold
birds”. Adams noted that most birds were killed annually (Meyhew 1851).
In the Halles de Paris (Paris market), 826,462 Perhaps the only value of Grant’s work is that he
larks, weighing a total of 22,956 kilos were noted down Maltese names of some rare species
sold in 1836. The price of twenty six larks was that previous ornithologists had not given names
equivalent to the price of a chicken. In the same to. Crispo-Barbaro’s work was based on the works
period, a total of 30,081 thrushes were sold on of Schembri, Wright and Grant, and is again a list
the market. The information about the market is of birds without much information about them.
documented in the Dictionaire du Commerce et Crispo-Barbaro omitted several species and the
des Marchandises, Paris 1839. names he gave were not always correct. The list
Birds’ eggs were also sought for food. Yarrell of names by both Grant as well as Crispo-Barbaro
(1843) wrote that in Norfolk, a man and three boys are however included in this book so that anyone
“find constant employment collecting eggs of wishing to study them further can compare them
Black-headed Gulls, and over 1,000 in a day were with ease.
often collected and sold for 4 pence a score” to In his three volumes about Malta, Castagna
be eaten cold, like Lapwing eggs. (1888) dedicated a section to birds. It is obvious
The quantity of eggs collected may be gleaned that Castagna had read some books about birds
from the fact that one had to pay £15 a year for the because he mentioned Yarell, who in 1843 wrote Crispo-Barbaro’s book of
privileges of collecting such eggs. In the united a three volume work A history of British Birds. He 1878 was deemed unreliable
States, there were professional hunters who shot also mentioned Keyserling and Blasius, German
wildfowl and shot and trapped pigeons, which naturalists who had drawn up a list of vertebrates,
were sold on the markets. As Brander (1971) including birds.
noted, “vast flocks of birds and indiscriminate Castagna said those who had studied the subject
shooting were features of life in nineteenth- disagreed and had conflicting theories about why
century America”. birds migrate. Probably citing myths that were
Birds continued to provide food for many hungry popular at that time, he wrote that some birds
mouths even in Despott’s time as his writings are left their young behind when they migrated, and
littered with records of birds from the Valletta Market because they loved them, they often sealed the nest
stalls, and it was not only the Maltese who consumed with mud before doing so, and the young naturally
birds. In his entry for 7th April 1916, one reads that died, and this was a “known fact” and various nests
among the birds on the market there were “11 Night had been found sealed in this manner.
Herons and 62 Purple Herons, the majority of these In this book one finds misconceptions and
last found their way to the tables of the French men- untruths, such as the idea that crows could smell
of-war in the harbour” (Despott 1916f). carrion from up to a mile away, that the eagle can
stare at the sun without blinking its eyes and that the
Demoiselle Crane slept on one leg and held a stone
Other ornithological works in the other, and when the stone fell, it woke up and
grabbed the stone again.
There are a number of other early ornithological Like Yarell (1843), Castagna said birds were
works, such as those of Grant (1866) and Crispo- divided in five groups: the “wild ones” that ate other
Barbaro (1878). Besides the inaccuracies that birds and which had long and round claws and a
these contain, they added no new information to strong beak for tearing flesh, the song birds that fed
the body of ornithological knowledge, but were on seeds and insects, the third category contained
merely a replication of earlier works. Grant’s work “other birds” such as waders and plovers while the
consisted of a list of the birds’ names in English, fourth contained birds that swam and which had a
Maltese and Latin. It was largely based on the double layer of feathers, webbed feet and which fed
works of Schembri and Wright, but contained on fish. The last order was the one that contained
many introduced errors. Wright had harshly flightless birds.
criticised Grant’s work, arguing he had listed some Castagna listed 134 species of birds and four
40 or 50 new species without any justification species of domestic fowls and gave very brief
and having made “inexcusable blunders” such descriptions of each species. In some cases,
as listing several species twice under different the author shows that he was aware there were
names, listing rare or vagrant species as common other similar species that were not as common:
when they were not and vice versa (Wright 1869). for instance he mentions the Redstart, and in the
brief narrative part says that the black one (Black then, carefully smoothing its finely varied plumage
Redstart) is not as common. and plugging the shot holes, which fortunately,
Castagna gave a brief description of practically were not extensive or numerous, I walked on with a
all birds’ nests and the habitat they nested in light step, excogitating on the strange chance that
and how many eggs they laid. But he made had brought me across this waif from the north.”
clear distinctions for several species that bred In a later episode regarding Black Terns, Wright
in the Maltese Islands. According to Castagna, described how in July 1870, a “huge number” of
the following birds bred: Kestrel, Barn Owl, such terns were in the harbours and remained till
Jackdaw, Swallows or martins, Blue Rock Thrush, about the end of September. He says he shot one
Whitethroat (Bekkafik a˙mar), Spectacled Warbler on 4th August and “organised a regular campaign
or Subalpine Warbler (G˙asfur il-˙arrub or G˙asfur against them”, shooting six of them on 6th August
il-gamiem), Grey Wagtail, Short-toed Lark, Corn and took their measurements and sexed them.
Bunting, Spanish Sparrow, Goldfinch, Rock He then goes on to describe their flight: “it was
Dove, Stone Curlew, Cory’s Shearwater, Manx exceedingly interesting to watch their light and
Shearwater, Storm Petrel, (Herring) Gull, Partridge rapid movement; now dropping suddenly from
and Quail. their airy altitude, splashing the water like a falling
stone, in pursuit of some small fish or offal that had
attracted their attention, now coursing through the
Gun ornithology air, in imitation, as it were, of the swallow tribe.”
He then described how several terns were sitting
Ornithology then was practised very differently on pieces of cork that were floating on the water
from how birds are studied these days. The marking mines that had been laid to blast rocks on
lavishly illustrated field guides and bird books that the sea bed, as excavation works were going on
exist today as well as powerful binoculars and in the harbour at the time: “They showed no fear of
In Wright’s times, Black telescopes were unavailable to early ornithologists. approaching boats. I amused myself for some time
Terns were a common sight Other scientific tools being used nowadays, such with one little fellow, by pulling my skiff to windward
in the Grand Harbour
as DNA, radio tracking and satellite telemetry, were and allowing it to drift down towards him. He never
not even possible a mere 20 years ago, let alone moved until I had almost touched him with my hand,
100 years ago. Ornithologists were often hunters and then only to mount a few feet in the air over my
who had large personal collections of stuffed head, and alight on the same cork the instant that
birds and birds were often identified after being I had passed. This experiment I repeated several
shot or captured. This was the prevalent attitude times, with the same result. So close did he allow
at the time, but though they were collectors, there my approach that I could watch the expression of
are several episodes that show the sensitivity to his little dark bright eye; but there was nothing of
wildlife these pioneer ornithologist-hunters had: alarm in it. So much fearlessness and confidence
they frequently show remorse about the birds were enough to touch even a collector’s heart, and
that were killed and about having to use the gun nothing could have induced me to repay them by
to study birds. The following passage about an injury. Indeed, I shot no more specimens that day”.
extremely rare visitor to our shores, a Snow Bunting As Wright (1870) noted, anything from a
that Wright shot at Salina on 13th November 1869, Nightingale to an eagle, from a Swallow to a stork,
over 140 years ago, is a case in point: ended up at the market as game. He mentions an
“On shooting it I could hardly believe my eyes instance where he “was forestalled in the purchase
at the unexpected sight of a Snow-bunting lying of a fine male Great Bustard in the market by the
before me - a traveller, possibly from the icy Governor’s purveyor, who had just secured it for
shores of Spitzbergen! It was a male in one of Prince Alfred’s dinner” (Wright 1864b).
its most attractive states of plumage - pure white Another case in point happened with the shooting
predominating. Sitting down beside it and gazing of Mute Swans. A bird he himself had shot on 23rd
upon it with mixed feelings of surprise, admiration December 1865 fell in quarantine waters at Manoel
and delight, not unmixed with regret that the Island and Wright remarked he was sure someone
pursuit of our favourite study should involve the had “carried it off for his Christmas dinner”.
occasional destruction of such pretty creatures, it Another bird shot at Salina two days before was
was some time before I raised it from the ground; “already plucked and trussed for the spit” when he
Eric Visser and Ben J. Koks,

from the Dutch Montagu’s
Harrier foundation fix a radio
transmitter on a bird that will
enable researchers to see the
extent of the feeding area
went to try and secure the skin for his collection. morning, states that these were not eaten only by
“It was some satisfaction to ascertain the species, the Maltese but by many of the Englishmen living
from an examination of the head, which the cook, here, including himself.
after a diligent search in the dustbin, presented to Ornithologists capitalised on the prevailing
me” (Wright 1869). attitudes and published records of birds from what
He mentions other instances where he did not they saw exposed on the market. But voices in the
have enough time to identify rare birds, as these wilderness started being heard about the need to
had been “consigned to the pot”, or, worst still, protect birds in the late 1800s in Malta too.
thrown away. A case in point was a Golden Eagle
shot in November 1873, about which he was
informed by Dr Gulia on a Sunday morning. Initially The first Ornithological Congress
he was told the man who had it wanted to have
it preserved, but he nevertheless went to try and An Ornithological Congress was held in Vienna in
see it. “Judge of my disappointment, and, I must 1884 and an International Permanent Ornithological
add, disgust on ascertaining that the owner had, Committee was set up, with Dr Rudolf Blasius as
on the Saturday morning previous, consigned it its president and the Austrian Gustave von Hayek
to a passing scavenger, and all my efforts, which as its secretary. Eleven years later, Dr Blasius
were not few, to trace its remains, were unavailing” published the only work on Maltese ornithology in
(Wright 1874). German. The Committee had a high international
Hunters and trappers shot and trapped standing and Prince Rudolph, the Prince of the
whatever they could, as hunting was primarily a Austro-Hungarian Empire, was its patron. The first
food procuring activity. As said before, Malta was provisional committee had 38 representatives from
no exception in this respect at the time. But even 23 countries including European countries such as
ornithologists of the time ate birds themselves, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, France and Italy as
and Adams, who estimated that over a 100 dozen well as far-flung places such as Australia, Argentina,
warblers were sold on the market on just one Chile and the united States. Dr Enrico Hillyer Giglioli,
was one of the Italian government’s representatives. unless he shot them, and as he was unwilling to
Dr Giglioli was a prolific ornithologist in whose works pay the 10 shillings (€1.16) required to obtain the
there are also references to the birds of Malta. In annual hunting licence, he asked whether he could
his Avifauna Italica, Giglioli also gave vernacular be granted a special licence that would enable him
Maltese names of birds. to shoot birds to identify them. A licence “to shoot
Malta was then a British Colony and did not have birds for scientific purposes” was granted to the
a representative on the committee. As one of the master keeper of the Tal-Ìordan lighthouse, on
aims of the committee was to collect information condition that he used it only in the vicinity of the
about birds from around the world, in June 1885 lighthouse. The Delimara lighthouse keeper was
Dr Blasius and Dr Hayek wrote to the Governor, Sir also given such a licence.
John Lintorn Simmons, asking him whether it was The lighthouses had a red and white beacon
possible that he could order lighthouse keepers to that blinked every 30 seconds and the Tal-Ìordan
draw up lists of birds they saw on migration twice lighthouse could be seen from 24 nautical miles
a year. In the opinion of the committee, Malta was (44.4 km) away while the one at Delimara was seen
Dr Rudolf Blasius, published
the first and only work “one of the most essential localities respecting the from 15 nautical miles (27.8 km) away. Records
on Maltese ornithology in migration of birds”. The Governor was informed that from the lighthouses continued to be sent to the
German no such request was made to Great Britain because Ornithological Committee until 1906.
the work was already being carried out by the British In his paper Ornis von Malta und Gozo, Blasius
Ornithologists’ union in England. The committee included records of first and last sightings of birds
offered to send specially prepared sheets that had observed by the lighthouse keepers of Gozo and
been printed in Greek, English and Italian, so that Delimara for the years 1886 to 1894. The paper by
birds seen would be recorded on these sheets. Blasius is interesting in several ways, and one of
These had to be returned to the committee when its most interesting aspects is that it gives Maltese
filled in. names of practically all species. Blasius gave the
The lighthouse keepers Emmanuele Grech at first and next record of every species and then
Tal-Ìordan in Gozo and Paolo Grech at Delimara the last date when lighthouse keepers recorded
in Malta, started drawing up lists, and the first set the species. Through such records, the paper by
The lighthouse at Tal-Ìordan, of records was sent in 1886. But in an island where Blasius enables one to see which birds common
Gozo, from where the
living was hard, people tried to turn everything into people could identify, because while Maltese bird
ornithological observations
were made by the lighthouse an opportunity. The keeper of the Gozo lighthouse, names were known to ornithologists, one can safely
keeper complained he was unable to identify the birds assume that then, as happens now, hunters and
common people did not know the names of all the
birds, as even though some were very common,
many did not take any notice of them. Table 6 lists
the bird names given by Blasius for which records
of sightings by lighthouse keepers were also given.
Ornithology in the first half of the 20th Century
Giovanni Gulia, who followed in his father’s

footsteps, published a number of works related to
natural history. In 1889 he published a dictionary
of Maltese, English and Italian names of plants, fish
and animals, including birds. In 1905 he wrote a
short article about migratory birds (Gulia 1905) and
in 1910 published his Calendario del cacciatore
Maltese, which consisted of 14 pages with a
brief introduction about previous ornithological
literature, migration, hunting laws, breeding birds
and interesting anecdotes about which birds were
edible. For instance it was said that the fat found in
Table 6: Names of birds identified by lighthouse keepers taken from Blasius (1895)
Kestrel “Spagnolett (male), Seker ahmar (female)”
Osprey Arpa
Honey Buzzard “Kucciarda,Quccarda”
Pallid Harrier “Bu-ghadam abiad, Bu-ghadam (female & juvenile)”
Montagu’s Harrier “Bu-ghadam abiad, Bu-ghadam (female & juvenile)”
Scops Owl “Kokka, Qoqqa”
Nightjar “Bukraik, Bukarak”
Swift Rundun
Swallow Huttafa
Cuckoo “Kuku, Dakkuka Kahla (adult), Sultan il-gamiem (juv)”
Bee-eater “Kirt-el-nahal, Kart in nahal”
Roller “Karnaclic, Farrug, Grisa”
Golden Oriole “Taira safra, Tajra hadra (female & juvenile)”
Starling Sturnell
Jackdaw “Ciaula, Caula, Cola, Kola”
Wryneck “Sultan-issummien, Bu-lebbiel”
Hoopoe Dakkuka tal pennac
Woodchat Shrike “Cacciamendula, Bughiddiem, Busiddiem”
Song Thrush “Malvitz, Malvits kambi”
Blue Solitary Thrush (Blue Rock Thrush) “Meril, Cicci di Diu”
Rock Thrush “Gianbublu, Gan-bublu, Asfur ahmar”
Black Redstart Kudirros Iswed
Robin Pettiross
Wheatear Kuda Bianca
Stonechat “Buciak, Bucakk, Bucakcak”
White Wagtail “Zic-zak, Zakak, Zaqaq”
Yellow Wagtail “Kappamosk, Cacciamosk, Garnell”
Meadow Pipit “Pespus tal giargir, Tis”
Skylark “Aluet, Aluetta”
Calandra Lark Calandra
Short-toed Lark Bilbla
Common Bunting (Corn Bunting) Duraisa
Spanish Sparrow Asfur tal beit issud
Chaffinch “Spunson, Sponsoun”
Greenfinch Verdun
Serin Finch (Serin) Apparell
Siskin Ecora
Goldfinch “Gardil, Gardell”
Linnet “Gioin, Gioin tal-warda, Gioin tal-warda bianca”
Turtle Dove “Gamiem, Gamiema”
Quail Summiena
Thick-knee (Stone Curlew) “Tellerita, Tallerita”
Golden Plover Pluviera
Dotterel “Birwina, Berweina”
Lapwing Veneua
Common Crane “Grua, Airun, Arnuk”
Common Heron (Grey Heron) “Russet Imperial, Russett rmiedi imperial”
Purple Heron Russet culur-cannella
Night Heron “Quack, Blongiun imperial, Russet tal siggiar”
Water Hen (Moorhen) Galloz Prim
Curlew “Gurlin, Gurlin prim”
Woodcock Gallina. Gallina cieca
Mallard “Culuvert, Culuvert prim (male) Borca, Borca prima (female)”
Red-breasted Merganser Serra
(English names in brackets are the current names. Names in Maltese are given as written by Blasius)
The letter to the Governor

by Blasius and Gustave von
Hayek, requesting lighthouse
keepers to keep records of
birds they saw
harriers had healing properties. He then described that it was given to him in flesh. The taxidermist
which birds one could expect to see in each month did not doubt it had been taken in Malta. But
of the year. Despott said he believed that the occurrence of
Gulia’s work was in Italian but he also gave Maltese this species required further evidence. Arrigoni
bird names in use at the time. In 1913, he presented degli Oddi (1929) mentioned the North African
a paper at the International Zoological Congress Babbler by quoting Despott and says that it was
in Monaco in which he gave a glimpse of natural a Tunisian species that merited confirmation. The
history in Malta, in which he referred to important most important ornithological works in the early
ornithological works dealing with Malta and gave a part of the 20th century came from Despott, who
list of the breeding birds. In his work of 1889 Gulia at one point was also the curator of the Natural
speaks of four species of snipes that visited Malta. History Section of the university and Valletta
he mentioned the Great Snipe, Common Snipe, Museum and later Curator of the Natural History
Jack Snipe and Brehm’s Snipe (Scolopax Brehmi), section of the Museums Department. Despott had
which he called Bekkaç Terz in Maltese. a large collection of birds, which were prepared by
Gulia was undoubtedly following some Italian himself and his brother.
Giovanni Gulia, published writers of the time, because as Arrigoni Degli
several works related to Oddi (1929) noted, some Italian ornithologists
natural history and birds
had considered the Brehm’s Snipe as a different The seeds of conservation
species because it had 16 tail feathers, not 14 as
the Common Snipe normally had. In fact, some In 1898, Despott started collecting eggs and
Italian authors, such as Bonaparte, said this snipe within two years he “became more scrupulous and
was “vulgarly called Beccaccini coda larga, moderate in his collecting” and started keeping
meaning a snipe with a bigger tail. Gulia repeated detailed notes, with the result that, omitting those
the reference to this snipe in his work of 1911, but species he had not seen himself, he brought up
subsequent foreign authors did not consider this the list of breeding species to 32. Despott (1916b)
as a good species. And local ornithological works stated that he often heard that “nests of species
never referred to it either. It is today known that the such as Nightjar, Hoopoe, Oriole, Bee-eater,
number of tail feathers in the Common Snipe may Roller, etc. had been found, but the replies to
vary between 12 and 18 feathers. his queries regarding the site of the nest and the
Another important bird list from the early 1900s material used in its construction, number, size and
was that presumably drawn up by Cecil Leach colour of eggs had been so unsatisfactory that he
(1907), who listed the birds that were found in the felt justified in excluding them.”
Natural History Museum at the time. This publication Despott’s first known bird-related article was
is unsigned, but as Leach was responsible for the about the need to protect the Cory’s Shearwater,
Giuseppe Despott, the most museum at the time, it is presumed that he was a bird which was mercilessly persecuted at sea
important ornithologist of
the author of this list. In this work, one finds 224 during the breeding season and whose eggs were
the 1900s. Below one of his
last papers, published in the specimens, including some very rare species such also collected from Filfla. This article was published
Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia as North African Babbler (Argya fulva), Bullfinch, in 1913, when Despott was 35 years old. In the
White-winged Lark, Swallow-tailed Kite, Buff- same year he published a list of birds that he had
backed Heron, now known as Cattle Egret, and an observed. Later he published an extensive paper
African Ruffled Bustard, now known as Houbara about the breeding birds of Malta as well as several
Bustard. papers about the ornithology of Malta. He also
Later ornithological works commented on some published several short notes recording new or
of these species. Giuseppe Despott (1917), for rare species of birds or extraordinary migrations of
instance, mentioned the species of babbler and birds in various international journals ranging from
although he referred to it as an Algerian Bush- The Zoologist to the Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia.
babbler (Crateropus fulvus fulvus), now known In 1915, Despott wrote his first complete list of the
as Fulvous Babbler (Turdoides fulvus), he was birds of Malta, in which he listed 339 species. This
referring to the same specimen in the Natural was substantially more than that of Schembri, who
History Museum. in 1843 had mentioned 223 species, or Wright who
Despott said he was assured by Giuseppe had added another 38, or Blasius who had brought
Micallef, the taxidermist who had mounted the bird, the list up to 288. Despott had then opted to omit
the Purple Gallinule, arguing that it was a localised The only other works worth mentioning from
species that was incapable of crossing the stretch the 1930s are the notes found in the Annual
of sea between Malta and Sicily and the Swallow- Reports of the Museums Department, where
tailed Kite, arguing that it was an American species one finds lists of birds that were added to the
and previous lists had included it simply because a Museum collection. Some of the notes contain
skin was preserved at the museum. records of where the birds were shot and other
Despott recorded both the species he saw information about other species seen. Some,
himself as well as those that were brought to him or such as Baldacchino’s report of 1938, are lists of
those that were seen by others whom he deemed mounted specimens donated to the museum and
reliable. He also gave detailed records of birds bear neither the date of capture, nor the locality.
he saw for sale at the Valletta market. Most birds In such reports there are some interesting notes
that were shot, were sold at the market as food. and discussion about some rare species in the
Despott recorded many rare species after seeing collection.
them on the market. He was however careful not Derek Goodwin, who came to Malta from
to include birds he suspected had been imported. Egypt on a tour of duty in the 1940s, published
Despott’s last short note about birds was a paper about the birds of Malta in which he
published in the Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia in commented that “to anyone arriving from Egypt,
1933 and dealt with a record of a Glaucous Gull with its teeming ubiquitous bird-life, Malta is apt
shot at Armier in February 1932. Despott died in at first sight to appear rather lacking in bird-life
1936, aged 58. unless adverse weather conditions have resulted
The next most substantive works after those of in a concentration of held-up migrants. More
Despott were the books by Langley E. Roberts and detailed observations, however, will soon show
Carmel De Lucca, published in 1954 and 1969 that although the number of species that breed on
respectively. But in the intermediate period, one can the island are few, those few are numerous and
come across a number of papers, mostly written by widely distributed, many others winter there, and
servicemen while on tours of duty in Malta. there is an almost continuous passage of trans-
Among these, one finds a paper by Claud Mediterranean migrants, which reaches its peak
Buchanan Ticehurst, who stopped over in Malta from March to early June and then again from
on his way to Alexandria. Ticehurst noted that the September to December.”
birds were rather wild due to the persecution, and At the time Goodwin was in Malta, the Spectacled
that Turtle Dove, Quail, Scops and Short-Eared Warbler was more widely distributed than the
Owls, Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Roller, Reeve and Red- Sardinian Warbler, which was common and well
footed Falcon sold for 3 pence a head on the distributed. The Corn Bunting was very abundant
market (Ticehurst 1909). while the Short-toed Lark was “to be seen on the
In a rather extensive paper dealing with birds wing over every field and patch of wasteland,
he observed and collected while serving in the uttering his song”. Like previous authors, Goodwin
Mediterranean on HMS Venus between 1905 noted that birds of nearly all species were shot for
and 1907, Lynes (1912) referred to Malta as an food.
‘ornithophagus’, from the Greek ‘ornis’ or ‘ornithos’
meaning bird, and ‘phagos’ meaning to eat. This
term could have been a reference to the fact that all Despott criticised unfairly
birds caught were eaten, or to the paucity of birds
resulting from continuous hunting and trapping of John Gibb, another serviceman working with the
migratory birds. Royal Artillery, who was in Malta from August 1941
Major W.H. Payn published a short paper in The until July 1945 and worked in the anti-aircraft unit,
Ibis about birds met with in the spring migration in kept a lookout for birds while on duty as well as
Malta and Gozo. Like authors did before, and after when was off duty. In 1951, he published a paper in
him, Payn (1938) commented that any bird from a The Ibis about his observations, made at the height
Whitethroat to a duck was considered to be worth of World War II. In spite of being in Malta for a rather
a cartridge and that “the average Maltese has no short time and admitting that most time was spent
use whatsoever for a bird except it be in the pot, a on Malta, while Gozo and Comino were visited for
cage, or a glass case”. short periods and Filfla was never visited, and that
notes on waterfowl were lacking, one can sense an Ornithology in the Fifties
element of snobbery when Gibb assessed previous
ornithological literature written by Maltese. The next important work came through the hands
He praised Wright, who deserved every bit of of E. Langley Roberts. He was posted to Malta on
it when considering the limitations Wright must a tour of duty with the British forces for two years
have had in the late 1800s, but without merit he in the early 1950s. Robert’s book was important
questioned almost a third of Despott’s records. because all previous material was in the form of
For example, Gibb had no problem with Wright’s papers in various ornithological journals and written
statement that the Stone Curlew bred on northern in different languages. Some were in English, others
ridges in Malta “where it may be considered in Italian and some in Maltese. Speaking recently
resident”, but argues that Despott created “an in a telephone interview, Roberts, who now lives in
unjustified impression of regularity” when he wrote South Africa, said he had compiled a list and took
John Gibb, a British that “the few individuals which arrive in spring, it to Progress Press to have a bird list published,
serviceman who kept a
if fortunate enough to escape the guns of our but he was asked to “knock it into book form” and
lookout for birds while on a
tour of duty in Malta during sportsman, remain to breed”. The last breeding he amended his work and wrote the book. The aim
World War II record of the Stone Curlew was given by Despott of the book was to assist ornithologists by collating
in 1911, and over thirty years had elapsed before previous works together.
Gibb was posted to Malta. Although Roberts was not as critical of Despott
Gibb himself found out that the status of certain as Gibb was, he too said Wright’s works were
birds had changed, and that the shooting and more accurate and reliable. Like Gibb, Roberts
trapping situations had, at best, not improved said some 100 of the birds listed by Despott were
since Despott’s times. Gibb himself commented obtained from “questionable sources” and must
that “despite legislation to restrict it, bird catching be regarded as suspect, but he was more prudent
remains a popular past-time” and that “Swallows, than Gibb, as he qualified his statement by saying
Swifts or any other bird that takes the hunters’ that “due to a dearth of observers, many so-called
fancy, are trapped or shot for sport.” rarities pass undetected, and may, in fact, occur
Goodwin, who must have been in Malta at about far more regularly than present records suggest”.
the same time, wrote that “On Sunday mornings, Roberts argued that because of the hunting
there will be gunners all over the Island, in every pressure, “the present-day ornithologist stands
stone cairn, under every clump of carob trees, less chance than ever of encountering the rarer
among the rocks on the shore, waiting to fire at birds”.
E. Langley Roberts, another any bird – from a Wheatear to a Purple Heron – In his book, Roberts commented about the
British serviceman posted that should approach within range”. How did Gibb widespread shooting and “an even greater evil, the
to Malta in the early 1950s,
published the first book expect to find breeding Stone Curlews in his time, extensive trapping which takes place. Wild birds are
about the birds of Malta. All when the standard of living and mode of transport, attracted by diabolically effective artificial calls and
previous works were in the though still rudimentary by today’s standards, had by wretched decoy birds, some of them blinded,
form of papers in various improved since Despott’s times? either exposed to the sun for hours in cramping
ornithological journals
Gibb noted that in March 1945, at Wied il-Kbir cages, or tied by the leg to a hinged contrivance
there were 12 pairs of Sardinian Warblers and 14 by which they are made to flutter up and down.
pairs of Spectacled Warblers. Gibb stated that Victims are taken with clap nets and sold as cage
that Sardinian Warbler had established itself as birds, in which there is a brisk business in Malta”.
a common breeding species between 1874 and But Robert’s words were like a mere cry in the
1885, but he had no evidence of migration of this wilderness. Roberts recorded two new species: the
species. But for the birds to establish themselves Arctic Skua and the Rüppell’s Warbler.
there had to be some pairs migrating. Despott had
noted some birds migrating in spring and autumn
but Gibb said he had no evidence that Sardinian De Lucca comes to the scene
Warblers migrate. Again, his keenness to find fault
with Despott’s work may have led him to wrong Dr Carmelo De Lucca came to the ornithological
conclusions as Sardinian Warblers still migrate in scene in the 1950s. He was a medical doctor who
small numbers over Malta in spring and relatively was a keen hunter and collector, following in his
more arrive in autumn. father’s footsteps. In 1928, Vincenzo De Lucca
had started a collection of stuffed birds, which In 1969, De Lucca published an important paper
his son augmented and used for his studies. This in The Ibis about bird migration over Malta. In this
collection was eventually donated to the Museum paper, he had worked on the same pattern of the
of Natural History in Mdina. Vincenzo had written a unpublished paper, by selecting a number of
short note on the capture of a Yellowhammer in the areas and keeping logs of sightings in these areas.
Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia in 1951 (De Lucca De Lucca noted there was a correlation between
1951) and a joint paper with his son in 1959 (De migration and weather. He argued that in spring,
Lucca C. and De Lucca V. 1959). Carmelo De larger numbers of birds were seen when cyclonic
Lucca’s first published contribution to Maltese weather, with easterly winds and partially overcast
ornithology came in 1950, with a 7 page paper in skies, succeeds a period of fine weather. De
the Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia (De Lucca 1950). Lucca noted that in autumn, the pattern was similar
In 1960, De Lucca, together with N.C. Wain, who with day migrants appearing with fair anticyclonic
was serving on HMS Brigand, had prepared a weather and westerly winds while night migrants
paper entitled Migration through Malta of birds on appeared mostly with easterly winds. When there
the British list (De Lucca and Wain 1960). For this was a deterioration in weather, with easterly winds Dr Carmelo De Lucca made
draft paper, five areas in Malta had been identified and partially or totally overcast skies, a large important contributions to
and intensive observations were made at specific number of birds, mostly night migrants, were found ornithology and was very
interested in identifying
times in spring of 1950. grounded in the early morning. sub-species. In the 1960s, he
Some 72 species of birds were listed and The paper by De Lucca, published less than 40 noted there was a correlation
sightings of the birds were given according to years ago, shows the changes that have taken between migration and
which of the observation posts they were seen at place in the status of many species. weather. Like others after
him, he was however
and the direction in which they were flying. Some “Large flocks of Turtle Doves may be seen shunned by many within the
of the birds recorded were caught in special box arriving in early morning, flock succeeding Malta Ornithological Society
traps set on HMS Brigand, and released after they flock without pause, so that a stream of flocks is because he was a hunter and
were examined. Others landed exhausted on the continuously passing northwards, flying high or collector, which was still the
trend in his time
ship. Two observations are really worth noting very high, along the north-western coast. usually
from this paper. The first was the occurrence of this movement stops by 6 to 8 am but occasionally
a rather large number of Black Terns: 76 counted it may continue throughout the morning”.
on four days in August of 1948 and over 126 seen On 23rd April 1952, De Lucca remarked there
on five days in August 1949. All terns were seen were large numbers of migrants “on every bit
off Valletta. The second is a record of 40 “Great of available countryside. At Wied id-Dis, near
Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) that were seen on G˙arg˙ur, a stretch of valley about one and a half
June 30th, 1949 12 miles NE of Valletta. It is evident miles (2.5 km) long and about 60 yards (55m)
that De Lucca later realised this was a mistaken wide, Nightjars and Turtle Doves were thick on the
identification, probably by Wain, as he never ground. An idea of the bird concentration may be
referred to this record in later publications. The obtained from the fact that a few of the guns, which
shearwaters were probably Cory’s Shearwaters were many, got between 95 and 135 Nightjars
(Calonectris diomedea) as the note accompanying each, besides several Turtle Doves, and this within
the sighting read: “they were seen in the company the space of a few hours, from 4 to about 9 am.
of Mediterranean Shearwaters (Puffinus k kuhlii)”. From reports I have gathered, it appeared that
In this paper, De Lucca, though being a hunter these bags were more or less the same from all
himself, lamented the persecution of birds and over Malta”.
lack of enforcement of regulations. But like the De Lucca also published a checklist of birds of
ornithologists of his time, he was very interested Malta, in which he reassessed the birds’ status and
in preserving specimens of rare records and this recorded a number of sub-species. Being a hunter
issue remained a strong bone of contention and himself, De Lucca had easier access to stuffed
created bad blood when the Malta Ornithological bird collections, that had become very popular by
Society (MOS) was set up several years later. He that time, and he could thus identify a number of
stated that the collection of stuffed birds at the new species as well as sub-species. Apart from the book, De
Lucca published several
Valletta Museum had been destroyed by enemy De Lucca also published several short notes important short notes in the
action during World War II. This paper remained in the Italian journal Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia
unpublished. and The Ibis, in which he had recorded the Zitting and The Ibis
Cisticola (then known as Fan-tailed Warbler) from

Malta after some specimens were shot. This had
created friction with the people in the MOS at
the time. One could understand the frustration
of a nascent society that was trying to instil a
new mentality by recording species through
observation or ringing, rather than killing. But Dr
De Lucca had not killed the Fan-tailed Warblers
himself, but had recorded them after a patient
of his had shot them. The fact that MOS leaders
themselves recorded birds from shot or trapped
specimens at the time, and still do so now, shows
that, at least with hindsight, the criticism levelled
at Dr De Lucca at the time was disproportionate.
Twenty-five foreign ornithologists also wrote a
letter to The Ibis about the shooting of the Fan-
Tailed Warblers, arguing that there was no need
for these birds to be shot to be positively identified
and recorded (Allen et al 1968). Among the
authors, there were some of the more important
ornithologists of the last century, such as Stanley
Cramp, W.R.P Bourne, Bruce Campbell, Chris
Mead, Peter Scott, R.S.R Fitter and P.A.D. Hollom,
just to mention a few. These severely criticised
The Ibis and British Birds for carrying another
letter urging the collection of specimens to
determine what species of White-rumped Swifts
were breeding in Spain. The debate was about
whether the swifts in question were Little Swifts
or White-rumped Swifts and the authors argued
that the birds could be identified with ease and
minimal disturbance by mist-netting, rather than Before the inception of the Malta Ornithological
by shooting. In the late 1960s, the gun-ornithology Society, Anthony Valletta, a naturalist whose main
syndrome was still very much alive. interest lied in lepidoptera, tried to encourage
Though the killing of birds to obtain records awareness about the need to protect birds through
cannot be condoned or encouraged, one should an illustrated booklet entitled Know the Birds. This
never forget the roots. In the unites States, William was published in 1955 and re-published in 1967
Hornaday and Franck Chapman campaigned and 1971. Valletta divided his booklet into two
vigorously for bird protection while they built basic chapters dealing with breeding birds and
up collections and held high office in prominent migratory ones. At a time when information was
museums. Professor Alfred Newton fought against very limited and not so easily available, Valletta’s
the feather trade in the uK and played an important booklet aimed at instilling admiration for birds by
part in drafting the Wild Birds Protection Act of providing simple information about avian biology,
1880 while expanding his bird egg collection. such as differences between insectivorous birds,
The noted collector Lewis Bonhote was a member seed eaters, birds of prey and seabirds. It also
of the RSPB’s council while the chairman of the had ideas of what children could do to watch
Anthony Valletta tried to American Ornithologists union, William Brewster, birds. The booklet also had questions about
encourage awareness about was also one of the biggest collectors in the uS. information found in the text. Although such a
the need to protect birds But as Mearns noted, “As ornithology matured, book might seem basic, it was the first of its kind
through a booklet Know the
and the study of living birds became increasingly and the audience it was trying to target was very
Birds seven years before
the inception of the Malta important, collectors became a mistrusted restricted. Valletta also published other booklets
Ornithological Society minority,” (Mearns 1998). about trees, wildflowers and butterflies.
New faces
With the inception of the MOS in 1962, about which

more will be said later, bird watching and ringing
were introduced. The society had a Gozo branch,
which initially published its own cyclostyled
reports, edited by Victor Vella Muskat. These
contained both important bird sightings as well
as ringing reports. The first bi-annual report of the
Gozo branch was published in 1963 while the first
printed booklet, called Malta Bird Observatory,
was published in 1966. Other cyclostyled reports,
entitled Quarterly Bulletins, were also published by
the MOS till 1979. These contained both news about
the society’s activities as well as other bird-related
news and ornithological information. The printed
publication Bird’s Eye View, which contained
news about the society’s activities, replaced
Quarterly Bulletins in October 1979. In April
1970, the society’s publication Il-Merill became a
vehicle for a number of bird ringing reports and
Joe Vella Gaffiero (left), Mark
short notes and later also papers about birds in as Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero were concurrently
Beaman (right) with Supt.
Malta. Joe Sultana and Charles Gauci, who were working on books about the birds of Malta and Victor Bonello in his hunting
at the forefront of the bird ringing scheme, started a big element of pique was very evident. David hide at Salina.
publishing several articles, short notes and papers Bannerman’s annotated correspondence, which is
and later worked on three successive books about now deposited in the library of the British Museum
the birds of Malta, in which they updated previous at Tring, reveals a lot of information about how this
literature and gave new records of migrants or saga unfolded.
breeding species. Sultana recently published a In a nutshell, David Bannerman and his wife
book on his own (Sultana 2001). came to Malta in autumn 1973 on the advice of Mrs
In their first book in 1975, Sultana and Gauci Bannerman’s doctor, who suggested it would be
worked with Mark Beaman. Sultana, Gauci and beneficial to her arthritis. Before coming to Malta,
Beaman (1975) added 19 new species and 7 Bannerman asked the RSPB to put him in touch with
new sub-species, of which, the Sooty Falcon and someone interested in birds in Malta, and he was
Tristram’s Warbler, were new for Europe. The Sooty advised to get in touch with Joe Sultana, at that time
Falcon had been identified by Sammy Borg (Borg Secretary of the Malta Ornithological Society. While in
1979) while information about the Tristram’s Warbler Malta, the Bannermans were introduced to other MOS
had already been published by Vella Gafiero (1975a, members and in order to support the organisation,
b). Most of the authors who wrote books, papers or they both became life members of the Society. On the
short notes about birds in Malta, often recorded new evening before leaving, David Bannerman presented
species after these had been shot. Although new Joe Sultana with an autographed copy of his Handbook
species were also recorded through bird ringing, the Birds of Cyprus. According to Bannerman, it was
visits to taxidermists or contacts with taxidermists and here that a number of MOS officials asked him to write
collectors remain an important source of information a similar book on the birds of Malta. .
to this very day. In a sort of aide mémoire filed with his letters,
David Bannerman and Joe Vella Gaffiero also David Bannerman wrote that he had informed the
published an important work on the birds of Malta MOS that due to his age as well as to the fact that
in 1976. There were many crosscurrents and the firm which published his books had been taken
undercurrents as well as hidden and open clashes over and the new firm had decided not to publish
between officials running the MOS at the time and any more books of that kind, it was not possible for The first report of the Gozo
branch published in 1963 and
Vella Gaffiero, who was in charge of the Museum of him to take up the MOS’s offer. Sultana had informed the Malta Bird Observatory,
Natural History. Sultana, Gauci and Beaman as well Bannerman that he was planning to write a booklet published in 1966
for primary school children. Before the Bannermans

left Malta, Sultana phoned Joe Vella Gaffiero to
go to his home and meet the Bannermans. Vella
Gaffiero was a life member of the MOS and was in
charge of the Malta Natural History Museum. The
latter again brought up the issue of publishing a
book and sounded out Bannerman to see what the
latter thought if funding was found for it. Bannerman
said that that could be a different story.
Back in England, Bannerman received a letter
from Vella Gaffiero informing him that he and his
friends would put up some money if he would write
the book. Bannerman was later informed that the
Malta Government and the Gollcher Foundation
would finance it. Bannerman replied that he would
devote his royalties to bird conservation in Malta.
The Gollcher Foundation financed the paintings
by Chloë Talbot Kelley and Donald Watson who
painted the colour plates. Vella Gaffiero added
that his royalties would go to the Natural History
Museum. Eventually all the proceeds from the book
went into Government coffers and no extra money
was allocated either to the Museum or to bird
conservation in Malta.
In October 1974, Bannerman received an official
letter from Alfred E. Baldacchino, the public relations
officer of the MOS, saying that the MOS had got to
know about a book on the birds of Malta on which
he was working. The Society also said that they going to be taken immediately to safeguard the
expected Bannerman to have mentioned such a interests of the Society. Vella Gaffiero’s reply was
project and they would appreciate hearing his side curt and to the point: “Whether at this time I am or
of the story before any action would be taken. not writing a book, or for that matter, doing anything
In a hand-written note on the letter, Bannerman else is none of your business, nor – once you write
wrote; “No answer and to hell with the lot! What a in your capacity as Secretary – the business of
lot of idiots. Who do they think they are? We have any member of the committee. For anything I have
both resigned from our life membership of the MOS written or done so far, I have never asked for your
forthwith.” or your committee’s imprimatur, neither, be sure,
A month later, it was Vella Gaffiero’s turn will I ever request it, for the simple reason that it is
to receive a similar letter, this time from MOS not necessary.”
secretary Joe Sultana, who informed him that it The letter by Sultana, and reply by Vella Gaffiero,
had come to the attention of the committee that show the kind of animosity which existed, with the
Cyclostyled Quarterly
he was “collaborating with a foreigner on a book former showing that the MOS considered birds,
Bulletins contained news
about MOS activities and about the birds of Malta. and publications about them, as “their domain”
bird-related news. In 1979, the “It is a fact that this foreigner, who never made while Vella Gaffiero made it amply clear that he
Bird’s Eye View became the any studies on local ornithology, and who did not did not owe anyone any explanations if he wanted
society’s annual magazine.
consult the MOS about the matter, though he met to publish a book about birds. Vella Gaffiero was
The first issue of Il-Merill was
published in 1970. The most the society’s officials several times during his brief eventually suspended from the Society. In the
recent issue, No. 31, was holiday, will have to base the status of the birds meantime, various individuals sent Bannerman
published in 2005. Right: an on the studies made solely by the MOS research a number of letters querying what he was doing
aide-memoire by Bannerman
committee.” about the birds of Malta. These letters were
about what led to him writing
the book with Vella Gaffiero Vella Gaffiero was summoned to appear before aimed at putting pressure on him not to write the
rather than with the MOS the MOS Council to clarify the matter as steps were book. RSPB Director Peter Conder and Phyllis
Barclay Smith, from the International Council for History Museum.” The MOS suggested that it
Bird Preservation, were among those who wrote would run the scheme and that there would be
to Bannerman. But after Bannerman explained a representative or two from the Natural History
what was going on, Conder informed him that Museum on the board running such a bird-ringing
things “were getting completely and utterly out of scheme.
hand” and that the letters by the MOS were “really On 10th December 1977, Joe Sultana, then MOS
disgraceful”. President, wrote to the Permanent Secretary to the
The clashes between Vella Gaffiero and the MOS Ministry for Culture saying that the Society was
increased and the battle ground shifted around as ready to accept a number of conditions including
to who should operate the bird-ringing scheme. that an annual report on bird-ringing would be sent
In many countries bird ringing schemes are run to the Minister and that the Society was ready to
by Natural History Museums. But because Vella accept a representative appointed by the Minister
Gaffiero was also a hunter and a collector, a degree to sit on the bird-ringing committee and that all the
of prejudice prevailed. But the issue took a certain information gathered by the MOS Ringing Scheme
twist and the MOS began to feel the pressure as would always be available to Government. On 12th
Vella Gaffiero embarked on a strategy to get bird January 1978, Joe E. Attard the Ministry’s Principal
ringing under the control of the Natural History Administrative Secretary wrote a personal note to
Museum so that the society would be subject to the Minister saying: “I would wish to speak to you
his authority. Official correspondence shows that about this matter (bird-ringing), which is however,
on 16th December 1974 the Director or Museums, in line with Government Policy of using voluntary
Frans Mallia, wrote to the Minister of Education and workers as much as possible”. From than on, all
Culture explaining that: “it seems natural, indeed meetings were made directly between Joe E.
imperative, that the Natural History Museum should Attard and Joe Sultana.
assume national responsibility for organising and In the meantime, the Maltese Ornithological
supervising the local arrangements for the study union was formed in July 1978 under the patronage
of bird migration, which consists essentially in the of the then Minister of Education Dr Philip Muscat.
method of ringing and the records which derive The nucleus of this union was none other than the
there from”. new ringers and other ornithological enthusiasts,
In February 1975 the Ministry approved the some of whom had broken off relations with the
Director’s request, and on 17th February 1975 MOS. However, on 24th January 1979, Agatha
sought the advice of the Attorney General about Barbara signed an agreement with the MOS so
“the advisability or otherwise of bringing bird- that it would run the Valletta Bird-ringing Scheme.
ringing under Government control by an apposite As part of the agreement, the Minister appointed
law or regulation.” It seems that the Attorney Manwel Schembri and Joe Vella-Gaffiero to sit on
General never answered any of the letters and the bird-ringing committee.
requests made by the Director of Museums. On Speaking at the annual general meeting of the
the 16th September 1976, the Director of Museums Malta Ornithological Society in February 1979,
issued three ringing licences to Sam Borg, Joe the MOS President, Joe Sultana declared that
Vella Gaffiero and Victor Vella Muskat. In a letter “a problem concerning bird ringing in Malta has
to these new bird ringers, the Director of Museums been solved during the past year”. He added that
wrote: “In view of your known proficiency in bird bird ringing had been carried out efficiently and
observation and ringing and your long collaboration scientifically by the MOS since 1965 and that the
with this Department’s National Museum of Natural MOS was affiliated to the European Bird Ringing
History, I have the pleasure to inform you that you Scheme (EuRING). “It was quite unethical on the
have my permission and approval to undertake part of an individual who in 1977 started a rival bird-
the necessary field-work connected with same, ringing scheme using a government department’s
including the use of rings supplied by the Museums address. The unscientific methods used and the
Department.” activities of this rival scheme were throwing bird
On 24th January 1977 the MOS sent a request to ringing into disrepute. As the address of the Books written by Sultana,
the Ministry of Culture to set up one bird-ringing rings used fell under the authority of the Ministry Gauci and Beaman, and
later by Sultana and Gauci,
scheme for Malta “under the patronage of the of Culture, the MOS reported the whole matter to published by the MOS
Ministry of Culture and on behalf of the Natural the Honourable Minister of Labour, Culture and between 1974 and 1982
Welfare, Agatha Barbara, who took the necessary book by Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero which also
action. After a number of meetings, the Honourable had colour plates was launched shortly after. This
Minister decided that there should be only one put fuel to the fire. Efforts were made to find faults
bird ringing scheme in the Maltese Islands and in Vella Gaffiero’s book. The book was seen as
this was to be run by the MOS,” (Sultana 1979). promoting the culture of obtaining records through
Reference to this agreement was also made by shooting of birds and suggesting that the best way
the MOS Honorary General Secretary, Alfred E. to identify certain species and sub-species was
Baldacchino, in his report at the same meeting. through examining stuffed specimens. Ironically,
He said that the bird-ringing scheme would some of those who criticised Vella Gaffiero for
A sticker urging for the be run by a committee appointed by the MOS such an attitude did not lose an opportunity to
conservation of the Peregrine with two members, appointed by the Minister of record new birds from stuffed specimens.
Falcon by the short-lived
Culture, to represent government (Baldacchino In a letter to Bannerman on 21st July 1976, almost
Malta Ornithologists’ Union
1979). three weeks after the book was launched, Vella
The Valletta Bird Ringing Scheme continued Gaffiero wrote to Bannerman saying: “Among
to be run under the agreement for three years, those present (for the launch) was Joe Sultana who
however with the change of portfolios, the Minister to my surprise came to congratulate me for the fine
for Foreign Affairs and Culture did not appoint any work. His comments to Sam Borg some days later
more government representatives. On 18th January were ‘it is a fine book but could have been better’,
1984, Vella Gaffiero wrote to the MOS terminating which means if they had done it, it could be better.
the agreement. For me it was the biggest satisfaction that Sultana
“I have been instructed to inform you that, with came to the launching. Greater things were to
the publication of the ‘ringing report for 1978/81’ come some days later, when on my 35th birthday
you have violated the agreement reached between on the 13th of July, Sultana came to my office with
yourselves and the Government.” his head low and asked if he could buy 10 copies
The MOS was requested to withdraw all ringing at the retailers price to sell at the MOS stand in
licences and to submit all the official records of the the Malta International Trade Fair since so many
Valletta Bird-ringing Scheme with the list of rings visitors to the fair had asked them for our book.
The first and only issue of still in stock to the Natural History Museum within Believe me David this was my biggest and most
Natural Heritage, by the seven days. important birthday present I received that day.”
National Museum of Natural
History of Malta
“As new regulations governing bird-ringing The pique lingered on. In their publication
in Malta are being formulated by Government; of 1982, Sultana and Gauci criticised Vella
it is essential to know whether you still intend to Gaffiero’s work because it “included doubtful
participate on the study of bird migration.” species, as well as several new sub-species in
The MOS reacted to the letter saying it was ultra an unwarrantable manner”. To substantiate their
vires and Joe Sultana also wrote to the Minister criticism, they ironically referred to a lengthy
for Culture, seeking the government’s help “to review Dominic Cutajar had written in Il-Merill
discourage individuals, who may use their official in 1976. Cutajar, though a founder and life-
status to hinder, rather than help, the work which for member of the MOS, had already been sidelined
over 20 years have been carried out successfully by the MOS by that time. So much so, that in a
in the study of ornithology by the MOS.” letter dated 21st November 1977, Vella Gaffiero
A new agreement on bird ringing was informed Bannerman that the President of the
formulated on 21st June 1984 and the committee Malta Section of the ICBP, Dominic Cutajar,
was to represent as much as possible all those who was also editor of the MOS journal Il-Merill,
interested in bird migration including the hunters’ had broken all ties with the MOS following
association, the G˙aqda Kaççaturi Nassaba u disagreements with Sultana, and on 28th May
Konservazzjonisti. However this committee never 1978 Vella Gaffiero reported to Bannerman that
The book by David A.
Bannerman and Joe Vella
functioned and the MOS carried on running the he had “managed to split the MOS in two” and
Gaffiero, was the cause of bird ringing scheme on its own. that Cutajar, who had written a negative review of
so much bad blood with the The bird ringing and book issues went hand in the book, was now Vella Gaffiero’s strongest ally.
Malta Ornithological Society, hand. The book by Sultana, Gauci and Beaman By the 1980s, Dominic Cutajar had disappeared
because the society felt birds
were its territory and no one
was published by the MOS prior to that of from the ornithological scene and Vella Gaffiero
else could write about them Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero. The voluminous remained at the Natural History Museum until
and papers both in Il-Merill and beyond Maltese

shores. In the late 1970s, Emmanuel Curmi,
Richard Cachia Zammit, Charles Galea Bonavia
and others started regularly visiting Tunisia in
spring to monitor migration at Cap Bon. These
exercises led to several other individuals going to
Tunisia and elsewhere in Europe and beyond, on
bird watching tours and bird photography started
becoming popular with a number of individuals.
Bird watching abroad started giving local bird
watchers the opportunity to see more birds and
to become better in bird identification in the field.
High quality binoculars and the use of telescopes
and better quality identification guidebooks have A comprehensive book
brought a revolution in bird identification. about breeding birds in Malta
More recently, other bird watchers published by Alfred E. Baldacchino and
John Azzopardi was totally
papers in The Ibis, British Birds and other ignored by Birdlife in their
publications. Michael Sammut and Edward Bonavia Breeding Bird Atlas. Left: A
have, for instance, published an interesting paper flock of 11 Black Storks was
‘Autumn Migration over Buskett’ in British Birds noted at Buskett and several
other localities in September
in July 2004. John J. Borg and Richard Cachia 2008. The birds roosted in
Zammit studied shearwaters for long periods of several areas and though a
time. John Azzopardi, Martin Thake, Charles Galea few of them were shot the
Bonavia, Raymond Galea, Manwel Mallia, Charles following morning, most
survived. In former times,
Coleiro, Mario V. Gauci, Mark Gauci, Denis Cachia such a flock would have
and a handful of others published interesting been decimated before
observations about aspects related to migration, anyone had time to see
interesting sightings, new breeding species or them
certain behavioural aspects of birds. Alfred E.
Baldacchino and John Azzopardi published a
his recent retirement. Joe Sultana, who had very interesting book about Malta’s breeding
coauthored short notes, papers and books with birds, which included a lot of new information as
Charles Gauci, stopped writing books with Gauci. well as new breeding records (Baldacchino and
Joe Sultana has retired from the civil service, Azzopardi 2007).
where for a number of years he was engaged with Raptor watching at Buskett has taken a different
the various Environment Protection Departments dimension since the area started being vigorously
that existed in various shapes and forms over policed and one is now recording more species
the years. He has worked on a number of other passing over and roosting, whereas before, there
publications related to birds and nature. Gauci were days when up to a third of the birds of prey
was still involved in conservation work and has that were seen at Buskett ended up being shot.
just retired from managing warden at the G˙adira Bird study is no longer the prerogative of one
Nature Reserve, after serving for about 30 years. particular organisation and other organisations
Over the past 35 years, several other young are also actively working for protection of birds
budding bird watchers have made contributions and habitats, without which there can be no bird
via sightings of new species, writing short notes study.
A Honey Buzzard flies over

Buskett, with the Radar Dome
at Dingli in the background,
while Bee-eaters sit on the
wires in the foreground. The
number of Honey Buzzards
shot in autumn has decreased
drastically thanks to police
efforts as well as a change of
heart by many hunters
A sticker by the MOS saying

LE (No), against the killing of
birds of prey. These helped
sensitize public opinion but
angered hunters
An extract from my logbook of

bird observations at Buskett
on 17th September 1981, Over
30 per cent of the birds seen
at Buskett used to be shot in
those times. The situation is
now entirely different
CONSERVATION MEASuRES 119
Conservation Measures
Early laws Curlews, rabbits and hares were considered as

game reserved for the Grand Master and could
The first measures related to restricting hunting not be hunted, bought or sold. The disturbance of
practices in Malta were taken in May 1492, when nests of Partridges or rabbits was strictly forbidden.
the Viceroy of Sicily recognized the privilege of Game wardens were obliged to report any
keeping paragni - places reserved for hunting transgressions of the law, failing which they were
by means of nets and trained falcons. But these dismissed and exiled. In February 1588, Grand
measures, like other measures taken until 1803, Master De Valette ordered that nobody could hunt
were meant to protect birds so that the ruling class or get firewood from Comino and nobody could
would have more to catch, not for the sake of birds. land there except in case of emergency. The
The Knights of the Order of St John came to Malta penalty was a fine of 25 scudi and the confiscation
in October 1530 and four months before they had of the boat. Those unable to pay had to spend
officially been handed over the Islands, an edict two years rowing on the galley bench. The person
was issued on 22nd June 1530 through which the reporting the contravention was given half of the
hunting of Partridges was reserved for the Grand fine and pardoned if an accomplice (Fenech
Buskett was created by
Master and the penalty for breaking the law was 1992). the Knights as a hunting
a fine of 10 oncie (Mifsud 1917). The hunting of During the time of the knights, Buskett was a park reserved for the Grand
Partridges and hares in Malta, Gozo and Comino sort of a park where deer roamed freely and there Master and his guests
was banned by Grand Master Pietro del Monte in was also a pond well stocked with fish, swans
the mid-1500s. and ducks. The place was reserved for the Grand
A secret ballot taken in March 1650 introduced the Master (Kraus 1891).
concept of the closed seasons. It was forbidden to The edicts regulating hunting published under
hunt between 1st March and the end of June of each the various Grand Masters were not very different
year and the penalty of two months imprisonment in substance from each other - they established
was contemplated for anyone breaking the law. A closed seasons between December and July,
number of edicts published later declared hunting declared that no one could hunt Partridges, Stone
as prohibited between the middle of December and Curlews, rabbits and hares or disturb their nests
July of the following year. Open seasons generally and that protected species could neither be
started on 23rd July, 1st August or 1st September bought nor sold. Buskett Gardens and Comino are
and ended on 31st December. among the areas frequently mentioned as places
Large tracts of land were declared as reserves reserved for the Grand Master. The picking of
where only the Grandmaster or his guests could snails and the cutting of grass from reserved areas
hunt with his permission. Partridges, Stone were also forbidden. Fines or the galley bench was
the penalty for anyone who hunted without a licence 1932, an unofficial publication entitled Shooting in
or who hunted in sown fields or in reserved areas. the Mediterranean was made available to officers
The confiscation of the firearm and ammunition serving in the Royal Navy by the Commander in
was the punishment for anyone passing through Chief of the Mediterranean Station. As the preface
forbidden areas with a loaded gun. of the publication said, this was a sort of sequel to
The shooting of pigeons was also prohibited Lieutenant Dayrell Davies work Sporting notes in
by a number of edicts while other decrees stated the Levant, published in 1893, and which gave
that no one could trap falcons. A number of edicts information on hunting in many places in the Aegean.
declared that a bounty was to be paid to anyone Shooting in the Mediterranean contained a list of
who consigned heads, legs or eggs of Jackdaws. places in the Mediterranean that were visited by
Such birds were considered as pests because of the Royal Navy with tips about where officers could
the perceived damage they did in orchards, fruit hunt and what was expected to be found as well as
gardens and fields. Towards the end of the 1700s, giving names of people who could help in the field.
The fashion of wearing bird the French ousted the Knights. So far, no documents Dudley Pound, the Chief of Staff of HMS Warspite,
feathers in women’s hats showing any French interest in the matter have who wrote the preface to the first edition in 1926,
began in the court of Louis come to light. But since the French were here for and who in all probability compiled the information,
XVI of France in the 1750s
only 28 troubled months, it is unlikely that they had encouraged those who had additional information
when Marie Antoinette
appeared in a headdress any time to think about the matter. The French were to pass it to the Intelligence Officer of the fleet
with feather plumes. The driven out by the Maltese and the British in 1800. flagship “in order that it may be promulgated for
fashion spread in Europe the common good”. The notes were printed “for
and later in the colonies
private circulation only as it is not desired to give
of the United States. By
1850, the business of killing Hunting and bird protection under British rule gratuitous information to possible poachers of the
birds for the millinery trade Fleet’s preserves,” the preface read. On the other
was practiced on a large The first legal provision that related to hunting hand, their aim was “to assist the reader to fill the
scale in many parts of the
under British rule can be found in an edict dated game bag”.
world. Here, an image from
an RSPB leaflet in the UK, 30th January 1801. This edict listed five privileges, The page about Malta stated that Selmun Palace
which aimed to stop it. In which could be enjoyed by those who joined the and Mellie˙a Ridge were ideal for Turtle Dove
Malta there is no record of infantry or the artillery. The last of the five privileges shooting with south-westerly and south-easterly
trade in bird feathers
was that those who enrolled in the militia could carry winds respectively while the high ground around
a firearm for hunting purposes without needing to Madliena Fort, Wardija and the high ground by
apply for a permit. The British were undoubtedly the Corradino prison were also good places. The
keen on having a local army and were seeking ways Pembroke Ranges were suggested for Golden
to entice locals to join. A number of edicts echoing Plover shooting in November while the best time
previous ones published under the Knights were for Quail was said to be between 20th April and 7th
issued under British rule. Buskett was the focus of May, though Quail could be encountered at any
attention of a decree published on 5th May 1802, time from 10th April to 20th May. A dog was deemed
prohibiting anyone to hunt inside its limits. essential for Quail shooting in Malta (Anon 1926).
On 5th February 1803, an edict was published In Tallack’s 1861 account on Malta one reads:
banning all forms of hunting from then onwards. “Whilst coming down the hill to the back of the
This edict was similar to the ones which declared harbour, we saw two officers row by in a boat
the season closed during the Knights’ rule, but this towards a sergeant who was advancing on the
is the first piece of legislation aimed at protecting shore with a gun. Just at that instant he levelled
birds as it was enacted both to prevent damage to it at a large White Hawk, and brought it down. It
fields which were “overrun by many hunters and was more than two feet in expanse of wing, and
their dogs, as well as to give a birds the chance much resembled a light-coloured gull. Its feet were
to nest”. The concept of hunting reserves, which of a bright yellow. The sergeant said he had been
had been established by the knights, prevailed. In looking after it for two successive evenings. At the
1824, the land extending from Mellie˙a to Marfa same part of the island he had, about a fortnight
was listed as a ‘preserve for game’ and even previously, shot two Squacca-Herons”.
trespassers were prosecuted. Hunting and gun-ornithology were still very much
Some of the Governors, visitors and visiting part and parcel of daily life. But as Malta was a
officers practised hunting. From 1926 until at least British colony, the movements for the protection
of birds and nature that were strongly emerging about the matter in the press and in 1909, Miss L.
in England started reaching our shores, initially as Gardiner, secretary of the RSPB in England, wrote
solitary voices in the wilderness, often in the form of to the Lieutenant Governor informing him that the
officers serving the British government or its army RSPB was trying to find a person who was willing to
or navy, who came here on tours of duty. In Britain, act as its secretary in Malta. Regulations protecting
a Wild Birds Protection Act already existed in 1886 birds were subsequently published through
and what is now known as the Royal Society for Government Notice 31, which was published on
the Protection of Birds (RSPB), grew out of the fight 24th January 1911. The schedule was divided into
against fashion when it strove to stop the trade in two parts: the birds in Part 1 were totally protected
bird plumage. Feathers, sometimes whole birds, while those in Part 2 could not be shot but could John H. Cooke was one of
were used to decorate women’s hats. be trapped. the leading promoters of the
The first concerted efforts to raise awareness on argument that birds were
beneficial to agriculture
the need to have legislation aimed at protecting The Schedule reads:
birds in Malta started gathering momentum in the
late 1880s. The idea that birds were beneficial to PART I
agriculture started gaining ground and farmers
complained about damage done to crops by Short-toed Lark (Alauda brachydactyla) Bilbla
hunters who trampled crops and about crops that Winchat (Saxicola or Pratinicola rubetra) Bucak
were spoilt by shot. Subalpine warbler (Sylvia passerina) Bufula Griza
John H. Cooke was one of the prime exponents Robin Red-breast (Erythacus Rubecola) Pitirross
on the issue of how beneficial birds were to Redstart (Ruticella Phoenicura) Cudiros (ta dembu)
agriculture because of the large number of insects Black Redstart (Phoenicura Tithys) Cudiros iswed
they ate. He wrote a number of articles in the press Dartford warbler (Sylvia provincialis) G˙asfur tas-sigar a˙mar
about the matter and also wrote to the Commission Pettychaps Sylvia Trochilus, Sylvia Sibilatrix, &c.) Bufula
for Agriculture and Commerce expressing the Wood wren or (Sylvia Sylvicola) Do.
opinion that “the falling off in quality and quantity of Wood warbler
fruit in the Maltese Islands was due to an increase Rufous warbler (Aedon galactodes) Do.
in insects”. He attributed the increase in insects to Fire-crested Wren (Regulus ignicapillus) Do.
the “unjustifiable crusade which is carried on, in Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola cyanus) Merill
season and out of season, against birds of all kinds” Scops’-Owl (Scops giu) Cocca
and suggested legislation had to be enacted “to Swift (Cypselus Apus) Rundun
afford more efficient protection to birds, especially Swallow (Hirundo Rustica) Huttafa
those which, by destroying vermin and injurious Common Bunting (Emberizia Miliaria) Durraisa
insects, render such immense services to our little Nightingale (Luscinia Philomela) usignol
community” (Cooke 1892a-f).
The Homing Pigeon Society, set up in 1894, also
started exerting pressure. Carrier pigeons were PART II
used by the military to send messages at that time,
and a number of pigeon fanciers complained about Regulus (Regulus cristatus) Ziemel
losing valuable pigeons, resulting in more pressure Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris) Sturnell
towards introducing and enforcing laws. The Daily Calandra Lark (Alauda Calandra) Calandra
Malta Chronicle newspaper was also at the forefront Fly-catcher (Muscicapa grisola) Zanzarell
in calling for measures to protect birds and against Ortolan Bunting (Emberizia Hortulana) Ortulan
cruelty to animals. Its editorial of the 4th February Linnet (Acanthis cannabina) Giojjin
1907 entitled “Our Feathered Friends” called for Goldfinch (Fringilla Carduelis) Gardell
legislation for the protection of birds “migratory and Siskin (Do. Spinus) Ecora
other” and noted that “everyone in Malta could kill Chaffinch (Do. Coelebs) Spunsun
everything he liked which rises on the wing”. Serin (Do. Serinus) Apparell
Other people, such as Dr F. Mifsud from Greenfinch (Coccothraustes Chloris) Verdun
Balzan, took a personal initiative and wrote to the Hawfinch (Do. o. Vulgaris) TaΩ-Ûebbug
Lieutenant Governor recommending there should Grossbeak (Pyrrhula erythrina) Trumbettier
be legislation to protect birds. There was a debate
But the Agrarian Society, an organisation

that was working in the interests of farmers and
which was seeking protection for birds that were
considered as beneficial to agriculture, wrote
to the Government proposing some changes to
the law. They suggested a number of technical
alterations: that the Short-toed Lark should not be
totally protected but listed with the birds which
could be trapped, that the Short-eared Owl should
be protected instead of the Scops Owl and that the
Starling should not be protected at all. Following
clarification of a number of these points, some of
their suggestions were adopted and the law was
subsequently amended by Government Notice
Despott’s list of birds of 208 of 1911.
Malta in 1915 totalled 340 The Short-toed Lark was moved from Part I of
species
the Schedule to Part II, so that it could be trapped,
while the Whitethroat, Spectacled Warbler,
Sardinian Warbler, Willow Warbler, “Chiffchaff
Warbler”, Wood Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler, House
Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow (then listed as Rufous
Swallow), Alpine Swift (then listed as White-bellied
Swift), and Short-eared Owl, were afforded full
protection and included in Part 1 of the Schedule.
The Scops Owl, which was deleted from the same
schedule, lost its protection.
Despott enters the scene names. Some species are repeatedly referred to
under different names. In one case, the English
Giuseppe Despott, who published several very name given is generic, the scientific name does
important ornithological works both in Malta and not correspond to the intended genus, while the
on the continent, in which he spoke against the Maltese name denotes a quite different bird. On
destruction of bird life, both migratory as well as the same list figures a species whose occurrence
breeding ones, took up the cudgels in favour of in Malta is even doubtful, it being special to Siberia
birds on more than one occasion. and the Far East.
In 1915, Despott wrote to the Smithsonian “Birds of the same genus, of the same habits and
Institution with a query on the Mediterranean of the same rarity, such as the Fire and Golden
Shearwater (Puffinus kuhli), many of which were Crested Wren, are protected in a different manner,
shot at sea. The Smithsonian expressed concern one being put on Part I of the Schedule, the other
about the destruction of shearwaters and hoped on Part II. Yet the main difference between these
that “something could be done to give them species consists in the colour of the crest!”
serious protection before it is too late.” Despott also proposed that a licence should be
On 12th November 1915, Despott, as Curator of introduced for netting and that the penalty, besides
the Natural History Museum, drew up some notes a fine, should be the withdrawal of the sporting
on the protection of birds. In his notes, Despott licence. Despott continued to fight and was
wrote: undoubtedly lobbying with foreign organisations
“The list which appeared in Government Notice as on 22nd September 1916, Miss Gardiner, the
of 14th July 1911 should be revised, as it is rather secretary of the RSPB, once again wrote to the
An authographed photo of difficult to see from it which are the protected Governor, Lord Methuen, asking him to take steps
Giuseppe Despott sent to Dr birds. In some cases the scientific name given for better protection of birds in Malta. She enclosed
Edgardo Moltoni in 1931 does not correspond to the English and Maltese a letter with suggestions “drawn up by the council”.
It is very evident that Despott’s report of November on today’s knowledge and values, as life and
1915 had reached the RSPB, since many of their circumstances differed greatly. But one can only
proposals match Despott’s report word for word. imagine how hard and uphill the struggle for these
They also suggested a close season between 1st pioneers was to get people to realise that birds
April and 1st July as a minimum. were not simply articles of food.
Following this, the Crown Advocate, assisted by Giuseppe Despott, Captain Scott Hopkins
Despott himself, prepared the new bird protection and a certain Jessop, of the Garrison battery,
regulations which appeared in Legal Notice 262 Yorkshire regiment, were the prime movers behind
of 1916. The Governor wrote to the RSPB to thank legislation to protect birds in 1916 and their efforts
them for their assistance and enclosed a copy of were recognised in the RSPB’s Bird Notes and
the regulations. News in February 1917.
The local branch of the Royal Society for the However, there was strong opposition from
Protection and Care of Animals (RSPCA), which hunters, particularly those from the higher social Despott was in contact with
at one point was known as the Royal Society for classes, who frequently used their influential the likes of Rev. Francis
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was also positions to block any protection measures that Jourdain, a leading authority
on breeding biology
very influential in exerting pressure against certain were being contemplated. It was not always easy
forms of hunting and trapping. for those striving for bird protection to obtain what
Despott’s writings show that by 1917, taxidermy they felt was right and there were often lots of
was already increasing in Malta as he wrote that controversies before and after hunting regulations
there were “a pretty good number of collections, were introduced. Regulations were changed from
some without scientific merit” and then goes on to time to time following a tug of war in arguments that
mention the 11 best ones, including his own, that are often still echoed and used even today when
had 1,000 specimens of about 250 species. At changes to hunting regulations are proposed.
that time, it was not unusual for ornithologists to In 1932, new regulations “for preventing the
send skins or birds’ eggs to Museums or collectors destruction of birds” were published and later the
abroad. Enrico Hillyer Giglioli, who published shooting of live birds in trap shooting competitions,
important works on birds in Italy and who also wrote which was quite fashionable at the time in many
briefly about birds in Malta, bought specimens European countries, was banned.
from Malta for the Museum in Florence while Giuseppe Despott died on 22nd September 1936,
Giuseppe Despott too sent skins and eggs to other but some changes to the regulations still took place
museums in England. He was also in touch with after his death. It is interesting to note that from
Rev. Francis Charles Robert Jourdain, a founder 28th October 1935 onwards, all regulations were
member of the Oxford Ornithological Society, who subsequently termed as being “for the protection
had written on the ornithology of Corsica, who of birds”.
believed that the collection of eggs was important
for scientific study. From Jourdain, Despott had
requested information about the breeding habits Pressure wanes
and eggs of Audouin’s Gull and (Yellow-legged)
Herring Gull. From a letter dated 20th April 1916, it Following Despott’s death, pressure in favour
emerges that Despott had sent Jourdain eggs of of bird protection declined, except for isolated
several species. But these were lost and Despott pieces in the press by the Malta Society for the
offered to send them again, regretting he was Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, notably by its very
unable to send him eggs of the Lesser Short-toed active secretary Marjorie de Wolff. The RSPB from
Larks and the Levantine (Yelkouan) Shearwater, time to time exerted pressure about local hunting
as he did not have any at that time. and trapping issues and references to Malta were
As mentioned earlier, hunting and trapping sometimes made in their annual general meetings,
were primarily a food procurement activity and but nothing tangible happened. On the contrary,
even colonies of breeding seabirds, particularly in 1955, the shooting of birds liberated from traps
shearwaters, were raided during the breeding was again made permissible following pressure
seasons and their eggs were taken for food and from the shooting fraternity in the early 1950s.
their feathers and meat used as bait for fishing. The shooting of two Pelicans on Comino on
One should not criticise past generations based 23rd November 1957, which featured as a news
Articles in the press in the 1950s

and 60s show that hunting was
an accepted pastime, while a
museum displaying stuffed birds
was deemed to be a very worthy
thing. Such cuttings show how
attitudes have changed since
then
item in The Times of Malta and its Maltese sister Collecting stuffed birds became more popular,
paper Il-Berqa 3 days later, led to protests from and most shooters started stuffing a few birds
the International Council for the Bird Preservation and using them as ornaments around the house.
(ICBP) as well as to short letters to the editor Others started filling showcases. Collecting started
expressing amazement that the paper should find becoming fashionable and hunting started taking
space to report the killing because there was no another dimension.
sportsmanship involved in killing such large birds.
The Malta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals criticised the killing. The seeds in favour The Malta Ornithological Society established A fishing lure made with
of conservation had been sown but the harvest feathers of shearwaters
was still a long way off. It was only a handful of people, mostly foreigners
When rare or large birds were shot, these who had seen a shift in their own country, who started
sometimes were treated as news and featured questioning whether all of this was acceptable. A
in the press. Letters condemning the killing, or few Maltese pioneers started being influenced
speaking in favour of hunting, usually followed by what was happening around them. Anthony
but the correspondence was often cut short by Dandria was a lover of animals from an early age
the editor, who declared correspondence of the and started watching birds when he acquired a
subject as “now closed”. A typical example was pair of opera glasses. Following the publication of
when Kola ta’ Nard, a Si©©iewi hunter shot a Short- Robert’s book, he too started keeping records of
toed Eagle at Buskett in spring of 1961. This was the birds that he saw and he was accepted as a
featured in The Sunday Times of Malta and a photo member of the British Ornithologists’ union. In 1960
of the stuffed eagle was published along with a he was working as a reporter for the Times of Malta
caption saying that the same hunter had also shot and he started writing occasional articles about
four Cranes out of a flock of ten. But this was the birds, both under his own name as well as under
trend of the time. the pen-name Falco. His first article was about the
The opening of a bird museum in Naxxar in heron family and appeared in September 1959.
September 1961, also featured prominently in Guido Lanfranco, who in 1954 was a primary
newspapers of the time. The museum contained school teacher, also started writing articles in the
a large collection of stuffed birds and other press about various aspects of natural history,
animals and the museum was officially opened by mostly about plants and fish, but birds too featured
the Governor Sir Guy Grantham and blessed by from time to time.
Archbishop Michael Gonzi. Among the guests at In 1960, Joe M. Attard (now known as Joe Attard
the opening ceremony, there were several Judges, Tabone), a policeman from Xag˙ra, Gozo, had
the university Rector, the Director of Education set up the Xag˙ra Cultural Centre, where, against
and several high-ranking police and army officers. the norms of the time, boys and girls could meet
Articles and letters about this museum kept being together under the same roof. This was a form
published in the press for quite some time after it of civic council, with a branch against cruelty to
was opened, and people were praising Anthony animals and for the protection of birds. Members
Sammut, the owner (known as il-Balollu), for the were also looking out for bird rings to report them
initiative that was seen as important attraction for to foreign organisations.
Maltese and tourists alike. On the feast of St Anthony the Abbot celebrated in
The shooting of birds was accepted as part of January, when it is customary for animals and pets
the culture and many indulged in it as a pastime, to be blessed by the Bishop, members of the Xag˙ra
as well as a means of providing some meat for the Cultural Centre went with some birds in cages to
table. All species were vulnerable and even birds have them blessed. These included a Linnet that
like harriers, shearwaters, gulls and herons, which had been ringed abroad, and after the birds were
were not very tasty to eat, were still consumed after blessed by the Bishop, they were set free to set an
being marinated in vinegar or otherwise treated example (Joe Attard Tabone pers. comm.).
with herbs to make them in some way palatable. Dominic Cutajar, a lover of art, did not come from
The meat and feathers of shearwaters were often a family where his father or relatives were hunters,
used as fishing bait, locally known as sajd bir-rixa. but liked wildlife and nature. While attending a
Modern fishing lures have replaced feathers. funeral at the Addolorata Cemetery, shooting was
At about the same time, Joe M. Attard, whose

father was a hunter and trapper, was being
influenced by the foreigners he used to meet and
by what he read. Vera Greer introduced him to
Elisabeth Coxon, a keen bird lover involved with
the RSPB who was often in Malta. She checked
with the RSPB, who looked up their list of members
and found Dominic Cutajar’s name, and the two
were put in contact.
In February 1962, Dominic Cutajar and Joe M.
Attard teamed up with Anthony Dandria, Guido
Lanfranco, Victor Pisani, Austin Navarro and
Dr Enrico Scicluna, and they formed the first
committee of the Malta Ornithological Society.
Hunters shooting while a Guido Lanfranco was elected the first president.
funeral was in progress at The first activity of the MOS was a visit to the bird
the Addolorata Cemetery
museum in Naxxar. This was organised by Dr Car-
prompted this letter to the
editor by Dominic Cutajar melo De Lucca, who was initially involved with the
published on 19th October MOS. The activity should come as no surprise as
1961 “scientific” collections were seen as essential in the
taking place even while the burial service was study of nature. Dr De Lucca himself was a keen
being conducted. Because of the rather large hunter and collector and a cursory glance at the list
number of trees, the Addolorata Cemetery and of people who were members of the MOS in its first
its surroundings attracted hunters. The extent of year, shows a number of hunters and collectors of
shooting that Cutajar witnessed spurred him to write stuffed birds. Joe Sultana himself was a hunter and
a letter to the Times of Malta, in which he exposed trapper and later wrote about how he was converted
what he termed a “local barbaric practice”. He (Sultana 1966a). Even the Bird Week, one of the main
complained that while attending a funeral, he was activities organised by the MOS a year after it was
dismayed to hear shooting going on around the founded, featured stuffed specimens “of useful birds
cemetery, “which was ringed by people bearing which are of definite value to agriculture, for example
shotguns”. “The solemnity of the occasion was the Lapwing and the Barn Owl”. Stuffed examples
frequently broken by reports of gunshots from of breeding birds were also exhibited (Anon 1963a).
these gentlemen and their barking dogs. This In his first address to the society in January
blatant violation and sheer lack of respect towards 1963, Guido Lanfranco, spoke about the hunting
the holy sanctuary of our dead ones is horrifying. situation and described it as becoming worse
It has gone on for too long and too far,” Cutajar because the indiscriminate shooting of birds had
wrote. He mentioned instances when hunters went increased. He spoke about the “meaningless
in to retrieve dead birds from the grounds of the and unscientific destruction” that was mostly due
cemetery itself and urged for legislation to stop to lack of education in ornithology and because
people from shooting around the cemetery. of the lack of importance that is given to natural
There were, of course, other sporadic letters in history in general.” He also expressed hope that
the press expressing outrage about the killing of legislation protecting birds “would be made at par
birds, especially following press reports that a rare with other civilised countries.”
or big bird had been shot (Lennox 1961, Dandria The MOS set up a Gozo Branch, which in 1963
1961, Mallia 1961, Farrugia 1961). But the shooting had 18 members. Exhibitions aimed at educating
at the cemetery had angered Cutajar to the extent people about birds started being set up in both
that he felt he should do something about it. He Malta and Gozo. Anthony Dandria and Joe M.
was later reading a Penguin book about the Robin, Attard were often writing articles in the local
in which there was an application form to join the press about bird-related issues and a series of
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). short articles giving information about particular
He became a member and sought their help to set species of birds, accompanied by drawings by
up a group in Malta. Joe Sultana, started appearing weekly in Il-Berqa,
one of the most popular Maltese language daily

papers. Guido Lanfranco was one of the most
prolific writers, focusing on other aspects of
natural history. Messages in favour of conservation
were sometimes heard from the least expected
quarters. In a visit to the Bird Museum in Naxxar, the
Governor-General Sir Maurice Dorman, expressed
regret that shooting in Malta was not regulated by
a closed season and that there were no reserves
where migrating birds could rest (Anon. 1963c).
Bird-ringers were sent to Malta by the British Trust
for Ornithology (BTO). Montague J. Hirons, Glynn
P. Davies, Joe A. Hardman and David A. Rushforth
were the first four Britons to visit Malta to train
Maltese bird ringers, the first two being Victor Vella
Muscat and Joe Sultana. Sultana, a former hunter
and trapper, wrote that although he was a member
of the MOS, his “instinctive hobbies of shooting and Stuffed birds, the main
trapping always overpowered the scope for which reason why so many birds
the society was founded” (Sultana 1966a), but bird ended up being shot,
were initially not seen as
ringing, field observations and discussions with a threat to conservation,
foreigners involved in bird protection, made him and members of the Malta
realise that “one can get more satisfaction out of Ornithological Society not
bird study than out of wanton destruction”. only visited the Bird Museum,
but included stuffed birds
In its nascent years, the MOS received a lot of in their Bird Week display in
support, mostly from British organisations and 1963
individuals. Elisabeth Coxon co-ordinated support being its main promoter. In 1964, the NHSM and the
from the uK and helped sponsor or subsidise activities MOS joined forces because activities organised
by the Malta Bird Observatory group, which was by the MOS were ill-attended and it was decided
the “scientific” wing of the society, carrying out bird that “natural studies in a small country as Malta
ringing and field ornithology. The BTO supplied mist- were bound to have a small following”. The merger
nets, while the RSPB supplied films and educational took place at a general meeting held in April 1965
material such as posters. The Malta Bird Reserves where out of 28 votes cast, 26 were in favour and
Overseas Committee (MBROC) was set up in 1967. two against. However, the merger only lasted for
MBROC helped raise funds for the MOS as well a little more than two years. In his address to the
as acting as a pressure group in favour of creating annual general meeting in January 1968, Guido
reserves in Malta. Lanfranco, who had been appointed president
Philip E. Brown, the secretary of the RSPB, came of both organisations, urged the re-separation of
to Malta for 10 days in March 1963 to take part in the two societies because there was work for both
activities organised by the MOS during a Bird Week, societies and the bird section, though very loaded
aimed at raising awareness on bird protection. with work, had more committee members than the
Expressing admiration for the work that had been natural history section.
done by those founding the MOS, Brown expressed In October 1963, the MOS, NHSM and the Malta
disappointment at the low number of breeding Geographical Society (MGS) teamed up to form
birds to be seen. Other prominent ornithologists the local branch of the International Council for Bird
visited Malta. These included Bruce Campbell, Preservation (ICBP), which was then represented
who came in 1966 and Reginald E. Moreau who in 55 countries throughout the world. Joe M. Attard
came to Malta in 1968 and who later wrote the and Anthony Dandria represented the MOS, Guido
standard reference book The Palaearctic-African Lanfranco represented the NHSM while Dr Carmelo
bird migration systems. Langley Roberts also Testa represented the Geographical Society.
revisited in 1968. Holger Holgerson, the director ICBP Malta aimed at changing the outdated bird
of Stavenger Museum in Norway, spent nearly a protection legislation (Anon. 1963b).
month in 1966 camping at G˙adira, studying bird Attitudes towards birds were not easy to change
migration and ringing birds as part of the activities because bird shooting was more than just an
of the International Biological Year. accepted pastime; it was a way of life. A Short-toed
In December 1962, the Natural History Society of Eagle that was shot around the 22nd September
Malta (NHSM) was also set up, with Guido Lanfranco 1966, featured prominently in the Times of Malta a
week later and there was a rather large photograph
of Peter Micallef, one of the MOS members when
it was launched in 1962, who had shot the eagle,
together with the stuffed bird (Anon. 1966).
Incidentally, the eagle had been misidentified as
a Bonelli’s Eagle and the news report speaks of
a “beautifully mounted stuffed Bonelli’s Eagle shot
at tal-Óandaq a week ago”. In an article entitled
‘Notable occurrences during 1966’, published in
a booklet issued by the MOS (Sultana 1966b),
the bird was recorded as a Bonelli’s Eagle by Joe
Sultana. A footnote accompanying the article had
stated that all the records had been accepted by
the Rarities Sub-committee of the MOS, but no
reference was made to the story and photo carried
in the Times of Malta and no description of the bird
A shot Short-toed Eagle, was given, even though this was supposed to be
which was misidentified and the first record of such an eagle in Malta. Five years
listed as a Bonelli’s Eagle in later it was realised that the bird had been misidentified
the Times of Malta, ended up
being recorded as a Bonelli’s
and the record was corrected by a single sentence in
Eagle in MOS publications the 6th issue of Il-Merill, the MOS’s official bulletin. The
When rare birds were shot

up to the late 1960s and early
70s, they made headlines.
They still do now, but in a
different way
The pool area and its surroundings supported

endemic vegetation and fauna.
In about 1920, Col. John Francia was given the
misidentification was listed as an “Errata” at the end shooting rights over G˙adira by the government.
of a 28-page report about bird-ringing activity, and Col. Francia was one of the seven member
stated that “Short-toed Eagle should replace Bonelli’s commission delegated by the Società Economico
Eagle in the Notable Occurrences for 1966. The Agraria to prepare a list of birds that were to
Bonelli’s Eagle has never been recorded in Malta,” be protected in 1910, which led to the 1911
(Sultana and Gauci 1971). regulations, which were the first bird protection
The shooting of large and rare birds continued regulations. Col. Francia was a great collector
to make news and were often reported in the of stuffed birds and on his death in 1936, his
press, but a movement had begun that started collection went to the Natural History Museum.
questioning whether such shooting was right and After his death, the shooting rights went to Major
whether it should continue to be accepted. Alfred Falzon Sant Manduca and these were later
shared between Dr Tom Galea and Albert Falzon
Sant Manduca. Although G˙adira was leased “to
Setting up nature reserves sensible sportsmen and discriminate shooters”, in
the MOS secretary’s report for 1965, Cutajar noted
Turning G˙adira wetland and Comino into nature that it was threatened by “misguided development
reserves were on the agenda of the MOS and the of the area and land speculation”.
NHSM since their inception. Initially G˙adira was The National Trust of Malta Din l-Art Óelwa as
the site of salt pans, and this can be seen even in well as international organisations such as the
early maps of Malta. The salt pans fell into disuse International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP),
and the area started becoming flooded by rain were contacted and their help was sought after
and run-off water in winter but dried up in summer. approaches to the Public Works Department in
Malta failed to bear fruit. A new coastal road was By 1968, the MOS had already started floating
planned for the area, and the road was projected the idea that there should be a closed season in
to run right through the wetland. As a result of spring and that birds of prey should be declared
international pressure brought to bear on the protected species, as they were throughout
Maltese authorities, plans were changed in May Europe.
1966 and G˙adira was saved. In 1969 the chairman of the ICBP Malta Sgt. M.L.
In 1966, the MOS, together with the NHSM, Richards wrote a scathing report about the state
prepared a detailed report about the need to of affairs in Malta: “Bird protection in Malta is in a
turn G˙adira wetland into a bird sanctuary. pretty bad state. Although we have some reserves,
The report was presented to the House of such as cemeteries, and bird protection laws,
Representatives and copied to international and neither are honoured and the police, in the main,
European bird groups such as the ICBP, the turn a blind eye to violation, as indeed does the
International Wildfowl Research Bureau (IWRB), Malta government”. The report stated that hunters
Conseil International de la Chasse (CIC), the shot at everything larger (and smaller) than a
Royal Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds, Skylark and that there was a craze for stuffing
Ligue Française pour la Protection des Oiseaux specimens. He too made a case for the protection
(LPO), Prof Alberto Toschi, author of many books of birds of prey and for the introduction of a closed
about birds and hunting, the International union season (Anon 1969).
for the Conservation of nature (IuCN) and other In 1969 Comino, the areas of Portes des Bombes,
bodies such as uNESCO, the Council of Europe Kennedy Grove and the Pietà Military Cemetery
and Europa Nostra. were added to the list of bird sanctuaries, but in
The report highlighted both the intrinsic value that practice these legal measures meant very little for
G˙adira had as well as the potential educational bird protection. The Council of Europe declared
The earliest maps of Malta, and tourist value that the reserve could have. A 1970 as the European Conservation Year.
dating from the early to mid petition signed by the MOS, NHSM, the Malta
1500s, show that G˙adira Geographical Society, The National Trust Din l-Art
housed saltpans and the site
is frequently referred to as
Óelwa and the Malta branch of the RSPCA was
Saline or Saline vecchie in sent to the prime minister in 1968.
maps G˙adira wetland was eventually protected in
1978 and two years later, following a donation
of $25,000 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),
engineering work began to turn it into a reserve.
The plans were drawn up by Herbert Axell, who
had designed RSPB’s reserve at Minismere. Large
amounts of silt and soil were removed and the
MOS received money from the company running
the neighbouring Danish Holiday Complex for the
soil that was removed from the reserve, which was
needed to landscape the surroundings of the hotel.
The engineering works had created a lot of
friction between the MOS and the Society for the
Study and Conservation of Nature (SSCN), (now
Nature Trust Malta), as the latter had argued that
cutting up various parts of the ground would be
A special permit dated April detrimental to various insects and other forms
1963 enabled Gatano Mifsud of life that lived there.In addition to the G˙adira
to hunt in the grounds of the wetland project, the MOS and NHSM also lobbied
Verdala Palace at Buskett
to include cemeteries, public gardens, the
Kennedy Grove memorial gardens at Salina and
Comino in the list of bird reserves. until that time,
some individuals had special permits to hunt at
The saltpans at Salina Buskett and San Anton Gardens.
In the 1920s, the shooting rights at G˙adira were in the hands of Col. John Francia. After his
death in 1936, the shooting rights went to Major Alfred Falzon Sant Manduca, Dr Tom Galea
and Albert Falzon Sant Manduca
G˙adira used to be a pool
of water in winter which
dried up in summer, but
engineering works designed
by the architect of Minsmere
in the UK, Herbert Axell,
resulted in areas with water
all year round. Herbert Axell
is seen with MOS volunteers
in the early 1980s. G˙adira
started giving the opportunity
to photograph birds in the
wild
The government had set up a committee to draw

up a national report to be presented to the Council
of Europe for the occasion. In the report, the Director
of Agriculture and Fisheries, who was the chairman
of the committee, wrote: “It is a great pity that Malta
has been blacklisted as another country where
undesirable bird trapping and killing still persist. It
is high time that the question of destruction of wild
birds be seriously studied. It is indeed impossible
to prohibit totally the hunting of birds. What is
needed is the establishment of a closed season
for game hunting. The bi-annual hunting season
is almost a national passion. G˙adira, Salina Bay,
Ta’ Qali, Ta’ Çenç, Xlendi Valley, Comino and Filfla
might be declared bird sanctuaries. Protective
measures such as prohibition of firearms and clap
nets in bird sanctuaries might also be adopted.
Legislation for the protection of birds might also
be carried out in the near future.”
Among the measures proposed by the MOS,
but which were not included in the official report,
there were the suggestions that (1) persons under
the age of 18 years should not be allowed to
accompany shooters or trappers, (2) breeding
birds and birds of prey should be totally protected,
(3) any government land leased to third parties
should have a condition that the land is not used
for shooting or trapping, (4) it should be illegal
for anyone to carry guns, even unloaded, in bird
sanctuaries, and (5) clap nets should not be used
on public property.
In 1973, the National League for the Preservation
of birds and their environment, was formed. This
consisted of a committee of representatives of the
Malta Ornithological Society, the Malta section of
the ICBP, The Malta branch of the RSPCA, Natural
History Society, the Men of the Trees and the
national trust Din l-Art Óelwa.
A document containing a set of proposals related
to firearms, hunters, birds and bird protection,
stated that the League had been formed on the finches would be trapped only between 15th A map of Comino from the
1911, showing a scheme how
initiative of Baron G.E. Testaferrata Abela, who had October and 15th November. Turtle Doves could
trees had to be planted. Such
convinced the various organisations involved that be trapped in the open season in spring. a scheme never materialized.
“a united front would attain results unattainable The proposed regulations included a clause Below, a photo of Salina
otherwise to individuals and societies on their through which repeat offenders would have their Saltpans in the 1960s
own”. hunting licence revoked on the third conviction.
The proposals made were various and ranged The document was sent to a host of foreign
from introducing tests for one to obtain a hunting organisations as well as the Governor, the prime
licence to listing sanctuaries and game species. minister and members of parliament (Anon. 1974).
It also proposed that the open seasons should The MOS continued to campaign, and pressure
be between 10th April to 15th May and from 1st led to the enactment of regulations in 1980, which
September to 31st December for hunting while re-introduced the concept of the closed season,
something that the Knights of St John had introduced

almost 500 years before. The regulations, with all
their shortcomings, were a milestone. Pressure
continued to grow, but hunters did not take it lying
down and by that time they too had organised
themselves into a strong lobby group that tried
to influence public opinion but mostly impressed
political parties that they were a lobby that could
influence the results of general elections.
Other pressure groups
Other groups were born in the period between the

1960s and 1980s and these campaigned for the
protection of birds and the environment as a whole.
These included Din l-Art Óelwa, the National Trust,
Ûg˙azag˙ g˙all-Ambjent (now Friends of the Earth
(Malta) as well as Alternattiva Demokratika, the
Green Party.
Following the enactment of the 1980 bird
protection legislation, some felt that the MOS had
lost its ability to campaign, resulting in some active
supporters leaving the MOS to form splinter groups.
Some of these groups, particularly Ûg˙azag˙
g˙all-Ambjent, were created by people who left
the MOS as they were frustrated by the reluctance
of the society to lobby effectively both for the
The Islet of Filfla was used
as a target practice both by
protection of birds as well as for the protection of
the Royal Air Force as well as the countryside. But having been involved in this
the Royal Navy. Remains of group, I do not feel I should be the one to write
heavy ordnance may still be about it in much detail.
encountered
Hunters started to organise themselves better
to put more pressure on political parties. Results
of general elections over the past years show that
since the 1971 elections, the percentage difference
with which a party wins an election has hardly ever
been over two per cent, except during the 1992
and 2003 elections when the Nationalist Party
obtained 5.29 per cent and 4.29 votes more than
the Malta Labour Party. The number of licensed
hunters and trappers stood at around 5 per cent
of the population and hunters did their utmost to
capitalise on such a narrow margin. A letter to
the press by the president of the Association of
Shooters, Trappers and Conservationists, summed
it all up: “considering that no party wins by more
than a marginal and minimal majority in Maltese
elections, and also bearing in mind that the hunters
“No Hunting, No Vote”. of Malta exceed in number this very narrow margin
Hunters’ protests always
stressed the strength in their and that they have the sport embedded in their
numbers very hearts, it is surely prudent for politicians to
Environmentalists found ways to appeal to people’s emotions: speaking against killing of
birds or impressing by numbers of spent cartridges
be careful to look after the interest of the hunter” Mintoff was Prime Minister when the hunting laws,
(Scicluna 1989). In the past, the hunters’ lobby which replaced the ones of 1937, were enacted.
compelled even politicians who were renowned for When Dom Mintoff was still leader of the opposition
their sympathies towards nature conservation, to in 1963, he had spoken in Parliament about the
tread carefully where bird shooting was concerned. concept of game preservation, bird sanctuaries
The late Dr Anton Buttigieg, at one time Minister and the need for close-seasons (Debates of the
of Justice of the Malta Labour Party in the 1970s, Legislative Assembly 4th May 1963). Nine years
who later became President of the Republic, and later, while replying a Parliamentary Question on
who was also known as the poet of nature due to the possibility of eliminating the rights of having
the large number of poems he wrote about the private land reserved for hunting, Mintoff stressed
subject, said “I will not sacrifice my political future that hunters have certain obligations — not simply
for a few birds” (Testaferrata Abela 1974). paying the licence. He spoke against the killing of
The only political movement which initially “creatures” while they are about to “propagate”
openly declared its stance against hunting was and about the concept of rearing game. Mintoff
Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green Party. Support appealed to hunters to unite and form their own
for this party remained minuscule, having obtained regulations. He expressed an opinion in favour
under 1.5 per cent of first count votes since when it of giving government owned land to those who
first contested elections in 1992. showed a willingness to be educated. Although
It was the Malta Labour Party, which had been he promised that the MLP would not eliminate
in Government for nine years, which enacted the hunting, since it governed by consent, he spoke
Bird Protection Act and subsequent regulations on the need for an ecological balance and the
(Act XVII of 1980, Legal Notice 68 of 1980). Dom need to educate the public.
An x-ray of the Lesser

Spotted Eagle showing
gunshot wounds
Sigmar, a German-ringed
Lesser Spotted Eagle, which
in September 2007 was
found wounded by gunshot
in Malta, was returned to
Germany for treatment
courtesy of Air Malta, where
it made headlines.
The shooting of the bird
provoked a lot of discussion
in the local and international
press, and cartoons about it
were not lacking
“One cannot keep justifying things on what our were chain-sawed and pro-hunting slogans and
grandfather did. It is because our grandfathers messages against the Environment Secretary,
were hunters that we ended up without any birds,” Dr Stanley Zammit, were painted at a number of
he said (Parliamentary Debates Sitting 69, 2nd May places. Two hunters were charged and found
1972). Indeed, Mintoff was well aware of Malta’s guilty of vandalism on traffic signs (Testa 1994a,
shortcomings as in a foreword of Bannerman and Testa 1994b, In-Nazzjon Tag˙na 1994a). The
Vella Gaffiero’s book about Malta’s birds, he wrote: Malta Labour Party criticised the new hunting laws
“the record of the present and past generations in saying they were enacted hurriedly and only to
the preservation of all forms of wildlife has been bring Malta closer to the European union (Debates
discouragingly poor. Year after year, hundreds of the House of Representatives, Sitting 207, 10th
of thousands of migratory birds have been December 1993).
ruthlessly shot or trapped” (Bannerman and Vella The MLP’s policy published on 1st February 1994
The writing on the wall: Gaffiero 1976). The laws of 1980 passed with both stated that the party agreed that finch trapping
give us our birds or we’ll government and opposition voting in favour. in spring should be allowed and that the spring
blow up the pre-historic In the run up to the 1992 elections, the Labour hunting season should be longer. The party
temples. These were the Party leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici spoke in agreed that hunting from sea-craft should be
kind of threats there were in
the 1990s when the threat favour of shooting on more than one occasion practised between October and February while
of stopping spring hunting and argued that hunting kept youths away from the new regulations allow it only in November
started becoming imminent drugs (The Times 1991a, 1991b). Before the and December (Media release on the hunting
1992 elections, the Nationalist Party, which had and trapping regulations, Malta Labour Party, 1st
declared it wanted to join the Eu, spoke in favour of February 1994). One of the strongest statements
retaining hunting in spring. The then Prime Minister in favour of hunting was made by the former
Dr Edward Fenech Adami said that “abolishing MLP leader Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici who told
hunting was inconceivable” and that “Malta had hunters at a meeting in Mellie˙a that “hunting is
particular circumstances in this sphere and there God’s gift to the poor (The Times 1994a).
could therefore be exceptions to EC regulations” The hunting issue kept surfacing in the five
(The Times 1992a). week electoral campaign of 1996. The Malta
At a press conference given before the elections of Labour Party’s electoral programme said that “the
1992, the Association for Hunting and Conservation traditional custom of shooting and trapping will
listed what the political parties had said and done continue to be recognised and will be allowed
about hunting in Malta. The conclusions were that to take place within the limits which respect the
the Labour Party had favoured shooting more than environmental needs and interests of the rest of
the Nationalist Party (The Times 1992b). But the 1992 the population. The limitations which will be drawn
elections showed that hunters did not really have up on hunting and trapping will be those according
the strong voting lobby they claimed they had, as to the Bern Convention with reservations which
the Nationalist Party, which used Malta’s accession will reflect the special circumstances of Malta”
to the European union as a platform in the electoral (MLP 1996a). The Prime Minister and Nationalist
campaign, which also meant restrictions on hunting Party leader repeatedly assured people that the
practices, not only got re-elected but increased its hunting laws would not be changed. The strongest
majority by over 8,000 votes. anti-hunting manifesto was that of Alternattiva
New hunting regulations were published in Demokratika, which proposed the abolition of
October 1993. These regulations shortened the hunting in spring and that illegal hunting and
spring hunting season, as they established the trapping would be resisted (Alternattiva 1996).
shooting season for Quail and Turtle Dove between The hunters’ association intensified its campaign
Birdwatchers and anti- 10th April and 20th May and restricted hunting during the last weeks of the election campaign.
hunting activists had to suffer from sea craft to November and December. Banners with the slogan “your vote is a weapon
the wrath of hunters from
time to time. They received
These regulations were followed by a number just like the shotgun, use it well” and “PN a future
threatening hate-mail, ended of protests by the hunters’ association. There with no hunting and trapping in spring”, were hung
up intimidated, beaten and was a wave of incidents and vandalism. Traffic in a number of prominent places, especially in
their cars were sometimes signs, public buildings, pre-historic temples and areas with a high concentration of hunters.
vandalized or torched. Here
dead birds were pinned to my
a number of houses at Mdina as well as a British The Nationalist Party lost the 1996 elections by
mother’s door military cemetery at Mtarfa were vandalised. Trees over 7,600 votes. Hunters, it was claimed had
Negotiations with the

European Union stipulated
that finch trapping had to end
in December 2008
contributed greatly to this defeat, but an analysis note of Malta’s statement that it will limit the
of the swings against the party reveals that there taking in spring to only two species Turtle Dove
was no correlation between the loss of votes and and Quail, as an application of the derogation
the number of hunters in any of the districts (The under Article 9 of the Directive.”
Malta Independent 1996a). Politicians, as well as hunters and BirdLife in Malta
The Labour Government lasted only 22 months interpreted that this meant that spring hunting for
but during that time, hunting laws were amended Quail and Turtle Dove would be allowed. So much
and the spring hunting season re-opened by so that on 11th October 2003, BirdLife called a press
establishing the dates of the closed season conference and said that while it disagreed with all
between 1st February and 24th March and 23rd the concessions the government won for hunters
May and 31st August, the season for trapping re- in its Eu negotiations, it expected government to
opened, restricting it only during February and at least to implement what it negotiated, namely
between 23rd May and the end of August while to allow hunting in spring of only Turtle Dove and
hunting from sea craft was restricted between 1st Quail, to ensure adequate administrative capacity
March and 30th September (LN 23 of 1997). and sufficient legal instruments to curb illegal
hunting and to afford protection to birds in need of
special protection.
Malta in the EU During negotiations, Malta was allowed to
continue trapping of seven finch species until end
The elections of 1998 were bitterly fought on 2008. These birds could continue to be trapped by
the platform of whether Malta should join the the traditional clap-nets and during the transition
Eu or not. The Maltese government negotiated period, a captive breeding system had to be
the conditions for Eu membership, and at the established. All other aspects of the Birds Directive
end of the negotiations of the chapter dealing would apply as of accession. Hence while it was
with the environment, the Commission had clear that trapping on the seven species of finches
confirmed that a derogation would be possible had to end in 2008, the impression given about
if the conditions set out in the Wild Birds hunting was different. Malta joined the European
Directive were met. The Eu Common Position union on 1st May 2004, when the spring hunting
of September 2002 stated that: “The Eu takes season was open.
The Government hence applied a derogation to because the spring hunting season was imminent,
enable hunters to continue to hunt Quail and Turtle the Commission asked the Court for interim
Dove until 22nd May. In its report to the Commission measures, so that the government would not be
justifying the derogation, the government said able to allow spring hunting in 2008.
there was no alternative solution to spring hunting In April 2008, the European Court of Justice
and that small numbers were taken. According issued an Interim ruling that the spring hunting
to the report, 10,111 Turtle Doves and 2,128 of Turtle Dove and Quail in Malta was not to be
Quails were shot or trapped by Maltese hunters allowed during spring 2008. The Court said that
and trappers from 1st to 22nd May 2004. In 2004, the fact that hunting conditions in autumn and
there were 11,759 hunters and 4,491 trappers. The winter were less favourable than other times of the
Maltese government continued to send derogation year was irrelevant and that the Birds Directive
reports each year until 2007, the last time the was not there to guarantee a minimum number of
spring hunting season was open. birds to be taken per hunter.
Replying to a question in the European Parliament The Maltese government defended the case,
on 11th May 2006, Eu Environment Commissioner but in its ruling given on 10th September 2009,
Stavros Dimas, said the Commission had received the European Court ruled that by authorising
the first annual derogation report from the Maltese the opening of a hunting season for Quails and
authorities in November 2005 and questioned Turtle Doves during the spring migration period in
whether the Maltese government’s claim that the years 2004 to 2007, Malta has failed to fulfil
there were no opportunities to hunt in autumn its obligations under the Birds Directive (Case
was supported by hunting statistics. The Maltese C-76/08).
authorities provided data from the carnet de chasse The judgement however established a number
statistics for autumn 2004 but the Commission felt of principles that can pave the way for spring
these figures did not support the case that only hunting for Quail and Turtle Dove to open again.
minimal opportunities existed. But because of the The European Court said that one condition which
significance of the case, the Commission gave must be met for the Member States to apply a
Maltese authorities the opportunity to present data derogation for hunting in spring is that there is no
from other years to see if 2004 was an abnormal other satisfactory solution. The Court said that by
season or if it was genuinely representative. using the expression ‘other satisfactory solution’,
The Maltese government’s statistics presented European Community Legislation did not intend to
to justify spring hunting as the only possible prevent use of the derogation, but sought to permit
solution to hunt these species did not satisfy the derogations where hunting opportunities were
Commission. In the Commission’s opinion, and so limited as to upset the balance sought by the
following the decision of the European Court of Directive between the protection of species and
Justice in the case against Finland, decided in certain leisure activities.
2005, there were no circumstances that enabled The Court said that finding that there is no other
Malta to apply the derogation and the data from satisfactory solution for spring hunting in Malta,
the carnet de chasse provided by the Maltese because of insufficient hunting opportunities in
hunters for the autumn hunting season proved that autumn, does not mean one could open, without
hunting in autumn could provide an alternative limit, hunting in spring. But one can do so only so
solution to spring hunting. far as it is strictly necessary and provided that the
Yet the Maltese government continued to allow other objectives pursued by the Directive are not
hunting of Quail and Turtle Dove in spring. In jeopardised.
October 2007, the European Commission gave The Court said that from the bag records
a final written warning to the Maltese government submitted by Malta to the Commission and from
cautioning it that it must fall into line with legislation the arguments presented in Court, Maltese hunters
banning hunting during the breeding and migration were able to capture only “an inconsiderable
season or it would be taken to the European Court. number of birds” during the autumn of 2004-2007.
In its reply in January 2008, the Maltese The Court also held that it was not disputed by the
government argued it had negotiated about this Commission that in autumn, only a restricted part
before joining the Eu. The Commission then of Malta is visited by Quail and Turtle Dove, mainly
referred the case to the European Court and at the end of August and during September.
The Court also made reference to the IuCN Red comply with the conditions for a derogation from The European Court of
Justice said killing 32,000
List of Threatened Species which states that the the Birds Directive and hence, has failed to fulfil its
Turtle Doves in spring, that
species in question are listed in the ‘least concern’ obligations under that directive. is, two birds per hunter in
category. In accepting the argument that there is no two months, is too much
The European Court hence decided that because satisfactory solution to spring hunting, the
of these very specific circumstances, hunting for judgement is effectively paving the way to opening
Quail and Turtle Dove during the autumn hunting spring hunting on a limited scale and perhaps by
season in Malta cannot be regarded as constituting establishing a national bag limit, however difficult
another satisfactory solution. The Court however this may be to enforce.
said that opening the spring hunting season for On the eve of the judgement, in a joint statement,
almost two months in spring, results in a mortality BirdLife International and the Federation of
rate three times higher (around 15,000 birds killed) Hunters of the European Community (FACE) said
for Quails and eight times higher (around 32,000 they would respect the decision of the Court. In
birds killed) for Turtle Doves than for the autumn doing so, BirdLife accepted the principle spelt out
hunting season. And this does not constitute an by the Court that autumn migration is no substitute
adequate solution that is strictly proportionate to for spring hunting. Following the judgement,
the Directive’s objective of conservation of the BirdLife International and BirdLife Malta welcomed
species. the ruling and concluded that spring hunting
Effectively, in accepting such bag records, the had “to end permanently.” However, following a
Court accepted the argument that 12,000 hunters government statement that it would examine the
and 4,600 trappers, during two months in the European Court of Justice ruling to decide whether
field, on average caught, just two Turtle Doves there was any possibility for “very limited spring
and a Quail each. Still the Court decided that hunting,” BirdLife Malta said the data used by
even though only a small number of Turtle Doves government to argue the case for spring hunting
and Quail are present for a very limited period in was “a grave underestimation of the birds shot in
autumn, and since hunting is possible in autumn, Malta”.
by authorising hunting in spring for several weeks Indeed, the issue of whether there will be spring
each year, from 2004 to 2007, “in the light of the hunting in Malta, or not, is far from over. Since the
principle of proportionality,” Malta had failed to temporary spring hunting ban started in 2008, most
hunters resisted the temptation to hunt in spring. A number of foreign bird protection groups
Several complained of nervous breakdowns and have often helped in campaigning in favour of
there were two reported cases of suicides by bird protection. The German bird protection
hunters. In addition to the spring hunting ban, there society, then known as Deutscher Bund für
was also a ban on hunting after 3 pm in September. Vogelschutz (DBV), as well as the Belgian League
This measure was introduced to save the birds of for the Protection of Birds (LRBPO, now Bird
prey that try to roost after that time. In their report Protection Belgium), were often on the forefront
for autumn 2007 Committee Against Bird Slaughter of the campaigns. LRBPO in particular, both
(CABS) recorded 316 illegal actions and breaches through its previous president Roger Arnhem,
of regulations during 9 days of operations. BirdLife as well as through its current leaders Jan Rodts
recorded a total of 3,409 illegal hunting incidents and Hugues Fanal, frequently campaigned or
during 31 days of monitoring camps in autumn assisted in campaigns aimed for the protection
2007 and spring 2008. of birds in Malta and beyond.
Still the small percentage of law breakers are Volunteers from CABS come to Malta in both
cause for concern as while the majority of hunters spring and autumn to monitor migration and draw
are conforming with the law, the few who do not up reports about illegal hunting. Their report for
can still wreak havoc. Birds of prey and other birds spring 2009 showed there was less illegal hunting
sporting broken or missing feathers as a result than there was in the previous year. The report
of gunshot, these days stand out more simply for autumn 2009 showed illegal hunting to be on
because in the past, shooting was so widespread the same level as the previous year, though fewer
that such birds were more likely to end up being birds of prey were seen being shot at.
killed soon after being hit. Nowadays, if they Times change and attitudes change too and more
survive the first attempt, they are likely to manage people are now aware of the need to protect the
to get away with it, even though they might not environment, of which man and birds are but a part.
survive in the long term because of other injuries. There is always room for improvement, but Malta now
Over the past few years, some traits have has in place legislative measures and enforcement is
become noticeable. Because of police patrols gradually increasing, even though this may not be at
and increased presence of foreign bird watchers, the speed many would like it to be.
some hunters who shoot common protected birds, Statistics published by the Police show that
such as harriers, herons or smaller birds, such as between 1980-83, only one person was charged
Bee-eaters and Hoopoes, either leave them where with infringements of the bird protection regulations
they fall or hide them rather than pick them up and (Pullicino 1983). At present, around three hundred
risk getting caught with them. CABS and Birdlife hunters are being charged in court each year and
volunteers found around 200 carcasses hidden in the fines are getting tougher.
MiΩieb in September 2009. A few had been killed until the early 1990s, most hunters and their
recently while others had been shot over the past organisations were still in complete denial and
few years. This is the senseless type of vindictive argued against the fact that illegal hunting was
shooting that is taking place by a few who persist still the order of the day and that most hunters
in breaking the law. While most protected birds, still shot protected birds. The situation remained
which up to a few years ago were highly sought by so for quite some time and until recently, hunters
hunters, are now being far less molested, a number were still arguing that a very small minority shot
of rarer birds such as Osprey and storks are ending protected birds (Micallef 2007).
up shot. One does not hear and see the fusillades Apart from the main hunting organisation, the
that used to take place up to ten years ago, but a Federation for Hunting and Conservation, now
carefully aimed shot as these birds are flying low in speaking of zero tolerance on illegal hunting,
an attempt to find a roosting place, still kills them. it is also encouraging that several hunters are
But it was only a small number of hunters who today themselves speaking about the need for
ignored the hunting ban and went out hunting, and conservation measures, though one would like
A number of protected birds the number of isolated shots that could be heard to see some meaningful action that goes beyond
are sometimes seen sporting
gunshot injuries and broken was nothing compared to the din one was used to rhetoric on this front too. Hopefully, this book will
feathers. Many of these never in previous springs. Still, the small percentage of go part of the way to show that one can enjoy birds
make it law breakers, are cause for concern. in the wild without unduly disturbing them.
BIRD MIGRATION 143
Bird Migration
Migration routes quarters, and back. One usually refers to the

migration to the breeding grounds as ‘spring
Lying midway between the African and European migration’ and the journey to the ‘wintering
continents, Malta is a natural staging post for grounds’ as ‘autumn migration’. Berthold (1993)
many migrants in both spring and autumn. In argues that the terms ‘spring migration’, ‘autumn
spring birds move from their wintering quarters migration’ and ‘wintering grounds’ are region
to their breeding areas in Europe, while in autumn specific and strictly speaking they are incorrect
birds return to winter in Africa. Records show that when used as broadly because many migrants,
most of the migrants, especially broad-winged such as larks and thrushes, leave in the middle
birds, tend to fly to Malta from a north-easterly of summer and reach continental Europe before
direction in spring and come from a south-westerly the spring equinox in March, when it is still winter.
direction in autumn. Ringing recoveries and Some species such as Swift, reach their ‘wintering
several studies clearly indicate that in autumn, quarters’ during the summer, while the majority of
Malta gets mostly migrant birds that breed in species reach them in the autumn at the latest.
Scandinavia and Eastern European countries. New terms have been coined over the past few
The autumn migration brings several species, years and one speaks of ‘outward migration’ for
some of which spend the winter in the Maltese movements away from the breeding grounds
Islands. In spring, most birds seen in Malta come and ‘return migration’ for movements back to the
from a south-westerly direction, via Tunisia as well breeding grounds. The term ‘resting grounds’
as from a more southerly orientation from Libya. is often used instead of ‘wintering areas’. These
There have also been records of birds coming terms, though more accurate, have not yet gained
from Central and South Africa. enough ground in popular literature.
Evans (1985) notes that the most prominent and Birds migrate from south to north in late winter
extensive movements of land birds occur in a north- and early spring. Birds leave their resting and
south direction. Most passerines breeding at high winter quarters to reach the breeding grounds in
latitudes in the western Palearctic move towards the north, where the day is longer, the temperature
equatorial regions of Africa during the northern milder and food availability is at its peak. This
hemisphere autumn, whereas those breeding in enables birds to find food and to rear their young
eastern Siberia move chiefly towards south-east more easily.
Asia and Australasia. During the return migration, birds then fly south
Migration in Europe can be defined as a again in late summer and autumn. Trans-Saharan
seasonal movement from breeding areas to migrants move to locations where it is summer,
resting grounds, which often are also wintering hence they move to countries situated below the
one third to one half shorter (Berthold 1993). This

is due to a number of factors. Birds have the
capability of finding the shortest way from the
last resting area to their familiar breeding place.
There is also evidence to suggest that older birds
migrate much faster to their familiar resting areas
than young birds on their first departure.
Categories of migrants
Migrant birds may be divided into four broad

categories: i) flexible migrants, ii) nocturnal
migrants, iii) soaring and gliding birds and iv)
diurnal migrants.
i) Flexible migrants are birds which have flexible
migration patterns and can migrate by day as well
as by night. These include most ducks, geese,
swans, waders and gulls. This can be experienced
in Malta, particularly in reserves such as G˙adira,
where certain birds seen at the break of dawn
Map of Europe showing equator. Others move to the warmer southern would not have been there the evening before
generic patterns of migration
Mediterranean countries where winter is less because they would have arrived at night. Flexible
for broad-winged migrants
severe. Adult birds usually leave their breeding migrants species are often observed coming in
areas in Siberia before the young hatched during during the day.
that year and may arrive at moulting grounds in ii) Many small species of land birds, such as
western Europe four to five weeks before juveniles warblers, flycatchers and thrushes, are primarily
reach the same areas. In some species which nocturnal migrants. Such birds depart usually some
reach their sexual maturity after several years, such 30 minutes to two hours after sunset and arrive at
as storks, Osprey, some herons and some species their next destination at dawn, where they can feed
of waders, juvenile birds stay in their resting to replenish their energy reserves in order to leave
grounds beyond their first year of life and migrate the following night or a few nights later. When flying
only a part of the way towards their future breeding at night, these migrants use constellations to guide
area, spending the summer at a suitable site as them in their navigation and have the advantage of
non-breeders. The birds will start participating in less danger from predators, especially nearer the
two full-distance migrations in the course of a year end of the flight when the birds’ speed would be
once sexual maturity is reached and they make slower (Alerstam 1993).
their first flight to their breeding grounds, usually Even though birds in this category normally
in an area close to where they were bred and restrict their migration to the night-time, they fly
from then on will show normal complete periodic both during night and day. Sometimes they fly for
biannual migrations. more than three days without stopping, especially
Certain birds may spend an astonishingly long when flying across stretches of sea. This too
time on the move, especially during the outward can often be experienced in Malta when one
migration. Most long-distance migrants leave can observe that the amount of birds may start
Central Europe in August and September and do increasing during the day as more and more birds
not arrive at their resting grounds before November start reaching our shores.
or December, sometimes even later. Among iii) The soaring and gliding birds prefer to migrate
European passerines, long-distance migrants take in the middle of the day, when hot air produces
88 days to migrate to the resting areas; medium- well-developed thermals over land. Broad-winged
distance migrants take 42 days and partial birds such as storks and many birds of prey fall
distance migrants 32 days (Alerstam 1993). The in this category. This migration pattern is very
time for return migration, which is faster, is about evident with birds of prey in Malta, both in spring
BIRD MIGRATION 145
and autumn, but more particularly in autumn, when

most birds of prey are seen in the afternoons.
iv) The last category is that of birds which are
principally diurnal migrants but do not migrate
by soaring and gliding. This group includes,
amongst others, most finches, buntings, swallows
and martins, Bee-eaters, starlings and doves.
The birds normally begin to migrate just before
sunrise and the number of birds involved is more
intensive during the earliest hours of the morning
and decreases towards midday. Day migrants
move only for a few hours in the morning before
stopping to feed, unless they are aerial feeders
such as hirundines (Swallows and martins), which
may continue to migrate all day, feeding as they
travel. Some species occasionally show a second
migration peak in the evening. Old timers used to
speak of Gamiem ta’ l-intorn (returning Turtle Doves)
in spring. Initially they used to see flocks of Turtle
Doves migrating at a high altitude. These were the
first waves of birds reaching our shores. Some of
them would then return and try to land to rest and
feed after circling on very predictable flight paths,
depending on which direction the wind was blowing By leaving their breeding and wintering areas, The migration of Lapwings
depends on weather
from. But other flocks were sometimes seen later in birds would be avoiding the high mortality rates
the morning. Old timers used to say jidhru mal-˙in, resident counterparts are likely to suffer during
meaning they appear later in the day. severe climatic conditions such as cold, drought or
Some migrants, particularly those that feed by rainy seasons, which make feeding more difficult.
probing in damp earth or by picking prey from the But on avoiding these conditions, they would be
surface in short grasslands, may move in response exposing themselves to specific hazards during
to the onset of freezing conditions. Species such migration. It has been noted that migrant birds
a Lapwing, Skylark and plover move in directions must also cope with competition between birds of
most likely to lead them to unfrozen feeding areas the same species as well as with other birds.
between west and south. In mild winters no such While resident birds can secure a breeding site
movements take place. In other years their timing in early spring or even in winter, migrants can do
is dictated by the occurrence of severe weather so only after arriving in their breeding territory
(Evans 1985). immediately prior to the start of reproductive
activities (Biber and Salathé 1991). Similarly, when
they reach their wintering quarters in autumn,
Hazards of migration migrants have to compete for space and food with
local residents and other migrants already in the
Migrants cover long distances and often reach same area (Greenberg 1986).
remarkable speeds. The Ruff has been recorded Apart from such natural threats, migratory birds
flying at speeds of about 330 km per day are exposed to ever-increasing threats of human
(Alerstam 1993). Ruffs, as well as wheatears, origin. Habitats are modified or destroyed through
are known to travel distances of over 30,000 km agriculture, water management, recreation,
a year. Some spectacular ringing recoveries of urbanisation and industrialisation. The fact that
geese, waders and thrushes reveal remarkable many migrants concentrate at specific sites during
record performances of distances covered in short migration and follow fixed flyways, makes them
periods of time. These include distances of 600- even more vulnerable to ecological alterations at
1,000 km in 24 hours and 3,000-5,000 km in 60-65 key sites. Combined with the problem of direct
hours (Berthold 1993). human persecution, these may result in disastrous
impacts (Biber and Salathé 1991). Berthold (1993) points like soaring birds tend to do. It has been
states that direct human persecution hardly plays noted however that the individuals of different
a role in Central Europe but is of great significance populations do not simply migrate randomly all
in some regions around the Mediterranean and over the area. Broad fronts develop as a result of
especially in Africa. different populations moving parallel to each other
as if in neighbouring sectors.
Mediterranean flyways
Origin of Malta-bound migrants
Birds migrate on ‘broad’ or ‘narrow’ fronts, in
which birds fly in a ‘standard direction’ typical of Millions of birds cross the Mediterranean during
their population while flying over uniform terrain both migrations. Some stop over the Maltese
and the sea (Gauthreaux 1980). Natural barriers Islands. According to Moreau (1972), there is
such as mountain ranges, oceans or large spans no evidence to suggest that the Maltese Islands
of sea, lakes and deserts may act as obstacles receive more than a representative cross-
and lead to deviations among the migratory birds section of the broad-front migrations across the
which encounter them. By contrast, river systems, Mediterranean. Moreau suggested that, excluding
marshes and coastal stretches may attract the waterfowl, some 5,000 million migrants fly to
birds. When the geomorphologic factors influence Africa during the ‘autumn’ migration. However the
the migratory direction of birds, ‘leading lines’, author offers more than a word of caution as to the
occur. Leading lines are the imaginary lines number of birds involved. The chapter in which
delineating the boundaries between favourable these figures are given starts as follows: “Let us
and unfavourable terrain. Such lines can influence now toss a few figures into the air. I use this light-
even broad front migrations and may lead to mass hearted expression deliberately, because the last
migration. In areas where this occurs regularly, thing I would wish is to be taken too seriously
Broad-winged birds tend to migration corridors or flyways, develop (Berthold in this connection and for the figures I shall put
use flyways 1993). forward to be taken as ’hard’ and quoted as such.
In the Mediterranean there are three main Whatever I may say in depreciation, experience
migratory flyways. In the east there is the teaches me, I am afraid, that they will be” (Moreau
Bosphorus, where migrants from northern Europe 1972). Moreau’s figures have been repeatedly
and Russia converge to fly over the Bosphorus in quoted by game biologists and by some hunters
Turkey. To the west there are the Straits of Gibraltar in a bid to prove that the numbers of birds shot in
and another passageway is through the central Malta is “insignificant” and that they constitute “a
Mediterranean from Cap Bon in Tunisia through tiny fraction” of the total migratory population.
Italy. Bordering the Mediterranean on the east Whatever the number of birds crossing the
there is another important flyway that is used by Mediterranean, there is a consistent number
birds coming from Eastern Europe. These flyways of birds on the Maltese Islands during both
are used mostly by broad-winged birds such as migrations. Large numbers of birds are usually
White Stork and birds of prey, which soar in the seen in Malta when fine weather and favourable
thermals produced over the land taking advantage winds are suddenly followed by adverse weather
of the lift the thermals provide. After converging and unfavourable conditions, such as rain and
at these points, birds then move away again into changes in wind direction and strength.
a type of funnel-shaped migration on the African Bird ringing has shown that birds landing in
continent. The same routes are more or less used Malta in spring tend to spend up to some four to six
also during the return migration in spring. days and subsequent re-traps indicate a material
Most migration of songbirds and other passerines increase in body weight during this time (Rushforth
takes place on a broad front, that is individuals 1973). Various species of waders spend an
originating from geographically dispersed average of four days at the G˙adira reserve, while
breeding areas cross all the geomorphologic in autumn they spend a mean of ten days, some
features along their routes without deviating species staying up to 29 days during the autumn
much from the direction of their goal in their initial migration and six days in spring. Waders were
tracks and do not converge at the major crossing noticed to gain weight ranging from 0.6 grams
BIRD MIGRATION 147
to 3.06 grams per day during their stay (Gauci the birds ringed and reported recovered give an
1990). indication of the pressure there is on bird life in
Due to the heavy persecution of birds the size of the Maltese Islands. Out of three Little Bitterns
a lark and larger, not many medium sized birds are recovered, two were reported recovered within
ringed locally and those which are ringed are often four days of being ringed. Out of the five Turtle
shot within days. The species selected in Table 7 are Doves recovered, three were recovered within
birds which live in different habitats and have been a day and another within two days. Out of two
chosen as they illustrate the point that birds stand Nightjars recovered, one was reported recovered
little chance of survival when they land in Malta. The within three days. One factor to be borne in mind
Little Bittern, Spotted Crake and Moorhen are birds when interpreting such information is that hunters
which prefer habitats with dense aquatic vegetation do not report every ringed bird they shoot and it is
and are mainly crepuscular foragers. The Little likely that more ringed birds are shot and remain
Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper unreported. But the fact that only a very small
and Jack Snipe are waders which appear mostly fraction of medium-sized birds are ringed at all
either around the coast or in valleys. Turtle Doves and that close to 30 per cent of the medium-sized
and Nightjar prefer wooded areas or areas with an birds ringed were reported recovered within a
amount of tree cover, with the Nightjar only flying to few days of ringing shows the magnitude of the
catch insects at dawn and dusk. The Kingfisher is a existing hunting pressure. The data in Table 7 can
small bird which lives in the vicinity of the water and be contrasted with data about birds at the G˙adira
may be encountered both inland as well as at the Reserve, where birds are relatively safer. Ringing
coast, provided there is a suitable feeding habitat. data shows that a proportion of birds surviving
Not many birds of such species are ringed summer, return to winter at the reserve. It has been
in the Maltese Islands as there are not many noted that 30 per cent of the Water Rails and six
undisturbed places suitable for their ringing. Yet, per cent of the Kingfishers ringed there returned
Table 7: A list of birds ringed and recovered within days of ringing
Reported Reported Reported Reported Reported Reported Total Total ringed Percentage
recovered recovered recovered recovered recovered recovered recovered during recovered
within within within within within within six respective and reported
Species one day two days three days four days five days or more days years
Little Bittern 1 1 2 3 66.7
Spotted Crake 1 1 2 50.0
Moorhen 1 1 3 33.3
Little Ringed Plover 2 2 12 16.7

Small birds migrate on broad
Curlew Sandpiper 1 1 2 14 14.3 fronts
Jack Snipe 1 1 2 50.0
Green Sandpiper 1 2 3 6 50.0
Turtle Dove 2 1 1 4 10 40.0
Nightjar 1 1 2 50.0
Kingfisher 2 4 6 30 20.0
Total 4 4 3 1 2 9 23 84 27.4
% recovered 17.4 17.4 13.0 4.3 8.7 39.1
Source: Ringing recoveries data, BirdLife Malta

to winter. Kingfishers may spend from August to between 1967 and 1978, and none were reported
the following March or April at the reserve (Gauci after. The same can be said for thrushes: there
1990). More recent ringing recoveries showed that were 35 local recoveries in the 11 years between
Kingfishers returned to G˙adira a year after being 1967 and 1978 while there were only four in the
ringed, a Common Sandpiper was re-trapped 19 subsequent years and none since 1997, even
there 2 years and 11 months later, a Water Rail though some 2,000 thrushes have been ringed in
was again at G˙adira 3 winters after being ringed. the Maltese Islands.
while Meadow Pipits ringed at G˙adira were re- A clarification has to be made about some
trapped there from 4 to 6 winters after being ringed. countries mentioned in the list of ringing
Reports of recoveries of locally ringed birds have recoveries being discussed here. One will notice
decreased since bird rings with the address of the that reference is often made to recoveries of birds
MOS were introduced in the mid-1970s. Before that in uSSR, Czechoslovakia or Yugoslavia. This is
time, the local ringing scheme used rings supplied because there were a number of recoveries from
by the British Museum and hunters mostly reported these countries before they broke up and the new
the rings directly to the British Museum, which in countries were formed.
turn informed the MOS. But since the introduction
of a Maltese address on bird rings, the reporting
rate has decreased considerably. It is significant Outward migration - birds of prey
to note that the four local recoveries of Turtle
Doves occurred between 1973 and 1975. Only one Data from birds ringed in summer and recovered
other Turtle Dove was reported recovered since, during the following autumn suggests that Malta-
although more Turtle Doves have been ringed. Out bound ‘autumn’ migrants originate mainly from
of 18 recoveries of waders, the most recent ones countries to the north-east. First year Ospreys
were one in 1999, two in 1993 and one in 1981; the recovered in Malta originate mostly from Finland
rest were all recovered between 1968 and 1979. and Sweden. Out of 28 direct recoveries, 15,
While six Golden Orioles were reported recovered more than half, were from Finland and 12 from
between 1971 and 1975, only two were reported Sweden. There was also a bird from the former
since, one in 2003 and one in 1992. The most East Germany. Most of the Ospreys taken in Malta
Most Ospreys and Honey
notable figures are those of finches and thrushes. are first year birds, killed in their first year of life,
Buzzards seen in Malta come
from Scandinavian countries All the 78 local recoveries of finches were reported but there have been several instances when birds
were recovered in Malta more than three years
after they were ringed.
Autumn recoveries of Swedish Ospreys range
from Portugal, France to England in the west and
Ospreys
Honey Buzzards the ukraine, Georgia and the regions of the Volga
river in the east, a front 4,500 km wide. Ospreys
from Finland also spread out on a broad front,
but Finnish Ospreys usually depart in a south
to southeast direction on the eastern side of the
Baltic Sea and turn off more towards the southwest
in southern Europe (Alerstam 1993). This might
explain why more Finnish Ospreys are recovered
in Malta.
Other birds of prey recovered in Malta, such
as Honey Buzzard, also came from Sweden and
East European countries such as Poland and
Hungary. German, Swiss and Lithuanian ringed
birds of prey have also been recovered during
their first autumn flight. Ringing recoveries show
that Kestrels ringed as pulli originate mostly from
Finland (5 direct recoveries), the Czech Republic
(2 direct recoveries) and the former East Germany
BIRD MIGRATION 149
A Montagu’s Harrier surveys

the ground in search of a
roosting place in spring 2009.
Birds of prey seen in Malta
hail mostly from East
European countries
Montagu’s Harriers ringed
in the nest in Germany and
Poland were recovered in
Malta on their first flight
south. Similarly, Marsh
Harriers ringed in Finland,
Lithiuania, Estonia, Poland
and Italy were also recovered
in Malta on their first flight to
Africa
(1 direct recovery). A Montagu’s Harrier ringed

in the nest in Estonia in June 1994 was killed at
Rabat, Malta, during its first migration south. A
Marsh Harrier, also ringed in the nest in Estonia Marsh Harrier
in June 1994 was shot in Malta less than 4 months
later. Species ringed in the nest or in their first year
of life in these countries are sometimes recovered
in Malta in subsequent years. A Peregrine Falcon Montagu’s
Harrier
ringed in Finland in July 1990 was shot at Dingli on
31st March of the following year, indicating that the
bird may have by-passed Malta but encountered
its fate on its return journey home. A number of
Marsh Harriers ringed in Poland and Italy have
been recovered in Malta in subsequent years.
It is worth mentioning that the general direction of
migrating Honey Buzzards in autumn in Israel has
the same south-westerly trend indicated by ringing
recoveries in Malta. Studies of Honey Buzzard
migration in Israel show that in autumn, most
individual birds headed between 220 degrees
and 225 degrees in a south-westerly direction
birds were found to be wintering some 3,000 km

away from the breeding sites, with some birds
occupying sites more than 1,000 km apart.
Data from satellite tracking showed that no matter
Kestrel which pathway they follow, almost all European
breeding birds end up in a narrow band, between 10˚
and 20˚N, in their wintering areas. Data on repeated
journeys indicate site fidelity in the wintering areas.
Hobby Spanish Montagu’s Harriers were found to cover
between 93 and 219 km a day and had a peak
travelling speed of 65 km per hour. Harriers were
recorded travelling only during daytime, covering the
longest distances in the late afternoon, suggesting
that they are daytime migrants.
Birds from Friesland, in north of The Netherlands,
show some different patterns, as they are true
long-distance migrants, travelling over 5,000
km to reach their wintering areas, whereas the
Spanish Montagu’s Harriers are more medium-
distance migrants. Spanish birds covered most
of the distance between three in the afternoon
and eight in the evening, and no travelling was
Ringing recoveries show that Hobbies and Kestrels seen in Malta come mostly from the
recorded between eight in the evening until five
North and North-North East. Kestrels ringed in the nest in Finland, Germany and the Czech in the morning (Limiñana et al. 2007). The Dutch
Republic, were shot in Malta in their first autumn flight. The same can be said for Hobbies Montagus Harriers were however recorded
from Germany. Below, a Montagu’s Harrier hovers in search of food travelling at night time too. Such information is
impossible to be gained only by bird ringing.
(Bruderer & Blitzblau 1994). However, conclusions
on how birds migrate based only on recoveries of
ringed birds, may not be totally correct and data Gulls, terns and herons
from birds tracked via satellite is re-shaping many
theories about migration. Data from birds tracked Direct ringing recoveries show that most of
by satellite is giving more reliable information the Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls
about flight patterns, speed of flight as well as recovered in Malta have been ringed at the Orlov
exact location of feeding and wintering areas. Isles and the Smalenyi Isles, close to the Black
Montagu’s Harriers tracked by satellite from Sea. There is an individual recovery of a German-
northeastern Spain and northwest and northeast ringed Mediterranean Gull. The only record of a
Europe, including The Netherlands, Germany, Slender-billed Gull ringed and recovered in its
Denmark, Poland, Belarus, that is, have shown that first flight also came from the Orlov Isles, in the
birds from the same areas can take very different ukraine. Gulls make mostly winter visits which
migration routes. occur from October to late February.
Results of such studies have shown that in Black-headed Gulls originate mostly from
northwest Europe, harriers are a good example of Eastern and Northern Europe. All Lesser Black-
this. In autumn, 70 per cent of German and Dutch backed Gulls recovered locally originated from
Harriers migrated via France and Spain to West Scandinavia. The only recovery of an Audouin’s
Africa, while the rest migrated via mainland Italy Gull was of a bird ringed in Greece in June 1998
or Sardinia. Birds breeding in eastern Europe and shot less than 4 months later.
crossed the Mediterranean further to the east via The terns recovered so far indicate a southerly
Greece (Trierweiler and Koks 2009). and south-westerly migration. Of all Caspian Terns
Data from the ten adult Montagu’s Harriers fitted recovered, four were ringed in Scandinavia. The
with satellite transmitters in Spain in 2006 showed only three recoveries of Sandwich Terns involved
that migration took between 10 and 30 days. The birds ringed at the Black Sea.
nsert table 9
Recoveries of various species of herons also where bird ringing activities are limited and birds Terns can often be seen in
flocks a few kilometers offshore
show that most of the birds come from Eastern from such countries may be passing over Malta too.
in summer. Ringing shows
Europe. Out of 17 direct recoveries of Night Grey Herons show a great variation in most Lesser-black Backed Gulls
Herons, 10 were from the former Yugoslavia, 2 wintering habits. A small number winter on open seen in Malta originate from
from Hungary, one from Bulgaria, two from the watercourses in Northern Europe, but the majority Scandinavia, while Black-headed
Gulls come from all over Europe,
ukraine and one each from Romania and the of Scandinavian birds migrate to Spain, Portugal
but mainly from the Orlov Isles,
former uSSR. Purple Herons originate from a and Southern France. Some fly beyond the in the Black Sea, from where
small restricted area in former Yugoslavia and Mediterranean and cross the Sahara where they most and Mediterranean Gulls
from Bulgaria. These recoveries have to be seen spend winter in tropical Africa. Grey Herons can come. Audouin’s Gulls come
from Greece while Slender-billed
in the context of where bird ringing takes place. be very long lived and an individual is known to
Gulls come from Tunisia and
There are a number of countries in Eastern Europe have lived for at least 35 years (Staav 1998). Ukraine
Caspian Tern
Lesser-black Backed Gull
Black-headed Gull
Sandwich Tern Mediterranean Gull
Caspian Terns ringed in Scandinavia while Sandwich

Terns originated from the Black Sea
Herons seen in Malta in autumn end up in

central and western Africa
BIRD MIGRATION 153
Finches
Alerstam (1993) noted that birds which live on

seeds from trees and bushes do not show fidelity
to fixed winter quarters. This is because trees and
bushes may have a good measure of seeds and
berries in one year and bear a poor harvest in the Siskin
Chaffinch
next. Birds dependent on seeds from trees such
as spruce, alder and birch, lead a nomadic winter Greenfinch Serin
Linnet
life, sometimes allowing their varying migration
routes to be determined by the direction in which
the wind makes it most economical and quickest
to fly. Since the winds vary, the same bird can
seek its winter food in west Europe in one year and
in east Europe in the next. Hence species such
as Siskins, move to places where their favourite
food abounds. On the other hand, birds feeding on
seeds from herbaceous plants, such as Linnet and
Serin, are more faithful to their wintering grounds.
Herbaceous plants are short-lived plants which
must produce a lot of seeds to ensure the survival
of their species. In spite of their swift mortality in
an unstable environment, herbaceous plants offer
seed-eating birds a fairly stable food base year after came from the northwest. There is also evidence Most finches seen in Malta
year. In areas where the supply of weed seeds is seem to originate from
that in autumn, other passerines which migrate over
Eastern and Central Europe
abundant in one year, there is a strong probability Malta such as Swift, martins, wagtails, Kingfisher, The circles indicate the
that it will be so also during the following year. Thus Wryneck, Robin and Starling, also originate from a mean areas from where most
birds which feed on weed seeds in winter exhibit north-easterly direction. ringing recoveries came from
stable and regular migratory habits in site fidelity in for the respective species
Data on Malta-ringed Swallows and martins in
their wintering quarters (Alerstam 1993). In Malta spring shows that the destination of such birds
and Gozo, many finches used to be trapped both is in a north-easterly direction. Out of 39 direct
in spring and in autumn. In the Maltese Islands, recoveries, 51.3 per cent were recovered to the
finches such as Linnets and Serins were trapped northeast, 33.3 per cent to the northwest and
also in winter when they flocked to feed in areas 15.4 per cent to the north. Other birds such as
where White Wall Rocket abounded. Since these Chiffchaff, Robin and Wryneck support the theory
finches usually show site fidelity, one should see that Malta receives birds mainly from countries in
whether they would return every year and whether the east and the northeast.
their numbers increase once no more trapping is
taking place.
Breeding birds and migration
Origin of migrants As one can conclude from the list of birds that will
follow, most of the birds occurring in Malta are
Data from ringing recoveries indicate finches seen migrants. There are some 18 breeding residents,
in autumn in Malta originate mostly from Eastern five summer visitors, 50 winter visitors and about
Europe. The data shows that birds ringed in late 112 regular migrants. The rest are rare migrants,
summer or autumn and recovered in Malta during some of which are recorded very sporadically.
the same autumn or the following winter originate Spanish Sparrows are the commonest resident
mostly from Eastern Europe. A total of 79 per cent birds one can see all year round and practically
of the birds recovered migrated from north-eastern everywhere. Sparrows roost in large numbers in
and eastern European countries, 10.5 per cent trees in several village squares as well as in trees
came from the north while another 10.5 per cent lining certain streets. One can see them flying into
The Blue Rock Thrush has become more widespread after being dubbed the National bird of Malta. The Zitting Cisticola, formerly known as the Fan-tailed
Warbler, has established itself and is widespread. Spanish Sparrows are the most common birds and their ability to live alongside humans has helped
them survive. Sardinian Warblers, rare a century ago, are now very common
BIRD MIGRATION 155
the roost in groups and hear them chirping noisily Several species of falcons may also be observed,
at the break of dawn and when they enter the the commonest of which are Kestrels, Hobby and
roosts in the evenings. Red-footed Falcons. But Lesser Kestrels may also
Sardinian Warblers are also very common and be seen.
may be even seen in private and public gardens. A variety of passerines, ranging from shrikes
Spectacled Warblers have declined considerably to flycatchers and warblers may also be seen.
but may still be seen in some areas. The Blue Collared Flycatchers tend to be commoner in
Rock Thrush, the national bird of Malta, that is some years than others while Pied and Spotted
immortalised on the Lm1 coin, is quite common in Flycatchers are quite common.
rocky areas such as Dingli Cliffs in Malta and Ta’ In autumn, from mid-September to early October,
Çenç cliffs in Gozo. It is easier to hear its melodious migration of birds will again be at its peak and lots
warbling song than to actually see it, but patience of birds of prey, particularly Marsh Harriers, Honey
can eventually reward one. Buzzards, some Ospreys and the occasional
The Yellow-legged Gull can be seen along Egyptian Vulture and Short-toed Eagle can be
several parts of the coast. It breeds in the cliffs seen. Small numbers of Eleonora’s Falcons and
at both Dingli and Ta’ Çenç as well as on Filfla. a considerable number of Hobbies and Kestrels
Shearwaters, both Cory’s and Yelkouan, breed can be seen. Other birds of prey are also seen at
in sea cliffs and are difficult to see. However one this time. From late August, Turtle Doves, Golden
can hear the wailing cries of Cory’s Shearwaters Orioles, Hoopoes, Bee-eaters and other birds may
if on moonless nights one sits on the cliffs and also be spotted.
waits in silence, particularly in June and July. In October and November, thrushes and larks
Cory’s Shearwaters can be seen singly or in rafts can migrate in considerable numbers. Finches
offshore, particularly in summer. Short-toed Larks, appear at this time too and some stay to winter.
which migrate in considerable numbers in spring, Woodcocks, Golden Plovers and Lapwings also
also breed, but their camouflaged nests are very appear in autumn and winter.
difficult to spot on the ground. The adult birds can Waders, ducks, herons and other water birds
be heard singing and can be seen flying in the can be seen at Salina, G˙adira Nature Reserve
open countryside even in the heat of summer. at Mellie˙a Bay and Simar Nature Reserve at
Zitting Cisticolas, until recently known as Fan- Xemxija, St Paul’s Bay.
tailed Warblers, can be heard and seen with their Such birds may also be observed around the
characteristic bouncing flight, uttering “Zip, Zip, coast and ducks may be seen offshore, particularly
Zip”, particularly in spring. in the Comino Channel. The best place to see
The number of birds in Malta fluctuates during flocks of ducks in March is from Marfa. Anywhere
the migration period and is closely linked to near the Gozo Channel quay is a good location.
weather conditions. Showers should not deter Woodland birds can be seen at Buskett. In
the avid bird watcher in April, as very often, September afternoons, varying quantities of birds
considerable numbers of birds appear before or of prey can be seen at Buskett, both as they fly
after the showers. Some migrants fly during the over or as they seek a roosting place, particularly Hoopoes are common and
are usually seen singly.
day and can be seen coming in from coastal areas in the evenings. It is indeed significant that Scops Owls, so common up
but others arrive at night and can be seen mostly systematic daily counts carried out at Buskett in to the 1930s, have become
early in the morning. the afternoons from mid-August to early October rather scarce on migration.
Both spring and autumn migrations bring between 1998 and 2002 resulted in between 2,289 The Short-toed Eagle is
scarce but is seen annually in
significant numbers and variety of birds. In and 3,986 birds of prey being seen. Most of these September
March and April one can start seeing finches, are Marsh Harriers and Honey Buzzards, but
mostly Linnet, Chaffinch and Greenfinch, as well significant numbers of Hobbies and Kestrels are
as herons and Hoopoes. From mid-April to mid- also seen.
May, migration reaches peaks and one can see An unusual sight, rare on the continent, is, of
Swallows, martins, swifts, Turtle Doves, Nightjars, Marsh Harriers roosting in trees. In September,
Scops Owl, Golden Orioles, Cuckoos, Honey several Marsh Harriers, which dwell in the open
Buzzards and four species of harriers – Marsh, countryside, have been observed to roost in trees
Montagu’s, Pallid and Hen Harriers. The latter two at Buskett. Cetti’s Warblers may be heard calling
are somewhat rare, with the Hen Harrier being rarer. at Wied il-Luq, the valley at Buskett but are very
Springtime can offer a variety difficult to actually see. Cetti’s Warblers have areas around the temples of Óagar Qim and
of birds in both Malta and
spread considerably and one of the best places to Mnajdra as well as inland valleys are ideal
Gozo
see them is at G˙ajn Ri˙ana, where there is ample locations where one can have a pleasant walk and
vegetation for them but it is not as thick as at Wied see an array of birds, especially on migration. On
il-Luq. San Anton Gardens is a place not normally Gozo, Ta’ Çenç Cliffs and the surrounding areas,
associated with bird watching but quite a number the coast from Wardija Point to Dwejra up to San
of small warblers and even Golden Orioles can be Dimitri and Wied il-Miela˙ and Lunzjata Valley are
seen here, particularly in the evenings. As the trees among the best places where one can see several
are rather high, one has to look up in the canopy species of birds. Gozo offers other spectacular
and not expect to see birds feeding on the ground. locations such as Ramla l-Óamra where one can
Places such as Dingli Cliffs, Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq, both enjoy the pleasant surroundings and also
l-A˙rax and id-Dahar in Mellie˙a and the garrigue have a chance seeing birds on migration.
HuNTING AND TRAPPING 157
Hunting and Trapping
The current situation Hunters hunt on both private and public land,
and on private land, owners can lease shooting
In a book about the birds of Malta, one cannot but rights to hunters. The practice of establishing
make at least some remarks about hunting and reserved areas for hunting was a controversial
trapping. Maltese legislation permits the shooting matter in 1908 and 610 hunters had petitioned the
of Turtle Dove and Quail, fourteen species of Governor arguing that while they paid 10 shillings
waterfowl, five species of thrush, the Skylark as a hunting licence, tracts of land that were
and six species of waders. All wildfowl, with the good for hunting were being reserved for private
exception of the Coot, can be shot from sea craft shooting, thus decreasing the amount of land that
between October and the end of February. could be used by other hunters. This petition was
Hunters can hunt birds between 1st September tuned down because it was felt that the government
and 31st January, when Turtle Doves, Quail, and could not interfere with the rights of private
later thrushes, Skylarks, Starling, Woodcock, landowners to decide who to allow to enter or hunt RTO means that the land is
Golden and Grey Plover, Lapwing, Snipe and Jack on their land and who to keep out (LGO P478/08). reserved for hunting
Snipe may be shot. Hunters are no longer allowed Private land is still reserved for hunting these days
to use electronic bird callers, which is one of the and farmers as well as landowners often lease the
most common reasons why hunters are often taken hunting rights on their land to particular hunters
to Court. who pay handsome amounts for the right to hunt.
Land daubed with stones painted white or marked
RTO means that the land is reserved for hunting.
Hunters may also hunt wildfowl from sea-craft, and
there are several regulations about how and where
they should do it.
Infringements still take place, but as shown later
on, some progress, small as it may be, is being
gradually registered. One of the most contentious
issues is whether Maltese hunters will be allowed to
continue to hunt Turtle Doves and Quail in spring or
not, The September 2009 judgment by the European
Court of Justice has complicated matters, as while Electronic bird callers,
introduced in the 1980s,
it accepted the argument that hunting in autumn became very popular with
in Malta did not offer a satisfactory alternative to hunters. Their use is now
spring hunting, it also said that the small number illegal
Table 8: Birds that can be hunted

Birds that may be shot from land from 1st September to 31st January these figures before they were actually published
Bean Goose Red-breasted Merganser Common Snipe
as he had been given the draft of the book to
review, the local conservation movement sat on
Greylag Goose Common Quail Eurasian Woodcock
the fence, not wanting to be implicated in the
Eurasian Wigeon Water Rail Common Woodpigeon pressure campaigns that were being mounted by
Gadwall Common Moorhen European Turtle Dove organisations and individuals abroad against the
hunting situation in Malta.
Common Teal Eurasian Coot Eurasian Skylark
The estimations of birds shot were based on
Mallard European Golden Plover Common Blackbird the bag records of ten hunters over a collective
fifty-three year period as well as records from
Northern Pintail Grey Plover Fieldfare
taxidermists who used to stuff birds for a known
Garganey Northern Lapwing Song Thrush number of hunters between 1976 and 1986. From
Northern Shoveler Ruff Redwing bag records, it was estimated that on average,
Common Pochard Jack Snipe Mistle Thrush
a shooter took home 88 birds a year. In the bag
records available, none of the shooters recorded
Tufted Duck Common Starling
the number of small birds they shot.
Birds that may be shot from sea craft from 1st October to the end of February The main argument against the validity of the
Bean Goose Common Teal Northern Shoveler figures has been the small sample size. However,
when the data collected from taxidermists was
Greylag Goose Mallard Common Pochard
compared to the hunters’ bag records, the two
Eurasian Wigeon Northern Pintail Tufted Duck sets of figures correlated. Extrapolations were then
Gadwall Garganey Red-breasted Merganser made on the basis of these two sets of independent
data. Ideally, a more robust survey would require
of birds shot was disproportionate. Hence, if there the consideration of such constructs as reliable
will ever be a hunting season in spring, it has to be bag record entries of all species seen and shot,
very short one and the number of birds that can hunter’s age, the habitat where one hunts, as well
be killed has to be so small that it would not satisfy as the number of days and hours spent hunting.
hunters, thus such a hunting season would not be Although hunters now submit an annual game bag
a practical. This is what happened in 2010, when record (carnet de chasse) with their licence renewal
government announced a limited hunting season application, the data being submitted cannot be
for six mornings between 24th and 30th April, with a termed reliable as many hunters fill in this form
national bag limit of 3,900 Quails and 3,600 Turtle haphazardly. Suffice it to note that in 1997, hunters
Doves. A maximum of 2,500 hunters could hunt up declared they shot 137 Bean Geese and 144
to 2 birds a day and a maximum of 3 birds during Greylag Geese, which are both very rare species,
that period. Only 24 hunters paid the special while they declared they shot only 99 Lapwings
license to hunt in spring 2010. Hunters expected and 23,217 Song Thrushes, an average of 3.7
a much longer season during which all hunters thrushes per shooter. Observations in the field show
could hunt more birds. The Ornis Committee had a very different situation. Furthermore, the carnet
proposed a season between 10th and 30th April de chasse contains only the species that can be
with bag limits of 22,298 Turtle Doves and 10,837 hunted and the protected species that are shot are
Quails. not listed in hunters’ bag records. However such
seriously flawed data is still being used in official
reports. A report submitted by government to the
The book Fatal Flight Number of birds killed European Commission in November 2005, which
raised a hornets’ nest contained figures compiled from hunters’ own
when it exposed hunting
Another controversy is about the number of declarations was deemed to contain low figures by
malpractices. It had a
foreword by David Bellamy birds killed in the Maltese Islands. In 1992, I had both hunters and BirdLife Malta (Fenech 2005c).
and was endorsed by estimated that around three million birds were Ironically, hunters themselves corroborated the
Greenpeace, the MOS, RSPB, shot and another three million birds were trapped figures I gave with respect to catches of Turtle
ICBP, Canadian author Farley
annually in the Maltese Islands (Fenech 1992). Dove, Quail and Song Thrush. I had estimated
Mowat, Dr Kenny Taylor from
the Scottish Wildlife Trust These figures were contested and ridiculed by that the annual bag of Turtle Doves in Malta was
and The Game Conservancy hunters. Although Sultana (1991) made use of between 160,000 and 480,000 (or ten birds per
hunter in poor years to 30 birds per hunter in

good years). Bag records available indicated that
each hunter shot an average of 15 Turtle Doves
annually, 78.4 per cent of which were taken in
spring and 21.6 per cent were taken in autumn.
This implied that during the period investigated at
least 125,000 Turtle Doves were killed in spring in
a poor season while over 376,000 birds were taken
in a good spring season.
With respect to Quails, it was estimated that
hunters kill one to two Quails each, bringing the
total annual bag to between 16,000 and 32,000
Quails. Of these, between 11,000 and 21,000
Quails were shot in spring; between 4,500 and
9,000 were killed in autumn and between 700 and
1,400 were killed in winter (Fenech 1992, 1997).
Although hunters considered such figures “exag-
gerated” and “inflated”, extrapolation of data later
submitted by the hunters themselves helped to
validate the figures. Following an analysis of birds
shot by hunters in chosen areas, Farrugia (1998) shot after 10.00 am, after which time Farrugia did A Quail rises in front of a
hunter’s dog. Quails are very
concluded that between sunrise and 10.00 am from not collect any records. I had given an annual
popular game birds in Malta
15th April and 15th May 1988, the average bag of 33 range of 16,000 to 32,000 Quails shot annually too
hunters was of 9.03 Turtle Doves and 1.2 Quails per Figures released by hunters for shot Song
shooter. The figures given by Farrugia omitted any Thrushes also corroborated my figures. I had then
birds shot between 10 am and the rest of the day, estimated that the total number of thrushes shot
as well as the birds shot between 16th and 21st May, amounted to 240,000 to 550,000, of which the
when the season officially closed. His figures also majority (200,000 to 300,000) were Song Thrushes
excluded all Turtle Doves and Quails trapped. Far- (ten to 30 thrushes per shooter per year).
rugia stressed that his figures were “realistic statis- Following publication of results from a ‘wing
tics and not exaggerated figures often cited by abo- inquiry survey’ the Association for Hunting and
litionists” and that migration “was poor, especially Conservation stated that “an average result of less
for Turtle Doves and the only game which probably than 150,000 Song Thrushes were shot in autumn
appeared in slightly larger numbers was Quail”. 1991” (Farrugia 1995). Although this statement
In 1988, there were 15,947 licensed hunters. gives the impression of huge discrepancies,
Working on the average of 9.03 Turtle Doves and it must be recalled that these figures relate to
1.2 Quails per shooter given by Farrugia (1998), thrushes taken in autumn only, and thrushes shot
this results in a total of 144,001 Turtle Doves and in winter and spring were excluded. Bag records
19,136 Quails. To this, one must add the number of indicate that while the majority of thrushes are shot
Turtle Doves trapped. The number of Turtle Dove in autumn, 10.1 per cent of thrushes are shot in
trappers in 1988 is not known as they required no winter and spring, and this amounts to another
special licence, but if one assumes that the number 15,000 thrushes (Fenech 1997).
remained the same as in 1995, when there were 928 The number of birds killed in Malta will always re-
trappers, then the number of Turtle Doves trapped main a contentious issue. Some of the figures I had
would amount to 5,700, giving a collective spring given in 1992 need to be revised, both because of
bag total of 149,701, which falls within the range of changes in status for some species as well as be-
125,000 to 376,000 I had given (Fenech 1992). cause there have been some positive changes in
A similar pattern exists with Quail: working hunting practices and a decrease of about 3,000
on the number of licensed hunters in 1988 and hunting licences since 1992. One is glad to note
extrapolating the figures given by Farrugia (1998), that the amount of hirundines and Swifts shot is now
it seems that 19,136 Quails were bagged. Again, considerably lower than had been estimated. It was
this figure is conservative since Quails are also calculated that hunters used to shoot between 10
and 30 Swallows and martins and from 5 to 15 Swifts protected species. The practice is slowly becoming
per year, meaning that between 160,000 to 430,000 popular already; therefore it would be wise to have
hirundines and between 80,000 and 240,000 Swifts it set up on a proper footing from the start. This is
were shot annually. Swifts and Swallows and other an area where both hunters and conservations can
small birds such as pipits and wagtails, are now only co-operate and where both private enterprise and
occasionally shot at by some irresponsible hunters government can get involved.
and the number of shooters who used to shoot them
systematically has diminished to the point that one
can say it is virtually inexistent. Changes in attitudes
A review of the numbers of wildfowl and other birds
shot from sea craft is also needed. Although there For people who are not interested in birds or
are more shooters who are hunting from sea craft, hunting, it is not easy to understand why hunters
the fact that hunting at sea is prohibited in March and and trappers are so passionate about their pastime.
April and that the Police and Armed Forces are pa- Most grow and are nurtured in it, not just in their
trolling the coast more effectively, means that fewer families, but also in places they go to. All most
birds are being shot, at least in spring. hunters and trappers do is speak about hunting and
Buskett is being rather effectively policed and the trapping and these activities do not simply become
massacres of birds of prey that used to take place part of their life, but become their life.
on an annual basis until the early 1990s, especially In spite of the fact that many hunters and
in September and early October, have ceased. trappers are still very passionate about their
Though the number of shooters who shoot birds pastimes, there are significant changes in attitude,
of prey has also dwindled, some still shoot them, both in hunters and trappers as well as in their
and the number of such hunters is still large enough main organisation, the Federation of Hunting and
to be cause for concern. But there is a growing Conservation. Indeed, there were times in the past
sentiment, even among the hunting community, when the hunters’ organisation not only openly
that they should start respecting hunting legislation lobbied for the removal of the protection of birds
more rigourously. There are a few individual hunters such as birds of prey and Swifts, but tried to find
who are so obsessed with shooting birds of prey that excuses about why protected birds were found
one recently informed me that if the death penalty injured or why hunters had shot protected birds.
was introduced for those found shooting Honey One can say that these times are over. Hunters’
Buzzards, he would still want to shoot at least one associations still try to defend hunters’ interests,
every year. Such obsessive statements have to be which is the main reason why they exist after
seen in a context that such men have been doing all, but condemnation of illegal hunting is now
this all their lives, and it’s not easy to change one’s without equivocation and hunters know that their
ways radically overnight. By time, perseverance association does not defend illegal hunting. Many
and an effective educational program targeted at hunters argue that illegal hunting only serves to
such people, such mentalities can change as well. give more ammunition to those who campaign to
Among the conventional game birds, the stop hunting.
Woodcock has increased markedly over the past There are still a number of hunters who continue
few years and more are being shot compared to to flout the law, even though fines for contravening
former years. On the other hand, the pressure on hunting law are quite harsh, and though first time
species such as thrushes has increased in recent offenders can get away with a €500 fine, there have
years as more hunters are turning to such birds as an been cases where hunters were find €6,000 for a
alternative. Over the past five years or so, organised second hunting-related offence. But a number of
releases of Quails, Bobwhite, partridges and abuses keep being reported, and the police have
Pheasants were made on private land and hunting a tough time to controlling all abuse.
parties use trained dogs to point and flush these Hunters have a number of organisations besides
birds. Perhaps it is time to consider the setting up of the main one, and one of them, Kaççaturi San
game reserves to allow hunters enjoy their pastime Ubertu (St Hubert’s Hunters), has a code of conduct
Such images, fairly common in a legitimate way as happens abroad. Activities which in parts is stricter than the current hunting
signs of machismo in the in such reserves can easily be strictly controlled to regulations. There is still a long way to go as some
1980s, are now very rare ensure that the reserves are not used for the taking of old habits die hard. Macho signs, such as stuffed
A young boy accompanies

hunters and poses with
birds they had shot: a Red-
footed Falcon, Montagu’s
Harrier and Turtle Dove.
Children brought up in such
surroundings had a big
chance of becoming hunters
themselves
Left: In the 1950s, air guns
were a way to introduce
young children to the world
of guns and hunting
Below: Up to the 1970s,
stuffed birds were often
used as items with which to
decorate one’s home
A Cuckoo falls to the ground as it is shot. Such shooting is gradually

diminishing. Right: Hunters from times past, when hunting was an
acceptable pastime. Turtle Doves were rather common up to the 1960s,
but sometimes bags were so big that the need was felt to record them
heads of birds of prey or other birds, hanging from especially Reed Buntings, as well as Dunnocks,
the rear-view mirror of a hunter’s car, quite common were also trapped by a few trappers, particularly in
in the 1980s, are virtually a thing of the past. Stuffed autumn and winter. Individual White Wagtails, Red-
birds are still collected, but they are hardly ever throated Pipits and Tawny Pipits were sometimes
used as decoration any more in houses where there trapped by a handful of other trappers.
are no hunters. up to the 1980s, it was common Turtle Doves were trapped in April and May and
to find colourful species such as Hoopoes, Golden a handful of trappers attempted to trap doves in
Orioles and Bee-eaters stuffed and serving as a autumn too, with very little success. Quails were
decoration over TV sets or on window sills. trapped in spring, autumn and winter. Golden
In 2008 and 2009, when spring hunting was Plover, Dotterel and Lapwing are also trapped
stopped, an increase was noted in the number of with clap nets in autumn and winter. Some plover
people who applied for a licence to hunt rabbits, trappers could catch up to 100 birds in a season,
as the rabbit shooting season now opens in June. but those who did so had their trapping sites
There is no doubt that several of those who sought manned round the clock from October to January.
such a licence do not shoot only rabbits, and the A small amount of thrushes, mostly Song
fact that several of the few pairs of Turtle Doves and Thrushes, as well as Starlings were also trapped
other birds that try to breed, suddenly disappear with clap nets or vertical nets set in trees. But such
or start sporting gun shot injuries as soon as the kind of trapping was a relatively recent activity and
rabbit shooting season opens, is clear evidence the amount of birds trapped in this way was not
that some rabbit hunters are shooting more than very large. The use of vertical nets has declined
rabbits. However there are several genuine rabbit considerably since it became illegal. Starlings Trapping of thrushes was
hunters who used to shoot rabbits in summer, either used to be trapped in considerable numbers by never widespread but was
about to become popular
during the day or at night bis-sokta, that is waiting on means of clap nets in the 1960s by a few trappers when finch trapping became
some promontory on moonlight nights for rabbits to who sold the birds for shooting competitions. prohibited
come out in the open, or waiting for them in places up to the late 1970s, Short-toed Larks, Tree
where rabbits went to relieve themselves fuq ir- Pipits and Yellow Wagtails used to be trapped in
reddiesa. These feel that stopping their pastime will large numbers and up to the 1950s, most such
not automatically stop illegal hunting, as those who birds were eaten. Spanish Sparrows too were
want to hunt illegally will still do so. Most traditional trapped, mainly over waterholes in summer. Most
rabbit hunting in summer took place with the rabbit of this kind of trapping has diminished and it can
hound or with a net and ferret. Such hunting has be said that only a few individuals still do it.
its advantages as female rabbits as well as small Trapping of finches is now illegal but Turtle Dove
ones are released again, and one should work to and Quail may be trapped between 1st September
show the advantages of one system over another to and 30th October while Golden Plover and Song
help people change their ways. Those who hunt just Thrush can be trapped between 20th October and
rabbits do not really pose a problem if they stick to 10th January (L.N. 239/2009).
what they can do. Though illegal, quite a lot of rabbit The earliest Maltese dictionary of 1751 spoke of
hunting takes place with lights at night. trapping sites for Short-toed Larks, Turtle Doves,
pigeons and falcons. With the exception of falcons,
the rest were trapped for food, and clap nets were
Trapping used for the first three kinds of birds, possibly for
falcons too. Trapping made more economical
As stated earlier, bird trapping in the Maltese Islands sense: larger numbers of birds could be caught,
has been practised in different ways for different and some, like Turtle Doves, could be kept alive in
species, and until recently, trappers trapped finches aviaries, to be consumed throughout the rest of the
in spring and autumn. Some finches such as year. Smaller birds were consumed soon after being
Hawfinch and Siskin were also caught in cage traps. trapped and in the 1800s and early 1900s, bat nets,
A few trappers used to trap Ortolan Buntings, locally called regna, a kind of net that was wrapped
mostly in April and May, but this practice has around trees at night, were used and whatever was
virtually died out. It was usually those trapping caught ended up in the pot. The use of this net was
Turtle Doves who kept a live Ortolan Bunting as banned by the first Government Notice concerning
a decoy who trapped such buntings. Buntings, bird protection, entitled “a regulation regarding
A Quail trapper placing decoy

birds under his net, while
other decoy birds can be
seen in cages on his right
Right: Trappers release
a lone Turtle Dove from
the nets. Up to the 1970s,
trappers would not dream
of tripping their nets for a
single bird, and old timers
would readily recount how
no one dared pull their nets
unless there were at least six
birds. Dwindling numbers
compelled trappers to catch
whatever passed their way,
and their bags from the
1990s were meagre indeed
compared to what they used
to catch before
sporting and fishing” published in 1872 (Malta

Government Gazette 1872).
Quail trapping has been discussed earlier and was
practised in the time-honoured way, mostly by a few
old timers. Finches, sparrows, Starlings, wagtails
(mostly Yellow Wagtails), and Tree Pipits, were
caught by means of clap nets, which were seldom
more than 6 metres long. During the latter part of
the 20th century finches were kept as songbirds.
In 1934, there were 609 people who had a licence
to trap birds in all of Malta and Gozo, and most of
these trapped Turtle Doves (LGO 1884/34). Cage
traps, baited by a live decoy, were mostly used for
Robins and to a much lesser extent for birds such
as Redstarts and some finches. The use of traps is
now illegal and has practically disappeared.
Finch trapping is at least 100 years old in Malta
but finch trapping in spring is a relatively recent
phenomenon. Old timers who are in their 80s recall
how they started indulging in trapping in spring
themselves rather late in their trapping careers.
Most finch trappers cared for their birds and did their
utmost to keep them in the best condition possible,
buying all kinds of different seeds and other food
as well as medicines, antibiotics and vitamins
for them. For such trappers, the passion, namra trap birds anymore. Finch trapping came to an end A trapper lays down the nets
in anticipation of birds
as they call it, meaning love, is very strong. They in 2008, after the transition period Malta negotiated
make a distinction between namra and passatemp, with the Eu, expired. Though finch trappers could
pastime, as the former requires dedication and trap most species of finches, many specialised in
commitment. The passion trappers have for their trapping certain species, such as Hawfinch, Siskin
pastime can best be shown by a petition that was or Linnet. The habitat where the trapping site was
sent to the governor following regulations passed situated played an important part as to which
in 1936. In November 1936 Government Notice species of finches were trapped. Some sites were
447 stated that no one could use clap-nets without renowned for Linnets. Those trapping Hawfinch and
a licence and established a fee of 5 shillings (€ Siskin had trapping sites in or near wooded areas.
0.58) to use a clap-net. The regulations further In September, Hawfinches and Chaffinches are the
stated that no new licences were to be issued after first to appear. The peak season for finches is from
the publication of the notice, and only the existing 20th October to the 20th of November, and all species
licences were to be renewed in January of each of finches appear at this time: Chaffinch, Linnet, some
year, and those not renewed, were lost. Serins, Siskins, Hawfinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
A number of trappers lost their licences as they usually the Greenfinch is the last finch to appear
failed to renew them on time. Two trappers from in the autumn migration. Finches have different
Gozo petitioned the Governor to have their licences migration patterns and in October, Siskins may
renewed. George Tabone of Xewkija Gozo, pleaded appear when it is still dark, but usually finches appear
“that from the day I cannot go to snare for birds, life mostly between 8 am and 2 pm. The peak period in
for me is not worth living”. But both petitions were October is from 7.30 or 8 am till 11 am. In autumn, the
refused (LGO 3192/36, LGO 3192/1936). best winds for finches to migrate are south east, north
Such sentiment could be felt throughout 2008, east and north. Finches keep appearing till the end
the last year when trapping was allowed. Many of January but from December onwards, it is mostly
trappers argued their lives were turned upside Linnets and Serins which are seen.
down and several needed psychiatric help after Linnets appear again at the end of February and
they fell into a depression because they could not in March. Some Greenfinches appear, particularly
days our valleys are full of these birds. The majority

remain here for the winter, and those which are
fortunate enough to escape the gun, the net, or one
in April. Some Chaffinches and Serins may of the many traps set for their capture, generally
appear at this time too. In March, trappers used depart at the approach of spring,” (Despott 1917).
to go trapping from 8 am onwards if winds were These traps were probably cage traps, similar to
southerly and with northerly winds, trappers went ones used in continental Europe, which were mostly
to trap in the afternoon. used to trap finches. These traps consisted of a
cage with a flap door and a separate compartment
for a live decoy bird. Some consisted of just a
Robin trapping trapping cage, others had a compartment for a
decoy and one or more trapping compartments.
It is not known who introduced Robin trapping Joseph Vella, who was born in 1923, recalls
in Malta or when this was introduced. Charles that Robins were caught by trabokk tat–tifqieg˙a,
Wright, who wrote about ornithology as well as cage trap, as well trabokk tax-xibka (net trap),
about hunting and trapping practices in the mid also known as g˙arix (tent) or tal-kampnar, that is
to late 1800s, did not mention anything about steeple shaped. This trap was basically triangular
Robin trapping, though it was very likely that, like in shape, with slanting sides, and had a small clap
other small birds, Robins were probably caught net on both sides. A live Robin was placed inside
alongside other birds in vertical nests set in trees. as a decoy. The trap was placed where a Robin
All kinds of small birds which were caught in these was heard singing, and being territorial, the wild
nets ended up in the pot. Robin would go to challenge the caged Robin to
In one of the entries in his diaries in 1863, Wright chase it away, and end up trapped.
wrote: “One of the commonest little birds in the Such traps became common after the war.
gardens at this season is the robin, and with every Charles Ciangura, a keen trapper from Rabat,
desire to avoid killing him, he has more than once recalled that the first such trap he saw was
been by me mistaken when partially hidden by the sometime in the late 1940s or early 50s, when
leaves of a tree, for some other bird in which I was another ardent trapper, Ìanni ta’ Karla, made one
in pursuit, and paid the penalty of his life for not of them “and everyone went to see it as they had
exposing his red throat and breast, which would never seen like it” (Charles Ciangura pers. comm.).
have put his identity beyond doubt. Often have I The trap became widespread after this time and
heaved a sigh on picking up my dead bird, to find became popularly known as Trabokk tal-Pitirrossi
Top: A peculiar type of
Robin trap, known as tal-
it was ‘poor cock robin’,” (Wright 1863b). But in no (Robin trap).
farfett, because the trigger instance does Wright mention Robin traps. As Robins rarely lived long in captivity, most did
mechanism was shaped like By 1917, Robin trapping must have been not have a live decoy to trap other birds with, and
a butterfly, while above, the widespread as Despott wrote that Robins were the first Robins of the season were usually trapped
commoner Robin trap is
shown. A live decoy Robin in
common, and that they generally arrived “about with a trap baited with a pomegranate or the fruit
the trap is shown on the right the second or third week of October, and in a few of prickly pear or a mirror. Children in GΩira made
Robins defend their territory and fight each other off. Such Robin traps came in various shapes
behaviour made them easy to catch in traps baited with a or forms
live Robin decoy
a crude Robin decoy out of the root of reeds and a Robin come to fight and get caught. It was then
painted like a Robin using wax crayons (Roger very common to see young and old, walking in the
Degiorgio pers. comm.). When Christmas cards streets and country lanes, carrying a sack with
started becoming popular, cut outs of Robins from a particular shape because it had a Robin trap
Christmas cards were also used in the 1950s and inside. Robin trapping was a way to while away
In the 1960s, children from
GΩira used a Robin decoy
60s. the time for many children; even those who did not
made from the rhizome of Children imitated the call of the Robin by holding hail from families of hunters or trappers indulged in
a Giant Reed to trap their two pennies tight between their thumb and it. Such trapping was carried out particularly after
first Robin of the season, forefinger and tapped them rhythmically with the school hours and on weekends.
which then served as a live
decoy to catch more birds. A
fingers of the other hand. A Robin call was also Robin trapping has decreased tremendously
stuffed bird or a cut-out from made from the crown of a soft drinks bottle a, nail from what it used to be around 40 years ago.
a Christmas card did the trick and some thread or an elastic band. Educational campaigns in schools and via the
just as well until artificial food Aurofac (locally called mass media against Robin trapping, and a police
awrofak), became available in the 1960s, Robins enforcement drive contributed to the decrease,
were kept alive on roasted, crushed chickpeas. but also in recent years, social behaviour and
These were worked into a paste with milk or water socials norms among youngsters have changed
and shaped like a cone. Most Robins died shortly drastically.
after as they did not eat such food, and those A level of social liberty among this age group
which did, usually pined away within a few weeks. that was unheard of in the recent past has created
But when artificial food was introduced, one was new diversions and alternatives for youngsters
able to keep a Robin alive for between two and enabling them spend their time in ways that are
five years, sometimes longer. Because the survival more acceptable to their peers. As there are no
rate was so low, very large numbers of Robins statistics of the number of people who used to trap
Two pennies held tightly used to be trapped. Robins, no comparisons can be made to see how
between the thumb and
A curious factor was that Robin trapping used to steep the decline has been.
forefinger, which were struck
rhythmically by the fingers of be carried out intensively as soon as the Robins A survey with close to 1,000 school children aged
the other hand, produced the arrived in October, but trapping declined after between 11 and 15 in two schools was carried
tic tic tic call of the Robin. the first few weeks and by November the urge for out between November 1991 and January 1992.
The bird’s call was also
Robin trapping used to fade away, even though it This revealed that over 25 per cent of children still
imitated by a nail and a
crown from a soft drinks is normal for Robins to be commonly seen up to indulged in Robin trapping (Fenech 1997). Since
bottle March, and now even in summer. the survey was undertaken, it is very likely that the
Robin trapping, was a very common pastime and number has continued to decline.
both young and old indulged in it until the early 70s. Both Robin trapping and the possession of Robin
Those who trapped Robins got a kick out of seeing traps in the field are illegal.
SOCIAL ASPECTS 169
Social Aspects
Birds, hunters and trappers what they learnt at school and what they saw at
home. This has changed radically and whenever
Having spoken about birds, hunters and trappers, hunters are mentioned in school textbooks these
one must also speak about what birds mean to days, they are overtly or subtly painted black.
hunters and trappers and about the social aspects Hunting is no longer portrayed as an acceptable
and culture of hunting and trapping. One has to pastime. But those brought up with a previous
do this to understand the complex relationships educational system, which is still reinforced with
that exist, as only in doing so can one strive to similar attitudes in village bars and in circles of
find a way forward. Since hunting in Malta almost friends, the frame of mind is still entrenched in the
exclusively implies the shooting of migratory birds, old ways. The ventilators of the house
of a passionate hunter
the relationship between hunters and birds has to The local attitudes of first accepting hunting and featured birds
be examined. Historically hunters were probably now rejecting it, are in line with developments that
the most avid watchers of birds and they studied have been taking place in the united States and the
their behaviour in order to be able to hunt them European continent, the only marked difference is
more successfully. It is very probable that the that in Malta, enlightenment has happened rather
people who gave names to birds were hunters. late. In the uS and continental Europe, eighteenth-
As seen earlier, birds’ names ended up as place century authors wrote children’s animal-talking
names and family nicknames. stories discouraging cruelty to animals. A look at
Hunting permeates through all aspects of life in developments of such literature in Europe will help
Malta. until about fifty years ago, the number of one understand the changes in perceptions about
hunters was small and part and parcel of a rural hunting in Malta as well.
way of life. Men had little idle time and recreational Across Europe, the signs of distaste for
activities were limited. Thus hunting not only hunting that began to appear in literature in the
provided them with a form of recreation, but also sixteenth century had a limited effect. Initially
helped to secure meat for the table. until the early they expressed the feelings of a few and they
1970s, the educational system helped to entrench also had limited readership. The advent of mass
hunting further in children’s minds. A story about media changed the scene radically. Few people
a hunter shooting a Skylark as well as another have read Thoreau, Freud or Schopenauer. Ideas
about a father who bought his son a linnet as a gift, from the work of these philosophers went into the
were part of a primary school textbook studied in making of one of best-known mythic images of
all state schools between the 1930s and the early our time: Bambi. Bambi was the creation of Felix
1970s. For children brought up with this kind of Salten, whose real name was Sigmund Salzmann.
education, there was no inconsistency between He wrote Bambi in 1924. Salten describes the
forest world in exquisitely poetic prose, and it is and rabbit soon start coming to be fed on the lawn.
in this prose that his animal characters suffer, But when his leg healed, he received a gun as a
bleed and die awful, incomprehensible deaths. birthday present from his brother and as soon as
The book was described as radiating “a cold the hunting season opened, he decided to go to
aura of Schopenhauerian pessimism” (Cartmill hunt. On reaching the vegetable patch, Quails and
1993). Another author wrote: “death is the central rabbits came rushing towards him. He realised the
theme in it. Something fears dying, or does die in animals were his friends and did not shoot them,
a terrible agony, in almost every chapter” (Reiger but returned home, followed by a trail of animals,
1980). A roebuck is shot in front Bambi’s eyes as which he fed on the lawn of his garden (Hader and
they speak. Another buck has its leg smashed by Hader 1960).
a bullet and limps throughout the book. Bambi is Walt Disney’s films are saturated with anti-
shot and passes through a slow, painful recovery. hunting messages. Films such as The Fox and the
Its mother and a host of other animals are killed Hound, and even Beauty and the Beast, have very
in an autumn game drive as man moves stealthily overt messages against hunting. The reissue of the
in the forest, shooting anything that moves. An latter film in 2002 had a dramatic shift as instead
author remarks that although man is never shown of having pro-animal and anti-hunting sentiments,
A hunter on a soft drink in the film, yet the simple statement by Bambi’s it even contained messages against the hunter,
bottle from a firm aptly called
The Sportsman in Gozo in
mother after a frenzied chase with dozens of deer portrayed by Gaston, a marksman and a bully, was
the 1950s running for shelter, then ‘Man (pause)....was in the desired by many woman but he wanted Beauty. He
forest’ creates an impact no literal device could tries all sorts of tricks to lure her, but she persists
accomplish (Maltin 1973). in preferring the Beast to him. However not only
Man is portrayed as bloodthirsty and perversely Disney did this. In another movie classic, the Deer
treacherous, as full-grown Bambi finds out when Hunter, Robert Deniro, who is about to kill a deer,
he sees a hunter imitating the love call of the deer. deliberately puts down his rifle and fails to shoot at
Walt Disney immortalised Bambi. It was greeted the critical moment.
by the London Times on 6th August 1942 as the Walt Disney’s films are watched by Maltese
single great masterpiece produced thus far by children too, and it is not unusual to find hunters
the cinema. American hunters criticised the film whose children are against hunting in Malta.
sharply, denouncing it as “the worst insult ever But in spite of these changing attitudes, hunters
offered in any form to American sportsmen” (Brown and trappers remain ingrained in their pastimes.
1942). They know they cannot stem the tide, but if
Some have argued that Bambi was a symptom, anything, campaigns against hunting have made
not a cause. It was the throbbing pulse of the them more resolute to fight.
new consciousness. Before Bambi was made, Passionate hunters continue to declare their
poets were already reversing the situation making feelings in a number of ways, as they have always
hunters victims of their own actions. A children’s done, after all. In Gozo, a businessman who was
poem by Causley speaks of a hunter who got so also a hunter and had a soft drinks factory, called
excited on seeing a rabbit, that he pointed the his firm Sportsman, and his soft drinks came in a
gun the wrong way and shot himself instead of
the rabbit: “Bang went the jolly gun. Hunter jolly
dead. Jolly hare got clean away. Jolly good, I said”
(Causley 1937). The children’s literature of the
1960s in Europe is full of stories showing empathy
towards animals. In a story about a man whose
vegetable patch was constantly being ravaged by
Quail and rabbits, the man first set up a scarecrow,
which failed to do the trick. He then badly sprains
his leg while trying to scare the animals and while
recovering in bed, he gets the idea of getting a
gun. But his wife does not like the idea and puts a
Hunters declared their love
for hunting through names of
bird feeder outside his bedroom window, so that
houses as well as shops he can while away the time watching birds. Quails
SOCIAL ASPECTS 171
bottle showing a hunter shooting. The firm closed

down in the 1950s but the glass bottles remain a
testimony to this. Hunters then had no problem
showing they were hunters. Laws did not compel
them to walk with guns in covers until the early
1980s. It was customary to see men walking with
guns on the street as they were going or coming
back from a hunt. Indeed, stopping to talk to
people to show them what they had shot was
all part and parcel of the hunt. An epitaph for a
hunter, which was placed in his favourite hunting
spot by the sea at Qawra, shows a hunter shooting
at birds, is also a testimony of the bond between
hunters and hunting . Bars where hunters met were
sometimes called just that: Hunters’ Bar. Those
selling birds too displayed clear signs. These
days, images of hunters can be seen on a number
of houses in the form of weather vanes. These vary
from a simple image of a hunter shooting to others
where the hunter is accompanied by a dog and
is seen shooting at a flying bird. One may also
see weather vanes with images of various birds the netting of birds, one of Gozo’s principal sports. An epitaph for a hunter
who liked to hunt at Qawra
ranging from birds of prey to woodcock to ducks. Many of the people had hair jet black at the roots
showed a hunter shooting at
There are a number of houses which bear names bleached by the sun to a burnished gold on top, birds in flight. Hunters’ house
of birds or names which are hunting related. The probably because they spent so much time in the names often contain words
most popular appears to be Id-Dura, which means open air…. Everyone at the Ginevra Bar went on linked to hunting
the shooting hide, but names such as “Hunter’s talking, often all at once, louder than normal in
house” and “Shooter’s house” are not uncommon. order to drown the television, whose sexy films and
These signs may look insignificant but they do Italian custard-pie plays in Victorian dress were
shed some light on the significance hunting has completely ignored but not switched off. Game
for those who practise it. For hunters themselves, hunting and bird catching, I was assured, shared
hunting is one of the most important activities, if pride of place with football on Gozo, and even
not the most important activity, they indulge in. The those emigrating to Australia took their shotguns,’
deep involvement in hunting practices involves (Bryans 1966). What Bryans did not mention is that
ritual-like activities, which further cement hunters Maltese migrants often returned to holiday in Malta
into their pastime. Competition fuels their passion during the dove-hunting season in April.
for shooting and most of them collect stuffed birds.
Wherever hunters meet, be it in the village bars
and in other traditionally ‘men only’ clubs such
as band clubs and football clubs, shooting is one
of the main topics of conversation. Hunters talk,
quarrel, and mock each other about hunting. They
talk about feats, argue over the performance of
guns, cartridges and their users, and tease each
other about the misses. up to 2007, when hunting
in spring was still allowed, one could easily pick
out who the hunters were in a village bar in late
April: those with a sun tan.
Robin Bryans, an Englishman who wrote about Up to the 1980s, hunters
Malta, captured this atmosphere in a very vivid walking in the streets
with guns flung over their
way: ‘Besides music, politics, and their parish
shoulders, were a common,
church, the youths and men had another passion, acceptable sight
Before the hunting season, hunters are A symbol of status

engrossed in activities which get them both
mentally and physically prepared for the hunting From the Middle Ages up to the early 1900s, hunting
season. In the past, this was more pronounced, was a privileged characteristic of the aristocracy;
with hunters loading and trying out cartridges it was an assertion of social superiority. When
ahead of the hunting season. A monthly paper for hunting became a pastime of a wider stratum of
shooters and fishermen keeps them up to date society, social superiority was maintained through
with what is happening on various fronts ranging the keeping of Riservatos, areas which are rented
from the political scenario to new products. On by or which belong to shooters. In such areas, only
an Internet forum provided by the Federation for the tenants of the land or their guests are allowed
Hunting and Conservation, hunters exchange to shoot. The rising standard of living enabled the
news about who saw and shot what and discuss average income shooter to rent small tracts of
hunting related issues. However, the hunting riservatos and social superiority is now retained
shop, which shooters frequent, is still the focal through the location, size and type of the riservato
point from where one can get the latest news and a shooter has. The best areas for shooting and the
information about who saw what and where, both largest riservatos are usually in the hands of those
before and during the migration season. Before who can afford to pay most.
the hunting season starts, hunters begin buying The number of guns a shooter has, their type and
and trying out new cartridges. When the hunting make, were also signs of social standing. People
season starts, hunters fall into a daily routine. who were well off usually had more expensive guns
Most take time off from work to be able to spend which were often engraved by hand. Such shooters
more time in the field. used imported cartridges, which were slightly
The hunters’ way of life during the hunting season more expensive than locally or home-loaded ones.
has been documented by Fenech (1992). Their The use of imported loaded cartridges is no longer
daily routine can be summarised as follows: the a prerogative of privileged classes as shooters
hunter watches the next day’s weather forecast, from all strata of society can now afford them, but
sets the alarm clock for the following morning affluent people have been using them for a very
and sleeps with anticipation and hope for good long time and they could afford to buy them when
winds and a good migration the following morning. the average shooter could not.
Waking up, getting a feel for wind direction as
coffee brews he drives off to his favourite hunting
haunt. The drive is often interrupted by a stop to Social factors
check wind direction again at a reliable weather
vane on the road. Arriving at the hunting place, the In the past, recreational activities were few,
shooter takes position and waits for the break of especially for people with limited means. up to
dawn. After the sun rises and the shooting of the the mid-1900s, wine shops were the only places in
first birds subsides, the hunter usually tours the villages, where men met after work (Cassar 1988).
area in an attempt to flush any birds which may As Bryans noted, “the young shepherds and farm
be in the cover around. Then there is the usual boys, the plasterers and taxi drivers, the barman
chat with other hunters in the field, and the drive and village schoolmaster all had one interest in
back home, often interrupted by a stop at a coffee common. They not only talked about birds, but the
bar, which serves as a meeting place for hunters London Bar closed early so that they could be up
returning home. and out of doors by three o’clock next morning to
Hunting is so important Two-way transmitters and sms messages via go netting” (Bryans 1966).
to hunters that images mobile phones keep them up to date with the Preparing for the hunting season helped many
of deceased loved ones very latest in the field. At home, the hunter is fill their little spare time while shooting migratory
sometimes appear in
memorial cards distributed likely to phone other hunters he knows to see how birds during the spring and autumn migrations
in hunters’ funeral services. successful they have been and what they saw. providing something for the pot. Leisure activities
Finches mean the same thing The cleaning and oiling of the gun is part of this developed as a result of the gradual increase of
to trappers and a photo of a ritual-like behaviour, which not only enhances the free time. However, as free time increased, so did
finch is sometimes used in
such cards when a trapper hunters’ experience but also helps to cement them the popularity of bird shooting and trapping. In
dies further to their pastime. Malta there is a direct link between the increase in
SOCIAL ASPECTS 173
the number of hunting licences and the increase in you are going to win or not. You go in the field full
the standard of living. Albert Gauci, a keen shooter of anticipation, but the birds may not come, or they
himself, wrote that a better standard of living not come, but not your way. Many argue that if they
only brought hunting within reach of everybody, were certain they would shoot a lot of birds each
but also simplified it to an extent that took away time they go to shoot like foreign hunters do, it
its sporting element (Gauci 1974b, Gauci 1973c). would not be fun.
Gauci also remarked on the ‘craze’ for hunting: using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (De Vito
“it is indeed astonishing how even unto our 1982), which may be summarised into social,
day and age, so many thousands of otherwise psychological and physical needs, one can identify
sensible people from all walks of life, skilled and the sources of hunter satisfaction. Shooters tend
unskilled workers, professionals and priests to describe hunting as a ‘recreational activity’.
included, low and high, young and old, fair and Like hunters elsewhere, most Maltese hunters
dark, simply toss off behind their shoulders their deny it is the actual shooting of birds that pleases
very livelihood, renounce their normal family life, them. They say that they get satisfaction from the
just to dedicate themselves entirely to the craze challenge and excitement of hunting, from feeling
of game” (Gauci 1973a). Gauci argued that the primitive by being in nature and seeing sunrises
shooting fraternity perpetuates the shooting and sunsets, getting away from home and work.
mania: “we see youngsters, hardly out of their cot, Hunting provides a form of escapism, relaxation
showing unmistakable signs of things to come. and physical exercise.
They prop their left hand out as if pointing a gun Shooters usually hunt alone. Most of them go to
at some target and with their pouting lips they try the hunting place with a close friend, but while they
to imitate the popping of guns. They follow their are in the field, they distance themselves from each
imaginary quarry round the room swinging their other and unite again if migration is neither good
left arm and banging with their lips still wet of their nor promising. Outside the hunting areas, shooters
mother’s milk. They are the shooters of tomorrow” tend to seek each other’s company. They meet in
(Gauci 1973b). Such behaviour is not instinctive, village bars and often segregate themselves to talk
but learnt and it was usually both common and about their favourite pastime wherever they meet.
encouraged in houses where the father, or elder This friendship introduces a social dimension. It
brother, was a shooter. encourages their commitment to hunting and to
Shooters often took their young children with the satisfaction they obtain from it. It also creates
them when they went shooting and in no time they a strong element of competitiveness. Shooting
too develop the desire to shoot. For families who activity would decrease considerably were it not
had shooters, family outings were seldom without for the rivalry, amicable and otherwise, which
guns and children learnt to perceive shooting as exists between hunters.
a family affair. Such activities helped shape the Many shoot and trap birds because it was their
child’s mind into the shooting routine of the adults childhood pastime, and having grown with it,
around him. hunting is the main activity they enjoy in their free
time. Their social fabric is woven around hunting
and some are introduced to the “sport” by friends
Hunter satisfaction at work who invite them to a shoot to see what it
feels like. Others shoot because it is a metaphor
No studies have yet been undertaken in Malta to see of masculinity, the natural step from the catapult
why hunters hunt migratory birds. During informal days of boyhood to the man’s world of real guns.
conversations with a large number of hunters, Most shooters collect stuffed birds, which are
whenever the subject of shooting at reared birds is kept as trophies. The showcase with stuffed birds
brought up, few are those who show enthusiasm. is usually kept in a prominent room where guests
This may partly be because such kind of shooting cannot miss it. In Malta it is very difficult for people
is not yet easily available locally and is still very to see live wild birds. Most shooting takes place
expensive because it is run on a small scale. while people are still asleep, and there would be
Most hunters say that the excitement from little left for them to see by the time they go for a
Birds and hunters on weather
shooting at migratory birds is that “it is like a walk in the countryside. Very often, birds get shot vanes are common on
lottery”, you participate without knowing whether before people have a chance to have a second hunters’ houses
word signifies one who has a passion for shooting

or trapping birds, so much so that a shop selling
hunter’s goods in Ûebbu©, Malta, is called In-
Namra.
Social historian Peter Burke wrote that different
social groups use different varieties of language
in different situations (Burke and Porter 1987). This
is very true of shooters. They use strong words to
describe their kills when discussing the subject
amongst their kind — but talk with equivocation
when conversing with others who do not form part
of the shooting fraternity. While talking to strangers,
shooters talk of birds falling from the sky — tajtu tir
u waqa — ‘I shot it and it fell’ they say. The verb ‘to
kill’ is hardly ever used. Instead, shooters use the
verb taqbad which means ‘to catch’, which does
not imply killing. The birds which they shoot are
either ‘caught’ or ‘captured’. The emphasis is on
the skill, a sense of fair play and the gentlemanly
conduct of the shooter, and on his honest affection
for and admiration of the beauty of nature, which,
they contend are the real reasons why shooters
enjoy their ‘sport’.
Fenech (1992) described how the gestures
and phraseology shooters use to describe their
Colourful birds were very look. Thus a guest to a shooter’s house will be catches differs significantly from that used with
much sought for collections
impressed at the diversity of birds that visit Malta. laymen. According to their descriptions, the birds
People who never had the opportunity of seeing they shoot are not simply killed, but blasted out
birds in the wild enjoy looking at stuffed birds. of the sky. Apart from boasting about the altitude
For many, it is their closest encounter with nature. at which the bird was shot and its speed in flight,
Such situations favour shooters who diligently shooters use hyperbolic verbs which emphasise
explain how hard it is to ‘catch’ so many birds. It is their performance in shooting. The word Óraqt,
significant to note that when talking to lay people, which means I burnt, has become very popular
shooters do not talk of killing birds, but of ‘catching’ and has practically substituted the word sparajt,
them, but between their kind, shooters use strong which means I shot, in many shooters’ vocabulary.
phrases to describe their kills. The verbs used, if taken literally, can be described
as crude, but the intention is not so much an
expression of crudeness as an expression of
Shooters’ language vulgar boasting.
Hunters camouflage their speech when talking

to non-hunters about hunting. Indeed, even Images of sexuality
magazines aimed at hunters on the continent do not
speak of kills, but of catches. Maltese hunters are Eco-feminists, seeing hunting as satisfying sexual
no exception and they have their own vocabulary. needs, point out the sexual imagery in hunting and
The word dilettant, which in the Maltese language show the hunt as a sexual pursuit. Duffy (1975)
stands for amateur, has a different meaning to the argues that “the point of hunting is to conquer
shooting community. To them, dilettant implies by catching or killing. Whether fishing, fowling,
one who is fanatically interested in birds, that is, coursing or the chase, it has, like a masturbation
a shooter, a trapper, or a combination of both. fantasy, two parts, the hunt and the kill even when
The same can be said for the word namra, which that is symbolic as in the landing of a fish that is
means passion. To shooters and trappers, the then thrown back”. The sexual connotation is
SOCIAL ASPECTS 175
found in Maltese bird names. It is interesting to least fear of the possibility of being attacked in
note that all species of birds which were and are turn. Nothing which moves escapes his fire spitting
still considered as ‘game’ have a feminine name. gun. His arms hug the shining automatic gun and
The only exceptions are thrushes, which are also a hundred and one peculiarities which he carries
considered as songbirds, and Snipe. Hence a on and with him distinguishes easily this pest from
Turtle Dove is called Gamiema, a Skylark Alwetta, all other mortals, peaked cap, gaudy shirt and
a Golden Plover Pluviera, a Lapwing Venewwa, a commando trousers, ammunition belt or belts,
Woodcock Gallina, a Honey Buzzard Kuççarda, heavy boots, bag and all the rest” (Gauci 1974a).
a pigeon Óamiema, and a goose WiΩΩa. The Apart from what the shooters say and wear, some
generic name for duck is Borka or Papra, both shotguns which one sees advertised are shaped
feminine. It is interesting to note that if a different more like military weapons, than conventional
word exists for the male, as in the case of the shotguns. Mr Justice Michael Mallia (then still a
male Turtle Dove or Quail, which can be called magistrate who was a hunter at that time), wrote,
Gamiemu and Summienu respectively, the male ‘even the conventional five-shot repeater is
name is hardly ever used. Somehow, the shooters aesthetically more connected to the military than
always seem to catch a female. On the other hand, to the traditional game shooting gun’ (Mallia 1989).
all falcons, harriers, herons, finches and colourful The international manufacturing industry which
birds bear male names. With finches, it is evident provides paraphernalia for hunters, has long
that they bear male names because it is the males sensed this link between hunting and warfare. If
which are most sought for their song. Birds of one were to take a look at cartridges produced
prey were probably given male names due to up to the 1930s, one would find most of them to
their association with falconry and manliness. If be plain, without any motifs or else having just the
one were to ask hunters about this, most would brand name and the name of the powder with which
have probably never given it a second thought, they are loaded. By the 1960s, animals and birds
because bird names have evolved over time and which were considered as game, such as deer,
they simply continue using them, and the names rabbits, duck or partridges, started appearing on
that are being used now are being adapted from cartridge cases.
English. But is it just a coincidence that names of Birds of prey, too featured, as they still do, on
game birds are female? some of the cartridges. Gradual changes started
taking place and words like Super, Long Range
and Express were soon to find their way on to
Hunting and warfare cartridge cases too. Names with obvious military
connections are also common: Mirage, also the
Researchers who studied international hunting name of a French fighter plane, Super Jet, Speed
practices, such as Thomas (1983), who wrote fire as well as Challenger.
extensively about man’s relationship to nature, During the mid-1980s locally made cartridges
concluded that hunting simulates warfare. had names such as Punch and MX. It is interesting
Focusing on the situation in Malta, one can find to note that the cartridges called MX appeared on
such associations too. Adverts for shooters’ the local market, shortly after the controversy which
clothes often contain words like ‘army clothes’ ensued when the Reagan administration gave the
and ‘commando-style’ while words printed on go ahead to the production of the intercontinental
cartridges often have subtle and overt connections ballistic Missile X, known as MX for short in 1983.
with military equipment. History repeated itself during the Gulf crises in
The macho image of shooters was noted also by 1991, when stories about Iraqi Scud missiles
the late Albert Gauci, then secretary of the Shooters being shot down by Patriot missiles filled the news.
and Trappers Association, who wrote: “How can Cartridges with the name Patriot appeared on the
you recognise this pest? Easy. He strolls like a local market in March of the same year. Many
mighty rebel through the countryside undaunted locally made cartridges had just the name of the
and unafraid of passer-by, children and women shop that sold them or the nickname of the maker,
who may be taking their share of God’s fresh air on such as Tarzan, the nickname of Joseph Grech,
Changes in wordage and
their days off. He shoots with a fearlessly straight known as Peppi t-Tarzan, one of the leading clay images on cartridges showed
aim at eagles, sparrows and swallows without the pigeon shooters of his time. changes in mentality
Gossip, songs, rhymes and tales a child had opened the trapper’s sack while the
latter was boasting about his catches in a bar, and
During the shooting season, the bars where seeing nothing in the sack, he told everybody in
shooters meet are very much alive. Men can be the bar that the trapper was a liar (Joe Grech pers.
seen flapping their arms imitating the flight of a bird comm.).
before and as they shot it. Others listen attentively In one of the series of songs composed for the
or pass sarcastic remarks while waiting for their satirical television series A˙n’ a˙na jew m’a˙niex
turn to narrate. Shooters tend to exaggerate while in 1988, a song about the environment, goes that
narrating. They invent colourful stories they make hunters love to enjoy themselves in nature and
up themselves and try to make others believe that get a kick out of shooting, their way of enjoying
what they are saying is gospel truth. Yet, in Malta nature (Fabri 1988). In another song at the Youth
everyone knows that shooters like to brag in the Travel Circle song contest in May 1993, there is
process, so much so that there is even a saying a reference to hunting in the song called Din l-art
which goes il-kaççaturi u n-nassaba giddibin (this land). Amongst other pro-environment verses,
which means ‘hunters and trappers are liars’. the singer makes a plea against treading on Malta
The few short stories or tales involving shooters, “with the destructive hunters’ weapons” (Mifsud
albeit showing lack of knowledge about the subject, 1991). Another song PajjiΩ tal-Mickey Mouse
underline the same thing — that shooters get their (Mickey Mouse country) pokes fun at hunters for
fun out of boasting about their feats and that birds calling themselves ‘conservationists’ (Attard 1995).
can affect their ego. The tense shooter, who is The fact that the mention of shooters is practically
In a song composed in the
early 1970s, a trapper pokes
usually frustrated by the long waits, is humiliated absent from folklore implies that shooting is not
fun at a hunter who failed to when he misses a bird and in his mind he seeks really an ingrained cultural attitude, but one
kill a Honey Buzzard which revenge on the next bird. The humiliation is bigger which has developed over the past hundred and
was so close that it ‘touched if his action is witnessed by others, more so if they fifty years or so. There is hardly any mention of
the barrels of his gun’
know each other or if they frequent the same bar. hunting, except in ornithological works of the late
Shooters mock each other — if someone misses 1800s, and occasionally, in travellers’ accounts,
a large bird, one can hear remarks that “the bird while Maltese folklore and travellers’ accounts
was as big as a 45 gallon drum, and he missed it” are littered with anecdotes and information about
or “the harrier floated like a large sack barely 20 aspects ranging from donkey races and wine
paces away, and he shot so wide that he didn’t pressing to dowry. Although hunting was part of
even scare it away!” the rural way of life, it was not as widespread as it
It is not only shooters who pull each others’ legs. is today. At the beginning of this century, hunting
A Maltese song released in the 1960’s spoke of was practised by less than one per cent of the
Martin il-kaççatur. The song goes that Martin, the population and there were about ten licensed
champion of shooters, shot his donkey when he hunters per thousand of population up to the
mistook its ears for a bird (Grech and Zammit 1940s. Hunting was an accepted practice and the
1962). The song was based on a story recounted by local institutions simply reinforced it.
shooters at Ûejtun, where a short-sighted teacher
was reported to have mistook the ears of a donkey
for a bird (Joe Grech pers. comm.). Another song Hunting in literature
in the form of a duet between a trapper and a
shooter, released in the early 1970s, also makes The same trait discussed in songs can be seen
fun of shooters and trappers. The trapper calls the in literature. Works written before the mid-1900s
shooter “blind” for missing “a Honey Buzzard which are hardly ever harsh in their condemnation of
touched the barrels of his gun” while the shooter hunting. Hunting is hardly ever the central element
accuses the trapper of catching sparrows instead of Maltese literature. Hunting seem to have failed
of finches (Abela and Abela 1971). A song called to impress writers in any way and it is worth noting
In-nassab (the trapper) speaks of a trapper who that while farmers and the rural way of life, as well
always boasts of his catches, and who is finally as fishermen, feature in literature, shooters hardly
ridiculed by a young boy who shows that he never ever do. Hunting occasionally features in gothic
traps anything (Grech and Cassola 1971). Grech, literature, which though written in the early 1900s,
who composed the song, based it on hearsay that the plot of the story is usually set in the time of the
SOCIAL ASPECTS 177
Knights. Closer to our times, hunters sometimes his showcase while the author uses the birds to
appear in children’s stories, such as those reminisce about the hunter’s youth and his feelings
published in the early 1970’s under the name of as he hunted and stuffed the birds. The novel is a
Fra Mudest (Casha 1971). In such stories, the complex one as it speaks about the eternal cycle of
hunter is usually the scapegoat of some silly joke. life and death, how birds that die in nature, remain
The earliest mention of hunting in Maltese a part of it, while those that are shot and stuffed
literature is found in the dialogues of De Soldanis become part of another surreal world, and how
written in the mid-1700s. In a dialogue between a some of the stuffed birds end up being dumped
farmer and a hunter one reads that rabbits were because they start falling apart, thus again
abundant to the extent that a hunter could easily becoming part of nature (Zahra 2007). Another
bag 50 rabbits a day. The farmer indicates to the short novel recounts the story of a hunter who was
hunter a place where rabbits abound and asks a sharp shooter who grew old and insane and
him to return home the same way and leave him a tries to free the stuffed birds he had as he feared
rabbit to eat. The hunter says that he has a ferret to they would attack him and ended up jumping off
help him catch the rabbits (Cassar Pullicino 1947). the roof holding on to a stuffed falcon, which he
In a novel set in the 1700s, one of the characters expected to fly (Peresso 2009).
is a keen hunter (Caruana and Cumbo 1927), Apart from written references, there are stories
while in another novel where the story continues to narrated by hunters, some of which are told in
unfold, one finds a narrative episode dealing with a joking vein but seldom appear in print. Gauci
Quail hunting (Caruana 1928). In another novel (1973d) wrote he recalled his grandfather talking
Turtle Doves are the most
set during the time of the Knights in the 1500s, about a hunter who had been inviting his landlord popular game birds
one reads about hunting as important training for for a rabbit lunch as he wanted to show him how
combat, as one had to ride horses and shoot with tasty the rabbits on his land were. When the
bow and arrow. In the novel one finds reference to landlord finally agreed to go to lunch, the hunter
how the nobles who hunted spoke about hunting went out to try and shoot a rabbit for the next day’s
and boasted about their feats. There is also a meal, but he could not even find one. To save
reference to hunting with falcons as well as deer himself from the embarrassment, he went to a
and rabbit hunting (Galea 1939). Similar references friend of his and bought a farm rabbit off him, but
can be found in novels written by Emilio Lombardi, as he was about to kill the rabbit, it occurred to
in the early 1900s (Lombardi 1908, 1925, 1930, him that if the landlord would want to see the shot
1933). Such references, like those found in short holes, there would not be any to show him, so he
stories written in the 1940s and later published in took his gun and tied down the rabbit, then walked
a book by ÌuΩè Cassar Pullicino (1965), reinforce off to shoot at the rabbit from a distance. When the
the notion that hunting and trapping were part dust cleared after firing the shot, the rabbit was
and parcel of rural life at the time. The best poem gone as the hunter had hit the rope with which the
that shows how integrated hunting and trapping rabbit was tied.
were in Maltese life is an elegy written by Achille Some stories deal with shooting achievements.
Mizzi in memory of his young brother, a trapper An old hunter from Attard used to recount how in
who died at a young age. In the poem, the author his youth, Turtle Doves migrated “on four levels”,
speaks of remembering his father returning home one on the ground, one within shooting range,
from hunting in April, “smelling of Turtle Doves and another out of the guns’ reach and another high
gunpowder,” and of his brother at the trapping up in the sky. He was shooting close to Mellie˙a,
site. The poem ends by saying the author could when an older hunter advised him to stop shooting
still sometimes hear his brother softly saying at individual birds and shoot only at flocks.
“Ìojjini, Ìojjini,” (Linnets, Linnets); which is how He waited: “a flock came, I shot twice. I cannot
trappers always interrupted the conversation with recall how many I shot, but the land was covered
other people who happened to be with them in the with doves”, he used to say (Wenzu Attard pers.
hide when Linnets were heard. comm.). Another hunter used to boast of shooting
Recent references to hunting in literature so many larks with just two shots that he sent a
however have different traits and two novels deal friend of his, who asked him for a few larks to make
with aspects of hunting in a very different way. a pie, to the place he had just been shooting. The
In the first, an old man looks at stuffed birds in man collected half a sack of winged birds (Ganni
Images of hunters in Maltese art are very rare: Hunters feature in two of Jean Houel’s A unsigned watercolour of a Maltese sportsman and
paintings dating from the 1780s depicting monuments. In one of the paintings, hunters can be his dog, from the late 1800s. Other hunters can be
seen near the Ìgantija Temples in Gozo seen by the wall in the background
A Neapolitan school painting in a door in Palazzo Guarena in Qrendi A detail from Zimelli’s scene of the Grand Falconer
(c.1790) shows an officer speaking to a hunter, who is
seen holding a dead rabbit
SOCIAL ASPECTS 179
A hunter can be seen in the book by Willem Schellinks, who

kept a record of his voyage across Europe in 1664 - 1665
A detail of a hunter from a mid-19th century scene of Manoel island by Giorgio Pullicino
A hunter accompanied by a dog can be seen in a mid-

1700s Treasury manuscript
Another hunter from a panel of a door in Palazzo Guarena in Qrendi A detail from a contemporary painting by Eric Gerada
shows a hunter in Gozo
Borg pers. comm.). A hunter from Ûejtun recounts carrying an arquebus and accompanied by
that on one occasion, his brother was situated a dogs, is one of the figures one can see close to
short distance away from a Turtle Dove trapping the memorial fountain erected in honour of Grand
site. A flock of Turtle Doves alighted in a carob tree Master Wignacourt opposite the the Capuchin
next to the nets. Another flock swooped down from Convent in Floriana.
the sky and settled in the same tree, and another Another hunter can be seen in a detail from a
flock, and another one swarmed into the tree, manuscript Malta religiosa e benedetta, written
which was crowded in such a way that another by a Carmelite Friar in 1722. A hunter can be
flock could not find space to alight and the whole seen with a gun across his shoulder, a game bag
flock of birds flew through the trapping site. The and a dog in a drawing showing the landscape at
trapper flicked the nets, but there were so many Bin©emma, with its rock hewn tombs (Zahra De
Turtle Doves that they lifted his nets back. Even so, Domenico 2002). Another hunter can be seen in a
there were so many birds that 13 doves got caught mid-1700s Treasury manuscript. In a watercolour
when the nets were thrown back in their original showing some of the property of the Order, a well
position (Paul Vella pers. comm.). These narrations dressed man can be seen holding a long-barrelled
have very little literary value and no morals. But gun on his shoulder. He is accompanied by a dog
they are more than simply fantastic statements (NLM 290B). The way the man is dressed shows
which have value for the hunters who narrate them that he is unlikely to be Maltese.
and for those who like to listen to them, and they Hunters feature in two of Jean Houel’s paintings
show that many birds were simply more common depicting monuments (1780s). In one of the
a mere fifty years ago. Very often, such stories are paintings, two hunters can be seen shooting at
the basis of conversations between hunters and flying birds while another is loading his muzzle
such stories are repeated ad nauseam in village loader and nine dogs run around the remains of
bars, but most die with their narrators. an old tower on the road between Marsaxlokk and
Gudja (Ferraro 1989).
In another painting featuring Phoenician remains
Hunting in art at Xag˙ra, three hunters are seen talking to each
other while a possible fourth may be stalking
In spite of the wealth of prehistoric remains in something on the left hand side. The three hunters
Malta, so far, no hunting scenes from these times have muzzle-loaders and one has the stick used
have come to light. This is not surprising at all since to press the powder while loading the gun in his
Evans (1959) noted that people in the first eight hands and another is seen wearing a sort of sword.
separate phases of the prehistoric occupation of Six dogs are also pictured. Most of the hunters in
these Islands had no metal for tools and weapons. Houel’s paintings can be seen carrying bags over
He also states that once the sea separated Malta their shoulders.
from Sicily, there could have been little attraction for The next time that one comes across a hunter
hunting societies. Both Evans (1959) and Bonanno is in Zimelli’s watercolour series of 20 Maltese
(1986) support the theory that the first societies in costumes and uniforms of the Order of St John.
Malta were already farmers who brought with them In one of these etchings, the Grand Falconer, the
domestic animals and seed supplies for cultivation. officer authorised to issue hunting licences and
The fact that the only weapons that may have been who had other hunting related responsibilities, is
used for hunting were just some sling stones and depicted. In the background there is a soldier of
two spearheads, indicates that hunting was not an the Falconer’s regiment talking to a hunter who is
important activity in prehistoric Malta. This view is holding a dead rabbit (Zimelli c.1790).
further strengthened by the lack of finds of wild The series of watercolours depicting the
animal bones. excavations of the Ìgantija Temples, in Gozo,
Apart from the falconry scene and the hunter by Charles Brocktorff, shows hunters in different
with a cross-bow from the 14th century, the first situations (Brocktorff c.1830). In one of the paintings
time we see a hunter is in one of the drawings by two smartly dressed hunters, carrying guns and the
Three hunters feature in Willem Schellinks, who kept a record of his voyage hunting bag, are seen walking next to each other and
pencil sketches published in
The Illustrated Sporting and
across Europe in 1664-1665, a voyage which also talking. In another scene, a hunter is sitting down
Dramatic News in 1879 brought him to Malta. The well-dressed hunter, while another is standing behind him and both are
talking to each other. A dog lies down next to the shooters in the background, two sitting and one
hunter who is sitting on a large boulder. The hunter shooting at a flock of four birds (ducks?). As in
is seen carrying hunting a bag similar to the one Brocktorff’s other paintings, the way the gentlemen
carried by the hunter in Zimelli’s work. are dressed show they are unlikely to be Maltese.
The third scene is the most dynamic one as it The painting has a lot of detail; the man is smoking
shows a hunter shooting at six birds (doves?), of a pipe and wearing a smart hat and a scarf. He
which two can be seen falling to the ground. A local also carries a game bag which has a net for dead
is seen standing and pointing towards the birds, next game and has a powder flask tucked under a belt
to the man who is shooting while the dog, shown and is pointing the way to his dog.
lying down in another painting, is here seen on its In another mid-19th century painting, a hunter
hind legs, rushing in the direction of the falling birds. walking with a gun over his shoulder can be seen
All these hunters in Brocktorff’s works are details in an oil painting of Manoel Island by Giorgio
from an entire picture, which mostly shows various Pullicino. Pullicino painted a number of panoramic
A ‘gentleman hunter’ from parts and aspects of the Ìgantija Temples and the views of the Maltese Islands, primarily intended for
the late 1800s, by Giuseppe excavations which were going on at the time. In the the souvenir market (Buhagiar 1988). The hunter in
Calleja
watercolour where the hunter is seen shooting, which this painting is one of five characters that may be
is by far the most extensive hunting scene of all, the seen in the foreground.
hunting scene itself takes up less than one tenth of A number of churches and chapels have large
the entire watercolour. Hunters feature in only three collections of ex-voto paintings which are given to
of the watercolours forming the whole volume. the church by a person who would have received
A hunter appears in the distance in a mid-1800s a favour after making a vow to the saint to whom the
watercolour of the Grand Harbour by P.A. De particular church is dedicated. Most of the ex-votos
Angelis (De Piro 1988), while an English-looking represent people saved from disasters, accidents
“Maltese sportsman” features in an undated and or miraculous healing. A single late 18th century oil
unsigned watercolour, attributed to Brocktorff. The on wood ex-voto painting featuring a hunter used to
late 1800s painting, shows hunter and his skinny exist at the Church of Santa Marija tal-Providenza in
dog in the foreground, and features three more Si©©iewi, but it was stolen along with other paintings.
The only thing which remains of this painting is a
Top right: Hunters feature
as part of the landscape description: a hunter kneeling in prayer, with his
in several plates by Sonny arms crossed on his breast. His shotgun drops and
Xuereb, himself a hunter. accidentally fires, wounding a passing peasant
This one, entitled shooting,
woman returning from the fields with her husband.
was selected for the
exhibition The hunt and the She lies prostrate on the ground while the farmer,
nature in present day art at who carries a hoe and a spade on his shoulders,
Tilbury’s Art Gallery, Belgium bends over her. The Virgin and Child appear above
in 1989
them among bright clouds (Buhagiar 1983).
Representations of hunters in pencil sketches are
as rare as representations in other forms of art. A
set of pencil sketches featuring hunters appeared
in The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News in
Bottom right: Watercolours 1879. unfortunately there is very little information
by various artists
occasionally feature hunters. about the sketches, except that they are from the
This is one such painting by pencil of Captain Nortcote, of the 101st Fusiliers.
Kenneth Zammit Tabona There are five sketches on a tabloid, the largest of
which represents an angler catching grey mullet.
Another shows a Maltese boat while the other
three depict hunters. One shows “peasants
shooting pigeons” from boats. This method of
A hunter from a vignette from hunting was described by Ciantar (1774). Another
a four page description of “a shows a hunter “waiting for daybreak for flights of
Subaltern’s first impressions
of Malta” dating from around quail” while the last one shows a Gozo peasant
1885 after beccaficos (Garden Warblers)
SOCIAL ASPECTS 183
A pencil sketch of a gentleman hunter is found

in a book about the artist Giuseppe Calleja. The
sketch is dated late 1800s and depicts a certain
Mr P. Dimech in his hunting attire (Calleja 1992).
In those times, hunting was still a prerogative of
the upper classes and from the way the gentleman
portrayed is dressed, it is evident that the he hailed
from the upper class.
A hunter features in a four page description
of “A Subaltern’s first impressions of Malta”
containing 31 vignettes from life in Malta around
1885. The nine by seven centimetre vignette
shows a hunter drawn in the same manner as the
“curry puff vendor”, “milk seller” and one of the
fishermen seen on the boats in the same narrative
feature. The account says that it was rather dull
for those “unfortunate ones posted in one of the
outlying forts of the island”. The officer says that
if posted at Delimara Fort, relief from this dullness
can be sought by watching fisherman “while the
sight of a Maltese sportsman who has spotted
the first quail of the season is sufficient to raise
great hopes of making a change in the everyday
relaxations by securing a big bag of these oily
birds, which when cooked in oriental fashion with
rice, furnish a most agreeable change of diet at
the mess-table.” The drawing says little about
hunters, except that they used game bags similar
to the ones seen in Brocktorff’s paintings. Such
game bags are still in use today. Like the dog in
the 1700’s manuscript, the dog featured next to
the hunter has no resemblance to a retriever or
pointer used today.
A rather interesting sketch is the one by Dudley
Hardy in The Sketch of 1906. “Patience rewarded —
A study of a Maltese sportsman” is the title of a pencil
drawing of a hunter lying on the ground and taking
aim at a bird on a telegraph wire. This drawing shows
that the habit of shooting birds perched on overhead
wires dates back quite a few years. This drawing
again shows a hunter with a game bag and the way
the hunter is dressed shows that he is likely to be a
working class man (The Sketch June 13 1906).
Hunting in contemporary art
Apart from hunters, hunting dogs feature on a

number of paintings, perhaps the best of which
is represented in an early 1900s painting called
Caccia by Giuseppe Calì (De Piro 1988). A pointer
is seen searching for game in a typical setting.
A piece featuring hunters by Catherine Cavallo
Hombre by Salvu Mallia, is in the collection of the National

Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta
Anthony Calleja used mixed media to make an anti-hunting statement with his art. This
piece, painted in 1994, is entitled G˙aliex l-indifferenza (Why does indifference abound?)
and superimposes parts of a decoy bird cage and the rims of spent cartridges on a rural
Hunters feature as part of the landscape in several paintings landscape and highlights the degradation of the environment in various ways, including
that show rural life. Here a detail by Charles Palmier hunting
SOCIAL ASPECTS 185
Although one expects portraits of hunters to be life in the Maltese Islands’ by Saviour Xuereb. In
common, especially bearing in mind a large the plate for the months of January and February,
proportion of the number of hunting enthusiasts a hunter is part of a winter scene at G˙ajn Ri˙ana
hailed from wealthy families, such portraits are Valley. Another hunter is seen in the March/April
rare. The same can be said for local representation plate. The hunter here is seen sitting beneath a
of dead game. The best known portrait is an rubble wall. Both plates bear the date 1991. Another
undated oil painting by Willie Apap depicting the shooter features as a detail on the plate featuring
Marquis Joe Scicluna wearing a hunting belt and doves and pigeons (Xuereb 1991 pl. 54).
accompanied by his hunting dog. He holds a twin- An undated painting reproduced with a write up
barrelled shotgun in the “noble” way: the gun is by Kilin features two hunters in the foreground.
unloaded, broken and pointing downwards. The Both are holding guns and looking at a flock of
painting is believed to have been painted in the birds in the sky. The write up is an adaptation from
mid-1950s (Fiorentino and Grasso 1993). a Spanish book and speaks of migrating ducks
A number of local artists have attempted to paint (Spiteri, M. 1991).
natura morta, but their subjects are almost always Watercolours by various artists occasionally
foreign. The closest one to a local scene is also feature hunters as part of the landscape, but the
copied as it contains what looks like a thrush and accuracy of such works show that the artists are
a Redwing hanging together with a bird which not conversant with hunting practices. Some still
looks like a Roller in the background (Spiteri 1993). feature hunters with muzzle loading shotguns,
While the first two are winter visitors, the latter is a such as the one by Kenneth Zammit Tabona.
spring and autumn visitor. Also, the birds are hung The various inaccuracies, even in the way the
in the same way game is hung on the continent, a gun is depicted, show that the artist has very little
method which is not used locally. knowledge of the subject. Zammit Tabona has
Two more hunters feature in a book which is a been described as “an incurable romantic” who
compilation of 80 individually published plates portrays “jolly settings” where “Even hunters seem
by Saviour (Sonny) Xuereb, who is a hunter. The to sport a blissful serenity on their faces, out of
plate on the title page of the book, a scene called keeping with the reality of their activity. I suppose
“shooting”, was selected for the exhibition ‘The their avian victims end up having a liking for them
hunt and nature in present day art’ at Tilbury’s Art too! (Fiorentino 1995).
Gallery, Belgium in 1989. In the painting, a hunter is Other artists depict real life scenes with plenty
shooting at a Mallard while what looks like a tourist of detail, like the one by the late Eric Gerada. The
is filming a Red Kite (Xuereb 1991). Two individual watercolour is very accurate both in terms of the
hunters feature in a 1993 calendar called ‘Country landscape depicted as well as the hunter. But it
Crib figures feature various

hunters. They come in clay,
plaster as well as plastic
does not make any statements and is more like a Hunters in pictorial maps
snapshot of a place in time, than anything else. Like
contemporary poets, modern artists have begun up to the late 1970s, Maltese hunters featured
making anti-hunting statements in their art as well. also in a number of pictorial maps of the Islands.
In an apt piece entitled G˙aliex l-indifferenza (Why These maps are mainly for tourist consumption and
does indifference abound?), Anthony Calleja uses feature attractions and items of particular interest
mixed media and superimposes parts of a decoy to tourists such as lace making, carnival, traditional
bird cage and the rims of spent cartridges on a ploughing methods, churches, temples and
rural landscape where a peasant girl is working catacombs as well as sailing and scuba diving.
in a field and highlights the degradation of the Hunters feature only in maps painted before the
environment in various ways, including hunting 1980s as the current trend in pictorial maps is to
(Calleja 1994). have birds depicted, and not hunters.
A very strong piece is the work Hombre by Salvu A shooter walking with his dog can be seen on
Mallia. This painting is now in the collection of the Gozo in a pictorial map by Renzo Borg Grech,
National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta. It depicts published by ABC Stationers and Printers. The
a bare breasted hunter, full of muscles, wearing a map is undated, but was in circulation in the 1970s.
kind of cap which is often worn by hunters. Smoke Three hunters feature in a map painted by Joseph
is seen coming out of the barrel of the five shot Cardona and first published by Joscar in 1959.
repeater shotgun he is holding. The hunter is seen Two of the hunters are at Xewkija and Ûebbu© on
wearing a cartridge belt and a flock of birds flows Gozo and another at Il-Kuncizzjoni in Malta. The
from the left to the right above his head. The birds map used to appear in the centre pages of the Air
in his line of vision are seen falling to the ground, Malta in flight magazine Malta this Month (1973).
where some already lie at the hunter’s feet (Mallia Another shooter can be seen near Ûebbu©,
1994). Gozo, in a 1991 map published by Advantage
A more recent work is the one painted by Advertising. The map used to appear in each issue
Catherine Cavallo in 1995 called Konservazzjonisti of the magazine Air Malta in flight Magazine (1979),
(conservationists). The painting formed part of an which replaced the Malta this Month paper. This
exhibition entitled ‘The opposite sex’ in July 1996 map has been replaced by another one in which
and shows a group of men, including a pot bellied live birds mark bird sanctuaries while hunters are
hunter, a pharaoh hound and two other men, one no longer depicted. It is interesting to point out that
of whom stands next to a hunters’ hide on which while hunters feature every now and then, trappers
the word tid˙olx (no entry) is painted. The painting never do.
was one of a series which the artist made for a
local bank, but the management refused it as
it was “controversial” (Catherine Cavallo pers. Satire - hunters in press cartoons
comm.). In the opinion of the artist, the painting is
“a fun poking piece of typical Maltese life”. Practically all local daily and Sunday papers publish
While on the subject of hunters in art, one cannot cartoons, which may be satirical and subtle or an
fail to mention the use of figurines of hunters in cribs. overt comment about a current event. Cartoons
In Malta, as in Italy and other parts of the world where are usually signed by pseudonyms or just initials.
cribs are made at Christmas time, one often comes Cartoonists in Malta paid far more attention to
across figures of hunters. In Malta, this custom was hunting than artists, and hunting-related cartoons
probably imported from Sicily, and these days one have begun to feature more regularly in press
finds all sorts of figures which were absent during the cartoons in the past few years.
times of Christ, such as the pizza maker. Figures of The majority of cartoons related to hunters in the
hunters with bows and arrows are sometimes seen, local press poke fun at them. Those dealing with
but it is more common to see hunters with guns, hunters and politicians are the next most common
Hunters used to feature
in pictorial maps of Malta, even though guns were not developed before the ones. Pro-hunting cartoons have never been
mostly aimed at the tourist 13th century after the birth of Christ. One finds locally published in local news papers, not even in the
industry. However, such made crib figures of hunters made out of wax, clay monthly paper for shooters and fishermen Il-Passa.
maps no longer feature
and plaster. More recently, imported plastic figures A number of cartoons compare hunters to
hunters these days, but only
depict birds have flooded the market. primitive men. One such cartoon appeared as a
SOCIAL ASPECTS 187
Cartoons featuring hunters and EU membership were very

common, especially before EU membership. The shooting of
rare, protected birds, often features in the news and cartoons
about such items often follow. Cartoons that deal with hunters
blackmailing politicians with votes are also common. And when
several elections made it clear that hunters do not have the
lobby they boast about, a cartoon made a point about this too
paid advert in The Times by the environment group

Ûg˙azag˙ g˙all-Ambjent. It shows a pre-historic
man carrying a club and a dead bird. Next to him
was the same man dressed up as a hunter carrying
a gun and a dead bird of prey. The comment read:
“In primitive times it was a necessity, in modern
times, just brutality”.
The hunters’ attitude of blaming everything else
for the destruction of birds, except hunting was
represented in a cartoon in a satirical paper,
which is also no longer in circulation. In the
cartoon, an environmentalist is showing a hunter
a series of carcasses of birds starting with the
Jackdaw, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Barn
Owl, and the hunter blames farmers, pesticides
and poison for their deaths. In the last frame, the
hunter says that as he does not have any of them
in his collection, and he was willing to buy them
and asks about the price.
When the shooting of protected species is years after the death of the saint around whom
reported in the press, cartoons about the same the legend centres. In Malta too there is one
topic are often published. The hunters’ argument such legend which is interpreted as associating
citing the bible as giving man dominion over all religion with hunting. An apparition of the Virgin
creatures became a cartoon subject which is a Mary to a hunter is said to have taken place
variation of the famous Michelangelo painting before 1452, but the legend about it was written
of God creating Adam. But God is seen giving about 220 years later by Fr. F. M. Azzopardo. One
Adam a shotgun. According to the cartoon, the must point out that the legend, which talks about
new revised bird shooters’ version of the bible a dream and not an apparition, is recorded in
reads “And God blessed man saying increase Azzopardo’s manuscript of 1670.
and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and The legend goes that two noble youths, who
rule over the fishes of the sea and massacre the were also hunters, left their houses at Mdina and
fowls of the air (for sport) and all living creatures went hunting as usual. When they arrived at the
that move upon the earth”. place where the hallowed cave is found, they
The cartoons associating hunting with politics saw a rabbit, which they tried to hunt. The rabbit
express the same concept that hunters blackmail dodged the hunters and their dogs by going into
politicians with votes and that some politicians try a hole in the cave. Both hunters did their best to
to please hunters in return for votes. In a number make the rabbit re-emerge, but with no success.
of cartoons, hunters are seen holding the leaders One of the hunters gave up and left, while the
of the political parties at gunpoint. other decided that he should catch the rabbit and
Several cartoons drawn in the run up to Eu went into the cave. As he was very tired, he lay
membership featured hunters. All cartoons on down to rest. The other hunter waited for him at
this subject expressed the basic concept that the usual place where they used to meet to go
hunters oppose Eu membership because of the home together, but he waited in vain. He went
stricter rules Malta would have to adopt. looking for him at his parents’ house, but he was
not there.
They were very worried and after he failed to
Of saints and legends return after three days, they thought that he had
died. It so happened that after fifteen months,
Apart from the calendar of saints, there is another while the other shooter was passing in front of the
link between hunting and religion. A number of cave, he saw his friend walking out of the cave. At
religious legends are linked to hunting, even first he thought it was a ghost or an illusion, but he
though these legends often emerged many soon realised that it was his friend he was seeing.
SOCIAL ASPECTS 189
He was surprised to hear him say that he had

slept for a few hours when he knew he had
been missing for fifteen months. He was even
more surprised to hear that he had seen a noble
looking well dressed lady holding a child. And
this vision made him feel certain sweet feelings
and he could not but conclude that the lady was
the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God (Nastasi
and Fsadni 1957).
After the ‘apparition’, the Maltese placed an
image of Our Lady in the crypt, and later the
Dominicans decorated the walls with various
paintings. The original paintings have been
destroyed by dampness through time. The mosaic
medallions which are in place include one of Our
Lady and a sleeping hunter. They are the work of
a Maltese artist and were made at the turn of this
century (Fsadni 1980).
Birds, trappers and trapping
As shown earlier, trapping was practiced in various

forms for various types of birds, most of which
used to be consumed. Finch trapping became a
popular pastime during the past sixty years. The
licence for the use of the clap-nets as we know it
today was introduced in 1932. The most popular
birds with trappers were finches with the Linnet
and Greenfinch, also because they were the most
commonly caught birds. But all other finches were
trapped, with Chaffinch, Serin and Siskin as well
as Goldfinch and Hawfinch being much sought.
Bramblings are sometimes trapped and some
trappers also trap Dunnocks. Crossbills, which
irrupt from time to time, are also trapped.
Turtle Dove trappers usually kept a live decoy Zammit, one of the only eight elected members of Hunters fired blank cartridges
in the feasts of Saint Julian,
Ortolan Bunting, as these mostly appeared in April the Council of Government at the time, spoke in
Our Lady of Victories in
and May. As with everything else in life, some Parliament against the protection of the Short-toed Mellie˙a and during the feast
trappers developed a liking for a particular species Lark, stating that “the wool-carders of the village of of il-Madonna tal-G˙ar in
more than another and one can find trappers who in Ûurrieq would die of want, being deprived of their Rabat
April were virtually obsessed with Ortolan Buntings means of subsistence during the months in which
and were prepared to pay relatively large sums of they are unemployed” (Debates of the Council of
money for a single bird. One hears of cases where Government 1916).
a person paid Lm120 (€280) for a single bird in At that time, even birds such as Linnets, today
1995, when a man’s weekly wage was around treasured as songbirds by the trappers, used to
Lm40 (€94). Hawfinches fetched Lm15 (€35) to be eaten and Despott (1917) wrote that it was said
Lm60 (€140), Linnets Lm5 (€12) to Lm15 (€35). that many persons earned a living by capturing
A hundred years ago, Short-toed Larks were finches.
an important source of meat as flocks of them Finch trapping as a pastime gradually increased
could be trapped and when the bird was about and the number of trapping sites increased greatly
to be declared protected in 1916, Giuseppe as people started having more free time. In former
times, every patch of soil was cultivated and this Yellow Wagtails were used as fluttering decoys,
restricted further the number of trapping sites as an incredible amount of cruelty was involved. Two
trapping sites were situated only on garigue areas primary feathers were plucked from their wings,
or on land which could not be cultivated. Today, knotted together and the quills were passed
many trapping sites are found in what used to through the bird’s nostrils. They were then attached
be prime arable land which is no longer tilled or to the stick which rose each time the trapper pulled
where, if still tilled, adequate space is left for the it. It did not matter to trappers that the birds would
trapping site. often die after a very short time as they were going
However, the number of trapping sites increased to be consumed and many of them were caught.
considerably. In Gozo, for example, there were However this was practiced up to about 80 years
over one thousand six hundred finch trapping ago and trappers these days are always seeing
Trappers care for their sites in 1989 while in 1944 their number was less ways to make birds “more comfortable”.
song birds and spend a
lot of money on food and than a hundred (Joe M. Attard pers. comm.). Finch Trappers are more committed to their pastime
medicines to try and keep trapping is a time consuming activity and the age then hunters are. While a hunter’s job, on returning
them in the best condition structure of trappers shows that it is mainly older home, is simply to clean hid gun and stow away the
possible and retired people who have more time, who things he was using, a trapper has to sort out the
practice it most. Nylon nets, which were introduced birds, clean and feed them and give them water.
in the mid-fifties for fishing, created a revolution in A trapper’s job is more labour intensive than a
bird trapping because they were more convenient hunter’s because he has to take care of the decoys
to use as they were much less fragile than those all year round. unlike hunters who can move
made of hemp which were in use at that time. Nets around if they do not see anything in their area,
became more readily available, and at a much trappers have to stay in their hides and wait. They
cheaper price too. have to set up and dismantle nets and store their
Statistics of trapping licences shed some light decoys. In the past, nets were set up and removed
about how the number of trappers has grown, each time. These days most leave their nets on the
and though one can argue that not everyone paid netting sites. Trappers’ main source of satisfaction
their licence fees in the past, the same can be is being in the countryside, listening to the song of
said these days. In 1936, that is four years after their decoys, and they live in hope that birds would
the licence to use a clap net was introduced, come their way.
700 people held such a licence. The number of Some trappers try to breed finches. Many are
licence holders in 1990 stood at 1,528. Many of very successful with Greenfinches but success
the trappers have several trapping sites, some of with other finches remains rather elusive. This is
which can be operated from the same hide, and due to many factors, but the main two reasons are
that partly explains why there are some 5,300 lack of adequate facilities, as birds would need to
trapping sites. have longer daylight hours before the breeding
Trappers in general tend to care a lot for their season to get them in breeding condition, and a
birds. The only cruelty that is still practiced is the deficiency in their diet, both for the adult birds as
placing of birds in dark boxes in late summer to well as their young.
induce the birds to moult so that they will sing Several of those who started the conservation
in autumn too. The process, known as inkaxxar, movement in Malta were hunters and
which literally means placing the birds in boxes, trappers themselves. It is therefore baffling and
took place from 29th June to mid-August. The incomprehensible that instead of trying to involve
practice was popular in Italy too, but bird keepers hunters and trappers in some projects to introduce
there have found ways to induce moult by gradually them to conservation and to gain their commitment,
reducing or increasing light in their aviaries on a opposition remains strong and unwavering,
daily basis to alter their internal clocks, rather than depriving these people of the opportunity to be
keeping them in boxes for six weeks. able to enjoy birds in a more positive way than they
Earlier this century, finches were tied by the are doing now and to contribute to conservation in
leg instead of being harnessed. When pipits or a concrete way.
THE WAY FORWARD 191
The Way Forward
Birds: the common factor considerably less, but then they tend to shoot
thrushes. Other hunters are keen on wildfowl and
Birds are the most important common factor linking other shore birds. Some, living close to valleys or
hunters and bird watchers. Without birds, neither who have hunting grounds close to areas with water,
bird watchers nor bird hunters and trappers would develop a liking for hunting crakes and snipes.
exist. This seems an obvious statement to make, While some hunters derive part of their fun by
but it seems that it has been taken for granted for eating their quarry, most of the hunting which
so many years. It may sound strange but hunters takes place is sport hunting and most hunters
and trappers as well as birdwatchers love birds. have collections of stuffed birds. Stuffed bird
It is the way in which such affection is expressed collections can be grouped in three broad
that makes a world of difference. categories: small to medium sized collections of
Birdwatchers love to see birds in the wild and between a few to about 150 to 200 birds. These
in the hand too, because they often assist in bird- collections are usually kept as trophies and would
ringing sessions. Hunters like to hunt, an activity consist almost exclusively of birds shot by the
with many rituals involving waking, thinking, hunter himself and may include some specimens
waiting, talking as well as learning about the killed by other members of his family. There are
birds – which end up being their victims. Hunting collections which can contain more birds and
can take many forms and though the quarry list which contain birds shot by the hunter himself
in Malta is rather restricted, one still finds hunters as well as others bought or exchanged. Such
who prefer to specialise and choose what to hunt. collections often include imported specimens,
Hence in spring, when one could hunt both Turtle especially of species that seldom occur locally.
Dove and Quail, there were hunters who hunted These two types of collections usually contain
almost exclusively Quail. larger birds, game birds and colourful birds. Then
Turtle Doves were hunted by the vast majority there are a few collections which have well over
of hunters and the fever that grew in the air at the 500 specimens which often contain examples of
onset of the spring hunting season, has to be seen both male and female as well as juveniles of the
and experienced to be believed. same species and which would also contain the
Those who hunted Quail in spring, hunted Quail small species. Rare species are avidly sought,
in autumn too, and most of them would also be even when these involve small birds.
fond of hunting Woodcock, because the latter too Taxidermy, introduced to Malta by the early
involves the use of trained dogs. Those who hunted hunter ornithologists, is one of the causes why so
Turtle Doves in spring would again hunt the same many protected birds are killed and is often also
species in autumn, where the numbers seen are the reason behind hunting trips abroad.
Seeing and handling live Trappers too had similar patterns to hunters, but the one situated a few metres away has to wait
birds of prey at falconry
trappers do not like to kill birds but enjoy catching for his turn to kill one, with bird watching, many
shows can instill an
appreciation towards birds of and keeping them in aviaries and cages. Though can see the same bird at the same time and the
prey in people of all ages trappers are usually banded into a single group, bird can be left for others to see and enjoy too.
here too one finds specialists. Most liked to trap But there have been instances where sightings
finches, and until recently, finch trappers were of rare species were kept hidden from other bird
Visitors to Kevin’s park can active in both spring and autumn. watchers under the pretence that revealing its
see local as well as exotic Some liked to trap Turtle Doves in spring. Some presence could actually lead to it being shot.
species old trappers enjoyed trapping Quail in both spring
and autumn. A few liked to trap Golden Plover in
autumn and winter. A negligible number of trappers Catering for different needs
trapped thrushes and Starlings. In trapping all the
above-mentioned species, clap nets were used, Knowing what the underlying issues are, one can
except for Quail, for which different nets were set out a number of solutions which, over time,
used. Very few still trap Robins by means of traps, might spearhead the way forward in the area of
even though this is illegal. Spring hunting is over, hunting, trapping and conservation. There is no
and while hunters can still hunt rabbits in summer one simple solution and for some, whatever may be
and some species of birds in autumn and winter, proposed and done, would never be enough. But
trappers have nothing to do to be close to birds. when one looks at past campaigns that have taken
Finding alternatives for such people, who have place since 1962 and looks at the membership
been heavily immersed in such activities for a of BirdLife Malta and other environment groups
very long time, will go a long way to involve these and the number of hunters and trappers, one
people in meaningful actions. can only conclude that though campaigns by
Birdwatchers, bird photographers and environmentalists, and here I include myself, have
conservationists, on the other hand, have different sensitised public opinion, they did little to help in
needs. A conservationist wants to ensure the birds changing hunters attitudes, except to corner them
remain alive and free, even though one may not and make them more aggressive.
necessarily be involved in regular bird watching One may argue that one can never know how many
or photography. Bird watchers are interested in potential hunters have been converted through
The Barn Owl, a program for ticking off rare species and keeping lists of birds such campaigns, which is a valid argument. But
its reintroduction should be
entrusted in the hands of observed. There is an element of hidden pique the fact is that the number of hunters has grown
hunters as it would help in between birdwatchers too. While in hunters this is from under 5,000 in the 1950s to around 16,000.
the change of mentality more overt, and once a bird is killed by a hunter, Hence, no matter how successful the campaigns
were for many, these have failed to do much to
change attitudes in existing hunters.
In the past, discussions between the Malta
Ornithological Society, the forerunner of BirdLife
Malta, and hunters used to centre on striking an
agreement about which birds could be hunted and
which should be protected. Needless to say, these
discussions took the form of a negotiating process,
with hunters asking for species which were not
game, such as Swifts, and conservationists
attempting to nibble at species considered as
game by hunters, such as some duck and wader
species. Needless to say, these talks always failed.
I do not profess to have any magic formulae but I
believe that it is high time hunters and trappers are
seriously engaged in conservation work because it
would not only help them appreciate wildlife more,
but it would also make them more responsible and
better in many ways. It is all a matter of ownership
THE WAY FORWARD 193
and co-operation. As history has shown us,

imposition by any one of the groups is bound to fail.
Hunters should be engaged in re-introduction
programmes of species such as the Barn Owl,
which was exterminated in the 1980s. Hunters
should be involved in it not as an act of penitence,
because it was hunters who killed them off, but to
give them ownership of such a project. If hunters
do it, they will protect the birds with their dear lives.
If environmentalists do it, the birds will be killed as
a form of vendetta. Hunters should be encouraged
and helped to do it and everyone will learn from
such a process.
If the reintroduction of Barn Owls is successful,
one can consider other species such as Kestrels,
which are also easy to breed, as well as Peregrines
and Jackdaws, which, like the Barn Owl, were
exterminated from Malta because of hunting.
Malta now has a falconry centre and it is the
dream of Rene Scicluna, the owner, to start such
breeding programs. Scicluna is a former hunter
who wanted to set up the centre to create more
awareness about birds of prey by offering people,
including hunters, the possibility of seeing and
handling such birds, which are so avidly sought
by so many hunters. There are now several people
interested in falconry in Malta and attempts are
being made to start flying these birds in Malta too.
Expected initial conflicts have taken place, when
hunters shoot falconers’ birds. But it will be a short
matter of time before such senseless shooting
stops.
Some alternatives
The collectors’ mentality and the craze for

taxidermy can be tackled through the introduction
and encouragement of creative arts such as decoy
carving. Hunters in most European countries as
well as the united States and Canada used to make
their own decoys with which they lured birds. In
many countries, decoy bird making has developed
into an art and several makers these days make
very realistic bird carvings as well as stylised forms.
There is no reason why Maltese hunters as well as
bird lovers would not be able to produce works
such as these, and with a little practice, one can
reach satisfactory levels in such carvings.
In the uK, there is the British Decoy and Wildfowl
Carvers Association which also organises decoy
carving courses. Through a cursory look at
Decoy carving can help wean their website, one can see realistic carvings by
some from collecting stuffed
birds. Here, French master
carvers such as Chris Hine, Frank Hayward, Ian
carver Christian Belmas Morrison, Dave Welham and Derek Richards.
works on a duck. Below, There are a number of carvers in other European
some of his life-like carvings coutries. Christian Belmas and his son Joachim,
are amongst the best carvers in France. It could
perhaps be a good idea to try and get someone
versed in the art of decoy making to give a few
courses in Malta to get such carving going here
too and then keep it alive by organising carving
contests and continuing to get foreign expertise
from time to time to establish the practice further.
Bird photography as well as painting and drawing
should be actively encouraged. There are already
a handful of birdwatchers who take photos of birds
locally but more people should be encouraged to do
so, especially hunters themselves. For those who are
artistically inclined, encouraging painting of wildlife,
especially wild birds, can also be an incentive.
Whatever one does, there will still be people
interested in shooting and hunting. One can help
curb the urge to shoot by encouraging more trap
shooting ranges, where shooting at clay pigeons
is practised. There are a number of trap and skeet
ranges but there are no official sporting ranges.
In these ranges, one can have clay pigeons flying
from different directions as one walks along certain
paths. These are usually triggered by sensors, and
to make the ‘hunt’ more challenging, one can have
different coloured clays and shooters would be
informed which they could shoot and which they
could not. This would stress the notion that one is
not allowed to shoot at anything that flies.
Encouraging breeding of game species such
as Partridge, Quail and Pheasant could provide
hunters who like to hunt with dogs with some
alternatives to hunting in spring. Most of such
game shot abroad is actually reared and released
and there is no reason why such schemes should
not be encouraged in Malta too.
Hunters should be encouraged to go back in
time and instead of using new technology, heavy
loads and electronic gadgets, they should go
back to shotguns capable of only two shots and
to use mouth blown or hand operated bird calls
instead of electronic ones. In the united States,
duck call making and duck calling contests are
held each year. There is no reason why plover
and Quail calling contests would not be organised
here. Hunters have to be encouraged to show off
their skills, and it pays them to show that their only
skill is not just in marksmanship.
THE WAY FORWARD 195
Bird trappers can be involved in bird ringing

activities and one could start with Turtle Dove
and Quail trappers, as most of these are not
really interested in keeping the doves and Quails
they catch but derive their fun from catching
them. To encourage the trappers to release all
the birds they catch, one can have schemes to
send trappers whose birds are caught abroad to
nature parks in the area where there birds were
recovered to help them realise both the distances
birds have to travel as well as to make them more
aware of environmental issues. If such a project is
successful, one can extend it to other species and
involve trappers in ringing other birds as well. In
the past, trappers caught large numbers of Tree
Pipits, Yellow Wagtails and Short-toed Larks. Pipits
and wagtails were often eaten while the larks were
kept as songbirds. Since they became protected,
most trappers lost interest in trapping such
species. Such species can easily be trapped to captive-bred birds, Kevin has been releasing a In Friesland, in north of The
Netherlands, plover trappers
be ringed if ringing stations are set up, thus giving substantial number of birds. Between 2004 and
were turned into ringers
trappers a chance to enjoy their pastime, and at 2007, he reckons he must have released close when the Golden Plover
the same time, contribute to science, as happened to 600 Moorhens, a number that no reserve has became protected in the
with the Dutch plover trappers, who were turned matched to date. 1970s
into ringers. Black-winged Stilt, Coot, Great Reed Warbler,
Both the Malta Falconry Centre, the recently set Spotted Flycatcher, have all bred in the wild
up Fridericus Rex Malta Falconers as well as Kevin in Kevin’s Bird Park. Little Crakes probably
Mallia, a young man who has a private aviary and bred there in 2009 as adult birds where seen
who is breeding a host of species in captivity, displaying and uttering alarm calls at the same
can be roped in projects to reintroduce breeding spot throughout summer. The number of wild
birds as well as to treat injured birds and use birds ducks and other birds that each year spend
unable to be released back to the wild for breeding several weeks at Kevin’s bird park surpasses the
purposes. At the moment, there is no specialised number of such birds that can be seen in nature
centre for treating injured birds in Malta and it is reserves.
absurd that birds that can’t fly again because of Bird watching should be actively encouraged
their injuries are often simply put down instead of and people can be urged to install bird tables, on
allowing them to be kept at bird parks where they which scraps of bread and food can be laid out for
can be used in either captive breeding projects or birds. In doing so, people will soon realise that it
for educational purposes. is not just sparrows that they can get in their back
There is space and a value of having a bird park gardens, but other birds too.
in Malta too. The fact that Little Egrets bred on top Involving hunters in running of nature reserves
of an aviary forming part of Kevin Mallia’s bird park and inviting them to watch rare species could also
near Salina in 2007 and 2008, shows that such be a key to thawing hearts. As things stand, hunters
projects can benefit wildlife. Little Egrets breed stay and watch from outside the reserves when
in colonies and the wild birds that attempted to there is anything worth seeing inside. Treating
breed on top of Kevin’s aviary would have never hunters like normal human beings can help to start
attempted to do so were it not for the captive bred bridging the ever widening gap.
colony that Kevin has inside. Today’s technology facilitates the diffusion of
In this private park, a pair or two of Little Bittern information and the use of web cams and digital
have been breeding annually for the past four cameras at nests and putting real time images
years. Moorhens have also been breeding in on the web can also help give people an insight
considerable numbers in the area, and from the into the world of birds. Courses and lectures to
hunters about migration can help in changing

attitudes too. unfortunately the only literature
that exists specifically for hunters and trappers
hardly has any real educational value and
keeps reinforcing certain attitudes. Literature by
conservation groups, on the other hand, is too
technical for hunters and is seen as containing too
many anti hunting statements. Literature aimed
specifically at educating hunters about birds, both
those considered by hunters as game, as well
as protected ones, can help change mentalities
and attitudes. Hunters are unfortunately victims of
their own myths and keep repeating them, at the
expense of the birds.
Politics, politics and more politics
Politics with a small p dominates both environment

groups and hunting organisations. Environment
groups try to give the impression that they are
a united front, while deep down they are riven
by rivalry and constantly compete for funds
and publicity. Hunters’ organisations are split
as well, with some organisations sitting on the
fence and blaming the government and the other
organisation for everything else. Encouraging
hunting organisations to work together towards a
common goal rather than allowing the pique and
drive for members to prevail, might eventually help.
Politicians and political parties too have an
important role to play. Now that Malta is in the Eu
and the Birds Directive has to be adhered to, it is
pointless for a party to blame the other to score
points. Instead, parties should work together so
that the message against illegal hunting would be
loud and clear and parties can work together in
formulating a plan for a common way forward. In
this way, no party can be blackmailed with votes.
Changing the regulations in a way to ensure that
persistent lawbreakers, and those caught with
protected birds, lose their licence for life, can send
the message there is zero tolerance.
Some may shrug off these ideas as ‘head in the
air idealism’. Perhaps they are. But given that all
Tony Zarb, a keen Maltese trapper, releases a Golden past efforts and campaigns have not really led
Plover, he had just ringed during a visit to Dutch plover anywhere, new ways have to be tried. If they fail, at
trappers in 2008 least we would have tried. But the effort has to be
Hans Hut, one of the leading Dutch wildlife photographers,
genuine and I feel the will on the part of a number
stalks a Redshank. Photography can provide an of hunters and trappers is already there. There is
alternative to those who want to collect birds in a different no utopia anywhere and Malta will never be one.
way But if we don’t try, we can’t begin to succeed.
The Birds of Malta
Mute Swan Greylag Goose
Anatidae Bean Goose in December 1973 all at Gozo. In a bid to

Anser fabalis verify that the taxidermist had made the
WiΩΩa tal-Ful correct identification, efforts were made to
Mute Swan trace these birds in collections in Gozo, but
Cygnus olor Uiss 4, Uizza Salvaggia 8, 10, 11, 12, Wizza these efforts failed.
Çinju Mutu salvaggia 9, WiΩΩa salvaggia 13, 15, WiΩΩa A single bird was recorded in Birding
salva©©a 14, 16, 17, WiΩΩa tal-Ful 18, 19. World on 20th December 2001 at Gozo,
Zin 4, 12, Cin, Zin 8, Zinna 9, Czinna 10, Zinna but again, no information about this
impiriala 11, Zinna bajda 13, Ûinna bajda 14, Vagrant. Recorded a few times, sometimes record was given. Records of this species
Çinju Mutu 15, 17, 18, 19, Çinja, Çina 20. in flocks of around 40 birds. All records are should be treated with caution unless
in winter. a substantiated record is obtained. A
Very rare but a few birds are seen almost One on Comino on 10th January 1968. number of birds exist in local collections,
each year from December to January. Taxidermists’ records show that two given but these have been imported, mostly
Singles are usually seen but parties and as “locality unknown” on 17th February from the uK.
small flocks have been recorded. 1968 in Sultana et al. (1975), were actually The Pink-footed Goose breeds in eastern
For instance, in 1993 a flock of about shot in Qala, Gozo a month before, on 17th Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. It is
25 was seen at G˙adira Bay on 10th January 1968. One was shot in Malta on migratory, wintering in northwest Europe,
January and a party of 9 was seen off the 20th December 2002. especially Great Britain, The Netherlands,
rocks at G˙allis on 11th January. A flock The Bean Goose breeds in north and western Denmark. It is a rare vagrant
of 13 was observed off Delimara Point Scandinavia and Siberia and winters in west to European countries and as far south as
on 12th December 1995. A flock of 11 and central Europe, Iran, China and Japan. the Azores and the Canary Islands.
on 20th December 2001 was seen from
various localities from Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq to
Marsaxlokk, then 9 on 20th January 2002 at Pink-footed Goose Greater White-fronted Goose
St. Thomas Bay and 1 on 17th December Anser brachyrhynchus Anser albifrons
2002 at Qawra. WiΩΩa Saqajha RoΩa WiΩΩa tal-Maskra Bajda
The Mute Swan is found naturally mainly
in temperate areas of Europe across Uizza baida 10, WiΩΩa Saqajha RoΩa 19. Uiss 4, Uizza baida 12, WiΩΩa salva©©a ,
16
western Asia, as far east as the Russian Wizza tal-maskra bajda 15, 17, 18, 19.
Maritimes. The Pink-footed Goose has been
It is partially migratory throughout declared as a rejected species by Vagrant. Recorded mostly from November
northern latitudes in Europe and Asia, Sultana and Gauci (1982) as Wright had to January, with a single record at the end
occurring as far south as North Africa and reported 2 in May 1858 in his list of 1862, of March in 1974. Occurs singly or in small
the Mediterranean. but corrected these in his main works. parties, but large flocks of up to 30 birds
A marked population increase and One of the problems with geese was that have been recorded occasionally.
range expansion throughout Europe in the different ornithologists used the same One at Marsascala on 21st December
latter half of the 20th century could explain scientific names for different species of 1986, and four at Qbajjar, Gozo on 27th
increased sightings in the Mediterranean, geese. November 1988. A wounded bird, that
including the Maltese Islands. Taxidermists’ records included the landed at G˙adira Bird Reserve on 17th
A Mute Swan ringed in Germany lived following records: 1 on Gozo in 1966, 4 at November 1999, died the following day.
for at least 28 years and 7 months (Staav Marfa on 9th November 1967, 1 (no date) in Two were shot in Malta on 20th December
1998). December 1972 and another, without date, 2002.
The numbers following each name refer to the following sources: 1. Wettinger (2000), 2. Thévet (1575), 3. Cassola (1992), 4. NLM 1187, 5. Agius De
Soldanis (1750), 6. Ciantar (1772), 7. Vassalli (1796), 8. Schembri (1843). 9. Wright (1864), 10. Grant (1866), 11. Crispo-Barbaro (1878), 12. Gulia (1890),
13. Ardoino (1893), 14. Leach (1907). 15. Despott (1917, 1932-1934), 16. Roberts (1954), 17. De Lucca (1969), 18. Bannerman & Vella Gaffiero (1976),
19. Sultana (2001), 20. Dialects, bird names collected from the field or gleaned from other sources but which are not ‘official’ bird names.
THE BIRDS OF MALTA 199
Formerly known as White-fronted Goose December 1988, 3 over San Ìwann on

in Europe, it is known as the Greater 28th December 1993, and 2 at St Elmo
White-fronted Goose in North America and Point on 18th October 1997. In 2001, there
the latter name has now been adopted were several sightings: an injured bird
internationally. In northern and central was seen alighting at sea at St Elmo Point
North America, it is colloquially called on 2nd December, a flock of 30 on 20th
Specklebelly, because of the salt-and- December in Gozo, 3 at sea off Marfa on
pepper appearance of the underside. The 26th December and 40 (24, 16) were seen
Greater White-fronted Goose is divided into at Burmarrad on 30th December. A bird
five subspecies. The nominate subspecies was seen over Dwejra on 17th December
Anser albifrons albifrons breeds in the far 2003. A flock of 27 off l-A˙rax on 18th
north of Europe and Asia, and winters further October 2008 and 1 over the Grand
Barnacle Goose
south and west in Europe. Anser albifrons Harbour on 26th December 2009. A bird
frontalis is found in the far east of Siberia ringed in Poland in May 1988 was shot at
east to Arctic Canada. Two other restricted- Qawra in December 1990. there are four established populations,
range races occur slightly further south in A Greylag Goose ringed in Belgium each with separate breeding and wintering
northern North America: Anser albifrons survived for 23 years and 7 months until it ranges: The one in eastern Greenland, with
gambeli in interior northwest Canada, was killed by a car (Staav 1998). a population of about 40,000, winters on
and Anser albifrons elgasi (Tule Goose) in the Hebrides off western Scotland and in
southwest Alaska. The Greenland White- western Ireland.
fronted Goose, Anser albifrons flavirostris, Bar-headed Goose A population of about 24,000 birds
breeds in western Greenland and winters Anser indicus breeds on Svalbard, an archipelago in the
in Ireland and western Scotland. WiΩΩa tal-Indja Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe,
lying midway between Norway and the
A single record of a bird shot in December North Pole and winters on the Solway Firth
Greylag Goose 1993 at St Thomas Bay. The Bar-headed on the English and Scottish border while
Anser anser Goose migrates over the Himalayas to the largest known population, estimated
WiΩΩa GriΩa spend the winter in India, Assam, Northern to be around 130,000, breeds on Novaya
Burma and the wetlands of Pakistan. It Zemlya, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean
Uiss 4, Uizza salvaggia 10, WiΩΩa salvaggia migrates up to Magadi wetlands of Gadag in the north of Russia and winters in The
irmedia 13, Wizza griza 15, WiΩΩa salva©©a 16, district of Karnataka, in the southern part Netherlands. Since 1975, some of the birds
WiΩΩa griΩa 17, 18, 19. of India. The bird has been introduced from Novaya Zemlya have established
to Europe from Asia and breeds in some themselves on the Baltic Sea islands
Very scarce but practically an annual vis- European countries. Some may also and a population of around 8,000 birds
itor with up to four records each year, oc- escape from captivity. The most recent is estimated to breed in Estonia, Finland,
curring mostly in December but it has been record is of a bird shot at sea off St Paul’s Denmark, and Sweden. These birds too
recorded also in October and November as Islands in November 2001, but the bird winter in The Netherlands. Small numbers
well as January. The nominate race Anser was an escapee. of feral birds, believed to be escapees from
anser anser is found in west and north-west zoo collections, also breed in several other
Europe while the race Anser anser rubriros- north European countries. Occasionally,
tris is found in south-east and east Europe, Barnacle Goose a wild bird appears in the north-eastern
west and central Asia. Branta leucopsis united States or Canada.
New records: Four at Marfa on 29th WiΩΩa tal-Koççli A single bird was recorded in Golsetan,
November 1967. 2 at G˙arb on 19th December Iran on 14th January 2007. There were two
1968, 1 at Xewkija on 23rd December 1968, 2 A single bird was taken at Wied il-G˙ajn on undocumented records from Turkey in
on 24th November 1973 at Xlendi and 1 on 18th May 2007. This bird was subsequently 1946/7 and 1961 and a reliable report in
20th December 1973, all in Gozo. seen in a collection and the man who shot it 2003 and another in Egypt in 1931 (Winkel
Sammy Borg informed me of a bird of said he had heard there were two birds and and Weerd 2007).
the nominate form (with a yellow bill) shot that the other had been shot as well, but the
on 16th December 1968 at Gudja. second bird could not be traced. The bird
Other records were: 1 bird shot at that was examined was in an impeccable Red-breasted Goose
Qawra on 20th November 1978, and state of plumage without any signs of wear Branta ruficollis
another at Delimara in December 1978. on its feathers and feet typical of captivity. WiΩΩa Óamra
A flock of 20 was seen from various The gizzard contained some sand and no
localities over Malta on 5th December 1980, traces of any food. Three birds were seen in Gozo, two
and 11 at Tarxien on the following day. One Though it is known that a few collectors of which were shot at Qala, Gozo at
at sea off Marsaxlokk on 12th December keep live Barnacle Geese, these invariably about midday, and one was later shot
1980, another on 31st December 1982 have clipped wings and none are known at l-A˙rax, on 20th December 2002. The
at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq and one on 21st to have escaped from two known major bird at l-A˙rax, an adult, was shot at
December 1983 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. collections at the time. around 14.30. It was noted flying high
A bird was seen at G˙allis on 21st Barnacle Geese breed mainly on the over l-A˙rax and returned shortly after
November 1988, 9 over Ta’ Qali on 2nd Arctic islands of the North Atlantic and from and settled close to a few Pintail decoys.
Common Shelduck
The bird is now preserved in a private 12th December 1980. Joe Vella Gaffiero
collection at St Paul’s Bay. informed me of a record of a bird also
These are the first records for Malta. Red- taken at Marsaxlokk in May 1983. One was
breasted Geese breed in the Russian arctic shot at the White Rocks, Pembroke on 19th
and winter in temperate regions around the December 1988.
Black Sea in Romania, Bulgaria, and the A bird was at G˙adira Reserve on 29th
ukraine. and 30th November 1995. There are very
Red-breasted Geese are vagrants in a small resident populations Ruddy Shelduck
number of European countries, where they in northwest Africa and Ethiopia, but the
sometimes appear with flocks of Brent Geese main breeding area of this species is from
(Branta bernicla). Red-breasted Geese are southeast Europe across central Asia to
classified as endangered because over 80 southeast China. These birds are mostly
per cent of their population roosts at just migratory, wintering in southern Asia. The
five sites in winter, and the nearby areas are bird is becoming quite rare in southeast
Red-breasted Goose threatened by changes in land use. Europe and southern Spain, and it is likely
that most occurrences in Western Europe
in recent decades are escaped or feral
Egyptian Goose birds. In India, this duck is known as the
Alopochen aegyptiaca Brahminy Duck.
WiΩΩa tal-E©ittu
A single record in March 1914. Sonny Common Shelduck

Xuereb informed me of another bird shot at Tadorna tadorna
Dingli on 26th February 1984. Kuluvert tas-Salib
This goose now breeds in several
European countries after it was introduced Culuvert ta Barbaria 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, Kuluverd
from Africa. Most specimens seen in local ta Barbaria 11, Culluverd ta Barbaria 13,
collections were brought to Malta from Kuluvert ta’ Barbarija 16, 17, Kuluvert tas-
Egypt following hunting trips there. In Salib 18, 19, Tas-Salib, Ta’ Barbaria, Xeldakk 20.
Europe, the Egyptian Goose is found in
East Anglia in England, The Netherlands, Scarce but regular visitor that has appeared
Germany and Belgium. in all months except in May, June and
It is largely sedentary over much of its August. The only occurrence recorded
Egyptian Goose
range but may move because of water in March was in 2006 when a flock of 26
availability. and another of 8 were seen off Çirkewwa
on 13th and 14th respectively, and a single
bird was seen over G˙adira on 23rd. The
Ruddy Shelduck highest numbers occur between December
Tadorna ferruginea and January, with December being the
Kuluvert A˙mar best month when significant flocks of up
to 80 birds are recorded. The most recent
Kuluverd ta Barbaria 11, Culluverd ta sightings in 2009 are 19 at Mistra on 29th
Barbaria ahmar 13, 15, 17, Kuluvert a˙mar 18, 19. October, 8 at Rinella on 1st November, 35
at Qawra on 2nd November, 10 at Pembroke
Vagrant, having been recorded some eight on 4th November, a flock of 25 at Qawra on
times, mostly in winter, but also in May and 24th November, a total of 135 (highest flock
September. Sammy Borg informed me that 45) on 5th December, and 30 on the 7th, 7 on
single birds had been shot at Marsaxlokk, the 8th off Pembroke, and 12 over G˙adira
1 on 23rd October 1970 and another on on 21st December. Most sightings are from
Ruddy Shelduck
Baikal Teal
Anas formosa
Brajmla tas-Siberja
Recorded only once by Despott, who stated

that a male and two females had been
taken on 16th April 1912 at BirΩebbu©a. The
bird is found in China, Japan, Kyrgyzstan,
Mongolia, North Korea, Russia and South
Korea. It is sometimes called the Formosa
Teal. The Baikal Teal’s breeding distribution
is similar to the Falcated Duck’s but is
somewhat more northerly, extending to the
tundra-lines shores of the Arctic Ocean in
eastern Siberia.
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Eurasian Wigeon Sarsella
Sarsella 5, 8 - 19, Sersella, Sarsarella 20.

the northeast coast of Malta. Individual birds BirΩebbu©a (Vassallo 1979). The Falcated
occasionally spend several days in the Teal breeds over much of southeast Siberia, Frequent and mostly seen from October to
reserves, especially in autumn and winter. A Russia, south to northern Mongolia, China, December. It can also be seen in August,
Shelduck ringed in Great Britain was found and Japan. The majority of birds spend the September, November, January, February
dead following a violent storm 18 years 11 non-breeding season in China, Japan and and March, especially in reserves. usually
months later (Staav 1998). A bird ringed in Korea. Vagrants have been recorded from seen in small flocks at times mixed
the Orlov Isles, uSSR, was shot at Kalkara. Afghanistan to Canada and from Portugal with other species of ducks especially
The Shelduck breeds in Europe, as well as to Pakistan and the Aleutian Islands of the Pintails. Records in 2006 include 6 on 20th
in north and central Asia. It winters south to united States. Because this bird is kept in September at is-Simar, over 25 off Qawra
North Africa, South China and Japan. wildfowl collections, the extent of vagrancy on 10th October, 16 on 8th November at is-
to Western Europe is not very clear. Simar. In 2007, a flock of about 100 was
seen over Dwejra on 8th August.
Eurasian Wigeon The Common Teal breeds across
Anas penelope Gadwall northern Eurasia and most winter well
Silfjun Ewropew Anas strepera south of the breeding range. In winter,
Kuluvert ÌriΩ there are high densities around the
Silfiun 8 – 14, 16, Silfiun second , Silfjun
15, 17
Mediterranean. Other important wintering
Ewropew 18, 19, Wi©in 20. Culuvert second 8, 9, 12, 15, Culuvert sekond
(m) Borka seconda (f) 10, Kuluverd sekond
Wigeons can be seen from mid-October to (m) Borka sekonda (f) 11, 17, Kuluverd
January and in lesser numbers in February second 16, Kuluvert ÌriΩ 18, 19, Gadwal 20.
and March. Small flocks and single birds
can be seen offshore and at reserves. A very rare and irregular visitor, seen
Some birds often spend a few days at mostly in November but can be seen
reserves. The Eurasian Wigeon breeds in from October to January. Single birds
the northernmost areas of Europe and Asia are usually seen but small flocks may
and is strongly migratory. Most Wigeons are sometimes be encountered. In 2008,
seen around the full moons of November singles on most dates from 1st to 13th
and December. A Eurasian Wigeon ringed January and from 7th to 10th November and
in Great Britain was found dead 19 years 9 on 23rd and 24th, but 5 (including 2 males)
months later (Staav 1998). at G˙adira on 25th November. In 2009, a
flock of 8 at St Elmo Point on 4th January, 1
at G˙adira on 12th and 18th January and 5
Falcated Teal at G˙adira on 19th December. The Gadwall
Anas falcata breeds in the northern areas of Europe and
Silfjun Asjatiku Asia, and central North America. Gadwalls
are strongly migratory and winter farther
Previously known as Falcated Duck. south than their breeding range. A Gadwall
In Malta there is a single record of an ringed in Great Britain lived for at least 34
Gadwall
immature male shot on 10th October 1979 at years 2 months (Staav 2001).
Common Teal Mallard
locations include almost the entire length Northern Pintail December 2006. unusual records were of 1
of the Nile Valley, the Near East and Anas acuta bird on 20th September 2006 at is-Simar and
Persian Gulf region, the mountain ranges Silfjun 1 bird on 10th August 2008 off St Elmo Point.
of northern Iran and continental east and The Northern Pintail breeds in the
southeast Asia. A Common Teal ringed in Silfiun 8-11, Silfiun ta dembu tuil, Culuverd ta northern areas of Europe, Asia and North
Great Britain lived for at least 27 years and dembu tuil 12, Silfiun ta dembu tuil 13, Silfjun America.
a month while another ringed in France 14-19
, Pintejl 20. It is strongly migratory and winters south
survived for at least 21 years 3 months of its breeding range to the equator. Rather
(Staav 1998). Seen from late August to March, mostly unusually for a bird with such a large range,
from mid-September to mid-November and it has no geographical subspecies.
from mid-February to March. Small flocks A male Pintail ringed in The Netherlands
Mallard are usually recorded but large passages of lived for at least 27 years and 5 months
Anas platyrhynchos 2,500-3,000 birds in spring occur from late (Staav 1998).
Kuluvert February to March, at times coinciding with
passages of Garganey. They often form
Colluvirdi, Boroch4, Papra5, Byrkae, Byrkyt, mixed flocks with the latter species in spring. Garganey
Byrek7, Culuvert (m), Borca (f) 9, 15, Culuvert During the period 2006-2009, the only Anas querquedula
Prim (m), Borka Prima (f) 10, 13, Kuluverd Prim February records were those of more than Sarsella Óamra
(m), Borka Prima (f) 11, Culuverd, Borca 12, 1,700 birds counted at sea off Çirkewwa
Culuvert prim 14, Kuluvert 16,18,19, Kuluvert (m) between the 20th and 28th February 2008, Sarsella 8,9, Sarsella hamra 10-12,15, Sarsella
Borka (f) 17, Mallard 20. with the highest count being 690 birds on ˙amra 13, 14, 17-19, Sarsella 16, Sersella, Tal-
the 27th. Another 350 birds were seen on Faxx, Kuluvert ta-Faxx, Gargani 20.
Formerly considered a fairly common 27th February 2009 in the Comino Channel.
duck, seen from October to January, A male stayed at is-Simar from 8th to 26th Fairly common migrant, with most seen
Mallards have become very irregular and February 2007. offshore from February to March and
very scarce. Influxes occur in some years. The highest total counts occurred in again in late August and September. The
A number of small feral populations exist March, with individual flocks containing number of birds recorded in recent spring
and can be seen in places such as Msida between 45 and over 700 birds. The highest passages is of more than 10,000 birds.
Creek, Salina, St Julian’s, Marsascala and March counts were in 2009, when over 700 Due to the control over sea hunting in
G˙adira Reserve all year round. birds were seen on the 9th, over 500 on the March, especially in the Comino Channel,
Four wild birds were seen at G˙adira 10th (including the biggest single flock of flocks are also observed to gather in large
on 5th and 6th December and a single bird 200 birds), 230 on the 11th, and over 380 rafts offshore waiting for the right time or
remained from the 7th to 27th December birds on the 12th, all off Çirkewwa. weather conditions before they continue
2006. Four were seen off Valletta on 13th The highest number recorded in October on their route. They often form mixed
December 2006. A male was seen off St was of 206 birds seen on 11th October flocks with other ducks, mainly Pintail and
Elmo Point on 10th November 2007. 2008 off St Elmo Point. Other sightings in Ferruginous Ducks.
The Mallard breeds throughout the October ranged from single to low double The highest counts occur in March.
temperate and sub-tropical areas of figures. A notable occurrence in November During the period 2006 to 2009, the best
North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, New was that of 72 birds recorded on 21st counts were recorded in March 2006
Zealand and Australia. November 2007. Otherwise November when over 5,000 birds were seen over
It is a strongly migratory species. A sightings ranged from single to low double several days in flocks ranging from small
female Mallard lived for 25 years and 7 digit figures. double figures to over 2,000. The most
months before being killed by a car in The only four records, all of single sightings, significant records were 600 birds on the
England (Staav 1998). in December occurred in 2006. A male 13th, over 2,000 on the 14th, 230 on the
stayed at is-Simar between the 2nd and 27th 15th, over 1,300 on the 17th, over 180 on
Garganey Northern Shoveler
the 18th, over 250 on the 28th, 70 on the The Garganey breeds in much of Europe flocks with other ducks. Mostly seen in
29th, and over 300 on the 30th. All sightings and western Asia, but is strictly migratory, October, November and March, but it can
occurred off Çirkewwa. The only records with the entire population moving to southern sometimes be seen in early April.
in April were that of 20 birds on 5th April Africa and Australasia in winter. A bird ringed Interesting taxidermists’ records
2007 off Comino and of a male and female in Germany was recovered in Malta. A included a single in Malta on 16th May
on 10th April 2009 in the Comino Channel. Garganey ringed in Germany was still alive 1985. The most regular sightings occur in
A total of over 1,000 off Comino on 24th 13 years and 8 months later (Staav 1998). March with numbers ranging from singles
March 2010. up to low double figures.
Although August marks the start of The highest count was of about 200
autumn migration, records and numbers Northern Shoveler birds seen on 9th March 2009 off Çirkewwa.
are somewhat irregular, with the only Anas clypeata Other notable records in March 2009 were
sightings recorded being in 2006, 2007 Palettuna sightings of over 75 birds on the 10th and 45
and 2009. Numbers vary from single on the 11th, all off Çirkewwa. These records on
individuals up to high double figures, with Palettuna 8-19, Cuççiarun, Img˙arfa tal- three consecutive days indicate a significant
birds occurring mainly during the latter ba˙ar 12, Palettun, Xovler 20. passage. On 2nd November 2009, a flock of
half of August. Records and numbers 46 was seen off Marfa while 30 were seen on
in September and October are similarly Frequent to fairly common migrant the 25th November off Qawra.
irregular, with the only sightings recorded that occurs from August to March, but Records and numbers in September
being in 2006 and 2008. Sightings range taxidermists’ records included a single are somewhat irregular, with mostly single
from individual birds to high double figures, bird in May. Generally seen singly or in birds being seen up to a maximum of about
with high totals being unusual. small flocks of around 20 birds or in mixed 15 in a day.
Autumn migration picks up in October,
with sightings ranging from low single
figures up to medium double figures. The
highest count was of a flock of more than
60 birds seen on 11th October 2008 off St
Elmo Point.
Migration in November normally slows
down with sightings ranging from single
birds to low double figures. December is
usually unremarkable for Shovelers, but a
flock of 40 birds was recorded on 3rd Decem-
ber 2006 off Valletta. Interesting records are
of three birds that stayed at Kevin Mallia’s
bird park at Burmarrad from mid-August to
mid-September 2008 and a female that took
up residence at the park in March 2009 and
was still there in December.
A Northern Shoveler ringed in Russia
lived for at least 24 years 4 months (Staav
1998). The Northern Shoveler, formerly
known as Shoveler, is widespread and
breeds in northern areas of Europe and
Asia and across most of North America. It
Northern Pintail
is a rare vagrant to Australia.
eared whistling duck (F. rufina) was shot

at Marsa” on 1st September 1861 and that
the bird was not in Schembri’s list. In his
list published in the Ibis later, Wright said
he “was only in time to secure the bill and
legs, which were enough to determine the
species, the rest had been consigned to
the pot” (Wright 1864a). The most recent
records are of 2 birds shot near Marsaxlokk
on 13th November 1982.
The Red-crested Pochard breeds in
lowland marshes and lakes in southern
Europe and southern and central Asia.
They are somewhat migratory, with
northern birds wintering further south and
into North Africa.
Common Pochard
Anas ferina
Brajmla
Braimla 10, 11, Braimla ta rasa hamra 12, 13,

Brajmla ˙amra 15, 17, Brajmla16, 18, 19, Borka
tal-Pawçer, Poçard 20.
Scarce but seen annually. It has been

recorded in all months except June and
mostly occurs from October to December. A
single bird seen off Tas-safra on 1st August
2009 is the first record of this species in
August. It has also been recorded from
Red-crested Pochard January to February.
Since the establishment of reserves,
Marbled Duck by swimming out to sea, notwithstanding some individual birds are spending a
Marmaronetta angustirostris having also received a severe contusion considerable time in Malta. In 2002, a male
Sarsella Mnaqqxa in the head with a stone. On the following spent from 1st January till 28th February
day, at about noon, he saw it swim ashore, at is-Simar while a female was present at
Silfiun ta gheddumu zg˙ir 13, Brajmla in the same part of the Salini, so exhausted G˙adira from 16th to 30th December and
ghedduma rkik 15, Brajmla gedduma rqiq 17, as to allow itself to be taken by the hand,” was accompanied by a male from the 20th
18
, Sarsella Mnaqqxa 19. (Wright 1874). to 22nd December. In 2003, another male
The Marbled Duck, or Marbled Teal as it spent from 8th January to 20th February
Vagrant. Four records between 1874 was formerly known, used to breed in large at is-Simar, and was joined by a female
and 1968 involving six birds in April, May numbers in the Mediterranean region, but from 12th February onwards. A male
and July. Recent records are of 3 birds is now restricted to a few sites in southern was regularly seen at is-Simar from 13th
at G˙adira Reserve on 17th December Spain, Sicily and northwest Africa. It is also November to 26th December 2003. Two
2004, 3 at Salina on 9th May 2008 and a found in many waterfowl collections and were present at G˙adira on most days from
another 3 at the same locality 15th May the possibilities of escapees occurring in 12th to 28th January 2003, a female spent
2009. Incidentally, the May 2008 sighting the wild cannot be discounted. from 22nd March to 3rd April and a male
occurred exactly 134 years to the day of spent from 11th to 25th November and from
the very first record in 1874 at the same 5th December 2003 to the end of February
location (Wright 1874). Like many birds Red-crested Pochard 2004. The bird was joined by another male
recorded at that time, the bird was shot Netta rufina from 19th to 29th February 2004.
and Wright picked up a specimen from the Brajmla tat-Toppu A˙mar In 2005, a male was at is-Simar from
Valletta Market on 11th May. 5th to 7th October, another male on 8th
Afterwards Wright traced the hunter who Braimla hamra 10, Braimla 11, Brajmla ˙amra November at St Thomas Bay and a male at
had shot it “a country lad named Birtu , Brajmla tat-toppu a˙mar 15, 17, 18, 19.
14
St Elmo Point on 11th December. In 2006,
Sammut,” who informed Wright he had seen a male and female at is-Simar from 6th to
it on 9th May “at mid-day, at the Salini, and Vagrant. Less than ten records, mostly in 14th November, a male at is-Simar on 20th
an ineffectual attempt was made to shoot winter. It was first recorded by Wright in November and 1 at is-Simar on 2nd and
it. It returned in the evening, when Sammut his third volume of ‘Rough notes on birds 3rd December. In 2007, a juvenile was at
winged it; but it succeeded in escaping of Malta” where he noted that “a red- is-Simar on 2nd and 3rd July and 1 on most
Pochard Ferruginous Duck
dates from 1st to 25th October at is-Simar on 19th March 2005, over 258 birds on 11th on 29th and again on 30th November 1994.
but 7 off Çirkewwa on 4th October. In 2008, March 2006, over 120 birds on 19th March The most recent documented record was of
singles at G˙adira throughout January and 2008. In 2009 a total of more than 365 2 birds on 18th November 2001 at Qawra.
until 23rd February, at G˙adira again from birds were recorded between 10th and 14th The Tufted Duck breeds widely
26th to 31st March and from 1st to 4th April, a March, with daily sightings ranging from 20 throughout temperate and northern
female on 19th September at Qawra, at is- to 150 birds. Over 400 between 24th and Eurasia. It migrates in most of its range
Simar on 24th and 28th September. In 2009, 26th March and 80 on 31st March 2010. All and winters in the milder south and west
a female at is-Simar on 11th May. sightings were in the Malta-Gozo channel of Europe, southern Asia and is found all
Pochards breed in much of temperate and off Çirkewwa. year in most of the united Kingdom.
and northern Europe into Asia and winter Autumn migration peaks between late
in the southern and west of Europe. A September and October. However, counts
Common Pochard ringed in Britain lived are much lower than in spring and range Greater Scaup
for 22 years and 3 months lived (Staav from low single to medium figures, with the Aythya marila
1998). best count being of over 45 birds seen off Brajmla Rasha Sewda
Qawra on 10th October 2006. Other notable
records were a flock of 22 birds and about Braimla 10, 14, Braimla prima 13, Brajmla
Ferruginous Duck 20 birds seen off Qawra on 11th and 12th rasha seuda 15, Brajmla rasha sewda 17-19.
Aythya nyroca October 2008 respectively.
Brajmla t’G˙ajna Bajda Sightings recorded in other months of the Vagrant. Only four documented records:
year consist of single birds, some of which a male at Salina on 8th December 1869,
Braimla 8-11, Braimla tal passa 12, Braimla spend several days at one of the reserves. another male at Marsaxlokk on 26th
seconda 13, Brajmla 15 - 17, Brajmla t’G˙ajna An interesting occurrence was that of 2 September 1909, a female in Gozo on 2nd
Bajda 18, 19, Tal-Wajtaj, Ferru©in 20. first-year birds seen at G˙adira Reserve on November 1948, and another female at
1st July 2007. Marsacala in autumn 1952.
Scarce but regular annual visitor which has Populations in Europe have suffered The Greater Scaup, or Scaup, is
been recorded in all months of the year, marked long-term decline as a result of sometimes also known as Bluebill,
with peaks being March and October. drainage of wetlands. It winters in the particularly in America. It breeds across
During peak migration, the highest counts southern part of its range throughout the the Arctic and subarctic regions of northern
tend to be recorded over a number of Mediterranean Basin, Black Sea and North America, Europe and Asia.
consecutive days with sightings suddenly Caspian Sea.
tailing off soon after the main passage has
taken place. Common Scoter
Previously single birds used to be Tufted Duck Melanitta nigra
recorded at places such as G˙adira and Aythya fuligula Borka Sewda
Salina and sometimes birds were seen Brajmla tat-Toppu
inland too. More birds are now seen Papra tal-ba˙ar 16, Kuluvert iswed tan-
offshore, both as a result of increased Braimla 8-10, Braimla ta rasa seuda 12, Nord17, Brajmla sewda 18, Borka Sewda 19.
sea bird watching as well as because of Brajmla 16, Brajmla tat-toppu 15, 17-19, Taftid
more control on hunting at sea in March Dakk 20. Vagrant, with seven records in winter up to
and possibly because of an increase in its 4th December 1980. Sammy Borg informed
population. Very rare vagrant, mostly recorded singly in me he had seen three other specimens
The most significant counts occur in November and December but sometimes that have not previously been recorded: 1
March. The numbers range from single seen in small parties of about 7 birds. A on 21st November 1961, a female that was
birds to medium treble figures in a single male noted in a collection at BirΩebbu©a shot at Salina by the late Superintendent
day. The highest such count was over recently was shot in November 1979 at St Victor Bonello; another was shot at Qawra
650 birds seen on 13th March 2006. Other Paul’s Bay. A female at Manoel Island on on 10th December 1978 and another bird,
notable occurrences in March were over 25th November 1988, one shot at sea off a female, was shot at Mellie˙a Bay on
170 birds on 16th March 2005, 105 birds Comino on 19th March 1991, one at G˙adira 12th December 1980. Another three new
Tufted Duck Goldeneye
records are also being given: 2 juveniles previous record was in winter of 1910, when In 2006, a flock of 12 over G˙adira on 6th
on 8th November 2005 from St Thomas Bay. three birds were recorded. November, a male at St Elmo Point on 17th
One of the birds was found at sea close to The Smew breeds in the northern taiga December. In 2007, singles at Çirkewwa on
some decoys and was shot. The other was of Europe and Asia. It leaves its breeding 13th March and 30th April and 3 at Pembroke
seen at sea some distance away and was areas to winter on sheltered coasts or on 13th December. In 2008, 1 on 13th March
shot as well. Another bird was shot on 22nd inland lakes of the Baltic Sea, the Black off Çirkewwa, 3 on 10th December at Qawra
November 2005, also from St Thomas Bay. Sea, northern Germany and the Low and a male on 11th December at Pembroke.
The Common Scoter breeds over the Countries, with small number reaching In 2009, 6 at Qawra on 9th December.
far north of Europe and Asia and winters Britain. Vagrants have been recorded in A female Red-breasted Merganser
further south in temperate zones, on the North America. ringed in Sweden survived for 13 years 11
coasts of Europe as far south as Morocco. months (Staav 1998). T
he Red-breasted Merganser breeds
Red-breasted Merganser in freshwater lakes and rivers across
Goldeneye Mergus serrator Europe, Asia, northern North America and
Bucephala clangula Serra Greenland. Birds move from their northerly
Brajmla tal-G˙ajn wintering breeding grounds to spend the
Serra 8-12, 14-19, Serra seconda 13. winter in coastal areas.
Brajmla talg˙ain , Brajmla
15 16
, Brajmla ta’
l-G˙ajn 17 - 19. Scarce winter visitor with most recorded
around the coast between October and Goosander
Vagrant. Three documented records up to early December, but recently also recorded Mergus merganser
1982. Three new records include an adult in spring. Serra Prima
male shot at Bidnija on 10th February 1981, Taxidermists’ records included: a male
one shot at Ta’ Qali on 24th January 1983 on 17th November 1975 and another bird Margoun 10, Serra prima 13, 15, 17-19, Serra 16.
and another bird shot at Salina in January on 23rd November 1976, both locality
2004. The Goldeneye is found in the unknown. Sammy Borg informed me of Vagrant. Only one documented record
lakes and rivers of boreal forests across the following unpublished records: 2 at so far given by Despott, of a bird shot at
Scandinavia and northern Russia as well G˙adira Bay on 2nd December 1969, two BirΩebbu©a in winter of 1908.
as Canada and the northern united States. on 11th November 1979, one at G˙adira Another specimen, also a male, was
A Goldeneye ringed in Russia lived for Bay on 30th November 1979, 3 at Tas- recently noted in a collection, also in
over 16 years 11 months (Staav 1998). Safra on 4th October 1980, 1 at St Paul’s BirΩebbu©a. It was taken off St Paul’s
Bay on 13th October 1980, 3 at Qawra on Islands on 29th March 1979. A female in the
14th October 1980, 4 at Tas-Safra on 2nd same collection was also shot locally but
Smew November 1980 and 1 at Qawra Point on the date of capture was not noted down.
Mergus albellus 7th December 1981. Though there are a number of birds that
Serra Bajda Several sightings were made in 2005: 4 have been imported from abroad in this
on 19th November at Qawra, 1 at G˙adira collection, the imported specimens are all
Serra8-12, Baghal tas-serra13-15, , Serra
17, 18
Bay on 22nd November; 1 on 25th November, clearly marked and the collector said he
Bajda 19. 2 on 27th November at Qawra; 4 at Comino had bought both birds soon after being
on 4th December; 3 (a male and two shot and had skinned them himself.
Vagrant, with a few records in winter. The females) at St Elmo Point on 11th December The Goosander has a Holarctic breeding
most recent record was of a bird at G˙adira and a single bird was at G˙adira on 18th distribution and is absent only from
Reserve on 20th December 2002. The December. Greenland and several of the more northerly
Red-breasted Merganser Goosander
island groups. Three subspecies have Phasianidae which congregated in a sheltered area
been identified: the nominate sub-species, during a storm, was observed in winter
Mergus merganser merganser, which 2006 while over 150 were seen together in
breeds from Western Europe, including Northern Bobwhite March 2009 (Salvu Vella pers. comm.).
Iceland, through to the Pacific coast of Colinus virginianus Salvu Vella, who resides on Comino and
Russia; Mergus merganser orientalis Summiena Amerikana or Bobwajt who released the first birds, noted that
which breeds in the highlands of central though birds were successful in hatching
Asia; and Mergus merganser americanus Several Bobwhites were released on all eggs and females were often observed
which breeds across North America from Comino in 1998 but by 2005 their numbers with some 11 young after hatching, most of
coast to coast. The majority of the Mergus thinned out, and breeding could no longer the young disappear and most females are
merganser merganser population is be confirmed. In 2007, no birds were seen with around one or two birds.
migratory. Birds originating in eastern and detected. Some are periodically released During the time of the Knights, partridges
central Russian winter along the eastern by hunters in various areas around Malta used to breed and were considered as
Asian seaboard and around the Black and Gozo, and are then flushed with dogs. game reserved for the grandmaster. The
and Caspian Seas. Those from northern Single birds that manage to escape can be historian Abela mentions partridges in his
Europe and western Russia migrate west to seen close to the localities where they were account of 1647 and Ciantar, who updated
winter around the Baltic and across central released. The bird is not yet naturalised in Abela’s work in 1772, says that partridges
Europe into Great Britain. Goosanders the Maltese Islands and does not appear in Malta were of a better quality than those
breeding in Iceland are non-migratory. to breed. of Sicily and Italy.
The Northern Bobwhite, Virginia Quail Another historian who wrote about Gozo,
or Bobwhite Quail, is a ground-dwelling Gian Pietro Agius de Soldanis, noted that
White-headed Duck bird native to North America and northern in 1712, partridges were wiped out in Gozo
Oxyura leucocephala Central America and the Caribbean and is and in 1738 and 1742, Knights De Marbeuf
Brajmla Rasha Bajda found in many collections in Europe and and De Remcking had released partridges
beyond. to re-stock the game populations, but they
Braimla 11, 13, Brajmla Rasha Bajda 15, 18, 19.
Vagrant. Two records: one in January Chukar

1864, recorded by Wright (1864b) and one Alectoris chukar
in January 1967 (Gauci and Sultana 1971). Çukar
The White-headed Duck has a wide
range and occurs in Spain, Algeria, Nine were released on Comino in 1998, and
Tunisia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Iran, their population now stands at around 300.
Afghanistan, uzbekistan, Pakistan and Flocks of between 18 to 20 birds can be
Mongolia. It is found on passage in winter seen in winter. A flock of around 85 birds,
months in the eastern Mediterranean, the
Middle East, central Asia and the Indian Ducks have always been a favourite game
subcontinent. Individuals are sometimes bird in Malta too. An army account of British
reported well north of their breeding servicemen in Malta recounts how soldiers
range, but as with many wildfowl, the spent the best part of three successive
status of these extra-limital records is nights shooting ducks while on and exercise
clouded by the possibility of escapes at Mellie˙a in 1908. Local hunters used
from collections. imported calls, but some also made their
own, like the ones on the right
were again decimated by hunters within

a short time (Farrugia 1936). Schembri
(1843a) wrote that another species of
partridge, the Barbary Partridge (Alectoris
barbara), was released on Comino in
1808, where it bred for many years.
Sperling (1864) said Barbary Partridges
were brought to Malta from Africa in great
quantities by trading vessels.
The Chukar, also called Indian Chukar,
Chukar Partridge, Red-legged Partridge,
Rock Partridge, is found in Eurasia, from
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the east
to southeastern Europe in the west, and is
closely related and similar to its western
equivalent, the Red-legged Partridge,
Alectoris rufa. It was introduced widely for
game hunters, and became established in
the united States, Canada, New Zealand
and Hawaii.
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
Summiena
Sumieni, Summieni1, Somiena3, Sommien4,

Sommiena5, Symmyn, Symmynyt7,
Common Quail
Summiena8,9, Sumiena10, Sommiena11,
Summiena12-19, Simmiena 20. Some hunters
and trappers mention the following common. In spring, Quails arrive at night breed again in autumn. It is also known
variations: Lhudi, Sejjetun, Tas-Salib, Tad- but in autumn one might see them coming that female and juvenile quails breeding
Domna, Turki, L-Abjad, L-A˙mar. in from the sea at places such as Ba˙ar iç- in North Africa cross the Mediterranean in
Çag˙aq. mid-summer and these often breed soon
Quails are more easily heard calling than Schembri (1843a) said Quails bred in after their arrival (Cramp 1980).
seen, and being one of the chief game May. Despott wrote that the bird would Old time Quail trappers say a number
birds sought by hunters and trappers in be a more common breeder were it not of races of Quail migrate to Malta. They
both spring and autumn, it is very difficult persecuted so much. He says birds started mention the names Sejjettun and Turki (that
to see a Quail, even though they are very breeding in March but reports having seen appeared in September), Lhudi, L-Abjad,
eggs even in June. Despott said nests L-A˙mar and Tas-Salib.
could contain up to 16 or more eggs. Before the advent of electronic bird
A few pairs of Quails bred regularly up to callers, which are now illegal, Quails were
the early 1950s (Roberts 1954). There were lured by the kwaljerin, a Quail call made
confirmed breeding records in the 1970s out of bone, reed or even a spent rifle
when a nest with five newly hatched young cartridge, and leather or rubber bellows.
was seen at Faqqanija in 1972 (Bannerman Trappers kept Quails in cages with soft
and Vella Gaffiero 1976), and another nest roofs made out of cloth, so that the birds
with eggs at Xag˙ra Gozo in June 1976, did not damage their heads when they
which was destroyed during harvesting hopped and hit the roof. Quail trapping was
(Sultana and Gauci 1976). A few pairs were carried out differently from other forms of
recorded breeding in spring 1994 before bird trapping. In spring, nets were laid on
the hunting season opened on April 10th standing corn in fields where Quails were
(The Malta Independent 1994). Another heard calling. Caged female Quails were
nest with 11 eggs was found at Fiddien in used to attract both males and females to
2004 by a hunter who flushed and killed the the nets.
female. In autumn, the best time for trapping
Common Quail chicks start feeding Quails was between the feast of Our Lady
independently within a few hours of of Victories on 8th September, and the end
hatching and the young are able to fly of October. But old timers say they used
freely after just 19 days. Birds breed in to start trapping Quail as early as 16th
early summer and if the early breeders August, following the feast of St Mary. In
Chukar
are not killed, it is possible that they may late summer and autumn, male Quails were
more predominant as decoys in cages as

Quails are more readily attracted by the
call of the male at this time of the year, and
both males and females are attracted by
the calls of the male.
Quail trapping used to take place very
early in the morning and by 07.00, most
Quail trappers would have packed up their
gear, as Quails fly towards where they
hear decoys calling when it is still dark,
and before sunrise. The trapper herded
the Quails towards the small net, which
was laid partly on a wall and partly on the
ground. When it is still dark, Quails skulk
and prefer to run rather than fly and in
doing so, they run under the net and get
caught.
Quails were more common in the early
20th century and like most other birds, they
were sold on the market as game.
A careful analysis of Despott’s works,
whose records frequently contain
references to birds he saw at the market,
gives a clear insight to the number of Quails
that were taken and sold as game. On 27th
March 1916, he noted 75 Quails for sale,
on 3rd April, there were 202, on 7th April
there were 53 and on the 15th there were
39, another 141 were noted on the 25th and
39 on the following day while a staggering hunters in other areas bagged between 2 A Quail trapper shows how male Quail
1,375 birds were exposed for sale on 29th and more than 30 birds and on that day decoys are enticed to start calling: by
April 1916 (Despott 1916f). alone. showing them a female
In 2006, strong passages occurred The Quail is widespread and is found
on 10th, 16th and 28th April. By 30th April it in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa with
was noticed hunters were bagging mostly several subspecies recognized. The
females, signalling the migration was Eurasian race Coturnix coturnix coturnix
tapering. In autumn 2007, a significant overwinters southwards in Africa’s Sahel
passage occurred on 6th November, with and India. The African race Coturnix
several birds at Fomm ir-Ri˙. coturnix africana, overwinters within Africa,
In 2008, significant passages from 14th some moving northwards from South Africa.
September onwards and a large passage The population of the Cape Verde islands
on 27th and 28th September with large belongs to the race Coturnix coturnix
numbers of Quails in many areas from inopinata, while those on the Canaries,
G˙ar Lapsi to Mellie˙a, but also inland. Madeira and the Azores belong to race
Single birds were seen coming from below Coturnix coturnix conturbans. Common
cliffs in a continuous flow at Dingli on 28th Quails ringed in Italy, Sicily, Tunisia and
September. Spring 2009 was a very poor Hungary have been recovered in Malta.
one for Quail, with very few records,but
there was a strong migration in Autumn.
Three fledged young and a female were Common Pheasant
noted in a field at Ûebbu© on 5th May, after Phasianus colchicus
the farmer alerted me to their presence. Fa©an
Another two fledged young were seen in
a in a vineyard at Burmarrad on 20th May, Six individuals were released on Comino
again after the farmer informed me about in 1998 but their numbers remained very
their presence. The farmer said he had low. Salvu Vella, who released them, said
seen five young two days before. Two there were from 1 to 2 females left in spring
fledged young, barely able to fly, were of 2007 while no males were noted. More
Kwaljerini, traditional Quail calls were made
seen at Fawwara on 15th June. In autumn, birds were release in autumn 2009. of reed, bone or brass with leather or rubber
a very strong passage occurred on 23rd The Common Pheasant is native to Asia bellows, reproduced calls of the female.
September. In the southeast, individual and was widely introduced elsewhere as a Mouth blown calls, which are hard to learn
hunters bagged over 100 birds each, while game bird. how to use, imitated the call of the male
Golden Pheasant During the breeding season, Cory’s

Chrysolphus pictus Shearwaters can be heard wailing at
Fa©an Dehbi night. They lay a single chalky white egg
in a small depression on bare, soft ground.
Salvu Vella released some on Comino No nest is actually built but feathers that
around 1998. About three pairs were still probably result from the formation of the
breeding in 2009. Vella informed me that brood patch are occasionally found in the
the species was not very successful and nests. Plant matter is also sometimes found
their number remained low, in spite of the and some birds place small stones at the
fact that they breed each year. In 2007 fringe of the nests.
there were 3 females and 6 males. In 2009, Eggs are laid in the last week of May,
2 on 10th April, 1 on 17th April and a female with a peak taking place on 27th and 28th
on 22nd April. May and incubation lasts for 55 days and
The Golden Pheasant is native to forests is carried out by both partners. One of the
in mountainous areas of western China but parents broods the newly-hatched chick
feral populations have been established for the first three to five days. The chick is
in Europe after they were released or then left alone and is visited only at night.
escaped from collections. Each bird incubates the egg for long spells
ranging up to 10 days.
The young birds, which are covered in
fluffy grey down and look like soft toys,
Gaviidae are fed by both parents. Horse-Mackerel,
Squid, Anchovies, and Flying-fish are
among the food items noted to be fed to
Red-throated Diver young birds locally. Fledging takes place
Common Pheasant
Gavia stellata in the first two weeks of October.
Bug˙addas tal-Maltemp In a study, Cachia Zammit and Borg
while in Malta, the cliffs on the south west (1986) stated that shearwaters were
Blongiun 8, 9, Blongiun rar 10, 11, 13, Blongios12, coast from Wied Moqbol to Dingli house faithful to the breeding site as well as to
Bug˙addas tal-Maltemp 15, 18-19. the biggest colonies. their partner. In Malta, 71 per cent of the
Borg and Sultana (2000) gave the birds returned to the same sites. One
Vagrant. Always recorded in winter: population of Cory’s Shearwater as ranging bird was noted to use the same site for
Schembri (1843a) recorded singles in 1839 between 6,067 to 7,105 pairs. 11 consecutive seasons and one pair
and in 1841 and Wright (1864a) recorded 4 More recently, the population has been stayed together for at least 6 years. In a
shot in Gozo in winter 1858-59. It occurred given as 6,090 to 7,130 breeding pairs later study, Borg and Sultana (2000) said
again in winter of 1910 (Despott 1917). Two (Raine et al. nd 2008). Shearwaters breed that Cory’s Shearwaters showed a degree
immature birds were shot in November among boulders and in natural burrows of site tenacity, with some birds retaining
1988: one ca. 5 km offshore on 16th and and crevices along cliffs overlooking the their nesting site for up to 16 years. Males
another close to the Grand Harbour on the sea and can be seen in rafts offshore showed stronger site tenacity than females,
18th. especially early in the morning from mid- with 19.4 per cent of 194 breeding males
The Red-throated Diver, known as the February to late November. nesting in the same nest for ten to sixteen
Red-throated Loon in North America, is a In 2005, rafts containing from a few consecutive years, while 12.3 percent of
migratory aquatic bird found in the northern hundred to over 2,000 have been noted 154 breeding females occupied the same
hemisphere. It breeds primarily in Arctic offshore. Over 2,000 were seen off G˙allis nest site for the same period (Borg and
regions and winters in northern coastal on 23rd August; over 6,000 were seen off Sultana 2000).
waters. It is the most widely distributed Marsascala on 24th August; over 1,000 However site tenacity did not correspond
member of the diver family. were observed off Dwejra, Gozo on 2nd to fidelity and brooding males were found
September; over 1,000 on 13th September to court and copulate with other females
at Xrobb l-G˙a©in; over 4,000 off St Elmo while paired females were sometimes
Point on 21st September. Some of these noted attracting bachelor males which
Procellariidae birds are undoubtedly migratory birds, as
if they were the resident population; such
large rafts would be seen more regularly.
Cory’s Shearwater In 2006, over 200 off G˙allis on 10th
Calonectris diomedea August and over 100 on 19th September at
Çiefa Marsascala. Over 1,000 off St Elmo Point in
the morning, over 500 off G˙allis and over
Cief 7, Ciefa 8-14, 15-19. 250 birds off Pembroke in the afternoon on
27th August; over 100 off Marsascala on
Cory’s Shearwaters breed in colonies in 29th August. Over 2,000 birds were seen
suitable sea cliffs on Malta, Gozo and Filfla. feeding some 2 to 3 kilometres offshore in
large flocks off Qawra on 30th September. Cory’s Shearwater
The biggest colony in Gozo is at Ta’ Çenç
Cory’s Shearwater
alighted in the area. A pair whose nest just for the fun of shooting them. To show and found only five birds, one of which
site was in a secluded area was however how rapid the decline in shearwaters was, was incubating an egg while the others
recorded together for 15 years. Incestuous Despott said that while hunters ten years had young aged between 2 days and a
behaviour has also been recorded with a before earned up to £15 in a season by fortnight.
chick ringed in the nest in 1992 being re- selling feathers, in 1923 they were hardly The Smithsonian Institution expressed
trapped in 1998 in the nest where he was able to gather enough feathers to make 10 concern about the destruction of these
raised and was sitting over the egg laid shillings.In 1915, Despott, who was already birds and hoped that “something could
by his mother and was later feeding their the Curator of the university’s Museum of be done to give them serious protection
chick. The original male bird was last re- before it is too late.” Despott drafted
trapped in 1996. suggested amendments to the regulations
Most males were found to start breeding so that breeding and other birds would
in their fourth and fifth years, but some be protected all year round. He used the
were found to start breeding even in their letter he received from the Smithsonian
second year, while females start breeding Institution to back up his arguments.
in their fifth and sixth year (Borg and The Rector of the university forwarded
Sultana 2000). Despott’s suggestions to the Lieutenant
Shearwaters, particularly Cory’s Governor, and thanks to Despott’s efforts,
Shearwaters, have a long history of the Cory’s Shearwater became protected
persecution in the Maltese Islands. in 1916.
Shooting of shearwaters just for fun was a In that same year however, Despott again
pastime indulged in not only by hunters but remarked that unless something was done
also by some of the early ornithologists. to seriously protect the Cory’s Shearwater
Wright (1863), who gave a description “its extermination here will be a question of
of a visit to Filfla, says how on their return the very near future”.
trip they amused themselves “by the way It is not known whether things changed
in expending our remaining powder and for the better or not after Despott’s times for
shot at shearwaters that appeared in Natural History, wrote to the Smithsonian there are not many written records about the
considerable numbers”. Institution informing them about the subject, but the British Forces started using
Schembri (1843a) spoke of fishermen slaughter of shearwaters in the summer Filfla for bombing practice on a more regular
setting up nets in places where the months, remarking that no steps had been basis. Wright (1863) had expressed surprise
shearwaters bred, and that their flesh was taken to protect them. at finding a fragment of an iron shell and a
roasted and placed in basket traps as bait “Shearwaters are no longer slaughtered couple of 40 lb Armstrong shot on the island.
for fish. Despott made the first strong plea in hundreds because birds no longer exist But target shooting intensified and Filfla was
in their defence in 1913. He argued that in hundreds,” Despott wrote. He remarked bombarded from naval ships and from the air.
shearwaters were not edible but fishermen that while 12 years before it was not difficult Bombing kept away fishermen and their
made use of their under wing feathers as to collect 100 eggs in one excursion on nets with which they trapped shearwaters
bait. Such feathers were also exported, Filfla, it was next to impossible to obtain 20 and created a better habitat for Storm
especially to the East. eggs in a whole season from all over the Petrels, but bombing took place all year
Despott speaks of boatloads of hunters Maltese Islands. round, even at night during the breeding
going out from Marsaxlokk, Marsascala Despott wrote that on a visit to Filfla on season, when shearwaters and petrels
and BirΩebbu©a to shoot shearwaters 28th July 1915, he spent six hours there were returning to land. Joe Sultana and
Cory’s Shearwater
Charles Gauci, on one of several visits While disturbance of nests is a factor that factors for the decrease. Borg and Sultana
to Filfla, reported finding no fewer than may lead to a decrease in population, the (2000) gave the population of Cory’s
50 dead Cory’s Shearwaters and Storm shooting of these birds at sea is more likely Shearwaters at between 6,067 and 7,105
Petrels squashed by boulders or killed by to have a more immediate and drastic pairs in the Maltese Archipelago.
the blast. A number of cracked and addled impact. Adult shearwaters have few natural In a four-year study conducted between
eggs were also found (Sultana and Gauci predators and breed when they are at least 1983 and 1986 on 16 localities where
1970). The Malta Ornithological Society three years old. Due to the long incubation Cory’s Shearwaters breed, Cachia Zammit
(MOS) had to campaign long and hard to and nestling period, they are not able to and Borg (1986) concluded that the mean
stop this practice, which was eventually raise more than one offspring annually. successful fledging rate was 72 per cent.
ceased. The islet of Filfla is a relatively well studied In the cases of failure, it was due to the
In spite of being protected, shearwaters seabird area in the Maltese Islands and bird disappearance of one of the adults. The
were still shot in considerable numbers ringers from the MOS have been carrying average successful fledging rate between
both by fishermen and hunters who out regular ringing sessions there every 1983 and 1998 was given as 63.8 per cent
accompanied them on their boats. In the summer since 1968. In the early 1980s, the in a later study (Borg and Sultana 2000).
early 1980s, hunters started going out to breeding population of Cory’s Shearwaters The highest successful fledging rate was
shoot from rubber dinghies and boats and on Filfla was estimated to be “at least 200 83 per cent in 1984 and the lowest was
large numbers of shearwaters started again pairs” (Sultana and Gauci 1982). Recent in 1997 when it was only 38.5 per cent.
being killed. Though this practice seems visits (to Filfla) revealed that a decline in The mean number of nests sampled in
to have decreased, it is unfortunately still numbers of shearwaters had taken place. the study period stood at 47.2 annually,
fairly common and it is not unusual for In mid-August 1990, extensive searching but the number of nests sampled varied
people on boats to come across dead or found only thirteen nests occupied by considerably, with the maximum number
injured shearwaters, especially in summer, young birds. Borg and Sultana (1990) of nests surveyed totalling 69 in 1995 while
when birds have a tendency to form rafts concluded that “the present population only 26 were sampled in 1997. Human
close to their breeding sites. numbered less than 100 breeding pairs”. disturbance was said to be the factor
Recent studies on breeding status of The authors noted that apart from changes contributing to the low successful; fledging
this bird show a decline in the breeding in habitat due to natural elements such as rates in 1996 and 1997, when several
population. Shearwaters come to the nest wave action and heavy storms, shooting established pairs were taken by man
at night and spend most of the day at sea. from sea craft was one of the determining from nests that were under observation.
Cory’s Shearwater
The percentage of eggs that hatched but Gonzáles-Solís et al. 2007). However some are estimated to breed. A smaller number
chicks did not succeed to fledge was 11.2 birds seem to spend the winter in the breed on Kidney Island in the Falklands.
per cent while 24 per cent of the eggs laid Mediterranean, especially between Sicily The Great Shearwater, like the Sooty
did not hatch (Borg and Sultana 2000). and Tunisia where a regular wintering Shearwater, follows a circular route, moving
The mean survival rate of adult ground may well exist (Moltoni 1973; up the eastern seaboard of first South and
shearwaters was established at 79.4 per Iapichino and Massa 1989; Corso 2005). then North America, before crossing the
cent, which is very low for a seabird. A The single records that occur in the Maltese Atlantic in August. It can be quite common
four year study carried out in the Aegean archipelago in winter probably originate off the south-western coasts of Britain and
established the survival rate for first year from these wintering grounds. They return Ireland before heading back south again,
birds at 87 per cent, second year birds at to the Mediterranean in February. this time down the eastern littoral of the
85 per cent and 93 per cent survival rate for Atlantic. No wonder it was formerly called
third year birds, giving an average survival Wandering Shearwater.
of about 88.3 per cent, approximately nine Great Shearwater The Bay of Biscay, between Spain and
per cent higher than the survival rate for Puffinus gravis France, seems to be the most important
the shearwaters breeding in the Maltese Çiefa tal-Atlantiku site for this species in European waters;
Islands. Adult survival has been studied in large numbers are also seen off Cape
other shearwater species, all of which gave The first record of the Great Shearwater Clear, in the south of Ireland. Birds are
a survival rate of 89 per cent. is of a bird taken offshore by fishermen in regularly reported off Galicia, Spain,
Ringing showed that the oldest birds late summer 1983. A local collector asked especially with northwest winds. It has
were 3 males ringed on Filfla which were re- fishermen to look out for particularly darker also been recorded from Algeria and
trapped several times up to nineteen years shearwater after fishermen had caught Sardinia in the central Mediterranean.
later. The oldest female was at least 17 years single specimens of Sooty Shearwater European records are noted between July
old. Several birds were re-trapped 10 to 15 in the 1970s. The collector argued that if and November, with most being seen in
years after being ringed. Sooty Shearwaters were recorded, then the September and October.
Cory’s Shearwaters ringed in Malta Great Shearwater was likely to be present
have been recovered near Syracuse, as well. His reasoning proved correct as a
Sicily and near Monastir (Tunisia). A fisherman brought him a single bird which Sooty Shearwater
young Maltese bird fitted with a satellite seemed darker than a Cory’s Shearwater, Puffinus griseus
tracker left its nest in Óal Far on 12th with which local fishermen are very Garnija Sewda
October 2009, flew west, out of the Straits accustomed. Another specimen was taken
of Gibraltar a month later, then followed on 4th July 1984. A vagrant that was recorded from
the coast of Morocco and flew south past The third specimen of Great Shearwater specimens taken by fishermen offshore
Mauritania and continued flying towards is known to have been taken off Malta in the early 1960s and in October 1977.
the coast of Senegal. sometime in September in 2006, when Another bird was taken outside territorial
Cory’s Shearwaters breed on islands fishermen are fishing for Dorado or Dolphin waters on 12th November 1979. Sammy
and cliffs in the Mediterranean and some fish (Coryphaena hippurus) but no precise Borg informed me of another unpublished
outposts on the Atlantic coast of Iberia. date could be obtained. record of a bird that was taken off Malta
In late summer and autumn, most birds Almost the entire world population of the on 18th September 1977. Another bird was
migrate into the Atlantic on their way Great Shearwater breeds in the remote taken off Malta on 25th November 1982.
south to the Benguela current on the west group of islands known as Tristan da Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of another
coast of Africa (Tucker and Heath 1994; Cunha and Gough Island in the South record of a bird taken 6.5 km southwest of
Camphuysen and Van Der Meer 2001; Atlantic Ocean, where up to 8 million pairs Ìnejna on 17th November 1983. A single
bird was reported in Birding World in the seen on 24th October 2002 and another on Yelkouan Shearwater
last week of May 2001 close to Linosa. A 29th November 2003 at Qawra. Puffinus yelkouan
record of an observation of a single bird The Balearic Shearwater was declared Garnija tal-Mediterran
off G˙allis by Ray Galea on 18th July was a good species after a split in Puffinus
published on the website www.Surfbirds. yelkouan, which resulted in Puffinus Formerly known as Manx Shearwater, the
com and Birding World, but the photo yelkouan and Puffinus mauretanicus Yelkouan Shearwater occurs in Maltese
published on Surfbirds was of a Cory’s following studies by Brooke (2004). In the waters between November and August. It
Shearwater. majority of sightings it is almost impossible was only recently that three subspecies:
Sooty Shearwaters breed on small islands to distinguish between the Yelkouan and Puffinus puffinus puffinus, Puffinus puffinus
in the south Pacific and south Atlantic Balearic Shearwater since the latter is quite mauretanicus and Puffinus puffinus
Oceans, mainly around New Zealand, variable and sometimes polymorphic, yelkouan have been declared as three
the Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego and overlaps with Yelkouan in colour and separate species.
and also in the Auckland Islands. They size is frequent (Bannerman and Vella- The Malta Breeding Bird Atlas 2008
are spectacular long-distance migrants, Gaffiero 1976; Yésou et al. 1990; Harris et (Raine et al. 2009) estimates the breeding
following a circular route, travelling north al. 1996; Beaman and Madge 1998). In this population of the Maltese Islands between
up the western side of the Pacific and regard, alleged sight records of Balearic 1,680 and 1,990 pairs. In addition to the
Atlantic Oceans at the end of the nesting Shearwater in the Maltese Islands need to colony at Rdum tal-Madonna at l-A˙rax,
season between March and May, reaching be treated with some degree of caution. in Mellie˙a, which is said to contain 500
sub Arctic waters in June and July, where The Balearic Shearwater is a rather dark pairs, other small colonies of Yelkouan
they cross from west to east, then returning shearwater with dark brown upperparts Shearwater are also located in the sea cliffs
south down the eastern side of the oceans contrasting slightly with the dirty, variably in the south and southwest of Malta. These
in September and October, reaching the marked brown-whitish underparts. Most colonies are estimated to contain between
breeding colonies in November. They do individuals show dusky undertail coverts 600 and 800 pairs collectively. In Gozo,
not migrate as a flock, but rather as single and armpits. It is easily told from Manx the Yelkouan Shearwater nests in sea cliffs
individuals. Shearwater Puffinus puffinus by lack of along the southern and northern coasts,
strong contrast between upperparts and particularly in the vicinity of Ta’ Çenç
underparts. Dark individuals could be and possibly on Óa©ret il-Ìeneral. The
Manx Shearwater mistaken for Sooty Shearwater Puffinus breeding population in Gozo is estimated to
Puffinus puffinus griseus but always show a white belly reach about 600 pairs. The small colonies
Garnija tal-Atlantiku patch and lack the scythe-like wings and on Comino and Cominotto are estimated
heavier flight of that species. to number about 80 to 90 pairs jointly. The
Garni 9, 11, 13, Garnija tan-Nord 19. The Balearic Shearwater is an Yelkouan Shearwater was never common
endangered species with a population on the islet of Filfla, and probably no longer
A single record of a first year bird found estimated to be in the region of 4,200 to breeds there.
on the ground at the Malta Freeport, in 9,200 birds. The breeding area is restricted There is a degree of confusion about
Marsaxlokk on 6th September 1995. The to a stretch of about 9 square kilometres the number of breeding Yelkouan
bird was identified from morphometric data in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Its breeding Shearwaters in Malta. In 1982, it was
and DNA analysis (Borg et al. 1999). One population has been estimated at fewer said that largest colony in the north of
was reported on 15th February 2005 from than 2,000 pairs in 1991. up to 70 per cent Malta, part of which was accessible, held
Qawra. of the population breeds in burrows in cliffs at least 250 pairs (Sultana and Gauci
The Manx Shearwater’s name originated on Formentera and surrounding islets. The 1982). In 1993, Sultana stated that the
from the word Manx, meaning from the rest are on Mallorca, Ibiza and other islets. population of Yelkouan Shearwaters at
Isle of Man, because of the large colony In winter, it occurs in the Balearic Sea and l-A˙rax stood at 500 pairs (Sultana 1993).
of Manx Shearwaters found on a small on the northeast Spanish coast with most In 2000, Sultana estimated the breeding
island just south of the Isle of Man. This of the population concentrated between population of the Maltese Islands to
bird breeds in the North Atlantic Ocean, Valencia and Catalonia from November be between 500 and 1,000 pairs, with
with major colonies on islands and coastal to February. Some birds migrate north to a declining trend noticeable between
cliffs around Great Britain and Ireland, seas off the British Isles and the south of 1970 and 1990 (Heath et al. 2000). Two
hence it’s new Maltese name. The current the Scandinavian Peninsula. years later, the population was estimated
suggested name is misleading as the bird The Balearic Shearwater is facing an to contain between 1,400 and 1,560
does not inhabit the whole of the northern array of threats, including predation by breeding pairs (Borg and Sultana 2002),
hemisphere. A Manx Shearwater ringed introduced cats (Felis domestica), Genets a significant increase of between 40 and
in Britain lived for at least 37 years and 8 (Geneta geneta) and rats (Rattus rattus). 212 per cent on the estimates given two
months (Staav 1998). Long-line fishing is also a threat for the years earlier.
bird which can become hooked and then The new population estimates have been
drown. The decline of small pelagic fish replicated in all BirdLife International pub-
Balearic Shearwater populations, which is one of the bird’s main lications since, the latest being in 2004,
Puffinus mauretanicus sources of food, also has a negative impact with the comment that between 1990 and
Garnija Balearika on population numbers. 2002 there was zero decline (Burfield and
Breeding habitat is also decreasing van Bommel 2004). Different estimates are
This bird is another recent addition to the through encroachment by predators and again given in a BirdLife Malta publication
list of birds occurring in Malta. Three were urbanisation. in 2004, wherein the population estimate is
given as ranging from 1,070 to 1,460 (Borg for serious studies that can effectively lead
and Sultana 2004). Furthermore, Borg con- to the protection of these poorly studied
firms that ‘breeding success was assessed birds.
for the first time in 2006 and it was found The adults start visiting the breeding sites
to be zero (due to rat predation) in several in early December, and possibly in very
colonies’ (BirdLife International 2008). late November (Borg and Cachia Zammit
Also according to Borg, the Malta colonies 1986). Galea (1990) concluded that (Manx)
are declining (Bourgeois and Vidal 2008), Yelkouan Shearwaters in Malta breed
a statement supported by BirdLife Malta, earlier than elsewhere because he found
Yelkouan Shearwater
which maintains that such decline has eggs in the first week of March.
been going on for the last 25 years. There But Cramp and Simmons (1977) stated
seems to be a great deal of inconsistency not immediately clear. that egg-laying takes place in mid-March
in the estimates and published opinions It has been repeatedly stated by BirdLife and more recent research has shown
resulting in a great deal of confusion on Malta that the breeding population in the such birds to breed between February
the population estimates of the Maltese Maltese Islands makes up 10 per cent of the and March. Yelkouan Shearwaters breed
Islands and whether the population did in world population of Yelkouan Shearwaters. in crevices, deep burrows and fissures,
fact increase or decline between 1970 and According to IuCN (2008), the world
2008, and at what rate. The fact that in 2007, population ranges from 14,700 to 52,000
only 58 Yelkouan Shearwaters were ringed breeding pairs (average 33,350), whereas
shows that the population is not very large. according to the latest estimates (Raine et
Bourgeois and Vidal (2008) state that 78 to al. 2009) the Maltese Islands population
94 percent of all population estimates of the ranges between 1,680 and 1,990 breeding
Yelkouan Shearwater in the Mediterranean pairs (average 1,835).
Basin are probably inflated and that the If one were to compare the minimum
Yelkouan Shearwater is generally poorly figures of the Maltese population (1,680)
studied in the entire Mediterranean Basin with the minimum IuCN population
with a chronic trend towards demographic (14,700), the Maltese population represents
overestimation. Hence it is even more 11.4 per cent of the total world population,
critical that the population of the Maltese but if one compared the maximum figures
Islands is measured more rigorously. (1,990 for Malta and the world population
The Malta Breeding Bird Atlas 2008 of 52,000), the Maltese population amounts
(Raine et al. 2009) asserts that the breeding to 3.8 per cent of the total world population.
Footprints of Yelkouan Shearwater on cliff
population in the Maltese Islands makes If the more realistic average figures of both
ledges
up 10 per cent of the world population populations were compared, this would
of Yelkouan Shearwaters. An objective work out to an estimate of 5.5 per cent. as well as under boulders. The nest sites
assessment of these figures shows that it This does not mean that the Maltese of these species are usually less exposed
is apparent that the estimate of 10 per cent population is not important. On the than those of the larger Cory’s Shearwater.
rests on a number of assumptions that are contrary, these figures show there is a need A single chalky white egg is laid on bare
ground between March and early April.
Brooding takes around 50 days and by
mid-July the young fledge and leave the
colonies.
Experiments carried out by BirdLife Malta
with GPS data loggers and satellite tags
on young Yelkouan Shearwaters in 2008
and 2009, showed that the birds headed
eastwards and travelled to Greece and
then moved to the Aegean Sea. Others
were recorded from the Sea of Marmara in
Turkey, near the mouth of the Bosphorus,
indicating that they may be moving into the
Black Sea. One bird from 2008 travelled to
the coast of Egypt.
The data loggers indicate that most
Yelkouan Shearwaters headed about 200
km southeast of Malta to fish during the
breeding season (BirdLife Malta 2008,
2009). The data of the dispersal of the young
birds is similar to what was known from
ringing recoveries. A Yelkouan Shearwater
ringed in Malta on 21st May 1976 was found
Yelkouan Shearwater dead in Greece on 18th July of the same
year. Another bird ringed in Malta as a pullus but a year later, Hugh Strickland corrected
on 24th June 1972 was recovered at the this as he realised it was the same species
Black Sea three years later, in August 1975. of “Stormy Petrel”, as it was then known, that
Another recovery was that of a bird ringed was found in the uK.
as pullus in Malta on 7th July 1977 and found Like shearwaters, Storm Petrels only
in Crimea on 30th June 1978. In the past, come to land at night and are very difficult
some fishermen caught these shearwaters to see, and being pelagic, they spend
in nets at night and used their flesh to bait their entire life out at sea and only come
their fish traps. This practice, prevalent up to land during the breeding season. A
to the early 1970s, has however stopped. few single birds may sometimes be seen
close to land, but such sightings are by
no means common. Single birds, very
occasionally twos, are usually recorded in
Hydrobatidae European Storm Petrel this way, mostly in September, but 15 were
seen off Qawra on 9th September 2001. In
2006, another 2 were seen on 8th August
European Storm Petrel A mere two years before, Sultana had at G˙allis, 1 on 9th August at Qawra, 3 on
Hydrobates pelagicus given the population estimates at 3,000 to 10th August off Qawra, 1 at Qawra on 12th
Kan©u ta’ Filfla 5,000 pairs and said the population was August.
on a declining trend between 1970 and The birds return to their breeding sites
Ghasfur ta Ghawdesc 5, 7, Qangu ta Filfla8, 1990 (Heath et al. 2000). In 1993, Sultana between late March and early April and lay
Cangiu-ta-Filfla 9, Cangiu ta Filfla 10, 12, gave the estimates at between 5,000 to their eggs between May and July. Young
13,
, Kangiu ta Filfla 11, Can©u ta Filfla 14, 15, 10,000 pairs (Sultana 1993). In 1994, the birds start leaving their burrows in mid-
Kan©u ta’ Filfla16-19, Bunittien, Kan©ukan©u, population was given at between 5,000 to August.
Fan©u 20. 8,000 pairs (Borg et al. 1992). When one Storm Petrels lay their single eggs
considers the authors’ statements about under boulders or in deep crevices. Little
Breeds in large numbers on Filfla and a few a decline in population, it is difficult to is known about their breeding biology in
pairs have recently been found breeding understand how the population increased Malta because the main colony where they
in a cave at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo (Borg and between 2000 and 2002. breed, on Filfla, is only visited on a few
Sultana 1992). Singles were sighted at Although Borg (1989) states that the nights in summer for ringing purposes.
G˙arb, Gozo, in February 1992 and at Storm Petrel was first described in 1843 A bird ringed on Filfla in June 1968 was
G˙ar Lapsi in June 1992. by Antonio Schembri, it was the historian recovered at Gabes, Tunisia in December
There is a degree of inconsistency about Gann Piet Frangisk Agius De Soldanis 1969. A number of Storm Petrels ringed
the current population of the Storm Petrel. who was the first to write about Storm on Filfla in the early 1970s were shot in
The latest figures state that the colony at Petrels, which were breeding at G˙ar the Ionian Sea and off Syracuse, Sicily
Filfla consists of 5,000 to 8,000 birds (Borg Ilma in Gozo in the mid 1700s. Agius De between two and six years later. Another
and Sultana 2002). Soldanis did not know the name of the bird ringed at Filfla was taken off Tunisia
bird but described their peculiar habits in 1971. An adult that was ringed in June
and smell (Agius 1746, Farrugia 1936). He 1991 was recovered in July 1996 near
described the birds as staying in the cave Trapani, Sicily. Another adult ringed in July
in daytime and flying at sea to seek food on Filfla was shot near Syracuse in April the
at night. He said the birds left a very foul following year.
smell where they stayed and was assured An adult ringed at Filfla in July 1971 was
by fishermen that they were not found in recovered at Ameland, The Netherlands, in
any other cave in Malta and Gozo. Agius September 1989. It is known that the bird
De Soldanis wrote he had spoken about had been found dead following a storm.
these birds with a French Knight Torgot, Another Storm Petrel also ringed as adult
who had gone to Gozo to collect some on Filfla on 24th May 1986 was found long
bird and plant specimens in 1746, and dead on 20th February 1990 at La Tremblade
who wanted to collect some of them. “He on the west coast of France. These are
acquired eight, which I saw in and out of significant records because it was always
their nest. They were about the size of a thought that the European Storm Petrel did
thrush, with a black beak, similar to that not venture into the Atlantic. Azzopardi (in
of young pigeons, and with feet similar to press) raises the question whether these
those of a duck. two birds belonged to the race melitensis
They lived for a fortnight and he fed them and travelled to the Atlantic or whether
eggs and fish. He could not identify what they were pelagicus visiting the central
they were so he sent some to the famous Mediterranean.
academic Lomien in Paris, to study them A young Storm Petrel ringed in the nest
himself.” in Trapani in July 1987 was found breeding
In 1843, Antonio Schembri had described it on Filfla in July 1989 while another ringed
European Storm Petrel
as a new species Thalassidroma melitensis, at Marettimo Island, Trapani, Sicily in July
1974 was found dead on Filfla in July 1998. Frequently, birds are observed fishing, singles to a maximum of 10 birds. unusual
Storm Petrels can live for quite long and occasionally quite close to shore. A study sightings (1 bird each) were recorded on
the oldest one in Malta was re-trapped 21 of 431 sightings over a 24-year period from 13th April 2007 and on 18th May 2005.
years later. 1986 made by Michael Sammut shows that unpublished records of sightings during
The oldest Strom Petrel so far was one 39.2 percent of the birds seen were adults the last century include a single bird in Gozo
ringed in England, which is known to have while 30.4 percent were first year birds, 11.6 in November 1959; 1 on 28th October and 2
lived for at least 33 years and 9 months percent were not aged (Sammut in prep.). on 3rd November 1964, both around Gozo;
(Staav 1998). A recent paper using The highest number of Gannets ever 1 on 21st October 1966; 1 off Xlendi on
DNA techniques (Cagnon et al. 2004), seen on a single day was on 10th February 16th October 1968. In 1972, there were the
published post the AERC taxonomic 2010, when 52 birds were counted off following records in Gozo: 1 on 6th October,
recommendations, noted that the Atlantic Rinella by Michael Sammut. 48 were seen another on 21st October off Ta’ Çenç; 1 off
populations were sufficiently distinct in the afternoon while 4 were seen in the M©arr, 1 on 6th November and 1 on 20th
from the Mediterranean ones to be given morning. The birds were noted moving December.
subspecies status and have been named from a SE to a NNW direction. The winter of Two records of adult birds in 1973: at
Hydrobates pelagicus pelagicus. The 2008/2009 was one of the best on record tal-Fessej on 4th January and off M©arr on
Mediterranean race has been named for Gannet sightings. In February 2009, at 20th December. One off Marsaxlokk on 18th
Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis, as least 17 birds were seen. A high count was February 1978. Single records in Malta
Schembri had hinted so many years ago. logged on 10th February 2009, when about on 27th October 1982 (a juvenile); on 23rd
15 birds were seen, including 9 (7 adults, January, 7th February and 18th October
a 4th winter bird and a 3rd winter bird) noted 1983; 3 on 20th February and another on 21st
Leach’s Storm Petrel moving in a NW-SE direction between St February 1985; singles on 30th October and
Oceanodroma leucorhoa Elmo Point and Rinella. Other sightings 11th November 1985 another on 10th January
Kan©u tal-Atlantiku or other dates involved between 1 and 5 1986; and 4 on 20th February 1985.
birds. Another high count was recorded More Gannets are being observed
Vagrant, recorded a few times in summer. during the same winter a couple of months annually due to increased interest in
The first bird was recorded by Sammy earlier in December 2008, when a total of sea-bird watching. Furthermore, Gannet
Borg, who identified a bird that was shot 22 birds was sighted, mostly singles but up populations have increased in recent
off Filfla, and given to a friend of his, on to a maximum of 3 birds in a day. years and more birds are entering the
28th July 1974. Other earlier records were Significant counts were recorded in Mediterranean in winter.
later identified from other collections after December 2005 and January 2007 both with From land based observations
birds were taken by fishermen on 21st a total of 12 birds each. However, counts from Gibraltar in 1980, about 7,500
and 26th July 1969. Two birds dated 1969 between October and March are usually were considered as wintering in the
have recently been discovered in a private more modest with daily totals varying from Mediterranean (Finlayson and Cortes
collection. unpublished records supplied
by Sammy Borg include 3 taken off Filfla on
2nd July, 7th and 16th August 1980, 5 taken
at sea on 5th September 1984.
The Leach’s Storm Petrel breeds on
inaccessible islands in the colder northern
areas of the Atlantic and Pacific. The
largest colony of Leach’s Storm-petrels
can be found on Baccalieu Island of
eastern Canada, where more than 3 million
pairs breed. It is strictly pelagic outside the
breeding season, and this, together with
its remote breeding sites, makes Leach’s
Petrel a difficult bird to see from land.
Sulidae
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
Sula
Scarce but appears offshore annually

between October and March, occasionally
in September and April, but one was
recently seen in May. Sightings involve
Northern Gannet
Gannets of all ages, from 1st winter to adult.
1984), while from observations gathered in total. These including 11 birds at Qawra
during daily crossings of the Straits of on the 11th, a flock of 45 at Pembroke on
Gibraltar in 1986 and 1987 the estimate, the 12th, a flock of 28 at Qawra on the 15th,
was between 20,000 and 24,000 (Hashmi and 20 at Luqa airfield on the 29th. A flock
1993). Birds ringed in Scotland and Eire of 11 birds was recorded on 1st November
have been recovered in Malta. A young 2006 at Qawra.
Gannet ringed in the uK lived for 32 years A notable passage occurred in October
and 4 months before being found dead on 2007, with 25 birds on the 22nd; 8 at Xemxija,
a beach (Staav 1998). 17 at Qawra, and 9 at Comino on the 23rd;
and 8 at Grand Harbour on the 24th. Other
significant winter sightings include 28 birds
seen at Luqa airfield on the 7th and 8 birds
Phalacrocoracidae at Pembroke on the 17th in December 2006.
up to 9 birds were wintering at the Salina
salt pans in December 2009. An important
Great Cormorant record in spring is that of a flock of 17 birds
Phalacrocorax carbo seen on the 11th March 2009 off Çirkewwa.
Margun Otherwise March records range from
single digit numbers on one to three days.
Bughaddas3, Margoni4, Bughaddas3, The only autumn sightings occurred on 28th
Margoni4, Mergun 8, Margun 9-11, 13, 15-19, September 2008 when a total of 18 birds
Bughaddas, Mergun, Margun12, Serduk20. were recorded from various locations.
Both Phalacrocorax carbo carbo, which
Scarce but regular between September is found along the coasts of the northwest
and March, but has appeared in April and Europe, and Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis Great Cormorants
May. Numbers vary considerably from which occurs in central and south Europe
single birds up to medium double digit and North Africa (except North-west
flocks. Africa), have been recorded. Sultana birds ringed in Germany have also been
In the period 2006 to 2009, the highest and Gauci (1981) contend that only the recovered in Malta.
counts were recorded in November. race sinensis occurs. This assertion is A specimen belonging to the subspecies
Significant numbers were also recorded somewhat dubious as most of the foreign- Phalacrocorax carbo maroccanus was
in October, December and March. The ringed Cormorants recovered in Malta shot on 23rd January 2001 close to the
highest count occurred in November 2007 come from Denmark and Sweden, where fish farms off St. Paul’s Bay (S. Borg pers.
when about 110 sightings were recorded the nominate race carbo occurs. Some comm.).
The maroccanus race is found along
the northwest of Africa. At first the bird
was thought to be a European Shag
(Phalacrocorax aristotelis) but closer
examination revealed it to be a Cormorant
of the race maroccanus. Its wing length
was 315 mm, the lower limit of the range,
and its bill was very slender. The bird was
in the company of three other Cormorants
that had been regularly observed in the
area around the fish farms off St Paul’s
Bay.
A bird of the subspecies maroccanus/
lucidus was seen 19th November 2004 at
Qawra. As the lucidus race is found in east
Africa, it is unlikely that the bird belonged
to this race.
A Great Cormorant ringed in the nest in
the uK was found dead 21 and a half years
later (Staav 1998).
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Margun tat-Toppu
Great Cormorant Vagrant. Recorded in March, June,

October and December.
Pelicanidae last century are 1 on 20th and another on

25th October 1960 at Lunzjata and G˙asri
respectively; singles in spring of 1962 and
Great White Pelican on 20th October 1969, both at Lunzjata; at
Pelecanus onocrotalus G˙asri on 25th October 1969; at Xag˙ra on
Pellikan 15th March 1972; at Tas-Salvatur on 20th
October 1972 and 2 birds in Malta on 25th
Pelican 8, Sassla 9, Pellican, Sassla 10, 12, October 1972; at Sannat on 20th November
, Pelikan, Sasla 11, Pellican 15, Sassla 16,
13 1972; 3 at Xag˙ra on 26th December 1972;
Pellikan, Sassla 17, Pelikan 18, Pellikan 19. 1 (locality unknown) on 3rd April 1974; 1
on 1st April 1975 and 2 on 11th November
Vagrant. Recorded mainly in October, 1975 (locality unknown); 2 at Ramla on
November, December, and sometimes 21st April 1977; and 2 at tal-Fessej Rock on
in June and July. Two were shot on 23rd 3rd March 1977, all from Gozo. Singles at
November 1957 on Comino. Rabat on 2nd May; at Xrobb l-G˙a©in on 2nd
Last recorded on 22nd September 1999 November, at G˙adira on 3rd November;
when Michael Sammut and three Italian and another at Nadur, on 20th November,
birdwatchers, Gianluca Chiofalo, Carmela all in 1987. A bird was shot at Tas-Safra on
Cardelli and Elena Grasso, observed 7th September 1996. Most of these records
two adult birds soaring over Mdina. The originate from taxidermists’ logbooks
Great White Pelican breeds from south- personally examined by the author. It is
eastern Europe through Asia and in Africa pertinent to note that in Malta the Great
in swamps and shallow lakes. More than Bittern did not enjoy legal protection
half of the population of the Great White before 1980.
Pelicans breeds in the Danube Delta in The Great Bittern is declining in much of
Great White Pelican
Romania. This pelican migrates short its temperate European and Asian range. It
distances, wintering in northeast Africa. is resident in the milder west and south, but
The race Phalacrocorax aristotelis migrates south from areas where the water
desmarestii, which is found in the freezes in winter. Besides the Eurasian
Mediterranean and Black Sea, has race, Botaurus stellaris stellaris, another
occurred in Malta. One was shot on 28th Ardeidae race, Botaurus stellaris capensi, exists in
October 1976 at Marsaxlokk. Three were southern Africa. A Great Bittern ringed in
recorded off Qawra on 19th November The Netherlands is known to have lived
2004. Great Bittern for at least 11 years and 3 months (Staav
The European Shag breeds around the Botaurus stellaris 1998).
rocky coasts of western and southern Kappun
Europe, southwest Asia and North Africa,
mainly wintering in its breeding range Cappun Imperial8, 9, 12, 13, 15, Capoun Little Bittern
except for northernmost birds. In Britain it imperial10, Kappun impirial11, Kappun Ixobrychus minutus
is called Shag. imperjal16, Kappun17, 18, 19. Russett tas-Si©ar
Very scarce between March and May Blongos 4, Blongios 8-10, Russet tas-Silla,
Pygmy Cormorant in spring and from late September to Blongios11, Blongios, Blongios tas-sigiar 12,
Phalacrocorax pygmaeus November in autumn. It has also been Russett tas-sigiar 12, 15, Russett tas-silla 13, 17,
Margun Ûg˙ir recorded in December, January and June. Blon©os 16, Russett tas-Si©ar 18, 19, Stringis,
The highest counts have been recorded Lugrett, Ligrett tas-si©ar, Sarret, Óanxul,
Formerly considered as a rejected in October and November. Considering Óenxul, Qencul, Ûokk 20.
species, after a juvenile European Shag that the Great Bittern is a solitary bird, the
had been erroneously reported by De most remarkable records are of a flock Fairly common in spring, especially from
Lucca as a Pygmy Cormorant (Vella of 5 seen heading southeast off St Elmo mid-April to mid-May but scarce in autumn
Gaffiero 1975c). But Joe Vella Gaffiero Point on 15th October 2006 and another from August to October. It also occurs
informed me of a bird taken in October flock of 6 birds seen on 24th October 2008 in March. A pair bred twice at is-Simar
1983 at Ìnejna, which he had seen, and at Girgenti. A flock of 18 at Girgenti on Reserve at Xemxija in 1997 and in 2000.
made notes about, which is a first record 14th March 2010. The highest number of The first breeding record was given by
of this species for Malta. sightings in spring occurs in March and Ray Galea (1999a) who found a nest with
The Pygmy Cormorant breeds in south- April. Birds normally occur singly, with 4 eggs in March 1997. Little Bitterns were
eastern Europe and south-western Asia. a maximum of 2 sightings in a day. Most also present at is-Simar in summer of 1998
It is partially migratory, with northern birds are seen on migration and rarely stay and 1999, but there was no evidence of
populations wintering further south, mostly longer than one day, even in the reserves. breeding. Little Bitterns bred in the wild for
within in its breeding range. It is a rare However, a Great Bittern was at is-Simar five consecutive years from 2005 to 2009
vagrant to Western Europe. from 18th of March until mid-April of 2005. at Kevin Mallia’s bird park in the limits of
Interesting unpublished records from the Burmarrad. The birds bred in reed beds
around the artificial pool and though

attempts were never made to locate the
nests, adult birds were seen throughout
summer and young birds with down on their
heads were noted. The Little Bittern nests in
very dense vegetation and it is very unlikely
that a nest is located without difficulty and
without some degree of disturbance to the
site and the bird itself.
An interesting record is that of a late bird
recorded on 3rd January 2001 at is-Simar.
In 2007, an influx occurred on 25th and 26th
April with at least 15 at Dwejra (Malta) and
35 seen flying out of their roost in Santa
Maria Valley at dusk in two flocks. Over
40 were recorded on 26th April at Comino,
some of which were seen flying out of their
daytime roost at dusk. In 2008, an adult was
at G˙adira on 31st August. In 2009, there
were a few single records in April and May.
In September 2009, 45 records with 19 on
the 22nd and between 1 and 6 birds on 9
other dates. Some elderly hunters used to
think that Little Bitterns were young herons
that were carried on their parent’s back
and which fell off during migration (Lizio
Farrugia pers. comm.).
Black-crowned Night Herons
The Little Bittern breeds in Africa, too. Night Herons can sometimes be
central and southern Europe, western heard calling in flight, especially at
and southern Asia, and Australasia. Birds night.
from temperate regions in Europe and Over the past four years, the highest
western Asia are migratory, wintering in numbers in spring were recorded in
Africa and further south in Asia, while 2007 and 2008 when a total of about 360
those nesting in the tropics are sedentary. birds were recorded in each year. Lower
It is rare north of its breeding range. A numbers were recorded in 2006 (±175
bird ringed in Yugoslavia was recovered birds) and 2009 when 23 birds were
in Malta. A female Little Bittern ringed recorded between April and June.
in Switzerland lived for at least 6 years The highest counts occurred in
(Staav 1998). September 2009, with 400 birds seen from
various places, with 125 on the 1st, 66 on
the 8th and 41 on 21st. Double figures were
Black-crowned Night Heron seen on 6 other dates and fewer than 9 birds
Nycticorax nycticorax on 5 other dates. In 2008, 162 birds were
Kwakka seen while in September 2006, 122 birds
were recorded. Significant numbers were
Quack, Blongiun Imperial 8, Quack 9, 10, 13, also recorded in August 2007 (142 birds)
Kuak, Kuakk, Ruset tas-sigiar 11, Cuack and August 2008 (125 birds). The best
irmiedi, Cappun irmiedi 12, Russett tas- spring counts occur in April with 85 birds
sigiar 13, Cuacca15, Kwakka 16, Kwakk, recorded in April 2007 and 19 birds each
Russett tas-si©ar17, Kwakka 18, 19, Kwakka April in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Sightings
tal-Óarrub 20. recorded in January, March, May, June,
July and October range between single
Common migrant that is mostly seen birds and low double figures. Late records
between mid-March and early May and include 1 on 27th December 1997 at Qawra
mid-August to mid-September. Flocks and 1 on 30th October 2005 at Comino,
of 30 to 60 birds are not uncommon and whereas a late spring record was of 1 on
Black-crowned Night Heron flocks of over 100 have been recorded 28th June 2006 at G˙adira.
Heavy passages are sometimes recorded. were a flock of 9 seen on 18th March 2007
In August 2005, a flock of 20 was observed at G˙adira. Autumn migration in 2007 was
on the 29th at Delimara and a total of 165 highlighted with the highest August count
(in separate flocks of 33 mostly juveniles, with 142 birds recorded including an adult
35 mostly adults, and mixed flocks of 32, and a juvenile on the 4th at is-Simar, a flock
25, and 40) were observed over Birkirkara of over 40 over Delimara on the 22nd, and a
between 06.30 and 07.30 on the 30th. flock of about 100 on the 27th off Pembroke,
In 2006, much fewer Night Herons than as well as a flock of 110 birds seen on 21st
usual were observed. The largest flocks September at Nadur. Other interesting
were of 26 birds seen on 7th September sightings in 2007 were 6 at Birkirkara on 4th
and a flock of 25 on 23rd September, both June and a juvenile at is-Simar on 28th July.
at G˙adira. Other significant flocks were Remarkable passages took place in
those of 19 birds seen on 23rd April at autumn of 2008. A total of 125 birds were
Comino and a flock of 15 birds at Qawra recorded in August, including a flock of
on 24th September. Several smaller flocks over 30 on the 22nd at Dingli as well as 40
containing between 2 and 12 birds were on the 26th and 43 on 31st, both flocks at
seen in various localities mostly in March, Buskett. September was the best month
April and September. The two consecutive with over 160 birds recorded, with the
years 2007 and 2008 were good years for highest number being recorded on the
Night Herons. unusual winter records were 3rd, when 10 were seen over G˙adira, 26
logged in these two years, with 1 on 4th at Dwejra, and 27 at Buskett. October
January 2007 and single birds on 5th, 15th, migration was unusual too with 53 birds
and 16th January 2008 all at is-Simar. The recorded, including 13 at Buskett on the
best spring count occurred in April 2007 11th. unusual records in 2008 were those of Squacco Heron
with a total of 85 birds including 19 at Salina 10 birds on the 4th July at Salina and 2 birds
on the 3rd, 46 at is-Simar on the 23rd, and 20 on 16th July at is-Simar. Spring 2009 was
at Dingli on the 30th. The first spring birds unremarkable with the highlight being a
flock of 16 birds seen at tal-Ìordan, Gozo
on 14th April.
However, 2 adult birds spent from mid-
April to the end of June 2009 at Kevin
Mallia’s Bird Park in Burmarrad. In summer
2 were seen on Comino on 13th June.
The first ‘autumn’ record in 2009 was an
immature at G˙adira on 26th June.
The Black-crowned Night Heron,
commonly called Night Heron in Eurasia,
is found throughout a large part of the
world, except in the coldest regions
and Australasia. It is migratory in the
northernmost part of its range, but
otherwise resident. A bird ringed in the
nest at Hrvatska, Yugoslavia in June 1977
was shot at Luqa in October of the same
year. Other ringed birds recovered in Malta
came from Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary,
uSSR and Spain. A Black-crowned Night
Squacco Heron
Heron ringed in France lived for at least 16
years and 4 months (Staav 1998).
One at is-Simar on 12th June 2006 was a
rather late occurrence. Records in 2006
Squacco Heron include 2 at Qawra and 9 at St Elmo Point
Ardeola ralloides on 10th September, a flock of 9 on 11th
Agrett Isfar September at the Breakwater, Valletta and
3 on 22nd September at Comino. In 2007, 4
Agret Isfar 8, Agrett isfar 9-13, 15-19. on 6th and 7th September at Salina. In 2008,
BirdLife reported singles on 6th and 13th
Fairly common in April and May but and 5 on the 17th April, 7 on the 20th April,
scarce from mid-August to early October. an immature on 5th May at is-Simar and 2 at
Individual birds and small flocks can be Pembroke on 11th August. In 2009, singles
seen around the coast and in reserves. It is and up to three birds in April and May, but
Black-crowned Night Herons sometimes seen with flocks of Little Egrets. a flock of 33 at Marsa on 11th April and 12
at Ta’ Çenç on 16th April. 2 on the 8th and 1

on 24th September.
The Squacco Heron breeds in southern
Europe and the Middle East. It is a migrant,
wintering in Africa. Birds ringed in Spain
and Yugoslavia have been recovered in
Malta.
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Agrett tal-Bhejjem
Quack abiat 10, Agrett 10, 11, Russett 13,

Agrett isfar prim 15, Kwakk abjad 16, Agrett
isfar prim 17, Agrett tal-bhejjem 18, 19.
Very rare and irregular migrant, seen

mostly singly or in small flocks, sometimes
with Little Egrets. It has been seen from
March to May in spring as well as in August
and from October to January.
unpublished records from last century
include 1 at G˙ajnsielem Gozo on 24th
December 1976. Sammy Borg informed Western Reef Egret
me of the following records: 1 at Salina in
May 1978; 1 on 12th May 1978 and 1 on 31st Qawra; and another at is-Simar on 13th April Schembri (1843a) recorded the capture of
March 1980 at Bulebel; 1 on 26th May 1980 2005. In 2006, one was shot at Delimara on two birds and Wright (1864a) mentioned
at Gozo; 5 on 12th November 1987 at sea; 23rd May, 1 over G˙adira on 27th November. another specimen preserved at the
and 14 on 3rd December 1987 at Salina. In 2007, 1 on 23rd October at Qawra, 5 on university Museum. Leach (1907), whose
One was seen on 2nd June 2001, 1 on 8th 16th October at G˙adira, 1 off Marfa on work was published almost 50 years later,
October and 1 on 16th November 2003, all 23rd October, 1 over Ramla Bay, Gozo listed it too. Arrigoni degli Oddi (1929)
at G˙adira; 1 on 27th November 2004 at on 3rd November, one at Salina on 23rd gives the same Maltese name coined by
November. Several birds escaped from an Prof. Tagliaferro Agrett isfar prim that was
aviary near Salina on 29th November, and used by Despott (1917).
singles seen on and after this date were Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and
probably escapees. One was seen off Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion
Pembroke on 23rd December. In 2008, 1 at in its distribution and successfully colonised
G˙adira on 19th May, an adult at is-Simar much of the rest of the world.
on 15th July, 3 seen feeding together with 4
Little Egrets in flooded fields at Salina on 1st
October were probably escapees from the Western Reef Egret
nearby bird park. Six birds escaped from Egretta gularis
the park on the previous day. One was at Agrett tax-Xatt
Mellie˙a from 1st to 4th December and 2
over is-Simar on 14th December. In 2009, Agret 8, Agrett 9-11, Agrett abiad, Agrett
1 on 14th May at G˙adira. A single bird zgheir, Cuak abiad, Airun abiad 12, Agrett
stayed at Kevin’s Bird Park at Burmarrad abjad 15-19, Ligrett, Russett mill-Bojod,
throughout summer. This bird was probably Russett tat-Toppu 20.
an escapee that had returned to the site.
Several birds escaped from Kevin’s Bird Very rare. Only one documented record,
Park on the 12th October 2009, and birds of a dark phase bird shot at Marsaxlokk
seen at various places on and after this on 22nd May 1983 and which is found in
date were probably escapees. A pair of the collection of Alfred Vassallo at Ûejtun
these escapees survived and bred on top (Sultana 2001). This is actually the third
of the aviaries in November. The nest had record for this species. Sammy Borg
three eggs in mid-November, two of which has informed me that the first bird ever
hatched, the first on 14th December. But recorded was actually taken at Qawra in
both chicks died after the mother was shot the early 1940s and the bird was seen at
on 9th January 2010. Natu tal-Qatran, a taxidermist at Msida.
The Cattle Egret was formerly known Another bird, a white phase, was shot at
Cattle Egret as Buff-backed Heron (Ardeola ibis). Wied ix-Xoqqa, limits of BirΩebbu©a on 21st
produced 43 sightings over two days: 8 at

Salina on the 2nd and a flock of more than
35 over is-Simar on the 6th.
The year 2007 was comparatively poor
for Little Egrets. In spring only 49 birds
were recorded in April, including 31 at
G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on the 1st and a flock of 18
at Marsalforn, Gozo on the 8th. Seven birds
seen at Clapham Junction on 26th August
were the first autumn migrants in 2007.
The only winter record was that of a bird
seen on the breakwater at the Grand Harbour
on 6th December 2007. Singles were also
recorded at is-Simar on 19th November and
at Salina on 20th November 2007. However,
these birds were probably escapees from
Kevin Mallia’s bird park at Burmarrad, as a
tree growing through the roof of the aviary
opened up a hole in the netting and several
Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets escaped.
Several birds seen throughout summer
of 2007 at Salina were probably individuals
from a group of six birds that tried to breed on
top of the aviaries of Kevin Mallia’s bird park,
Little Egret located very close to the Salina saltpans.
Mallia breeds several species of birds,
October 1982. This bird was seen by the 5 at Salina, 16 (12, 4) at Delimara and 12 including Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets.
author in 2005 in the collection where it is (6, 5, 1) at Salina, all on the 26th. Spring A pair of Little Egrets nested and laid
preserved at BirΩebbu©a. 2009 was typical with 97 birds recorded in eggs on top of his aviary, directly above
The Western Reef Egret occurs mainly on April. These included 52 (largest flock 15) nests inside the aviaries. In September
the coasts in tropical West Africa, the Red at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on the 9th. Small numbers 2009, a total of 258 birds, with around 50
Sea, the Persian Gulf and east to India. occasionally occur in May: 5 at Dwejra, birds on 1st, 19th and 23rd. Between 2 and
Gozo on the 5th and 6 at G˙adira on the 17 birds were seen on ten other dates.
9th of May 2006; 13 at G˙adira, and 4 at
Little Egret G˙ajn Tuffie˙a, both sightings on the 11th
Egretta garzetta May 2008. On 7th June 2008 a bird in full
Agrett Abjad breeding plumage was seen at Salina.
Migration in autumn is more irregular
Quack abiat 8, Airun abiad 10-12, Cuak than in spring and it peaks in September.
abiad, Airun abiad 12, 13, Russett imperial 15, In September 2006 a remarkable passage
Russett abjad 17-19. took place, with the highest count of almost
300 birds being recorded. Several flocks
Common and regular migrant occurring were seen, with a significant passage on
from mid-March to May in spring and two consecutive days in the third week of
August to October in autumn. Odd sightings September: 22 at G˙adira, 18 at Pembroke,
have been recorded in June, November, 17 at the Breakwater, Valletta and 21 at
and December. Individual birds and small Comino on the 22nd and 22 at G˙adira, 11
flocks are usually recorded, but large flocks at Valletta and 55 at Qawra on the 23rd.
of up to 200 birds have been seen offshore. A further 39 birds were seen in October
Some spend a few days at G˙adira Reserve 2006, with the highest number being 28 at
each spring. Over the past four years, the G˙adira on the 7th.
best years for Little Egret migration were A single bird was at G˙adira on 22nd
2006 (more than 470 birds recorded) and August 2006. In autumn 2008 only 63 birds
2008 (more than 300 birds recorded). were recorded in September, spread over
Spring migration is more distinct, with the four days: 12 on the 1st, and 2 on 3rd, both at
highest counts being recorded in April. The G˙adira; a flock of 38 over is-Simar on the
best spring count occurred in April 2008 11th, and 11 at Qawra on the 19th. However
when about 100 birds were recorded, with August 2008 was unusual for significant
the highest number of 52 birds seen off sightings totalling 49 birds, including 6 at
Qawra on the 30th. In April 2006, 96 birds Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on the 1st, a flock of about
were recorded in total. These included 46 24 at Comino on the 26th and a flock of 15
at Ìnejna, a flock of 13 at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo, at Dwejra, Gozo on the 28th. October 2008 Little Egret
The Little Egret breeds in large inland

wetlands and coastal wetlands in warm
temperate parts of Europe, Asia, Africa
and Australia. In warmer locations, most
birds are permanent residents. Northern
populations, including many European
birds, migrate to Africa and southern Asia.
They may also wander north after the
breeding season, a factor that has led to
this egret’s range expansion. There are at
least two subspecies of Little Egret.
The nominate subspecies Egretta
garzetta garzetta occurs in Europe, Africa
and Asia while Egretta garzetta nigripes
breeds in Indonesia and Australasia.
Those in Australia are sometimes thought
to represent a third subspecies Egretta
garzetta immaculata. Birds ringed in
uSSR, Yugoslavia and Tunisia have been
recovered in Malta. A Little Egret was still
alive 22 years and 4 months after being
ringed in France (Staav 1998).
Great Egret
Great Egret birds were seen. The earliest spring bird was
Casmerodius albus 1 at Tas-Safra on 7th March; then 3 over Bur-
Russett Abjad marrad on 19th April, and 2 at Ramla l-Óamra,
Gozo on 1st May. The first autumn record was
A rare visitor in the past, that was almost of 5 at Sa Maison on 26th August, followed
always recorded singly, not only it is now by 1 on 29th August at Xrobb l-G˙a©in, then
recorded annually but also, at times, in 3 over the Grand Harbour on 4th September;
small flocks. It has been recorded from 1 at G˙ajnsielem, Gozo on 10th September; 1
February to May and from August to off St Elmo Point on 21st September; 5 on the
December. The highest counts occur in Fungus Rock, Dwejra, Gozo on 25th Septem-
autumn, mainly in September and October. ber; 1 with a flock of 50 Grey Herons on 26th
unpublished records from the last September over Buskett; 5 off Marfa and 3
century include 1 shot in May 1973 at at is-Simar on 29th September; and 2 on 19th
Dwejra, Gozo, 1 at M©arr ix-Xini, Gozo on November at Luqa Airport.
24th December 1975, 1 at Dwejra, Gozo on In 2006, spring migration started with 1 off
25th December 1976, and 1 in the south of Çirkewwa on 25th March, followed by 3 at
Malta on 18th April 1977 and 1 in November Ramla Valley, Gozo on 6th May. September
1993 at il-Qag˙di. marked the start of the autumn migration
In 2002, significant records included a with 1 bird on the 13th at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a,
flock of 11 birds (the largest on record) followed by 3 at il-Óofra Ω-Ûg˙ira, Delimara
over Mrie˙el on 5th October, and 5 birds on the 16th. Other autumn records were 1
that flew over is-Simar Reserve on 4th on 14th October at Victoria, Gozo and 3 on
October. Other sightings were of single 6th November over G˙adira.
birds at G˙adira on 28th September and In 2007, the earliest spring migrant was 1
8th October. In 2003, 3 sightings were bird on 23rd February at id-Dahar. Other spring
recorded, 1 at G˙adira on 19th August was records include 3 at Mosta on 14th April, and
the earliest autumn occurrence recorded; 1 on 22nd April at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq. Autumn
1 on 28th October, as well as a single bird records include 1 on 13th at Çirkewwa, 2 on
that spent from 2nd to 3rd October at is- 22nd off Pembroke and 1 on 24th off Marfa in
Simar. Seven sightings were recorded in September; 1 at sea on 18th October; 2 at
2004: 1 at Salina on the 4th September; 1 Marsaxlokk on 7th,1 at St. Elmo Point on 9th,
at is-Simar on 8th September; 2 at Comino and 1 on 12th at Dwejra, Gozo and1 at sea
on 20th September, 1 at is-Simar on 8th on 14th in November. In 2008, 1 over Comino
October, 1 at G˙adira on 11th October, and on 25th February. Autumn migration started
1 off Qammie˙ on 4th November. with 1 sighting on 9th September at Dwejra
The highest count in the period 2003-2009 (Malta), followed by 1 on 27th September at
Great Egret was recorded in 2005, when a total of 32 Qawra, 1 on 3rd October at is-Simar, on 12th
storm on 5th April 1994 thousands of birds

were recorded, with over 3,500 counted at
Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq alone.
The earliest ‘spring’ record is that of
2 single Grey Herons seen on the 7th
February 2009 at St Elmo Point and Msida
respectively, whereas the earliest ‘autumn’
occurrence is of a bird seen on 28th July
2009 at MiΩieb. Other early birds include a
single at Salina on 30th July 2006, another
at G˙adira on 2nd August 2009 and one
on 9th August 1984. A late autumn record
is of a bird taken on 3rd December 1984.
The latter two records were obtained from
taxidermists’ logbooks. An unusual record
is that of a 1st year bird that stayed at
G˙adira from 28th June to 3rd July 2006. The
Grey Heron is native throughout temperate
Europe and Asia and parts of Africa. It is
resident in the milder south and west, but
many birds retreat in winter from the ice in
colder regions. It has become common in
summer even inside the Arctic Circle along
Grey Heron and Mallards the Norwegian coast. Grey Herons ringed
in former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Poland
October at Buskett, 6 birds at Kevin Mallia’s except in January. The spring migration have been recovered in Malta. A Grey
bird park, in Burmarrad on 23rd October. 1 on peak is in March whereas the autumn Heron ringed in The Netherlands lived for
30th November at G˙adira. The latest winter peak is in September. It occurs singly at least 35 years and a month (Staav 1998).
record was of 2 birds on 12th December at or in flocks ranging from low single
Qawra. In 2009, singles over G˙adira on figures to treble figures, mostly around
14th April, on 19th April at Salina, on 25th April the coast but sometimes also flying
at Comino and at G˙ar Lapsi on 2nd May. overhead inland. Single birds as well as
There were 9 sightings in September, with flocks frequently alight in reserves such
4 on the 23rd at Buskett, 2 on 25th and 29th, as G˙adira and Salina where they may
at is-Simar at G˙adira, where other singles be observed wading and hunting and
were seen. A flock on 9 on 1st October, 3 where they sometimes spend several
on 2nd October off Ta’ Fra Ben, 2 on 16th days. Sometimes they perch on rocks
and 17th at G˙adira, 1 on 22nd October at along the coastline, especially on Comino.
St Paul’s Islands and 2 at G˙adira and 1 Occasionally single birds are recorded in
over is-Simar on 30th October. In December, December and in February. It has been
1 at Rinella on the 12th and 1 at Selmun on lately observed that with cold spells in
the 13th. An adult on 10th January 2010 at winter in Europe, individual birds may be
Ûejtun and 5 at id-Dahar 6th April 2010. observed locally in winter.
The Great Egret, also known as the Great The highest counts are normally recorded
White Egret or Common Egret or Great in September. Recent high counts were
White Heron, is found across most of the a total of 1,800 birds seen from various
tropical and warmer temperate regions of localities throughout September 2009,
the world, in southern Europe and Asia it is with the highest passage of 485 on 7th
rather localized. September, 164 on the 8th, 117 on the 13th
and 92 on the 14th, 167 on the 21st, 106 on
the 23rd, 111 on the 27th and 144 on the 28th.
Grey Heron A total of 1,189 birds in September 2008,
Ardea cinerea 656 in September 2006, 269 in September
Russett ÌriΩ 2007, and 246 in September 2005.
Although March counts are significant,
Spagnoi, Russet 4, Airun 5, Russett Irmiedi they are mostly below 100 birds, with
Imperjal8, 10, 13, Russett imperjal9,17, Russet11, March 2009 having the highest count
Russett irmiedi12, Russett griz15, Russett of 115 birds in three consecutive days,
ÌriΩ 16, 18, 19. including 106 birds seen in one day on the
14th off Çirkewwa. Sometimes in spring,
Common spring and autumn migrant. large passages involving hundreds of
Grey Heron
It has occurred in all months of the year birds occur. On one occasion, following a
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Russett A˙mar
Russet 4, Russett culur canella 8, 10, 12,

Russet culur-cannella9, Russet kulur
kannella12, Russett cannella13, Russett15, 16,
Russett a˙mar, Russett kannella17, Russett
A˙mar 18, 19.
Frequent in both spring and autumn. It has

been recorded from late February to late
May and between August and November.
It can be seen singly or in flocks up to low
double digits sometimes in mixed flocks
with other herons especially Grey Herons.
Single birds as well as small groups
occasionally alight in reserves such as
G˙adira, is-Simar, and Salina. Occasionally
they spend some days, especially at
G˙adira and is-Simar Reserves, which
afford them suitable cover since they are
shyer than Grey Herons.
Sightings predominate in the autumn,
especially in August and September. It is
scarcer in spring, appearing mainly in April
in smaller numbers than in autumn. Autumn
migration in 2006 and 2008 was rather
strong with the high counts being recorded:
30 in August and 86 in September 2006; 27
in August and 74 in September 2008.
The only record in autumn of 2007 was a
flock of 34 birds seen on 21st August over
Girgenti. A total of 77, with 27 on the 7th and
15 on the 23rd and between 1 and 8 birds
on 13 other dates in September 2009. The
most significant spring record between
2006 and 2009 was that of 42 birds in April
2009, which included a flock of 37 seen on
the 10th at Rabat.
The only other spring records in this period
were 2 birds at G˙adira on 18th March 2008,
2 birds on 12th April 2009 at Manikata, and 3
birds at Rabat on 13th April 2009.
Flocks ranged from 2 up to about 35
birds. Frequently mixed flocks appear: 3
with a flock of 10 Grey Herons and 17 with
10 Grey Herons at Qawra on 9th September
2006; a single bird with 4 Grey Herons
at Qawra on 21st September 2006; 6 with
14 Grey Herons at Pembroke on the 20th
September 2008. The highest daily count
was of 58 (35, 23) birds seen at G˙adira on
1st September 2007.
Interesting unpublished records from
last century were found in taxidermists’
logbooks: 1 on 20th November 1984 and
while one shot at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on
3rd December 1984 were unusually late
occurrences. An exceptional record is of
around 1,500 Purple Herons recorded off
Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq on 5th April 1994. Purple Heron
Black Stork White Stork
The Purple Heron breeds in Africa, central 11 and a single bird seen from various except for a flock of 3 birds seen at St.
and southern Europe, and southern and localities in Malta on the same day were Julian’s on the 11th. All birds were seen
eastern Asia. The European populations most probably the same birds. A total of over three days between the 10th and the
are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa. 11 birds were seen in smaller groups in 12th.
The Asian populations also migrate further the morning on the same day as the flock The birds in October consisted of
south within Asia. Purple Herons ringed split up (2 at Laferla Cross, 4 at Qawra singles and two flocks of 2 each, all seen
in the former uSSR, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and at is-Simar and singles in various at Buskett over four days between the 1st
The Netherlands and France have been localities). Despite the best efforts of the and the 17th. Autumn migration in 2000,
recovered in Malta. Malta Police to protect them, most were 2001, 2002, and 2003 was rather poor
unfortunately shot. In September 2009, with a maximum of 2 birds being recorded
10 birds were recorded 6 on the 21st, 2 each year, except in 2001 when no Black
on the 28th and singles on 23rd and 24th. Storks were seen.
Ciconiidae In October, 1 on the 5th and 2 on the 16th. Sightings in spring are somewhat
Autumn 2007 produced late records. A irregular and rare. In 2006, 4 birds were
total of 11 birds were seen: 8 in October recorded: 1 at Luqa Airport on 22nd March,
Black Stork and 3 in November. Sightings consisted 1 over Marsascala and 1 over G˙adira on
Ciconia nigra mainly of single birds, except for a flock 23rd March; and a single bird on 6th May
Çikonja Sewda of 4 that roosted at Buskett between 2nd at Nadur, Gozo. Spring sightings in 2007
and 3rd October. The birds in November occurred in April and May: 1 on 17th April
Grua, Cicogna seuda 8, 9, 13,, Grua, Cicogna consisted of a single bird and a flock of at Rabat, 2 on 29th April at Kunçizzjoni; and
sewda 10, Cinkonia seuda, Grua seuda11, 2 seen on the 5th and the 8th respectively. 1 on 15th May at Luqa Airport. Another two
Cicogna sewda 12, Cikonja sewda 14, Autumn 2006 produced four records: spring sightings were recorded in April
Ciconja sewda 15, Çikonja sewda 17-19, Stork 2 on two dates in September and 2 on 2008: 1 on the 18th at Naxxar and 1 on the
iswed, Stork mis-Suwed, Sigonja 20. two dates in October. In autumn 2005 at 25th at G˙arg˙ur. The only summer record
least 7 birds were recorded in September, was that of a bird seen at Burmarrad on 5th
Very scarce autumn visitor in September including a flock of 4 seen over Marfa and June 2007.
and October and rare and irregular in later at Dingli and Buskett (now containing Interesting records from last century
spring from March to May. Most sightings 3 birds) on the 25th. Singles were include: 1 on 30th September 1974 at
involve single birds, but flocks of 2 or 3 recorded near the southwest coast and in Marsalforn, Gozo; 1 at Qammie˙ on 14th
birds are not uncommon, especially in the vicinity of Rabat, Dingli, and Buskett March 1987; 1 at BirΩebbu©a on 2nd April
autumn. on the 21st, 23rd and 27th September 2005, 1987; and 1 over Naxxar on 15th April 1987.
Highest counts occur in autumn, one of which was shot at Ta’ Qali. A single Michael Sammut provided the following
especially in September. September of bird was recorded on 1st October at Mi©ra additional records: 1 on 30th September
2008 was remarkable for the number of l-Fer˙a. 1990; 1 on 17th September 1991; 2 on 21st
sightings recorded, which totalled 16, The second best autumn was that of 2004 September 1991; 1 on 20th September
including a large flock of 12 birds. The when at least 14 birds were recorded: 8 1997, all at Buskett; 1 on 24th August 1998 at
flock was originally seen over Lunzjata, in September and 6 in October. The birds San Ìwann; a flock of 3 on 20th September
Gozo on 23rd September 2008. A flock of seen in September consisted of singles 1998 at Buskett; 1 on 29th September 1998
at Birkirkara; and 1 on 22nd September In 2006, a single bird over G˙arg˙ur Scarce migrant that can be seen from March
1999 at Mnajdra, a juvenile on 22nd October on 16 th July and 1 over Dwejra (Malta) to April and from August to October. This
1999 at Óal Far. on 17 th September. In 2007, 2 were seen review is based on records covering 1978
The Black Stork breeds in the warmer on 28th September at St Julians. In 2008, to 2009. Highest counts occur in March
parts of Europe, mostly in central and an adult was seen on 17 th September and April, with daily sightings ranging
eastern regions. It migrates to tropical at Buskett. In 2009, 1 was seen on 2 nd from single birds to flocks that can contain
Africa and India where it spends the March off Marfa. up to 80 birds. An unusually large influx
winter. A Black Stork ringed in Poland The White Stork breeds in the warmer occurred on 6th April 1980 when 130 birds
was still alive 18 years and 7 months later parts of Europe up to Estonia, northwest were observed flying over G˙adira between
(Staav 1998). Africa and southwest Asia. It winters mainly 06.00 and 09.30 (Fenech and Galea 1980).
in tropical and south Africa and also in Such daily numbers have never been
the Indian subcontinent. A bird ringed in recorded again.
White Stork Poland has been recovered in Malta. White Spring migration occurs in March and
Ciconia ciconia Storks can live for very long. The oldest April. The earliest spring sighting was that of
Çikonja Bajda known White Stork was still alive 39 years a flock of 60 birds seen on 8th March 2008 off
after being ringed in Switzerland. Selmun. It is interesting to note that between
Garnuc, Carnuc, Harnuch, Girenac 1, A White Stork ringed Germany was still the years 2000 and 2009 the Glossy Ibis
Balarg2, Cicogna 4, Gharnuk 5, Laqlaq, breeding 30 years later while another was recorded every year in March, except
Gharnuq, Gharnuqa 7, Grua, Cicogna ringed in France was still alive 34 years in 2004, whereas there were no records in
Baida 8-10, Cinkonia baida, Grua baida 11, and ten months later (Staav 1998). April in the four years between 2000 and
Cicogna baida, Grua 12, Cicogna Baida13, 2003. In the years between 1980 and 1999,
Cikonja bajda 14, Ciconja bajda 15, 16, the reverse was true: it was recorded in April
Çikonja bajda 17-19, Segonja, Stork, Stork in most years and less often in March (only
Abjad, Stork mill-Bojod 20. Threskiornithidae seen in March 1985, 1987, 1996 and 1998).
The total count for all birds seen during
Rare visitor that can be encountered from both periods was ±450 birds in March and
March to May and in August, September Glossy Ibis ±450 seen in April. However, the distribution
and October. When recorded, storks are Plegadis falcinellus of sightings in 2000-2009 was 75% of birds
usually seen singly or in parties of up to six Velleran in March and 25% in April, whereas in 1980-
birds. The highest count of 38 birds was 1999 the distribution of sightings was the
recorded in 2005, with 8 in spring and 27 in Velleran 8-19, Óasi tal-ba˙ar 17, Veneral, exact reverse: 25% in March and 75% in
autumn. unfortunately few, if any, of these Verenal, Serduq tal-ba˙ar, Serduq 20. April. The Glossy Ibis was recorded in May
birds survived poaching.
One on 29th March 1974 at San Lawrenz,
Gozo. Sammy Borg and Michael Sammut
provided the following records: 2 at Si©©iewi
on 20th August 1969; singles at Óal Far on 8th
September 1976, at Delimara on 18th April
and 23rd April 1979, and 12th March 1980;
at Ûurrieq on 13th March 1980; singles at Ta’
Qali and Qormi and 2 at Salina Bay on 1st
September 1981; 2 at Delimara on 5th May
1983; 1 at Marsascala on 20th April 1989; 2
over San Ìwann on 27th August 1991; 6 over
Buskett on 10th September 1994; a juvenile
on 2nd September 1999 at BirΩebbu©a; sin-
gles at Qawra on 2nd May 2001 and at Deli-
mara on 17th September 2002; 1 over Santa
Venera on 20th March 2003; 2 at Buskett on
22nd August 2004.
In 2005, there were several sightings: 8 at
l-A˙rax on May 30th, of which two were shot
immediately. A bird that was seen flying with
several broken wing feathers over various
localities on the following day was probably
what remained of the flock seen on the
previous day. Ten at Dingli on August 24th
(all were shot down); 6 on Gozo on August
25th (all shot down); 6 shot at tal-Óandaq
and 4 shot at Bidnija on August 26th; 1 seen
over G˙asri, Gozo on 29th August; 3 on 23rd
Glossy Ibis
September at Ìnejna Bay.
in only two years: 2 birds taken on 14th May There were no records in December (1 in March, 1 in April and 1 in June), and
1985 in Malta (locality unknown), and a flock and January. The only winter record is 1997 (1 in January, 1 in September and 1
of about 15 off G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 4th May of a bird taken on 5th February 1984. A in October). Most other years produced
2007. In 2010, a flock of 21 off Çirkewwa sighting of a bird at G˙adira on 18th June single records or none at all. Some recent
on 26th March and a flock of over 30 on 2005 is the latest ‘spring’ occurrence on records include: an adult on 25th and 26th
Comino on 11th April. record. September 2009 at G˙adira, 8 off Ta’ Çenç
In autumn sightings are irregular and The 1978 and 1984 records represent and 5 off Rinella on 27th December, 2 at the
counts are usually low, ranging between unpublished data from taxidermists’ Airport and at G˙adira on the 28th could all
single birds up to low double figures. logbooks. Another unpublished record have been part of the original flock. A bird
Autumn migration starts in August and also taken from a taxidermist’s logbook that was seen on 9th March 2009 at G˙adira
peaks in September. The highest autumn is of an albino Glossy Ibis shot in autumn reserve in the morning, left and returned in
count was recorded in 1985 with a flock 1963 in Gozo. the evening was bearing a black plastic ring
of 17 birds seen on 27th September over The Glossy Ibis is the most widespread bearing the initials IXC on it. A single bird
Bin©emma. Other September sightings species of ibis, breeding in various sites was at Kevin Mallia’s Bird Park on 15th May
are of 3 birds in 1978 at Marfa, a flock of in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, 2009. 1 at Salina on 9th March 2010.
6 at Dwejra on 28th September 2004, and Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean Taxidermists’ records included
single birds in 1988, 2005, and 2006. region of the Americas. It spread naturally unpublished records from last century:
It is very irregular in August with only from Africa to northern South America in singles in spring and 1 in November 1959,
four years producing any sightings. The the 19th century. The European birds winter all at Xlendi, Gozo; 1 on 23rd October 1972
highest August count was of 22 birds at in Africa. Birds from other populations in Gozo (locality unknown); 1 at tal-Fessej
Xemxija on 26th August 2004. Other August may disperse widely outside the breeding Rock, Gozo on 10th April 1973; 1 in the
records are of a flock of 8 at G˙adira Bay season. A bird ringed in Hungary has been south of Malta, on 27th September 1976; 1
on 14th August 1996 (this is the earliest recovered in Malta. A Glossy Ibis ringed in at Nadur, Gozo on 11th September 1977;
known autumn record) and single birds in Switzerland was still alive 18 years and a and 1 at G˙axaq on 26th September 1976.
2005 and 2007. Sightings in October are month later (Staav 1998). The Eurasian Spoonbill, or Common
similarly irregular, mostly involving single Spoonbill, breeds in southern Eurasia from
birds. October sightings occurred in 1987, Spain to Japan, and also in North Africa.
1996, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Eurasian Spoonbill Most birds migrate to the tropics in winter,
The only November record was that of 12 Platalea leucorodia with European breeders mainly going to
birds on 5th November 1995 at St. Elmo Paletta Africa, but a few remaining in mild winter
Point. This sighting represents the latest areas of Western Europe.
autumn record. Paletta 8-19, Spatula 13
Scarce migrant but several birds are

seen in some years. It has been seen in Phoenicopteridae
every month except December. Single
birds are usually recorded but parties of
three to eight birds have been seen. The Greater Flamingo
largest flock recorded recently over Salina Phoenicopterus roseus
consisted of 40 birds. Payn had recorded Fjamingu
a similar flock at Kalafrana on 21st April
1936. Some may spend several days at Fiamingu 8-15, Fjamingu 16-19, Flamingow 20.
the reserves at G˙adira and is-Simar as
well as at the saltpans at Salina, when they A rare visitor that has been recorded
are given the chance to do so. In 2005, an annually and in larger numbers in recent
immature bird spent from 1st to 9th June at years. It has been recorded in many months
G˙adira and is-Simar; an adult found injured of the year, but mostly occurs between
at Xlendi, Gozo on 25th September was September and November, with most
released at G˙adira on 9th October, where records being in September. The year 2005
it stayed until 20th November. In 2008, 1 was exceptional with almost 500 sightings
stayed at G˙adira from 27th to 31st March. recorded in autumn. The highest monthly
The highest count was recorded in 2005 count of over 300 birds was recorded in
when a total of 11 birds were seen, mostly September 2005, followed by November
singles, but including a flock of 6 birds at 2005, which produced 126 birds.
Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 19th February. The August sightings are somewhat irregular,
year 1999 was also significant with a total with birds being recorded in 2005 (1 bird
of 9 birds recorded, including a flock of 8 at BirΩebbu©a on the 22nd), 2007 (20 birds,
birds seen by Michael Sammut at Ricasoli including a flock of 15 at G˙allis and 4
on 23rd April. Other good years were 2000 adults at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on the 10th), and
(1 in March, 1 in September, 4 in October), 2008 (46 birds including 7 at Armier on the
2009 (3 in March, 1 in April and 1 in May), 19th and flocks of 23 over Delimara and 15 at
Eurasian Spoonbill
2006 (2 in June and 2 in September), 2008 Comino on the 24th). Sightings in November
Greater Flamingo
are similarly irregular, with birds being of around 150 birds were seen off Delimara bird at Saline Macchiareddu in Cagliari,
recorded in 1987 (150 birds off Delimara on on 14th November 1987 and at Comino on Sardinia on 26th July 2008. Before coming
the 14th), 1997 (200 at sea on 9th), 2005 (126 3rd September 2005, as well as some 200 to Malta, it was seen at Saline di Priolo in
birds comprising a flock of 55 at St Elmo at sea on 9th November 1997. Sightings of Syracuse between 6th and 14th October
Point and two flocks (50, 21) at Qawra, all on single birds are a lot rarer, representing and again on 7th February 2009 after it left
the 7th), and 2006 (7 birds comprising 2 off about only 2% of total records. Malta.
Qawra on the 7th and 5 at G˙arb, Gozo on Most sightings are of birds flying in Being a large bird, unfortunately several
the 21st). December sightings occurred in formation off the coast, but flocks are fall victim to illegal hunting. A Greater
2005 (2 immature birds on the 18th at Ba˙ar occasionally seen crossing land at Flamingo ringed in France lived for at least
iç-Çag˙aq) and 2006 (3 at Marfa on the considerable height. Flocks rarely alight 27 and a half years (Staav 1998). The
11th. Two seen later at l-A˙rax and another but some birds, mostly individuals, land Greater Flamingo is the most widespread
at Salina were probably part of the original at reserves. In 2003, 3 birds were at il- species of the flamingo family.
party). There are few recent winter records: Mag˙luq at Marsaxlokk on 4th September. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia
1 immature bird was observed flying inland In 2006, 2 birds that arrived at G˙adira and southern Europe. Some populations are
on 8th January 2006 from G˙ajn Tuffie˙a; Reserve on 27th September remained in short distance migrants and records north of
and 1 seen at BirΩebbu©a on 27th February the reserve until 7th October. The reserve the breeding range are relatively frequent.
2007. The only spring sightings are from warden Charles Gauci noticed the birds
2009 (a flock of 21 on 2nd March off Marfa, 1 behaving strangely before they left: they
over Salina on 8th April). had been stretching their necks for about
Summer sightings occurred in three an hour before finally leaving the reserve. Podicipedidae
years: 2007 (3 off G˙ar Lapsi on the 10th An immature initially seen at G˙adira Bay
June), 2008 (7 adults at the Grand Harbour on 17th September 2008 was spotted in
on 8th June, 1 over G˙adira Bay, 11 off several localities before settling at the Little Grebe
Qawra on 9th July) and 6 off Gozo on 28th reserve and remaining there until the Tachybaptus ruficollis
June 2009. morning of 24th May 2009. A first year Blon©un Ûg˙ir
Sightings comprise mostly flocks ranging bird that seen at Salina saltpans on 6th
from 2 to up to 70 birds. Very exceptionally November 2008 bearing a plastic ring with Blongiun terz 8-11, 13-17, Blongiun quart 14
,
larger flocks are seen flying offshore. Flocks the number M393, was ringed as a young Blon©un Ûg˙ir 18, 19, Ballun 20.
then up to 4 birds on various dates until mid- 21st January. Charles Coleiro noted two
October at both is-Simar and G˙adira. On chicks about 15 days old being fed by
18th October, a pair in breeding plumage adults on 11th March at is-Simar. This was
showed signs of courting at is-Simar and the second successful brood in 2009. up
keeping close to the initial nesting area. to 8 birds, including juveniles were seen
up to 4 birds were seen practically from between April and August, while 2 to 4
6th November to the end of December at birds were seen at is-Simar throughout
is-Simar and another 4 at G˙adira on 27th September. A total of 7 were noted in
November to 16th December. December 2009.
In 2007, 4 at G˙adira and 3 at is-Simar Little Grebes, formerly known as
on 6th January, singles at G˙adira on 24th Dabchick, breed in small colonies in heavily
March, at Salina on 2nd April, 3 to 4 adults vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across
in summer plumage at is-Simar until mid- Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea,
April. One at is-Simar on most dates from and most of Africa. Most birds move to
12th to 31st July and from 9th to 31st August at more open or coastal waters in winter, but
Little Grebe G˙adira. Between 1 and 5 birds at G˙adira the species is only migratory in those parts
and is-Simar from 30th October till the end of its range where the waters freeze. There
Very scarce but annual visitor from of December. In 2008, a pair of Little Grebe are nine recognised sub species of Little
late September to late February. It can bred for the second time in Malta. A 5-day- Grebes. The race Tachybaptus ruficollis
sometimes be seen, also in March, July and old chick was first noted on 22nd January ruficollis is found from Europe and western
August. Little Grebes are mostly observed 2008 at is-Simar. Two pairs bred, raising Russia south to North Africa. An adult Little
in reserves. A bird was present at is-Simar six chicks. up to 4 birds were seen at the Grebe ringed in Switzerland lived for at
almost daily from late December 2004 reserve until December, except for the 19th least 13 and a half years (Staav 1998).
to 19th March 2005. A bird was seen at November when 6 were seen, half of which
G˙adira on 20th December 2005. were in summer plumage and the rest in
Records from is-Simar in 2005 include: winter plumage. On 29th December, a nest Great Crested Grebe
1 to 2 birds on several dates from 19th with three eggs was found at is-Simar by Podiceps cristatus
September to 16th December, when a total Charles Coleiro but the eggs were not found Blon©un Prim
of 5 birds were seen, two of which were in the nest on 6th January 2009, when the
practically in breeding plumage. These nest was found flooded after the water rose Blongiun prim 8-16, 18, 19, Blon©un 17.
were noted staying together, calling and following a day of heavy rain. Other records
carrying vegetation as well as aggressively in 2008 include: 3 on 19th to 23rd February at Scarce visitor that may be seen from late
chasing away other Little Grebes which G˙adira and 1 at Salina on 23rd March. October to early March. It is frequent in some
passed close by them. One was seen Most records in 2009 were from is-Simar, years, with more than 100 being recorded
carrying vegetation at is-Simar on 22nd where there were at least three pairs and in peak years. Most birds appear in winter
January 2006, when at least three birds at least three nests. Eight (including three plumage. Before 1997, the Great Crested
were present. pairs, a bird in partial summer plumage, Grebe was seldom recorded in spring. On
A nest was found at is-Simar on 11th and a chick) were noted at is-Simar on 28th March 1998, Michael Sammut, Charles
February 2006. Initially only two chicks
were seen but a few days later it was
realised that there were three chicks. By
mid-February, the pair had already built
their second nest, but heavy rains, which
raised the water level in the reserve,
destroyed it. Another nest was constructed
by 25th February but this was not used.
As the young birds were a day or two
old when discovered, this implies that
eggs were laid around 21st January. The
juveniles attained adult plumage by the
end of May.
In northwest and central Europe, Little
Grebes have been recorded laying eggs
from late February, but most do so from
early April. usually they raise two broods,
occasionally three. A clutch of 4 to 6 eggs
is the norm, but clutches of 2 to 10 have
been recorded. Incubation takes between
20 and 21 days and the young take
between 44 and 48 days to fledge.
In 2006, there were several records from
is-Simar Reserve, the first on 23rd August, Great Crested Grebe
Coleiro and Caldon Mercieca observed two moment. I was informed that when the bird various dates in 2008 but at least 3 on 6th
birds performing a courtship display out at was skinned by the taxidermist, it was found January at is-Simar, 3 on 19th February at
sea off Qawra (Sammut and Coleiro 1998). to be also suffering from an air gun pellet. G˙adira, 2 at Salina on 2nd September, 3 at
The most late spring record is of a bird in The Red-necked Grebe is a migratory G˙adira on 25th November, and 2 at Salina
breeding plumage seen at Salina on 5th April bird found in the temperate regions of the on 26th December. In 2009, highest number
1998, whereas the earliest autumn record northern hemisphere. It is usually found in was 7 at G˙adira on 12th and 18th January.
is of a bird, also in breeding plumage, at calm waters just beyond the waves around A Black-necked Grebe ringed at G˙adira
Qawra on 5th August 2005. ocean coasts, though some birds winter in January 1989 was found dead in May
Maximum counts are usually recorded on large lakes. Of the two subspecies 1991 at Karobelnoye Lake, Kurganskaya,
in November with sightings ranging from recognised, Podiceps grisegena grisegena former uSSR. The Black-necked Grebe,
single birds to double figures in a day. A is found in Europe and western Asia, and known in North America as the Eared
heavy passage was noted in November the larger Podiceps grisegena holboelii is Grebe, occurs on every continent except
2007, with the highest count recorded being found in North America and eastern Siberia. Australia and Antarctica. There are three
of a flock of 112 birds seen off l-A˙rax on subspecies: Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis
the 14th. Other significant sightings were 11 is found from Western Europe to western
birds at St Elmo Point on the 9th, as well as Black-necked Grebe Asia, in central and eastern Asia, and in
7 on the 11th and 63 in 11 flocks, the largest Podiceps nigricollis eastern Africa; Podiceps nigricollis gurneyi
of which contained 13 birds on the 14th, all Blon©un Sekond is found in southern Africa while Podiceps
seen off Qawra. Another notable passage nigricollis californicus is found from south-
occurred in November 2006 when 21 birds Blongos 4, Bughaddas 5, Blongiun Second8, western Canada through the western u.S.
were seen off St Paul’s Bay on the 8th as well 9, 11
, Blongiun 10, Blongiun terz 12, Pinguin, The latter winters as far south as Guatemala.
as 45 birds off Qawra and 12 off Pembroke Blongiun ta rasu seuda 13, Blongiun rar 15, 17,
on the 10th. These records refer to small Blon©un sekond 16, 18, 19, Splen©, Splin©os,
flocks of up to 15 birds and the latter were Blon©os 20.
seen in a span of 15 minutes. Five birds Accipitridae
were recorded off Qawra on the 16th. Seen mostly in October and November
December counts usually range from but individual birds may spend the winter
single birds to low double figures. October in bays, creeks or around the coast and European Honey Buzzard
sightings and numbers are somewhat in nature reserves, particularly at G˙adira Pernis apivorus
irregular, with the best count being that of and is-Simar, where up to 5 birds have Kuççarda
a flock of 11 birds seen at St Elmo Point been noted wintering over the past few
on 11th October 2008. A single bird was years. Some may also be seen in April, Cucciarda4, Quccarda8, Kucciarda9,
recorded in March and September 2005 August and September. Qucciarda seconda10, Kucciarda11,
as well as in January 1983 and 2009 In 2005, 2 to 3 at is-Simar present from Cuççarda12, Cucciarda seconda13,
respectively. 11th to 28th August; 1 at Salina on 27th Cucciarda15, Kuççarda16-19, Kiççarda,
The Great Crested Grebe breeds in August and 11 off Qawra on 4th December. Çiççarda, Çuççardija, Tal-G˙asel, Alpa tal-
vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The Singles were seen around the coast on Art20.
subspecies Podiceps cristatus cristatus
is found across Europe and Asia. It is
resident in the milder west of its range, but
migrates from the colder regions. It winters
on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the
coast. The African subspecies Podiceps
cristatus infuscatus and the Australasian
subspecies Podiceps cristatus australis
are mainly sedentary. A Great Crested
Grebe ringed in England lived for at least
12 and 8 months (Staav 1998).
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Blon©un A˙mar
The first and only record of this species

was noted in a collection in Ûebbu©, Malta,
recently. It is an immature bird that was
shot off Wied ix-Xoqqa, close to Beng˙isa,
at around 30th October 2008. The bird was
shot by hunters from sea craft who were
returning ashore. It was then passed on to
Black-necked Grebe
the person who has it in his collection at the
Honey Buzzards prefer to migrate over

land and researchers concluded that adult
Honey Buzzards apply true navigational
abilities, avoiding a longer flight across
the open central Mediterranean (Agostini
et al. 1997, Agostini et al. 2000). Hence in
the Mediterranean, most birds fly through
the Straits of Gibraltar and the Bosphorus,
where the narrowest sea crossings are
found, in both spring and autumn. The
birds that use the Central Mediterranean
route habitually use the Cap Bon-Sicily
route in both spring and autumn because
it is the shortest sea crossing in the region.
The Maltese Islands are a great deal further
south than one realises. In fact, they are on
the same latitude as Sousse and Kairouan
in Tunisia, which are about 120 km south of
Cap Bon. Consequently Honey Buzzards
using the Cap Bon-Sicily route completely
bypass the Maltese Islands.
The studies have shown that in autumn,
adult birds leave their breeding areas about
ten days before the juveniles and that adult
birds pass through Central Italy, follow
the Italian peninsula, cross the Straits of
Messina, then deviate and fly across Sicily
to cross over to Tunisia, the reverse of what
most birds do in spring. Juveniles too cross
the Straits of Messina, but instead of flying
in a westerly direction along the north coast Bon route further west. Most immature birds
of Sicily, they embark on a south-westerly remain in Africa for about two years and
direction, and from Reggio Calabria they return to Europe in spring as adults, taking
fly direct towards Libya (Agostini 1995, the Cap Bon-Sicily route and bypassing
Agostini et al. 2004). This explains why in Malta altogether. Exceptionally, strong
the Maltese Islands Honey Buzzards are passages can take place in spring too. Over
more common in autumn, when most birds 1,200 were seen on 9th May 2002. Of these,
seen are juveniles. The same authors also about 900 were seen in the south of Malta,
suggest that birds originating in Eastern most of which were shot (Anon 2002). On
Europe too fly in a south-westerly direction 6th May 2005, over 200 were seen in Xrobb
to Italy and then follow the same pattern l-G˙a©in, most of which were shot.
as the birds originating in Central Europe, A notable passage took place on 25th
where adults cross to Sicily and then cross May 2006 when a flock of 23 birds was
over to Cap Bon, while immature birds seen at tal-Fanal, Gozo; a flock of 15 was
cross over to Libya after following the seen at Manikata; two flocks of 38 and 22
eastern coast of Sicily. were seen at Dingli and several singles
Observations carried out in southern Italy and twos were seen at different localities
between August and early October showed on the same day.
that 89.6 per cent of birds that migrated Honey Buzzards vary in colour and the
from 24th August to 12th September were close-ups of heads of a pale and dark
adults, while 10.4 per cent were juveniles. immature bird and the adult bird clearly
Between 13th September and 5th October, illustrate this point. Buskett is an ideal place
96.3 per cent were juveniles while only to watch raptors in September afternoons
3.7 percent were adults. This data clearly and evenings. Between 600 and 1,400
shows that juveniles migrate after adults do birds occur between mid-August and late
(Agostini and Logozzo 1995). October at Buskett.
The typical migration pattern in Malta In taxidermists’ records, there were many
is characterised by a strong passage in entries concerning this species, but one
autumn and insignificant numbers in spring. on 27th November 1976 and another on
The majority of autumn birds are juveniles 13th November 1984 were unusually late.
on their first journey south, with very few Several unusually late birds were also
adults seen as these cross on the Sicily-Cap recorded in 2005: a flock of 10 seen in European Honey Buzzard
Honey Buzzards do not migrate at night,

it is intriguing how, in spite of the many
birds that were seen going down to roost,
less than 30 birds were seen leaving the
roosting areas the following morning. On
22nd September 33 Honey Buzzards were
seen at Buskett and over 20 at Buskett
and Dwejra on the 23rd. On 24th September
2 at Dingli Cliffs and 7 at Buskett on the
26th, 17 on the 27th at Clapham Junction
and 16 at Buskett on the 28th September.
In October, 13 at on the 6th, 3 on 14th, 1 on
the 15th, 5 on the 16th, 2 on the 18th, and
singles on 19th and 20th, all at Buskett. The
last record was of a single bird at Buskett
on 5th November.
In 2009, singles on several dates from
mid-April, but 20 at Comino and 31 (mostly
singles and twos but flocks of 12 and 8)
on 25th April at Qala, Gozo; 36 at Comino
and 10 at Ûebbu© (Malta) on 27th April;16
at Comino and 8 at Óal Farru© on 28th April;
5 on 4th May at the Airport; 7 at Mount St
Joseph, 5 at Dwejra (Malta) and 3 at Xag˙ra,
Gozo on 10th May; 28 (including 6, 8 and 8)
European Honey Buzzard
at Dingli, a flock of 13 at Xag˙ra, Gozo, 11
(largest flock 7) at Wied Qannotta and 5 at
various parts of Gozo on 2nd June; 1 on is-Simar. On 11th May, 46 (including a flock is-Simar on 17th May; 43 (maximum 16) at
23rd October at G˙ajn Ri˙ana; another on of 21) and 45 at Dwejra and Nadur, Gozo, is-Simar and 17 (a flock of 13 and singles)
28th October at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq; and 1 at over 70 (largest flock 28) at Victoria, Gozo, on 18th May; 10 (4, 6) at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on
Qammie˙ on 6th November. 18 at Lunzjata, Gozo, 36 (largest flock 6) 29th May. A male at Buskett on 21st June
The number of sightings in autumn at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a, 29 at Dingli and 18 at and a single bird on 9th July at Dingli Cliffs
2006 varied but peaks were registered on Delimara. On 1st July 2 birds at is-Simar were unusually late.
various days in September: 16 at Mellie˙a were rather late. In ‘autumn’, the first record In September 2009, a total of 1,239 birds
and 53 at Buskett on the 15th; 28 on the was an adult on 23rd and 24th August at were seen, mostly from the areas around
16th at Buskett, 29 on the 17th, and 18 on Clapham Junction, 3 at Nadur (Malta) and Buskett, Dwejra and Laferla Cross. The
the 19th at Marsascala. The best day was 5 at Buskett on 31st August. In September, highest counts were 160 on 24th September,
the 21st when 116 were seen at Mellie˙a, 3 at Buskett on the 1st, 6 on the 10th, 21 on 156 on the 18th, 133 on the 30th and 100
over 150 at Buskett, and 152 at Dwejra the 11th, 18 at Dwejra and 22 on the 13th, 19 on the 25th. In the mid-1800s, the Honey
(Malta). Over 162 (all juvenile birds except on the 16th, 15 on the 17th, all at Buskett. A Buzzard was common (Anon 1843d).
for 2 adult females) at Clapham Junction strong passage occurred on the 18th and Schembri (1843a) said they appeared in
on the 22nd, over 65 at Dwejra, some 105 19th September. On the 18th 106 were seen March and September.
at Buskett and 132 at Clapham Junction at Buskett, close to 250 at G˙allis, while on The Honey Buzzard is monotypic
on the 23rd, and 28 at Buskett and 38 at the 19th over 700 were counted at Clapham and is largely restricted to the Western
Clapham Junction on the 30th. In October Junction, over 400 at Buskett and Girgenti Palearctic. It breeds from Iberia in the
36 were seen from Clapham Junction on areas, over 300 at Dwejra (Malta), and 62 west, discontinuously across boreal and
the 1st and 3 on the 11th at Buskett. In 2007, at G˙adira. temperate Europe into central Asia. It is
the first sightings were of singles on 28th The peak migration in 2008 was a long-distance migrant and birds move
and 30th August. Then practically daily with between 13.00 and 15.00 hours on south and east from the breeding areas to
highest figures on 15th September, when the 19th September. At one point, from winter in west, central and southern Africa.
over 180 at Clapham Junction and over Clapham Junction, a total of 370 raptors The Honey Buzzard breeds in most
275 seen crossing at very high altitudes were counted in three simultaneous flocks European countries, although it generally
during the early part of the afternoon on the largest of which contained 220 birds, has a southerly distribution, being absent
22nd September at Clapham Junction. mostly Honey Buzzards. Michael Sammut from northern Fennoscandia. Birds ringed
Late records included 1 on 24th October at noted that while some flocks of Honey in the nest in Finland, Sweden, Poland,
Qawra and another at Dwejra (Malta) on 5th Buzzards continued circling in the area, Hungary and Germany have been
November. many birds were simply crossing before a recovered in Malta, very often in their first
In spring 2008, a significant passage front of the bad weather. migration south. Honey Buzzards can be
occurred on 10th and 11th May. On 10th At Girgenti Honey Buzzards where very long lived.
May 57 birds were at Dingli (flocks of 3 coming in to roost in every bush and tree The oldest one, ringed in Germany, is
to 7 birds), 21 (largest flock 4) at G˙ajn at times chasing off other individuals from known to have lived for 30 years and 10
Tuffie˙a, and 38 (several small flocks) at the same tree. Although it is believed that months (Staav 1998).
American Swallow-tailed Kite Arrigoni degli Oddi (1929) mentioned the noticed migrating with other birds of prey at
Elanoides forficatus Swallow-tailed Kite by quoting Despott’s El Houaria, Cap Bon, on the 7th April 1985.
Astun Amerikan work of 1917 (p.479) and says that it is On 25th March 2003 a Black-shouldered
an American species that has never been Kite observed on migration at the Isle of
This kite lives in tropical and sub-tropical recorded in Europe and merits confirmation. Kerkennah, Tunisia (Isenmann et al. 2005).
forests in swamps, marshes and other Though no precise date, description, Kerkennah is directly west of the Maltese
wet areas from southern united States measurements or other relevant Islands. This bird is rather common in local
to northern Argentina. In 1884, Becher information are given, this record stuffed bird collections, as many have
(1884b) reported that the university cannot be simply dismissed. Although been imported following hunting trips to
Museum at Valletta had a specimen of this bird cannot be decisively included Egypt. The Black-shouldered Kite is found
a Swallow-tailed Kite, then known as as a “bird of Malta” because it cannot in southern Europe, Africa and from south
Elanoides furcatus. Becher states that be ascertained how far off Malta the Asia to Indonesia. The new Maltese name
because it was a New World Bird, he had bird was taken, it is a highly significant given reflects the way the bird appears in
made enquiries concerning this bird with record, because whatever the precise flight. Its scientific name means blue kite.
“Dr Julia, (Gavino Gulia) the Professor location of its capture, it was captured The French, Italian and Spanish names all
of Natural History at the university”, who in the Mediterranean. This makes its refer to it as a White Kite.
informed him that “several years back, this occurrence a new record for the Western
bird was taken on board a ship between Palearctic. The significance of the Malta
the Island of Pantelleria and Malta and that record is heightened even further in view Black Kite
it was ascertained that the day previously of the recent documented record from the Milvus migrans
an American Vessel had been wrecked on Canary Islands: an American Swallow- Astun Iswed
Pantelleria, and all the hands drowned.” tailed Kite was present at Fuerteventura in
Becher states that the notes about the Canary Islands between 19th and 23rd Hide, Chide, Chedde, Gide1, Óida3, Hida 4,5,7,
this had been handed to Gulia by his March 1993 (Müller and Lippert 1998; De Astun 8-10, 12, Astur 11, Astun isued 13, Falkun 16,
predecessor. Dr Gulia became professor Juana et al. 1998). Despite the obscurity Astun iswed 16-18, Kajt mis-suwed 20.
of forensic medicine and natural history at of Becher’s record (which has been all
the university of Malta in 1880 and held this but ignored for over 120 years), the Malta Scarce but seen annually, particularly
post until his death in 1889. He succeeded record is the first documented occurrence between late August to mid-October and
Prof. G. C. Delicata. So if the notes were of the Swallow-tailed Kite in Europe. again from March to April and sometimes
handed to him by Prof. Delicata, this bird May. It has also been recorded in February.
must have been shot between 1859 and Single birds are usually seen but flocks of
1880, when Prof. Delicata held the post. Prof Black-shouldered Kite over 30 have been recorded. According to
Delicata (then still a Dr, and referred to as Elanus caeruleus Schembri (1843a), the Black Kite bird was
Dr G.C. Grech Delicata by Schembri) was Astun Abjad not very common, even though a few were
one of the important sources for Antonio taken annually. The highest count occurred
Schembri, who mentioned him many times One was reportedly seen at Ta’ Qali in in spring of 2009. Close to 200 birds were
in his Catalogo Ornitologico del Gruppo di March 1953 (Xuereb 1991). This was a sight seen in March, 33 birds in April, and 6 birds
Malta in 1843 and through whom he was record that was only communicated verbally in May. The largest flock was of 32 birds seen
able to record several rare species. to Sonny Xuereb, who concluded that the at Dwejra on 24th March. Two flocks (28, 9)
The fact that Schembri made no bird was a Black-shouldered Kite only were seen March from various localities on
reference to this kite leads one to conclude from the description given to him. Another the 23rd such as Mellie˙a, Salina, MiΩieb and
that the Swallow-tailed Kite was not yet sight record was given by Peter Micallef of Dwejra (Malta). Other sightings on the same
in the museum collection by that time. Ûebbu©, who says he had personally seen day included a flock of 8 birds at Delimara
Becher stated that “the bird is in very good a bird of this species hovering in April at tal- in the south and Çirkewwa in the north of
plumage, and the points of the wings are Óandaq in the late 1960s or early 1970s and the Island respectively, and flocks of 6 and
not worn, as would be the case if it had the bird glided away before it could be shot. 4 at Luqa Airport. On 24th March, 18 birds
been kept in close confinement. If the Even though the bird is rather unmistakable at Salina (including a flock of 12 which later
above is the case, and I see no reason (Beaman and Madge 1998), more robust went to roost at Wardija), 15 (including a
to doubt it, it is interesting as an example field data would be needed to enable flock of 10) at Pembroke, 10 at Mellie˙a, 7 at
of how birds occasionally come to be definite identification and to justify inclusion is-Simar. Other sightings in March involved
included in the European list”. in the list of Malta’s birds. between 1 and 3 birds on several days
The collection of the university Museum Although the small breeding populations between the 5th and the 28th.
no longer exists but the bird was included of the Black-shouldered Kite in Iberia and In April, 9 (including a rufous bird)
in the work of Leach (1907) who compiled North Africa are resident, some individuals on Comino on 10th, 5 at Salina and 6 at
a list of the birds found in the collection. make erratic movements. In winter it is Marsalforn on the 13th. Other sightings in
In his work of 1915, Despott corroborates known to disperse to more open farmland April involved between 1 and 2 birds on
the existence of the specimen and confirms habitat (Hagemeijer et al. 1997). It has several days between the 7th and 27th.
the identification of Falco furcatus, but occurred in Italy in May 1971, in the Czech In May single birds were seen on the 2nd,
argued that it was an American species and Republic in March 1998 and three times in the 6th, the 7th, the 23rd, and the 24th. In
that “it had been included among our birds The Netherlands, (Davies 2001, 2002) as September, there were a 21 sightings with
apparently for the sole reason that a skin of well as in Belgium, The Netherlands and 4 on the 11th and 19th, 3 on the 21st. Singles
a specimen exists in our museum”. Denmark (Grangé 2003). Two birds were and twos on several other dates.
in April. The Red Kite is endemic to the

Western Palearctic region in Europe and
northwest Africa. It is a rare species which
is resident in the milder parts of its range
in Western Europe and northwest Africa,
but birds from north eastern and central
Europe winter further south and west,
reaching south to Turkey. Vagrants have
reached north to Finland and south to
Israel and Libya. A first year bird ringed in
Germany in June 1990 was shot at Xag˙ra,
Gozo in September of the same year.
Brahminy Kite
Haliastur Indus
Astun Rasu Bajda
This species of kite lives throughout

tropical Asia east from India to South
China, the islands of the East Indies to New
Black Kite
Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and the
coast of northern Australia. In India and in
In spring 2008, a total of 19 birds were milvus are migratory, moving to the tropics some other rice-growing areas, it is very
seen, 6 in March and 13 over 5 days in in winter. Races in warmer regions are common near human settlements, and
April. The highest count was of 9 birds on resident. A bird ringed in Switzerland in some paddy fields of India’s eastern
2nd April, whereas the highest March count has been recovered in Malta. The oldest seaports, it is even more numerous than
was of 6 birds seen at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on surviving Black Kite was still alive when 24 Black Kites.
the 23rd. years and a month old (Staav 1998). Despott recorded a single specimen
The highest autumn count of 25 birds at the university Museum, taken in the
was recorded in 2008. Autumn migration vicinity of Si©©iewi in 1889 by Paolo Mifsud
opened with 2 birds at Buskett on 25th and Red Kite Ellul. The bird was presented to Cecil
26th August. September produced a total of Milvus milvus Leach, then curator of the Museum, who
19 birds, including 8 at Clapham Junction Astun A˙mar had it stuffed. It is interesting to note that
on the 19th. Other records in September Leach did not include this specimen in his
were of between 1 and 3 birds over seven Astun A˙mar Falqun 8, Falkun 9, Astun 10, 13, list of 1907 even though he had received
days. The last autumn records were of 2 , Falcun 12, Astun A˙mar 18, 19.
15-17
it himself. It is not clear where Despott
seen at Buskett on the 6th October. obtained the information about the date of
The years 2006 and 2007 were somewhat Very rare and irregular. Appears mostly capture, the locality, and the name of the
poor, with only autumn sightings recorded. in September and October in autumn but person who caught the bird considering
Autumn 2006 produced 10 birds: 1 at Dingli has been seen in May and December too. that the bird had been caught 11 years
on 19th August, 1 at Buskett on 24th August, Singles at Buskett and Rabat on 13th and before Despott was born and Leach had
4 at Dwejra (Malta) on 1st September, 4 at 18th September 1981 and at Buskett on 22nd not recorded it. If one assumes that the
Buskett on 16th September and 4 at Clapham September 1982. One on 24th May 1983 in data was on a label with the specimen
Junction on 23rd September. Autumn 2007 Malta; 1 at Attard on 25th September 1984; 1 itself, the reason why Leach left it out
opened with a single bird on 28th August at Buskett on 24th September 1988; 1 on 29th remains mysterious. Could Leach have
at G˙adira. Other sightings were 2 on 15th September 1988; and 1 on 10th September simply overlooked it or forgot to include it?
September and 1 on 22nd September, 1 on 1994. unpublished records provided by Despott (1917) described the specimen as
6th October, all at Clapham Junction. The Sammy Borg include: 1 on 25th December being in a very bad state of preservation.
first November record was of a sub adult 1974 and 1 on 26th September 1978 both at The entire collection was lost as a result of
seen on 18th November at Ta’ Qali. Buskett; 1 on 24th April 1983 at Mellie˙a; 1 on bombing during the war. Both De Lucca
The earliest spring record was of a bird 17th September 1986 at Mta˙leb; a juvenile (1969a) and Sultana and Gauci (1982)
seen on 5th March 2009 and the earliest on 21st November 1991 at Si©©iewi; 1 at omitted the record from their lists of the
autumn record is of a sighting on 19th Wied il-G˙asel on 3rd September 2001; 1 birds of Malta. The latter argued it could
August 2006. The latest spring record was on 17th May 2003 and 1 on 19th September have been confused with a pale Red
of a sighting on 24th May 2009 and the 2003, both at MiΩieb. Three birds were seen Kite, but without the benefit of the actual
latest autumn sighting was recorded on in December 2003: 1 at id-Dahar and 2 at il- specimen, the statement is nothing more
18th November 2007. Ìnien iΩ-Ûg˙ir, Buskett. Another was seen on than conjecture. The bird is a resident in
The Black Kite is widespread throughout 14th October 2005 at Buskett. the range where it occurs and it does not
the temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia Schembri (1843a) stated that Red Kites migrate. On account of Despott’s record,
and parts of Australasia. European birds were more common in Gozo, where they who was a competent ornithologist who
belong to the subspecies Milvus migrans bred in May and they left in July to return had seen and identified the specimen,
and considering he also gave the name

of the person who had shot the kite and
the location, it is felt that the record should
be included, if for no other reason, for its
historical value. At the time that the bird
was recorded, importation of exotic birds
was neither customary nor widespread as
it is today. Xuereb (1991) listed another
record of a single bird at Selmun in April
1972, but when he was questioned about
it in March 2005, Xuereb could not recall
exactly how he had obtained the record or
provide more robust data on it.
White-tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
Ajkla tad-Denb Abjad
Aiqla baida 10, Aikla baida 11, Aicla baida 13,

, Ajkla tad-Denb Abjad 18, 19.
15
Red Kite
Vagrant. Only one immature bird was
taken on 25 November 1977 at Xag˙jra, Egyptian Vulture
Ûabbar (Azzopardi 1978). Peter Micallef Neophron percnopterus
of Ûebbu© says he had seen an adult bird Avultun Abjad
at tal-Óandaq on 21st September 1965,
and he could remember the exact date Nusur 1, Aroch 2, Avoltoi 4, Aiqla 8, Aikla9,
because he could recall it was a year after Avultoun 10, Avultun 11, 14, 15, 17, Aicla 12-14,
Malta gained independence from Britain. Avultun abjad 18, 19, Vawçer 20.
The White-tailed Eagle breeds in northern
Europe and northern Asia. It is mostly The Egyptian Vulture was considered a
resident, only the northernmost birds such rare bird in the mid-1800’s (Anon 1843a).
as the eastern Scandinavian and Siberian until quite recently it was a very scarce
population migrating south in winter. visitor which used to be recorded only
up to five times each year. Now rare and
absent entirely in some years. In a span of
almost 50 years, 41 birds were recorded.
The highest count was of 9 birds in 1980
and 1983. The highest number ever seen
was a flock of 8 birds over tal-Óandaq
on 6th March 1983. Other high counts
were of 3 birds in September 1980 (2 at
Buskett on the 17th and 1 on the 19th), and
3 birds in 1985 (1 at G˙adira on 8th April,
1 at Dwejra on 14th April and 1 at Buskett
on 14th September). Most other sightings
were of single birds except in 1976,
1978, 1992, and 2005, when 2 birds were
recorded each year. Other sightings are
of single birds. Most are seen in autumn
(September and October) and very rarely Egyptian Vulture
in spring (March and April). In September
birds have occurred on 12 dates, mostly May 2005, this being also the latest spring
concentrated in the second week (12th, sighting. The earliest spring record is that
14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 24th, 26th, of a bird recorded on the 5th March 1970.
28th and 30th). October sightings occurred The earliest autumn sighting occurred on
over five dates (2nd, 4th, 5th, 10th, and 26th). 12th September 1990. Both adults and
In spring it occurred on four dates in March immature birds can be seen.
(5th, 6th, 15th, and 19th) and two dates in The ensuing records are all of single
April (8th and 14th). The only May record birds. In taxidermists’ records, there were
White-tailed Eagle is that of an adult seen at Bidnija on 1st two birds listed: one was shot at Ûebbu©,
Gozo on 19th March 1976 and another Europe, in northern Africa, and in western documented record for Tunisia (Isenmann
in October 1979, also in Gozo. Sammy and southern Asia. However, the European et al. 2005). It has also been recently
Borg provided the following unpublished population has declined markedly and is recorded from Algeria (Isenmann and
records: 15th March 1958 at Mosta; 18th still declining, mostly as a result of reduced Moali 2000). There are three records from
September 1969 at Mosta; 5th March food supply, but also illegal shooting and Morocco: two at Sbayera on 7th June 1955
1970 at Óal Far; in April 1976 at Marsa; poisoning. It is a partial migrant, depending and another just south of the Mauritanian
4th October 1978 at Ba˙rija; 10th October on the local climate. If an Egyptian Vulture border in December 1960 (Thévenot et
1978 at Mosta; 17th and 26th September can endure the winter, it usually will not al. 2003). The species used to breed in
1980 at Buskett; 26th October 1980 at Óas- migrate. Morocco but no longer does so (Bergier
Saptan. Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of 1987). Two Hooded Vultures were seen
a record of a bird on 15th September 1985 in Spain in the past few years: on 10th
at Ta’ Ûuta. Hooded Vulture February 2003 near Cádiz and another on
The following are sight records: 1 at Óal Necrosyrtes monachus 2nd September 2007 near Algarrobo Bird
Far and 1 at Buskett on 26th September Avultun tal-BarnuΩa Observatory at Tarifa, Cádiz.
1980; 1 at Buskett on 5th October 1980; and
1 at Buskett on 16th September 1983. There Buffon (1771) described a Vautour brun
was a single record in 1987, an immature sent to him from Malta, which was similar to Eurasian Griffon Vulture
bird seen at Buskett on 24th September. another specimen sent to him from Africa. Gyps fulvus
One on 12th September 1990 at Buskett; 1 No date of the record was given. Although Avultun Prim
at G˙arb, Gozo on 16th September 1992; this bird has not been recorded in Malta
and 1 at Buskett on 19th September 1992; since, and no previous ornithological Avultun 13, 18, Avultun prim 14, 17, 19.
1 at Buskett on 30th September 1993; 1 works mentioned this species, it has to be
at Rabat on 2nd October 1994; and an included for several reasons. Vagrant. Only two have been recorded: one
immature at Msida on 20th September First, no previous local ornithological work in 1847 and another shot near Filfla on 6th
1995. Recent records include single birds referred to Buffon’s work. Second, there is October 1991. The Griffon Vulture breeds
on 6th March 2003 at is-Simar; another on no reason to doubt Buffon’s identification in crags on mountains in southern Europe,
5th October 2005 at Buskett and Dwejra because he handled and described North Africa and Asia, laying one egg.
and a juvenile on 28th September 2009 at several other species of vultures. Third, the Griffon Vultures may form loose colonies.
Buskett and Dwejra. bird was probably sent to Buffon by one of The population is mostly resident.
The Egyptian Vulture is quite widely the French Knights who must have realised
distributed and may be found in southern that the bird was different from those that
were usually met with in Malta. Short-toed Eagle
The Hooded Vulture is now found from Circaetus gallicus
Eritrea and the Sudan west to Senegal, Ajkla Bajda
and south to the Orange River and Natal.
Its preferred terrain is savannahs and it is Aiqla 10, Zinna impiriala 11, Cuççarda
rarely found in desert and dry country. It imperiali12, Cuciarda imperiala 13, Ajcla 14,
feeds on carrion and refuse of all kinds as 15
, Kuççarda imperjali 17, Ajkla bajda 18, 19,
well as insects, including flying termites Ajkla ta’ Sqallija 20.
and locusts.
In the field it appears completely dark In the mid-1800s, the Short-toed Eagle was
brown, and could only be confused with considered as rather rare in Malta (Anon
the Lappet-faced Vulture in colour. It is, 1843c) and Schembri (1843a) said it did
however, only half the size and has a not appear every year. The Short-toed
more delicate bill. It can be distinguished Eagle is now a rare visitor but is recorded
from an immature Egyptian Vulture by its annually in September and October. In
heavier build and its short, nearly square recent times, sizeable flocks have been
tail, which in the Egyptian Vulture is recorded, mostly in November. It is the
wedge-shaped. commonest species of eagle to occur. A
The Hooded Vulture spends a lot of first spring record is being given here for
time on the wing, but in areas where it is the first time.
common it is quite tame. The distribution of Notable occurrences from last century
the Hooded Vulture is now restricted to the include: 1 on 3rd November 1964 at
south of the Sahara Desert and West Africa. G˙ammar, Gozo; 2 at id-Dabrani, Gozo
The distribution and range of this bird 300 on 29th September 1972; singles at Qala,
years ago must have also been different Gozo on 13th October 1974, 11th November
and it may not have been improbable for a 1976 and at Victoria, Gozo on 4th October
bird to reach Maltese shores, even though 1977. In the 1980s, 1 at Óas-Saptan on
such an occurrence was probably rare at 26th September 1982; 1 at Buskett on 29th
that time too. September 1982; 1 at Dingli and 2 at Óal
A juvenile seen at Jebel Zaghouan in Far on 27th November 1983; 3 over Dwejra
Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Tunisia on 27th March 1991, is the first on 13th October 1984; 1 at Buskett on
19th September 1987; 2 at Óal Far and 1

at Rabat on 2nd November 1987; 1 on 19th
September and on 4th October 1988 (both
at Dwejra).
Flocks of various sizes have been
recorded several times. A flock of 50 was
seen in the north of Malta on 10th November
1993; a flock of 35 at Mellie˙a and another
of 29 seen later over Dwejra Ridge could
have been what remained of the original
50 birds. A flock of 29 was seen in the
Manikata and G˙ajn Tuffie˙a area on 29th
November 1994. Most were unfortunately
shot in the same evening and the following
morning. In 2000, 3 were seen at Buskett
on 24th September. In 2004, 6 were seen
over the Grand Harbour on the 1st October.
An unusual sighting was of 5 birds on 4th
July 2006 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a and 3 on the
following day over Bin©emma. Around 30
birds were seen at Mta˙leb on the west
coast in the morning on 3rd November
2006, with parties of 3 to 10 birds occurring
within a few minutes and moving inland.
Three birds were shot there. Some 23
birds, again in small loose parties, were
later seen at Fawwara on the southwest
coast. Parties, presumably birds from the
initial flock, were seen in various other
parts of the island, for instance 18 at Dingli
on the coast, and then inland with 10 over
tal-Óandaq and Wied is-Sewda, at Attard,
14 at Dwejra, and a flock of 14 (of which at
least 7 were juveniles) at Luqa Airport, tal-
Óandaq and Dwejra.
Most other sightings comprise between Short-toed Eagle
1 and 2 birds. A single bird was seen on
24th October 1995 at San Ìwann; 1 on 20th
and 1 on 27th September 1997 at Buskett; 1 24th September at Clapham Junction. Western Marsh Harrier
over Mdina on 17th October 1998; a juvenile Another at MiΩieb on 1st November. In Circus aeruginosus
on 10th October 1999; 1 on 13th October 2007, a single bird was seen at Fawwara Bag˙dan A˙mar
2001, 1 on 2nd October 2002 and 1 on 24th on 5th June. In 2007, singles were also
September 2003, all juveniles and all seen seen on 12th and 15th September at Bohdan4, Bughaddam, Bughadam,
at Buskett. In 2004, 2 were seen at Dwejra Dwejra and Clapham Junction; on 8th Boghdam5, Bahdan, Buhadam,
on 13th September and singles near Mtarfa October at Dingli. Several birds were seen Buhaddam7, Bughadam8, Bu-ghadam9,
and near Bin©emma on 30th September. in November: 1 on the 2nd over Wied is- Buadaam ahmar10, Bughaddam ahmar11,
Singles were seen at Mellie˙a on 12th, at Sewda, Attard, 1 at Dingli on the 3rd, 1 at Bughadam ta rasu hamra12, 13, Bug˙adam
Dwejra on 14th, at Buskett on 14th, 18th and Wardija on the 4th and 1 at Manikata on a˙mar14-16, Bug˙adam iswed17, Bug˙adam
20th, October, the latter record being of a the 6th. In 2008, singles on 26th and 27th a˙mar18, Bag˙dan A˙mar19, Ta’ Seba’ Kuluri,
juvenile bird. September at Buskett, on 3rd October at Bag˙dun tar-Ra©©, Bag˙dun tax-Xemx20.
A bird seen over Buskett on 22nd April Dwejra (Malta), at Clapham Junction on
2005 is the first record in spring of such 5th October. In 2009, singles at Dwejra A common spring and autumn migrant that
species. Also in 2005, 1 at Rinella on on 4th October and at BirΩebbu©a on 5th can now be seen between early February
30th September; a juvenile on 9th October November. and May and from mid-August to early
at Dingli and Mellie˙a; 1 on 16th October The Short-toed Eagle is spread November. Individual sightings in February
at Buskett; 1 shot at Bin©emma on 26th throughout the Mediterranean basin and are now commoner than they used to be,
October; 1 on 5th November off Qawra; 1 into Russia and the Middle East, and into which could be both due to an increase in
on 17th November at Pembroke. parts of Asia. The birds on the northern its population as well as increased effort
In September 2006, singles were seen edge of the Mediterranean and other parts in bird watching. Occasionally it is seen
over G˙adira on 11th September, on 15th of Europe migrate mainly to sub-Saharan in mid-June and in December. At Buskett,
September at Mellie˙a, at Rabat on 21st Africa north of the equator. In the Middle where most sightings are made in autumn,
September and a very pale juvenile on and Far East the populations are resident. well over 1,000 birds are observed from
mid-August to late October. In autumn

2002, a total of 2,056 birds were observed.
The highest number recorded in one day
was 1,014 at Buskett on 13th September
2004 (Sammut and Bonavia 2004).
In autumn, Marsh Harriers have been
noted roosting in trees at Buskett at dusk,
a behavioural aspect that is unrecorded
elsewhere (Balzan and Fenech 1981,
Mallia and Mangion 1991, Sammut 2005).
Recent records of roosting Marsh Harriers
include 3 birds that roosted in the trees at
Buskett on the 25th August 2006, and over
200 birds (out of a flock of more than 500)
that roosted in trees in the Buskett area on
22nd September 2007. Some 226 Marsh
Harriers were observed flying out of the
roosting sites at Buskett itself on following
morning, but others flew over after leaving
other roosting areas outside Buskett. On 1st
September 2008, some 25 Marsh Harriers
roosted in trees at Buskett.
Dark phase birds, or melanistic morphs,
are sometimes seen, with 2005 being the
most remarkable year when no less than 6
specimens were recorded in September: 1
on the 15th at Xrobb l-G˙a©in; an adult male
on the 16th at Buskett; 1 on the 18th at Dingli;
1 on the 19th and 1 on the 23rd both at
Buskett; and 1 on the 28th at Rabat. In 2006,
there were two records, 1 on 8th September
at Dingli and 1 on 23rd September at
Clapham Junction. A rare leucistic Marsh
Harrier was seen at Clapham Junction on
the 15th September 2007.
Studies have shown that Marsh Harriers
cross the Mediterranean in a broad front in
a northeast – southwest direction, mostly
in the morning, and do not hesitate to
undertake sea crossings (Agostini et al.
2003, Panuccio et al. 2005, Limiñana et al.
2007). Clarke (1995) cites evidence from
Malta of Marsh Harriers making landfall
at dawn seemingly after crossing the sea,
to support the view that Marsh Harriers
arguably migrate by night as well. Analysis
of recoveries of Marsh Harriers ringed
in Latvia from 1925 to 2004 also shows
that the direction of migration is a south-
westerly one (Reihmanis 2005).
The number of Marsh Harriers recorded
in Malta has increased dramatically over
the past 25 years. Counts of sightings
for the period 1969 and 1974 recorded a
maximum of 80 birds daily (Beaman and
Galea 1974). In 2002, 1,525 Marsh Harriers
were observed from Dwerja (Malta)
between 26th August and 30th September,
with a peak of 906 birds on 13th September
(Agostini et al. 2003).
An analysis of sightings recorded
Western Marsh Harrier
between 2005 and 2009 reveal some
interesting migration patterns. Highest achieved in October 2008, when almost

counts are recorded in autumn (August to daily sightings were recorded until the
October). The first sightings occur around 20th. Daily numbers ranged from single to
the 3rd week of August, with the earliest medium double figures, with the first three
being a single bird at BirΩebbu©a on 16th days of the month being the best. October
August 2006. The highest August monthly migration in other years was rather poor.
total was recorded in 2008 with a total of 19 Late autumn records are of birds seen in
birds, which included 16 sightings on the November: 1 at Luqa Airport on the 4th,
31st alone. Most other records range from singles off Qawra on the 12th and at Luqa
low to high single figures spread over one Airport on the 12th and the 13th respectively, Western Marsh Harrier
to four days. all in 2006, and in 2008, 1 at is-Simar on the
September marks the height of migration, 7th and 1 at G˙adira on the 27th. In 2009, 1 single figures. An unusually high count of
with a daily average spread of ±150 birds. on 13th November at Dwejra. 154 birds was recorded on 11th May 2008.
Consistently high counts are recorded Although some Marsh Harriers from the The latest ‘spring’ record is of 1 bird at
between the 16th and 23rd September each north and east of the range winter in the Dwejra on 16th June 2009.
year, with peak migration tending to fall Mediterranean basin, winter records in In spring, large numbers of Marsh
between the 19th and 23rd in recent years. Malta are rare. Two individual birds were Harriers can be seen on individual days
The highest monthly total of ±1,670 birds seen at l-A˙rax on 12th and 19th February at places like Dwejra, San Lawrenz and
was recorded in September 2008 with 2005 respectively. In 2007, a female was San Dimitri in Gozo. All of the north-west
almost daily sightings occurring between recorded on 19th February over is-Simar. In coast of Gozo is ideal for observing Marsh
the 10th and the 30th, when daily numbers 2008, unusual sightings were of a male on 6th Harriers in significant numbers in spring,
ranged from single to medium treble January, a female at Selmun on 17th February, especially with southerly winds, where
figures, reaching a peak on the 19th with and a female at is-Simar on 19th February. parties of up to eight birds can be seen
a count of ±600 birds. A similar number In 2009, the first record was of a female at hunting together. The best places from
was recorded in September 2009, when a Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq on 19th January, followed by where to watch migrating birds of prey,
total of 1,672 birds from various localities 2 birds at Qawra on 27th February. including Marsh Harriers are mostly the
throughout the month, with 320 on the 24th, Return migration takes place in spring high ground. In Malta such places are
260 on the 21st, 125 on the 11th and 107 (March to May), generally peaking in April. usually found in the south and southwest
on the 22nd and 101 on the 19th. Lowest March migration patterns and numbers vary and include Buskett, Dingli, Laferla Cross
numbers of only 2 on 6th and 17th, 3 on the 1st from year to year. The best March monthly and Clapham Junction area, which is
and 4 on the 15th. Otherwise double figures total of ±175 birds was achieved in 2007 undoubtedly the best, but other ridges such
daily throughout the month. Frequently and 2008 respectively, but migration pattern as Bin©emma, Dwejra, Nadur, Mellie˙a
outward migration spills over into October. differed in the two years. In March 2007, Ridge, Bajda Ridge, G˙ajn Tuffie˙a,
The best monthly total of ±190 birds was sightings of 10 or more birds were recorded Fomm ir-Ri˙, Kunçizzjoni, Delimara in the
on 3 days, with 51 on the 8th, 10 on the 21st, southeast as well as the open spaces at
and a high count of 110 birds on the 23rd. Luqa Airport, Tal-Óandaq and Ta’ Qali are
However, migration in March 2008 was con- also good places especially in autumn. In
centrated between the 19th and the 26th, with spring, places such as Comino, Bidnija,
daily sightings ranging from single to high Burmarrad, il-Qadi, Salina areas as well
double figures, with the highest count of 98 as the north-eastern coastal areas are
birds being recorded on the 23rd, the same good places for watching migrating
day as in the previous year. In 2009 March Marsh Harriers. Schembri (1843a) said the
migration started earlier and was charac- Maltese used the fat from Marsh Harriers
terised by daily sightings concentrated as balm for cuts and skin ruptures.
between the 5th and the 12th, with numbers The Western Marsh Harrier has a wide
ranging between single and low double fig- breeding range from Europe and north
ures. Month total for March 2009 was ±100 western Africa to Central Asia and the
birds. Like March, April migration is also ir- northern parts of the Middle East. It breeds
regular, with the best year being 2009, when in almost every country of Europe but is
the total figure for the month was ±400 birds. absent from mountainous regions and sub
Migration was evident on most days dur- arctic Scandinavia. Almost all Marsh Harrier
ing the month, with daily numbers ranging populations in Europe have increased
from single to low treble figures. The highest in recent years, with the exception of
count of 102 birds was recorded on the 9th. the Balkan populations, which are either
The next highest monthly April count was of declining or threatened with extinction
218 birds recorded in 2007. However, the (Génsbøl 2008). The increase in population
pattern in 2007 was different from 2009, with started in the mid-1970s with a remarkable
sightings being recorded on just three days, momentum following the end of long-term
with a high count of 193 birds being logged persecution and habitat destruction, as
on the 12th. well as less polluted environment. The
May records are irregular and very European breeding population is estimated
Western Marsh Harrier
sporadic and almost invariably involving to number 70,000 to 90,000 pairs.
Most populations of the Western Marsh both seen at Birkirkara by Michael Sammut.
Harrier are migratory or dispersive. Some Sammy Borg provided the following
birds winter in milder regions of southern records: A female at Xg˙ajra, Ûabbar on
and western Europe, while others migrate 3rd March; a male at Ûebbieg˙ on 30th
to the Sahel, Nile basin and Great Lakes October; another female at Selmun on 12th
region in Africa, or to Arabia, the Indian December, all in 2001; 1 on 15th January
subcontinent and Myanmar. The all-year 2002 at G˙adira; and 1 at Kunçizzjoni on 31st
resident subspecies Circus aeruginosus October 2003. In 2005, 1 was observed on
harterti inhabits Morocco, Algeria and 20th November at Luqa Airport and another
Tunisia. Birds ringed in Latvia, Estonia, at Manikata on 23rd November. In 2007, a
Lithuania, Finland, Poland, the Czech male was seen at Clapham Junction on
15th September and 1 on 1st October at Pallid Harrier
Republic, Hungary and Italy have been
recovered in Malta. A German-ringed id-Dahar, Mellie˙a Ridge. In 2009, adult
Marsh Harrier is known to have lived for at females at Ta’ Ìawhar, Gudja in January except for one sighting on the 25th. Late
least 16 years 8 months (Staav 1998). and at Ûejtun in September and an adult sightings were of male on 11th November
male at Dwejra, Malta on 14th November. 1983, male and a female at Fomm ir-Ri˙ on
The Hen Harrier (known as Northern 10th May and a female at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on
Hen Harrier Harrier in North America), breeds 11th May 2008. An unusual record is of a
Circus cyaneus throughout the northern parts of the male at Clapham Junction on 30th August
Bag˙dan Ik˙al northern hemisphere in northern Eurasia, 2008. Daily sightings rarely exceed 3 birds.
Canada and the northernmost uSA. unpublished records from last century
Bughadam Abiad 8, Bu-ghadam abiad9, It migrates to more southerly areas in taken from taxidermists’ log books and
Buadaam abiad prim 10, Bughaddam winter. Eurasian birds move to southern observation notes include single males on
abiad prim 11, Bughadam abiad prim 12, Europe and southern temperate Asia, and Malta on 30th March, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th and 10th
Bug˙adam abjad prim 13-15, Bug˙adam American breeders to the southernmost April and 11th November, all in 1983 and 1
abjad 16, Bug˙adam abjad prim 17- 19. uSA, Mexico and Central America. In the on 9th April 1984.
mildest regions such as France, Great In September 2005, 1 was seen on the
Very scarce migrant, verging on rare, in Britain and the southern uS, Hen Harriers 16th at Buskett and another on the 25th at
spring seen in March and April and rare may be present all year. Dingli. In 2006, a male was seen at Comino
from August to October, occasionally in on 31st March, a female at Buskett on 8th
November. In autumn, most are seen in April, and 1 at San Ìwann on 19th October.
October. There is one record in January Pallid Harrier In 2007, spring records include a male
and another in July. Single birds or parties Circus macrourus on 10th March at Çirkewwa, a female on
of up to three birds have been seen. An Bag˙dan Abjad 23rd March at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq, a male
unusual sighting was that of a flock of on 3rd April at Dwejra, a male on 4th April
8 birds observed over is-Simar on 22nd Bu-ghadam abiad (m), Bu-ghadam at Salina, a female on 21st April at Dingli
September 1995. (f)9, Buadaam10, Bughaddam ahmar11, Cliffs and 1 on 22nd April at Dwejra and
Taxidermists’ records show there was 1 Bughadam zgheir 12, Bug˙adam abjad Mellie˙a respectively. In autumn singles
on 4th November 1976 and 1 on 22nd March second 13, Bug˙adam abjad 14-16, on the 3rd and 14th September, both at
1977 in Gozo; 1 on 18th April 1980 in Malta, Bug˙adam abjad (m) Bug˙adam a˙mar Buskett, a female on the 15th September
a male on 15th May 1984 and another on (f)17, Bug˙adam abjad 18, Bag˙dan abjad19. and a juvenile bird on 1st October, both at
6th October 1984, both locality unknown in Clapham Junction.
Malta. A male was shot at G˙allis on 12th A scarce migrant seen mostly in March In 2008, several records in March with
October 1984. A male on 15th July 1998 and April and from September to early single males on 4th and 5th at Luqa Airport,
and a male on 1st November 2006, were November. Singles are usually seen. An at Çirkewwa on the 10th and at Luqa Airport
analysis of sightings between 2005 and on the 12th, 16th and 20th; a female at Ba˙ar
2009 shows that the best year was 2008 iç-Çag˙aq and at G˙adira respectively on
with a total of 23 records. Coincidentally, the 23rd, single males at G˙arg˙ur on the
2008 was also the best year for Marsh 24th, at G˙asri, Gozo, on the 26th. A male
Harrier totals. Highest counts are normally was at Dwejra, Gozo on 3rd April. Autumn
recorded in spring (March to May). Total records include-single males at Buskett
March sightings occurred over 12 days and G˙allis on 17th and 18th September
from the 3rd to the 31st. The highest count respectively, a female on 1st October and
in March was in 2008, with 10 birds seen a male on the following day both at Buskett
over nine days. Total April sightings and a male on 15th October also at Buskett.
occurred over 10 days from the 3rd to the Several sightings in April 2009: singles
22nd. April’s best count was in 2009 with at Wardija on the 7th, a female at Dwejra
12 birds recorded over 6 days. Autumn on the 8th, a male and female at G˙ajn
records (August to November) were Tuffie˙a, a male at id-Dahar and another
less remarkable, with monthly totals not male at G˙ajn Ri˙ana respectively on the
Hen Harrier
exceeding 3 birds. September sightings 9th, females at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo on the 10th
occurred between the 3rd and the 18th and at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 12th respectively,
Pallid Harrier
3 females at G˙arb, Gozo and a female at Buzzards (Agostini, Panuccio and Mellone
Mount St Joseph respectively on the 18th. 2007). Montagu’s Harriers were thought to
12 sightings in September 2009 with the follow a partially circular migration pattern,
first on the 18th. Singles on 4 days and 2 on with birds flying south through the Iberian
23rd to 25th and on 27th and 1 on 5th October. Peninsula in autumn and north through
A bird ringed in Romania has been Cap Bon, Italy and Malta in spring (Garcia
recovered in Malta. The Pallid Harrier and Arroyo 1998).
breeds in southern parts of Eastern Europe But more recent studies involving the
and central Asia. Some winter in southeast use of satellite telemetry have shown that
and central Europe, North Africa and the the migration patterns of birds from the
Middle East but most migrate to the Afro- same area can be quite different. Autumn
tropics, from Sudan and Eritrea to uganda, migration routes of Montagu’s Harriers from
Niger, Mali, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and north-western Europe (The Netherlands,
South Africa. Others winter in the Indian Germany, Denmark) documented for the
subcontinent, from Afghanistan to India, Sri first time using satellite telemetry showed
Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. a southward migration to the sub-Saharan
A Pallid Harrier ringed in France was still wintering areas via two completely different
alive 13 years and 5 months after being routes. The birds used either a western route
ringed (Staav 1998). via France and Spain to Morocco before
ending up in Senegal, Mauritania or Mali
(at 5,000 km distance from the breeding
Montagu’s Harrier areas) or a more central Mediterranean
Circus pygargus route crossing Italy, Sicily and flying via
Bag˙dan Irmiedi Libya into Niger and Nigeria (Trierweiler et Montagu’s Harrier
al. 2007, Trierweiler and Koks 2009). North-
Bughadam Abiad 8, Bu-ghadam abiad (m), eastern European birds (Poland, Belarus)
Bu-ghadam (f) 9, Buadaam abiad second10, migrated south via Greece and Libya into
Bughaddam abiad sekond 11, Bughadam Chad, Niger and Nigeria, whereas data
abiad second 12, Bug˙adam irmiedi 13, available up to now suggest that most of
Bug˙adam abjad sekond 14, Bughadam 15, them return to their breeding grounds via
Bug˙adam abjad16, 17, Bug˙adam irmiedi18, Tunisia and Italy (Trierweiler and Koks
Bag˙dan GriΩ19, Montagus 20. 2009).
Satellite tracking of Spanish Montagu’s
A fairly common migrant, especially in Harriers showed that to reach their
spring, and scarce in autumn. Individuals wintering areas in Mauritania, Senegal
may appear in late August. In spring, most and Mali, situated some 3,000 km away
are seen between March and May. Although from their breeding site, it took them 10 to
it is mostly seen singly, loose parties of six 30 days. Some stop over for more than a
or more birds are not uncommon in spring, week while others spend one to two days at
especially towards the end of April, when most. Montagu’s Harriers covered between
dozens may be seen within a very short 93 and 219 km a day while on migration,
span of time, especially in Gozo. with most distance being covered between
A study of autumn migration of raptors 15.00 and 20.00 hours. No travel was
in the Straits of Messina confirmed that, recorded between 20.00 and 05.00
unlike in spring, few Montagu’s Harriers (Liminana et al. 2007).
cross the Central Mediterranean in autumn. In the Maltese Islands, highest counts
Out of 7,738 birds of prey observed, only are generally recorded in spring, mainly
63 were Montagu’s Harriers. A total of 97 in April. Remarkably high counts were
per cent of the birds seen were Honey recorded in April 2007 with at least 150 Montagu’s Harriers
Montagu’s Harrier - Adult female
birds seen, and in April 2009 when at least August with the last sighting taking place
130 birds were seen. on 19th September. A total of 17 birds were
Autumn migration starts in August recorded over 11 days with daily counts
but peaks in September. The highest ranging from 1 to 4 birds.
September count was of 22 birds in 2006, Spring 2009 was remarkable for the
followed by 17 sightings in 2005 and 12 in numbers recorded. Migration was
2008. Most daily sightings are of between concentrated between 13th and 20th April,
1 and 4 birds, but there were several days with daily sightings ranging from single
during spring migration (exclusively April) to medium double figures. The highest
when low to high double figures were daily count was recorded on the 14th with
recorded. Late ‘spring’ sightings were of 1 63 birds (mostly females), most of which
bird at Comino on 13th and 14th June 2009. roosted in the fields around G˙arb, Gozo.
Montagu’s Harrier
The first such harriers noted in the Another 21 (11 males, 5 females and 5
outward migration of 2005 include a single juveniles) were at Mount St Joseph on the
bird off Marsascala on 24th August, 1 on 18th. There were 13 records in September, In October sightings were concentrated
29th and another on 30th August, both at with 3 on 21st and 2 on the 7th and singles on seven days between the 1st and the 16th
Buskett. Good days in 2005 were the 5th on 8 other dates. with numbers ranging from 1 to 3 birds
September when 8 birds were seen and Birds ringed in Poland and Germany have daily. Autumn 2006 was relatively poor with
the 6th September when 4 were seen, both been recovered in Malta. Satellite tracking a total of 7 single records (5 in September
observations at Buskett. of Polish birds in recent years have shown and 2 in October).
In 2006, the best day was the 29th April, that birds from Poland are passing over or Autumn 2007 produced only two records:
when 10 males were seen singly at San very close to Malta. 1 in September and 1 in October. Spring
Blas, Gozo. September was characterised Montagu’s Harriers are known to be rather occurrences are very scarce: 1 in May
by 1 to 4 sightings spread over 10 days long-lived. A German-ringed Montagu’s 2005; 1 in April and 1 in May 2006; 1 in
between the 1st and the 23rd. In 2007, the Harrier is known to have lived for at least April 2007; 1 in March 2009. The latter is
first spring birds (2 males and a juvenile) 16 years and a month (Staav 1998). the earliest spring record.
appeared on 8th March at Bidnija. Then In September 2009, there were a total of
recorded practically daily in April with 14 birds, with the first on the 8th. Twos were
several strong passages taking place: Eurasian Sparrowhawk seen on 4 dates after the 14th. In October, 1
23 at tal-Fanal, Gozo and 17 at id-Dahar, Accipiter nisus on the 5th, 2 on 20th and 1 on 28th. In 2010,
Mellie˙a on the 12th; 9 at Mtarfa, 24 at Sparvier a male on Comino on 11th April.
Dingli Cliffs and 22 at Dwejra, Gozo on the Most sightings are recorded from the
21st; 3 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on the 22nd; 50 on Asaph 2, Spirviel 4, Falqett 8, Falkett 9,14,17, Buskett area. Males, females and immature
the western coast from Dingli to id-Dahar Sparvier 10-13, 15, 16, 17, 19, Falchett 12, Falchett13, birds are all recorded.
on the 28th. Autumn records totalled 6 birds Bies tal-Óamiem, Furraxa 20. The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a
seen over four days in September in the widespread species throughout the
area around Buskett. Rare from March to May in spring and temperate and subtropical parts of the Old
In 2008, spring migration started in April less so between September and early World. Birds from colder regions of north
and stretched into May with a total of 16 November in autumn, when there are Europe and Asia migrate south for the
birds recorded over eight days, with daily better chances of seeing one, particularly winter, some to North Africa while some
counts ranging from 1 to 3 birds. Most at Buskett. Wright recorded one on 14th move as far as equatorial east Africa and
sightings occurred on the southwest December 1861 (Wright 1862b). India.
coast. Autumn migration started on 27th unpublished records from last century Juveniles begin their migration earlier than
include 2 on 20th November 1983, 2 on adults and juvenile females move before
9th November 1984, and 1 in Malta on 19th juvenile males. Males move further and
November 1984. more often than females. Birds ringed in
Highest counts are recorded in autumn Kaliningrad, Russia, showed that the average
(September-October), with 2008 being the distance moved before recovery was 1,328
best year, when about 40 sightings were km for males and 927 km for females.
logged. Sightings were recorded almost
daily between 19th and 30th September
with numbers ranging from 1 to 3 birds per Levant Sparrowhawk
day. The majority of sightings occurred in Accipiter brevipes
September (22) whereas 18 sightings were Sparvier tal-Lvant
logged in October. Sightings in October
occurred on nine days between the 1st Vagrant. Previously unrecorded in Malta.
and the 20th with numbers ranging from 1 A juvenile, shot in September in the early
to 3 birds per day. Autumn 2005 produced 1980s near Mqabba. unfortunately the
a total of 15 sightings (5 in September exact date of this record is unknown, though
Satellite tracking of Montagu’s Harriers has and 10 in October). In September 2005 the bird is preserved in a private collection.
revealed interesting migration patterns (Map sightings of 1 or 2 birds occurred on four The second record is of an adult male shot in
after Trierweiler et al 2007). days between the 23rd and the 28th. May sometime between 1990 and 1992 at il-
Bidni, Marsascala. The bird was very badly been misidentified as Rough-Legged
mutilated by shot, but being unusual, was Buzzards. There is one definite record, of
still preserved. A female was taken in early a juvenile male, shot at Buskett. De Lucca
October 2009 at M©arr, Malta. Information and De Lucca (1959) recorded the date of
gleaned from taxidermists who were active capture as 3rd October 1956. This specimen
up to the early 1990s indicates that there is in the Museum of Natural History in
could be up to 10 locally-shot birds in Mdina, but a controversy about the date
collections, in addition to a few others that of capture of this bird ensued soon after
were imported. The Levant Sparrowhawk publication of the booklet Natural Heritage
is found in south-eastern Europe, south- by Vella Gaffiero (1975). Vella Gaffiero had
western ukraine and southern Russia, east examined the skins and accompanying
to western Kazakhstan, Turkey and Iran. It is records that De Lucca had donated to
a long-distance migrant, with birds moving the museum, and found out that the date
through the eastern Mediterranean basin entered for Buteo lagopus on the collection
and the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Sudan, and inventory list was shown as 8th April 1956
Arabia, and wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. and not 3rd October 1956. Consequently
There are five records in Sicily, the latest he published the April date, adding, “All
of which was a juvenile seen at Messina the other records of this species for Malta
on 10th September 2004 by Andrea Corso were recently identified as Booted Eagles”.
(Janni and Fracasso 2009). Occasionally, Sultana, Gauci and Beaman (1975)
individuals are also recorded in Tunisia in maintained that Vella Gaffiero had made
spring (Isenmann et al. 2005). Long-legged Buzzard a mistake in the date and they continued
to insist that it should be 3rd October
Long-legged Buzzard 1956. In their work of 1976, Bannerman
Common Buzzard Buteo rufinus and Vella Gaffiero included the record
Buteo buteo Kuççarda Saqajha Twal again with the April date but inadvertently
Kuççarda Prima stated that it had been caught in autumn.
One shot at Wardija on 24th May 1965 is the In their work of 1982, Sultana and Gauci
Qucciarda prima 10, Cucciarda prima 13
, first record. Another was shot at Beng˙isa continued to assert that the October date
Kuççarda prima 14, 15, 17-19, BaΩΩard 20. on 10th February 1976. A juvenile was was the correct one and to focus on the
shot on 4th December 1983 at Burmarrad. contradiction between April and autumn,
Buzzards are very scarce but single birds Taxidermists’ records included another simultaneously accusing Bannerman and
are seen annually, especially between shot on 16th December 1983 at Bidnija. Vella Gaffiero of adding to the confusion.
September and November. Also recorded in The record of another bird shot at Comino It is somewhat puzzling why the authors
December and February and from March to in October 1989 and listed in literature continued to maintain that the April date
May. Some recent records are being given. as the first record is actually the fifth one. was an error on the part of Vella Gaffiero
A single bird was seen over G˙adira on 28th The first record of 1965 was provided by when they had conceded that they had
September 2002. In 2005, 1 was seen on Sammy Borg, who also informed me that visited the Natural History Museum “where
28th October at Buskett, 2 at Dingli on 25th another was taken at Buskett and was seen Mr J. Vella Gaffiero kindly showed us the
September, 1 on 16th October at Buskett. in a collection recently, but the date of its documented record list of the collection,
In 2008, singles on the 28th September at capture was unknown. Recent records including the specimen of Buteo lagopus
Mellie˙a and on 18th October at Clapham include single bird on 25th October at in question, which was donated by C. De
Junction. 5 records in September 2009, with Imta˙leb, in early October 2005 at Ba˙rija, Lucca to the Museum. The typewritten
the first record on the 11th, 2 on the 21st and a bird of the race cirtensis was shot in data against Buteo lagopus is 8/4/1956”
singles on 22nd and 23rd. Buzzards ringed in October or November 2007 in the south of (Sultana and Gauci 1979b).
Finland and Lithuania have been recovered Malta and one in the last week of May 2009 The authors stated they had also
in Malta. The smaller Steppe Buzzard at Kunçizzjoni. examined the paper in the Rivista Italiana di
(Buteo buteo vulpinus), sometimes occurs Ornitologia (De Lucca and De Lucca 1959)
as well. One was shot at Wied il-G˙asel, where the record was first published, and
Mosta, in November 1993. One was seen Rough-legged Buzzard they asserted that the same sentence had
at Buskett on 28th September and another Buteo lagopus been used for both Buzzard Buteo buteo
on 1st October 2005 at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a, while Kuççarda tal-Kalzetti buteo and Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo
1 was at Mellie˙a on 18th December 2006. lagopus: “Un giovane maschio fu ucciso
In 2007, 1 on 14th September at Buskett, a Qucciarda bil calzetti 10, Kucciuarda bil vicino al Bosketto il 3 Ottobre 1956”. For the
very pale bird on 15th September, an adult, kalzetti 11, Cuççarda tal calzetti 12, Cucciarda sake of correctness, it has to be pointed out
fox red in colour, on 22nd September and bil çalzetti 13, Kuççarda bil çalzetti 14, that only the date was the same, and the
1 on 6th October, all at Clapham Junction. Cucciarda bil calzetti 15, Kuççarda bil- sentences were different: for Buzzard, De
In 2008, singles on the 2nd, 13th and 25th kalzetti 17, Kuççarda tal-Kalzetti 18, 19. Lucca and De Lucca stated “Un giovane
October at Buskett as well as 1 at Clapham maschio fu uccuso vicino al Bosketto il 3
Junction and 1 at Dwejra on 3rd October. 1 Vagrant. Most of the few records published Ottobre 1956. Specie accidentale di cui si
on 18th and another on 27th September 2009 in previous ornithological literature have conoscono soltanto due altre catture sono
at Buskett. turned out to be Booted Eagles that had registrate” while for the Rough-legged
Buzzard, De Lucca and De Lucca stated not start until October. But in years when
“Un giovane maschio fu ucciso al Bosketto food is scarce birds undertake irregular
il 3 Ottobre 1956. Si conoscono due o tre movements termed ‘searching migration’
altre catture.” (A young male was shot at (Galushin 1974), with movement starting as
Buskett on 3rd October 1956). There was early as August and the birds moving further
nothing unusual for birds of prey to be south and even reaching North Africa. With
shot at Buskett at that time as Buskett was such a complicated migration pattern, and
a popular place with hunters, so much so, displacements of between 2,000 and 2,700
that even in the same paper, the De Luccas km, it is difficult to say categorically when
used practically the same words for the the birds should appear or where.
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus): It is pertinent to note that examination
“Un individuo fu catturato al Bosketto il 7 of published literature shows that the only
Ottobre 1952. Specie accidentale di cui si birds that were caught in Malta in autumn
conoscono soltanto due, e probablimente (September) were dismissed after being
altre tre, catture.” (An individual was identified as Booted Eagles. That left the
caught at Buskett on 7th October 1952. one caught in 1843 and the one taken at
An accidental species of which two or Ûurrieq in 1859, both of which lacked full
probably three others are known). data, and therefore the month of capture
Sultana and Gauci (1979b) stated that was not known. Finally, there was the one
though one could never be certain, it definite specimen that Sultana and Gauci
was probable there could have been “an (1975) accepted and which was taken
overlooked misprint”. They argued that in spring (8th April 1956), not in autumn.
it was also more likely for Rough-legged So in reality, on the information that was
Buzzard to appear in autumn than in spring available to the authors at the time they
and recommended that the records of the asserted that the bird was more likely to
Buteo lagopus should read: “one in 1843, appear in autumn, not a single Rough-
one at Ûurrieq in 1859 and one at Buskett in legged Buzzard had in fact occurred in
Steppe Buzzard
1956,” but also stated that Gulia’s records, autumn. Other interesting records in spring
may also be considered doubtful, without are of one record from Tunisia on 21st May
giving any reason. 1964 (Isenmann et al. 2005), and those in the addendum to his book, although the
Sultana (2001) listed a single record at of Bundy (1976) who recorded it from the bird is said to have occurred the year before
Buskett in 1965 without giving any other Libyan desert between early April and mid- his work was published. It is not known
details, but affirming that the bird had May in 1969 and in 1970. why Schembri (1843a) omitted this record.
appeared only once. Since Sultana and The statement by Vella Gaffiero (1975) It could well be that his book had already
Gauci (1982) had recognised only the that all other records except the one of been typeset at the time, and changes in
record given by De Lucca and De Lucca the bird at the Museum were misidentified layout were not as easy as they are these
(1959) of the bird that was shot at Buskett in is also incorrect. The skins of the birds days, but his addenda featured a Great
1956 as the only valid one, it seems certain recorded in 1843 and in 1859 had not Spotted Cuckoo and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
that Sultana (2001) mistakenly inverted the been examined because they could not that had been shot in April 1834.
numbers, writing 1965 instead of 1956. be traced. It is rather unfortunate that there The record of 1843 given by Gulia
In their review of the records, Sultana and is so much confusion in the records of this must therefore be the 2nd occurrence.
Gauci (1979b) stated that the specimen rare species. A chronological summary of Gulia stated that the 1843 bird had been
taken on 21st September 1916 and the one occurrences is now given below. identified by Professors (Stefano) Zerafa
taken on 29th September 1956 were both The first published record is of a bird that and G. (Grech) Delicata. He also gave
Booted Eagles. The contention by Sultana occurred in Malta on 22nd October 1842 another record, of an adult male shot at
and Gauci (1979b) that the Rough-legged (Anon 1843). It was given in 1843 in an Ûurrieq in 1859.
Buzzard is more likely to appear in autumn article that formed part of a series on Maltese Tallack (1861), which again is another
than in spring appears to be based on the ornithology in a fortnightly publication untapped source, mentioned the “Rough-
wrong assumption that this bird’s migration entitled Repertorio di Conoscenze Utili, of legged Falcon” as a new species that had
pattern is similar to that of other migrant which only 18 issues are known to have occurred adding that the specimen was
birds of prey that cross the Mediterranean been published. The record was given in an given to the university Museum. Leach
to winter in Africa. The migration of the article where the Rough-legged Buzzard is (1907), mentions the specimen in his list of
Rough-legged Buzzard is not linked so described as having many varieties of size birds in the museum collection, and the bird
much to total departure from the breeding and colour, though it was less variable than was still there in Despott’s time because
range as in other migratory birds of prey, the Honey Buzzard, that it was common in Despott mentioned it in 1917 and said that
but is entirely dependent on the fluctuations autumn and winter in northern Europe and this was probably the bird that was killed
of the rodent populations on which it feeds. that a bird was for the first time seen in Malta in the neighbourhood of Ûurrieq in 1859.
In years when rodents are abundant, it on 22nd October 1842. This article has never Despott (1915) said the Rough-legged
stays in breeding haunts or disperses in a been cited in any published ornithological Buzzard was accidental and was recorded
south-easterly direction to winter in nearby literature. once or twice. He later recorded one shot
central and Eastern Europe, and the It is rather intriguing that Schembri at BirΩebbu©a on 21st September 1916
movement out of the breeding range may (1843a) did not report this record, not even (Despott 1916a). In his later work Despott
(1917) said one “was shot in summer 1915 M©arr (Malta) on 20th October 1982. The bird in September 2009, with the same birds
at BirΩebbu©a”, adding he was informed by was later examined again in a collection at being recorded in several places on the
the taxidermist Micallef that he had handled M©arr in 2005 and identification reconfirmed. same day: 3 on the 20th, singles on 21st,
two or three other specimens, which Another bird, seen in a collection at 24th, 26th and 28th. In October, singles on
Despott had not seen. In his work of 1932, Marsaxlokk, was shot at Ûonqor Point in late 14th and 16th. Autumn of 2008 proved to
Despott said the bird taken in summer 1915 October 2000. The Maltese name Ajkla tar- be one of the best years for sightings of
was in the collection of (Roger) Conti-Meli Russja is being given because the birds’ Lesser Spotted Eagles. Analysis of records
at Óamrun. This bird later ended up in the breeding area is in Russia. between 2005 and 2008 demonstrate a
collection of Temi Conti, (Roger’s son), at The Spotted Eagle winters in the Balkans significant number of sightings. Annual
BirΩebbu©a. It is most probable that Despott and in Italy, so it is not improbable that it totals are: 9 birds (7 in September and 2
had simply mistaken the year and season of could occur in Malta. In Sicily, the Greater in October) in 2005; 3 (1 in April and 2 in
this record, as 21st September is actually the Spotted Eagle is a rare and irregular September) in 2006; 5 (1 in March, 1 in
first day of autumn. In Malta, September is passage migrant. In 1981 one spent all of September, 3 in October) in 2007, and
still considered as summer. February at the Simeto, Sicily. It has also 13 (12 in September, and 1 in October)
Then came De Lucca’s records (De been recorded in Tunisia several times, the in 2008. The occurrence of flocks has not
Lucca C. and De Lucca 1959): of a juvenile most recent being the occurrence of a sub- been reported anywhere else in the central
male shot on 3rd October 1956 (which was adult on 30th April 2002 at Siloman Marshes Mediterranean. A group of four adults seen
listed as occurring on 8th April 1956 by Vella (Isenmann et al. 2005). at Buskett on 13th October 2001 was the
Gaffiero 1975), and De Lucca (1969), who The Greater Spotted Eagle breeds from largest flock of this species ever recorded
repeated the record of the juvenile male northern Europe across Asia, and winters in the Central Mediterranean in autumn
shot on 3rd October 1956 and listed another in south-eastern Europe, the Middle East at that time (Sammut and Bonavia 2004).
new specimen shot at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on and South Asia. Migration to breeding A juvenile was also seen later on that
29th September 1966. This latter bird is now grounds takes place fairly late in the same day. However, in 2008 a flock of 5
preserved in Sammy Borg’s collection, who season. birds seen on 28th September at Clapham
had realised this bird had been wrongly Junction became the new maximum
identified and that it was a Booted Eagle. record. Other significant flocks were a flock
An assessment of the occurrences, after Lesser Spotted Eagle of 4 birds (of which 2 were shot) seen at il-
elimination of the ones misidentified, leaves Aquila pomarina Óofra, Delimara on 29th September 2005; 3
four records: Ajkla tat-Tikki at Rinella on the 30th September 2005; and
The one of 22 October 1842 (Anon 1843) 3 at Buskett and Dwejra on 24th September
The one of 1843 identified by Zerafa and Aicla 13, Ajcla tat-ticchi 15, Ajkla tat-Tikki 17-19. 2008. Two were seen on 28th September
Delicata at Buskett 2006. All other records were of
The adult male shot at Ûurrieq in 1859 Very rare but annual. Occurs from mid- single birds: 1 at Buskett on 14th and 16th
The one now in the museum collection September to early November, with most October 2006 respectively; juvenile at
(originally recorded by De Lucca 1969) records in October. There were 7 records Clapham Junction on 6th October 2007;
The first two records cannot be

corroborated in any way. However, the 3rd
record cannot be dismissed arbitrarily.
According to Despott this specimen was
in the university Museum collection, which
was lost during the war. The fact that Leach,
who was the curator of the museum at the
time, included it in his list and Despott had
also seen it makes it rather unlikely that
both of them had wrongly identified the
bird, though one can never be certain either
way. The 4th record is still in existence at the
Natural History Museum at Mdina.
Greater Spotted Eagle

Aquila clanga
Ajkla tar-Russja
Ajkla tat-Tikki Prima 19.
This was considered to be a rejected species

by Sultana and Gauci (1982), because of
confusion in old ornithological records. But
Sammy Borg provided the following record:
Lesser Spotted Eagle
one immature was seen after it was killed at
singles at Dwejra on 19th and at Manikata September. During the period 1963 to 2008,
on 24th October 2007; juvenile at Buskett September sightings were concentrated
on 21st September 2008; 1 at Buskett on over seven days between the 15th and
25th September 2008; juvenile at Clapham the 27th, whereas October sightings were
Junction on 27th September 2008; 1 at spread over eight days between the 2nd and
Selmun on 28th September 2008; and 1 the 29th. Light morphs seem to outnumber
roosted at Buskett on 5th October 2008. dark ones in the ratio of 3:1.
A juvenile found injured at BirΩebbu©a The first record of the Booted Eagle in
on 25th September 2007 had been ringed Malta was of one shot at BirΩebbu©a on
in the nest in Loewenberg-Luisenaue, 21st September 1916 (Despott 1916a), and
some 50 km north of Berlin on 15th July that had mistakenly been identified as a
of the same year. A bird seen in Gozo on Rough-legged Buzzard. A female Booted
1st April 2005 by David Attard is the first Eagle was shot at l-A˙rax on 2nd November
spring record for this species. Other spring 1951 (Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero
sightings occurred subsequently: 1 seen 1976). Singles were reported from Gozo
over Ramla, Gozo on 24th April 2006; a bird on 16th October 1968 near Victoria and on
seen by Michael Sammut on 23rd March 5th October 1969 at Lunzjata, (Gauci and
2007 over Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq proceeded to Sultana 1971).
fly towards G˙arg˙ur. unpublished records from last century
Some unpublished records from last include: 1 on 15th October 1963 at
century are being provided, thanks to Xag˙ra, Gozo; 1 on 2nd October 1968 at
Sammy Borg. All these new records involve tal-Kapuççini, Victoria, Gozo (unless this
single birds: at Buskett on 30th October was the bird referred to by Sultana, Gauci
1979; at Mqabba on 29th September 1981; and Beaman (1975) as being seen on 16th
at Óal Far on 20th November 1983; and at October). A bird shot in May 1974 is the
Mellie˙a on 27th October 1984. A bird was first record of this eagle in spring. This Booted Eagle
shot in October 1986 in Gozo. bird is preserved in a private collection at
A single bird was seen over Buskett on Ûebbu©. A light phase bird was seen over Golden Eagle
21st September 1986 and another, also at Bin©emma on 15th May 1988. Sammy Borg Aquila chrysaetos
Buskett, on 30th September 1988. also informed me of the following records: Ajkla Rjali
The Lesser Spotted Eagle breeds in 1 on 10th October 1978 at Ba˙rija; 1 on 21st
Central and Eastern Europe and south- October and 1 on 29th October 1979, both Aiqla 10, Ajkla 11, Aicla imperiala 13, Ajcla 14,
eastward to Turkey, and winters in Africa. at Buskett; 1 on 19th September 1981 at tal- Ajcla reali 15, Ajkla Rjali 17-19, Ajkla safra 20.
Óandaq; 1 on 2nd October 1983 at Buskett;
1 on 15th October 1988 at tal-Óandaq; 1 shot Vagrant. The Golden Eagle was consid-
Booted Eagle at is-Salib tal-G˙olja on 12th October 1990. ered very rare in Malta in the mid-1800s.
Aquila pennata A light phase bird was seen on 27th One was shot at the end of September
Ajkla tal-Kalzetti September 1982 over G˙adira. Another 1842 but was in a bad state and could
light phase bird was seen on 29th November not be preserved (Anon 1843b). Schembri
Very rare. Appears from mid-September to 2004 and a dark phase one was present (1843a) probably refers to this same bird,
mid-October, but there are three records in between 18th and 22nd January 2005, both saying it was identified by Dr Grech Deli-
spring. Birds can be dark or light phases. at Mellie˙a. A bird was shot in Gozo in cata, but he said it was taken in October.
In 2004, it was recorded also in November February 2005. Several birds were observed One was recorded shot near Qrendi on 13th
and December, while in 2005 single birds wintering in Sicily at the same time these November 1873 (Wright 1874). A sub-adult
were recorded in January and February. birds were seen locally. A light phase bird was seen by Michael Sammut on 11th Oc-
The Booted Eagle is a typical narrow-front was seen on 17th September 2005 at Dingli. tober 1993 over San Ìwann. The Golden
migrant that avoids long sea-crossings. In 2006, a dark morph on 22nd September Eagle is distributed almost worldwide. The
Migration pattern in Malta is of interest and a light morph on 23rd September, both type species is Aquila chrysaetos is found
as historical data shows more sightings at Clapham Junction. In 2007, a light morph throughout Eurasia, except for the Iberian
in October than in September, whereas seen over id-Dahar, Mellie˙a Ridge on Peninsula, east to western Siberia. There
the peak migration period in Gibraltar, 2nd May is the third spring record. A light are five subspecies of Golden Eagle that
the Bosphorus and the Caucasus is quite morph was seen in a mixed flock made differ slightly in size and plumage in differ-
early, from 10th to 26th September (Génsbøl up of a Buzzard, a Hen Harrier, 15 Honey ent parts of the world. Aquila chrysaetos
2008). Buzzards and 6 Marsh Harriers at Clapham kamtschatica is found in Eastern Siberia,
An analysis of Booted Eagle records Junction on 15th September. Another was Aquila chrysaetos daphanea inhabits from
in the Maltese Islands reveals some seen at Dwejra on 21st September. In 2009, Southern Kazakhstan east to Manchuria
interesting information. During the period a light morph on 19th and 27th September at and south-west China as well as north-
1963 to 1990 there was a total of at least Clapham Junction. ern India and Pakistan; Aquila chrysaetos
9 records in October but only a total of 2 The Booted Eagle breeds in southern homeryi is found in the Iberian Peninsula
in September. During the period 2004 to Europe, North Africa and across Asia. It is and North Africa and east to Turkey and
2008 there were no sightings recorded in migratory, wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa Iran. Aquila chrysaetos japonica is found in
October but a total of about 5 sightings in and South Asia. Japan and Korea.
of single birds but multiple counts ranged

between 4 and 7 birds: 7 on the 21st, 4 on
the 22nd and 5 on the 23rd. Only 4 single
sightings were recorded in October spread
over four days from the 12th to the 22nd.
unusual sightings were of a bird on the
10th and another on the 13th November
respectively.
Spring migration in 2007 opened with
a single sighting on 6th April, followed by
single birds on 22nd and 28th April and on
5th May. The first autumn sightings were
of single birds on 19th and 27th August
respectively. September was rather poor
with a total sightings of 6 single birds
spread over six days between the 3rd and
the 23rd. October also produced 6 records:
2 birds on the 1st, 2nd and 13th respectively. A
single bird was recorded on 1st November.
Osprey In 2008 there were only 2 spring records:
on 1st and 27th April respectively. Autumn
Bonelli’s Eagle A scarce but annual migrant, mostly seen in migration opened with a bird on 29th
Hieraaetus fasciata April and from September to mid-October, August, followed by a flock of 4 (3 juveniles
Ajkla tal-Mediterran but it may be encountered in March, May, and an adult) on 31st August. However,
and late August and rarely in November September was a good month with a total
The Bonelli’s Eagle existed in Malta in Pleis- and December. Ospreys can be seen on of 22 sightings recorded over 12 days
tocene times. There is a single recent sight migration at Buskett as well as around the between the 1st and the 29th. Most sightings
record on 11th September 2004: a juvenile coast and up to six birds have been seen involved single birds but multiple counts
bird was seen and photographed via a tel- in a single day. At G˙adira, Salina and ranged from 2 to 5 birds: 5 on the 2nd, 4 on
escope at Ta’ Qali by Michael Sammut. The Marsalforn, Gozo, birds have, at times, the 13th, 2 on the 18th and 19th respectively
bird was flying with four Honey Buzzards and been seen attempting to fish. and 2 on the 28th. October produced a total
was identified by Michael Sammut but many Highest counts are recorded in autumn of 8 records spread over six days between
discounted the record. Dick Forsman, Eu- (August to October). In 2005 migration the 2nd and the 18th. Most sightings involved
rope’s most authoritative raptor expert, con- started with the sighting of a bird at Buskett single birds but multiple counts included 2
firmed that the photo clearly showed a juve- on 28th August. birds on the 3rd and 6th respectively. The
nile Bonelli’s Eagle. A Short-toed Eagle that The highest autumn count was logged in only spring record in 2009 was of a bird
was shot around the 22nd September 1966 September when a total of 36 birds were on 4th April at Comino. In August, singles
had been misidentified as a Bonelli’s Eagle recorded spread over 10 days between the on 25th, 29th, 30th and 31st but 2 on 26th
and recorded by Joe Sultana in an article 5th and the 26th. Most sightings consisted August, all at Buskett. September 2009
entitled Notable occurrences during 1966, of single birds but multiple counts ranged was a record, with a total of 46 birds, when
published in a booklet issued by the Malta between 2 and 8 birds: 4 on the 5th, 7 on the at least an Osprey was recorded daily.
Ornithological Society (MOS), after the MOS 6th, 2 on the 11th and the 16th respectively, 4 However there were 5 on the 21st, 3 on 18th,
Rarities Committee had accepted the record. on the 17th, 8 on the 25th and 6 on the 26th. 22nd and 24th and 2 on 1st, 4th, 19th, 23rd, 25th
Five years later it was realised that the bird October sightings totalled 12 spread over and 28th and singles on all other days. The
had been misidentified and the record was seven days between the 2nd and the 17th. latest record in 2009 was 1 at Buskett on
corrected by a single sentence on page 29 Daily numbers ranged between 1 and 3 17th October.
in the 6th issue of Il-Merill, the MOS official bul- birds: 1 on the 2nd, 3rd, and 13th respectively, Most sightings were recorded in the area
letin. The Bonelli’s Eagle breeds in southern 2 on the 7th and 12th respectively, 3 on the around Buskett, where systematic watching
Europe, Africa both north and south of the 15th and 2 on the 17th. takes place, especially during the autumn
Sahara Desert and across southern Asia to In 2006 there were some spring migration. Other regular locations in Malta
Indonesia, where it is mainly a resident. sightings, with 1 bird on 22nd March and are Dwejra/Nadur area, Luqa Airport,
7 birds recorded in April spread over Mellie˙a Ridge, the Dingli, Mi©ra l-Fer˙a
six days between the 7th and the 28th. All and Fomm ir-Ri˙ area, G˙ajn Tuffie˙a,
records involved single birds but 2 birds Pembroke and G˙arg˙ur. unpublished
Pandionidae were recorded on the 26th. There were also records from Gozo include singles at
2 sightings in May: 1 on the 5th and 1 on the Xag˙ra and G˙ajnsielem in September
10th. The earliest autumn record was a bird 1968; at Xag˙ra on 11th November 1974; on
Osprey on 10th August at Pembroke. 24th September 1976 and on 12th April 1977
Pandion haliaetus September count was significantly high both at Lunzjata. Malta records include 1
Arpa with a total of 24 birds recorded, with on 6th April 1984 (locality unknown) and
sightings spread over 11 days between the another on 9th August 2004 at Wied iΩ-
Arpa 9-13, 15-19, Alpa, Aspra, Osprej 20. 3rd and the 30th. Most sightings consisted Ûurrieq.
The Osprey is found on all continents

except Antarctica although in South
America it occurs only as a non-breeding
migrant.
European breeders winter in Africa.
American and Canadian breeders winter in
South America, although some stay in the
southernmost states such as Florida and
California. Australasian Ospreys tend not
to migrate.
Studies of Swedish Ospreys showed
that females tend to migrate to Africa
earlier than the males. More stopovers are
made during their autumn migration. The
timing and duration in autumn was more
variable than in spring. Although migrating
predominantly in the day, they sometimes
fly in the dark hours particularly in crossings
over water and cover on average 260-
280 km a day with a maximum of 431 km Lesser Kestrel
a day.
Ospreys are rather long-lived. One seen on the 31st August at Nadur. There
ringed in Finland survived for over 26 years were no other August sightings during
(Staav 1998). A total of 46 ringed Ospreys 2005-2009. The highest counts occur in
have been recovered in Malta, most of September, when sizeable flocks may
which were shot during their first flight be seen. During the period 2005 to 2009,
south. Out of a total of 29 direct recoveries September 2008 produced the highest
of Ospreys that were ringed and recovered autumn count with a total of ±250 birds for
in the same season, 15 were from Finland, the month. Sightings were spread over eight
one from (East) Germany and the rest from days between the 2nd and the 30th with daily
Sweden. counts ranging from 1 to more than 80 birds:
6 on the 10th, 8 on the 18th, over 80 on the
19th (30 birds roosted on a Norfolk Pine Tree
in Buskett), 14 on the 23rd, over 65 on the
Falconidae 27th (40 birds alighted inside Buskett), 55 on
the 28th (including flocks of 20 and 14), and
14 on the 30th. In September 2009, a total of
Lesser Kestrel 205 birds with 83 on the 24th, 20 on the 19th,
Falco naumanni 18 on 25th and 26th. Most records are from
Spanjulett Sekond Buskett and Dwejra.
A marked passage took place in
Spanjolett 8, Spagnolett (m), Seker (f) 9, September 2006, with a total of 95 sightings
Sparvier 10, Spanjolet (m), Seker (f & juv)11, concentrated over five days between the
Spaniolett (m) Seker (f) 12, Spanjolett 13, 21st and the 30th. Daily counts were: 34 on
Spanjulett, Sparvier16, Spanjulett sekond15,17-19. the 21st, 28 on the 22nd, 19 on the 23rd, 9
on the 24th and 5 on the 30th. Another high
Lesser Kestrel
Lesser Kestrels have declined in number count was that recorded in September
over recent years but they can still be seen 2005 with a total of 75 birds seen over four
on migration in both spring and autumn. days from the 5th to the 25th. Daily counts 2 on the 13th and the 15th respectively. October
Most are seen between March and late were: 7 on the 5th, 5 on the 6th, 54 on the 2006 was poor with only 2 sightings recorded:
May, but they have also been occasionally 13th and 9 on the 25th. Apart from single 1 on the 14th and on the 28th respectively.
recorded in February, June and July. In records a total of 68 multiple sightings October 2007 produced 13 sightings: 10 on
autumn, they are usually seen between the were recorded in September 2007, spread the 1st and 3 on the 5th.
1st week of September and late October over three days: 15 on the 14th, 35 on the Spring migration is not as evident as
but can occasionally be seen from late 22nd, and 18 on the 23rd. the autumn passage. However, 2009
August to November. Lesser Kestrels tend In October, migration starts tailing off was exceptional with at least 42 sightings
to migrate in flocks. A flock of more than and numbers seen are much lower than in recorded from March to April. There were
100 birds on 27th September 2003 was September. The best October count was in 3 sightings in March: 2 on the 5th and 1 on
seen from various localities. 2008, with a total of 30 sightings: 20 on the the 7th. Apart from single records, multiple
The first sighting in 2005 was of 7 birds 7th, 5 on the 19th and 20th respectively. In 2005, sightings in April totalled 39 birds over six
on the 30th August at Birkirkara, whereas in October produced a total of 15 sightings over days: 7 on the 8th, 6 on the 9th, 18 on the
2008 the first autumn sighting was of 2 birds five days: 6 on the 5th, 4 on the 8th, 1 on the 12th, 13th, 3 on the 16th and 26th respectively and
Common Kestrel last century. Despott states that nests of

Falco tinnunculus Kestrels, though uncommon, could be
Spanjulett found each year (Despott 1916b).
But these days, the few which manage to
Sechir, Sekir, Secher1, Sayak2, Seger3, stay long enough to attempt to breed often
Secher, Spagnol 4, Seker 5,8, Seqer, end up being shot. While the Peregrine can
Seqrae 7, Spagnolett (m), Seker (f) 9, Seker attempt to breed in cliffs and hunt out at
ahmar 10, Spanjolet (m), Seker (f & juv) 11, sea, the Kestrel has to hunt inland and its
Spaniolett (m) Seker (f) 12, Seker a˙mar 13, chances of surviving are slimmer. A pair of
Seqer a˙mar 16, 17, Seqer 17, Spanjulett 15-19, Kestrels bred again on Comino in 1995 but
Sperwiel, Spluvuer, Kestrel 19. the adult birds “disappeared” leaving four
eggs in the nest (The Malta Independent
The most common falcon that can be 1995). Individual birds or pairs sometimes
seen flying or hovering in the Maltese manage to winter but these are usually shot
countryside. Kestrels have been recorded in spring. Two in Malta on 2nd December
in all months of the year. Although most 1985 were unusually late and may have
sightings are of single birds, occasionally been a wintering pair.
parties are seen travelling together In 2007, a pair was seen at Fawwara
especially in autumn, sometimes together throughout June and towards the end
with Lesser Kestrels. Analysis of records of the month the adults were observed
between 2005 and 2009 shows that the carrying food in the same direction towards
highest autumn count was of ±80 birds the same high area of cliff face. In 2008 a
seen between September and October in pair bred at Ta’ Çenç, where three chicks
2008. Sightings occurred over five days fledged in July, while another pair bred
from 26th September to 19th October: 4 on in the cliffs at Fawwara, where two adults
26th September; then 20 on the 1st, 17 on were seen with three young from late July
the 3rd, 24 on the 6th, 8 on the 16th and 6 up to the middle of August.
on the 19th October. under 100 birds were The first pair in Gozo, fledged young in
seen in September 2009, with the highest June. A fledged juvenile was first observed
number, 19, on the 24th and 10 on the 23rd on 2nd June, while on 7th June, 2 adults and
and 27th. 3 young were seen in a valley in the south
September 2006 produced several east of Gozo. Another pair bred in a valley in
sightings with singles seen daily but 9 on the north west of Gozo, where another three
the 21st, 8 on the 22nd, and 10 on the 24th. In young fledged sometime after 20th June.
Common Kestrel 2007, a significant passage was noted on The third pair in Gozo bred in a cliff face in
27th April with single birds noted arriving on
2 on the 29th. Spring 2008 produced a total the coast at regular intervals. A total of 41
of 8 sightings: 3 on 19th March, 3 on 3rd birds were counted from id-Dahar, Mellie˙a
April, and 2 on 11th May. The latter is the Ridge in under an hour in the morning. A
latest spring record. In 2010, over 100 off good passage also took place in spring of
Çirkewwa on 14th March. 2009 with up to 3 birds daily in April but 6 on
unpublished records with unusual dates the 9th, 4 on the 15th and 16th respectively, 10
include: singles on 14th May 1983, on 27th on the 23rd, and 4 on the 26th.
August 1984 and on 28th November 1985. Some unusual records are: a female seen
All records are from Malta. on Comino at the end of January 2005; 2
Most autumn sightings are recorded on 20th November, 5 on 21st November, 1
from area around Buskett and Dingli and on 4th December and 1 on 23rd December,
the area around Dwejra (Malta). Springs all in 2005. In December 2006, singles on
sightings are mostly recorded from regular 3rd and 10th at Luqa and 9th and 11th and
watching locations such as Salina, Tar©a G˙arg˙ur; 1 on 8th December 2007; a pair
Gap, G˙ajn Ri˙ana, Qawra, and Çirkewwa. wintering in G˙asri Valley, Gozo in January
It is interesting to note that Arrigoni degli 2008; 3 seen together on Comino on 25th
Oddi (1929), who gave a list of different February 2008; 1 on 10th February 2009;
names for birds throughout Italy, said that in and 1 on 21st June 2009.
Sicily the Lesser Kestrel was called Falcuni In 1994, a pair of Kestrels bred for the
di Malta, Falchettu Maltesi, Cacciavèntu first time in 22 years on Comino (The
Maltesi or Tistarèdda Maltesi. Malta Independent 1994, Galea 2002b).
The Lesser Kestrel breeds from the The previous confirmed breeding record
Mediterranean across southern central was in 1972, when a pair and three young
Asia to China and Bangladesh. It is a were seen in Gozo in July (Sultana and A pair of Kestrels displaying in Gozo in
summer migrant, wintering in Africa and Gauci 1982). The Kestrel used to be a March 2009. The male can be seen moulting
Pakistan. regular breeding bird at the beginning of its primary feathers
Common Kestrel Common Kestrel
the west of Gozo, and was discovered by American Kestrels are widely distributed Switzerland and Estonia are considered to
Michael Sammut. The fourth pair bred at in across the Americas and their breeding relate to escaped birds. Individual skins of
the south west of Malta, where a pair were range extends from central and western both males and females are known to have
seen displaying in May. The female then Alaska across northern Canada to Nova been imported in 2002 and have found
disappeared, and was probably incubating Scotia, and south throughout North their way into local collections.
eggs, and started being seen again after America, into central Mexico and the
3rd June. Both adults were seen on several Caribbean. Most of the birds breeding in
occasions, sometimes hunting in the area, Canada and the northern united States Red-footed Falcon
and were at times seen carrying food down migrate south in the winter, although some Falco vespertinus
the cliff face. males stay as year-round residents. It is a Ûumbrell
Another pair bred in a disused quarry in very rare vagrant to Western Europe.
the south east of Malta, from where three Ornithological literature lists a single Spanjolett eqhal8, 9, Spagnolet ekhal 10,
young fledged around the third week of record of a bird shot at tal-Óandaq, Qormi Spanjolet ikhal 11, Spaniolett ichal 12,
July. BirdLife Malta reported that a newly on 14th October 1967. But Sonny Xuereb Spagnolett ic˙al 13, Spanjulett ik˙al 17,
fledged Kestrel with its tail and wing informed me that another bird had been Vespertin10-13, 16, 17, Zumbrell15, Ûumbrell16-19,
feathers still partially in pin was handed shot at G˙allis in November 1958. These Spirwiel, Spirwieq, Puntuni, Bimbrell, Seqer
over to their office on the 29th July (Raine records are the farthest east in Europe. mill-Bluni 20.
2009). This bird was most likely one of the The only records considered to be of
birds that fledged from the said nest. genuine occurrence are those from Britain, This small beautiful falcon can be very
Kestrels ringed in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and the Azores. Records from common in some years and scarce in
Germany, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, others. It is common in spring between
France, Hungary and Tunisia have been April and May, although it may be appear
recovered in Malta. Several of the birds in very small numbers in some years, but
ringed in Tunisia in spring have been very rare and irregular in autumn, when it
recovered in Malta within a few days. is then seen in September and October. It
Most of the recoveries of birds ringed in is sometimes seen in June and July and it
Europe related to birds ringed in the nest was also recorded once in August.
and killed on their first journey south. An exceptionally large influx occurred on
The Kestrel occurs over a large range 29th May 1987, when thousands of birds
and is widespread in Europe, Asia, and were seen all over Malta. Although most
Africa. Populations in northern Europe are flocks contained up to 40 birds, some loose
migratory. A Kestrel ringed in Britain lived flocks of over 100 birds each were seen in
for 23 years and 10 months (Staav 1998). various places across the Maltese Islands.
unfortunately many of the birds were shot.
At the time I was treating injured birds
American Kestrel and I received 17 wounded Red-footed
Falco sparverius Falcons on that day alone. Individual birds
Spanjulett Amerikan American Kestrel
continued to be recorded up to 12th June,
but a flock of 8 was seen at Qawra. Another in Malta. Single birds are usually recorded
22 birds were seen in one flock on 3rd June but there have been instances when more
at Óal Far. than one bird were seen on the same day.
The Red-footed Falcon is a gregarious Sammy Borg informed me of the following
falcon and birds migrate in flocks rather records: a female at Tal-Óandaq on 19th
than singly. Most sightings comprise small October 1974; a male at Wied il-G˙ajn on
parties to sizeable flocks. A flock of 40 27th October 1976; a male at Tal-Óandaq
was seen at San Ìwann on 4th May 1994 on 30th October 1976; 1 at Salina on 4th
and 250 were seen at Dwejra on 30th April November 1979; a male in the south of
1995. Highest counts are recorded in Malta on 7th November 1980, 3 at Buskett
spring, mainly in April. On 28th April 2005, on 19th November 1983; singles on 9th
a significant passage was noted at Comino and 17th November 1984; an immature at
when over 160 birds were observed Faqqanija on 1st January 1991; a female
passing through between 14.00 and 16.00. at Dingli on 21st October 1977; a male at
The largest two flocks consisted of 27 and Mta˙leb on 5th October 2002; a male on
36 birds. A single bird was seen at Buskett 25th March 2002 at Fomm ir-Ri˙.
on 13th October 2005. Singles at Burmarrad on 26th September
Noteworthy passages in 2006 include: and at Buskett on 3rd, 6th, 12th and 17th
11 birds on 23rd April at Ta’ Óida, Gozo October 2004 and on 29th September 2005
and 34 on 6th May at Ramla Valley, Gozo. at Qawra. In 2006, 1 seen on 28th February
The only autumn sightings were: 1 on 11th at Marsaxlokk is the first bird to be recorded
October at Buskett and 1 on 15th October in February. A single bird was seen at
at Mtahleb. A poor migration marked 2007, Rabat on 7th May, 1 on 24th September
with only a small number of sightings and another on 28th September, both at
recorded in spring alone. Spring 2008 Buskett and 1 at Mellie˙a on 4th October,
produced more than 80 records. Sightings singles at Buskett on 10th and 13th October,
in April totalled 50 and were concentrated Red-footed Falcon Male 1 at Dwejra on 15th October and 1 at Luqa
on five days between 24th and 28th April: 2 Airfield on 19th November. In 2007, singles
on the 24th, 10 on the 25th, 2 on the 26th, on 1st and 8th October respectively. Spring on 21st and 22nd at Ras il-Pellegrin, a male
32 on the 27th, and 4 on the 28th. May was 2009 was relatively poor with a total of on 30th September at Clapham Junction,
an unusually good month with several 24 birds recorded, although there were singles on 11th, 21st, 23rd in Malta and 1
sightings over six day between the 4th and a few records of individual birds, mostly on 24th October at Comino. In 2008, 1 at
the 27th: 13 on the 4th, 3 on the 6th and 10th in the second half of April. There were 10 Fawwara on 17th October and a female at
respectively, 1 on the 11th, 5 on the 21st, sightings in April (6 on the 13th and 4 on the Clapham Junction on 25th October 2008. In
and singles and small parties of 4 to 6 30th), and 14 in May (6 on the 2nd, 3 on the 2009, singles on 5th, 15th and 21st October.
birds in various localities on 27th. In autumn 10th, and 5 on the 13th). Only 3 sightings in The Merlin is a widespread breeder in
there were only 2 sightings of singles birds September: 2 on the 29th and 1 on the 30th, northern Europe. In autumn, birds from
all at Buskett. northern Europe move south to central
The Red-footed Falcon is found in and southern Europe, with some reaching
Eastern Europe and in Asia. It is migratory,
wintering in Africa. One ringed in the Czech
Republic was recovered in Malta.
Merlin
Falco columbarius
Seqer ta’ Denbu
Smerigli 4, Seker 8-10, 11, 13, Spagnolett 9,

Seker ta denbu 15, Seqer ta’ Denbu 16-19,
Seqer miΩ-Ωg˙ar 20.
A very scarce small falcon that occurs

mostly from mid-October to mid-November.
Occasionally it is recorded in September,
December, January and February. It can
also be seen from March to May and there
is a single record in August: on 27th August
1999.
The race Falco columbarius aesalon,
which is found in northern Europe to east
Red-footed Falcon female Merlin
and central Siberia, is the race that occurs
North Africa. The race Falco columbarius counts ranging from single to low double
aesalon, which is found in northern Europe figures. The highest count was of 20 birds
to east and central Siberia, is the race that on the 1st. No birds were observed in the
occurs in Malta. spring of the same year. In September
2009, a total of 175 birds with over 10 birds
on 7 dates, the highest being 16 on the 18th.
Eurasian Hobby Another significant year was 2007 when
Falco subbuteo a total of 120 birds were observed (72 in
Seqer tal-Óannieqa September and 48 in October). September
sightings were recorded over four days in
Bies8-11, 16, 17, Bies sekond12, 13, Seqer tal- mid-month: 20 on the 14th, 12 on the 15th
hannieka15, Falkett16, Seqer tal-Óannieqa (including a flock of 8 birds at Clapham
16-19
, Seqer tal-Farfett, Spluvettier, Bimbrillu, Junction) 25 on the 22nd and 15 on the 23rd.
Spontun, Óobi 20. October sightings were also concentrated
during the 1st week: 20 on the 1st, 10 on the
Rather common in spring, mostly from 3rd, 8 on the 5th, and 10 on the 6th. 2 on 20th
mid-April to mid-May and more common was the last autumn record. Other good
in autumn from September to October. numbers were seen in September 2006
Individual birds were seen in the first half with several daily sightings of single birds
on June 2005, and another was seen on or twos. The most noteworthy sightings
18th June 2006 at Buskett. It can sometimes totalling more than 80 for the month were
be seen in August. Singles are usually recorded on four consecutive days:
seen but several birds can be seen on a 28 on the 21st, 12 on the 22nd and 23rd
single day. respectively, and more than 30 on the 24th.
Schembri (1843a) said a few Hobbies October produced a very late sighting of 1
bred from time to time in the fortifications. bird on the 22nd at Comino. The only spring
Despott states it nested on rare occasions record in 2006 was of 8 birds seen on 23rd
Eurasian Hobby
and reports obtaining a nest with three April at Ta’ Óida, Gozo.
eggs on 12th May 1910. Despott opined Autumn 2005 produced about 30
that the Hobby was a resident falcon, not sightings: 6 on 5th September, 20 on 13th the end of August and mid-September.
the Peregrine, as Schembri and Wright September (including a flock of 13 birds at But it may also be seen in April, May and
had stated. In a later work in 1932, Despott Buskett), and 6 on 16th October. June. Migrants start arriving in April, most
states that nests of the Hobby were often About 30 birds were recorded in spring at the end of the month but peak in May,
taken and the young were confused for 2009: in April there were 21 sightings especially between the second half of
young Peregrine Falcons. This could be one spread over six days between the 9th and the month and early June. In most years
of the very few cases where Despott might the 25th, mostly 2 to 4 birds daily, but 7 birds a few birds continue to be seen until the
have mistaken the identity of a species. He on the 23rd at Bin©emma. May produced 11 end of June, (mostly until the third week).
had described the eggs as being “creamy- sightings on four days between the 1st and Individual birds have been recorded in July
white colour, so thickly mottled over with the 18th, with numbers ranging from 2 to 4 (there were about 3 records in the past 5
light red and brown as to hide the ground- birds daily. The first record in ‘autumn’ was years). The migration starts again towards
colour almost entirely, and thus giving a single bird on 29th August at Buskett. the end of August, peaking at the end of
them the appearance of a uniform light A German-ringed Eurasian Hobby was the month to early September, but migrants
red mottled over with several shades of still alive 9 years and 9 months after being continue to be recorded until the first week
brown”. These descriptions could fit both ringed (Staav 1998). The Eurasian Hobby, of October, and in some years even later.
Peregrine and Hobby. He described the or Hobby, breeds across Europe and Asia. Singles are also recorded in November,
nest as consisting of “old straw, small twigs It is a long-distance migrant, migrating December and February.
and some very dirty feathers belonging to to sub-equatorial Africa during winter, Single birds are usually seen but in
domestic birds”. Who knows and who can usually during August and September and areas such as Buskett, where the birds
tell? returning for the spring. Birds ringed in the may sometimes be seen hunting, up to
Highest counts are recorded during the Czech Republic, Germany and Tunisia 3, sometimes 5 birds, can be seen at the
autumn migration. Analysis of sightings have been recovered in Malta. same time.
between 2005 and 2009 show that there A pair bred in Gozo in 1997 as a recently
was quite a marked migration in autumn fledged downy young bird was shot at
2008, with ±200 sightings in September Eleonora’s Falcon Xlendi in late August. The bird was seen in
alone, and more than 40 records in Falco eleonorae the hand shortly after it was shot and was
October. September sightings were Bies tar-Re©ina unmistakably a young Eleonora’s Falcon. A
recorded over 10 dates between the 10th pair, which was seen in July 1971 along the
and the 30th. Daily counts ranged from Falquett 10, Falqet 11, Bies tar-Regina 13, 17-19, south-western coast of Malta, could have
single to medium double numbers, with Falchett tar–regina 15, Elejonora 20. bred were it not for human interference
the highest count of ±50 birds on the 19th. (Sultana and Gauci 1982).
October sightings were spread over six Scarce annual visitor that is mostly seen Wright (1874) stated that he had once
days between the 1st and the 20th with daily from August to October, with a peak towards observed a bird “almost certainly” an
Buskett. September produced 8 sightings: population is found, in the Canary Islands,

2 on the 9th, 1 on the 14th, 2 on the 28th and and off Spain, Italy, Croatia, Morocco
3 on the 29th. There were 3 single sight and Algeria. It is a long-distance migrant,
records in October: on the 1st, the 3rd, and wintering in Madagascar. Birds ringed in
the 5th respectively. However, interesting the nest in Crete have been recovered in
observations in 2007 were a light morph Malta two and three years later. Eleonora’s
bird at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra on 2nd June and Falcons delay their breeding period
another light morph bird at Dwejra on 9th until late summer to feed their young
July. on passerines at the peak of autumn
The highest yearly total of at least 41 migration. A recent study using satellite
birds was recorded in 2008, with birds telemetry found that this species has a
seen in both spring and autumn. A total of 6 highly individual migration pattern, that
sightings were recorded in spring. In April juveniles migrate independently of adults
3 single birds were seen on the 8th, the 21st and that these falcons migrate via West
and the 23rd respectively. Another 3 single Africa to Madagascar, a journey of around
sightings were recorded in May: on the 11th, 8,600 km. Juvenile birds, which do not
the 21st, and the 22nd respectively. Autumn start to breed before three to four years in
migration opened with a single sighting on the case of females and three years in the
18th August, followed by 1 on 29th August case of males, spend their first summers
and on 30th August respectively, and 2 in East and West Africa and do not return
Eleonora’s Falcon (1 light phase and 1 dark morph) on 31st to their breeding sites during the first and
August. September produced 28 sight second summer of their lives (Gschweng
Eleonora’s Falcon, in summer, flying in the records spread over 11 dates from the 8th et al. 2008).
ditch of the fortifications in front of Valletta to the 28th, with daily counts ranging from 1 The studies have shown that in autumn,
and said it was “far from improbable” that it to 3 birds, except on the 19th when 7 birds adult falcons left their breeding sites
occasionally bred. were recorded. There were 2 sightings in between 20th and 29th October, while the
The highest counts are recorded in October: a light phase on the 5th and a dark juveniles started migration between 21st
September with monthly totals close to 30 morph on the 18th. An unusual record was of and 31st October. All the adult falcons
birds. Most daily sightings are of 1 to 3 a sighting of a single bird on 1st November crossed the Mediterranean by heading
birds, but 7 (5 light morph, 2 dark morph, at Dingli Cliffs. Spring 2009 produced southeast.
including a flock of 4 birds) were observed just 2 sightings on 18th May. However two These dates are important as they raise
on 19th September 2008 at Clapham unusual sightings were of single birds the question about the birds seen in
Junction. on 23rd June at Dingli Cliffs and a dark Malta. Local records show that Eleonora’s
Autumn 2005 produced a total of 46 phase on 6th July at Buskett respectively. Falcons occur mostly between mid-
sightings: 17 in August, 22 in September, In August, singles on five dates after the August and mid-October and there are
and 7 in October. Sightings in August were 8th August, 4 on 23rd August, 6 on 24th very few other records beyond these
spread over eight dates between the 14th August and 4 on 31st August at Buskett and dates. Between 2005 and 2008, the peak
and the 30th. September observations were Clapham Junction area. In September, 16 for sightings of Eleonora’s Falcons in
over 11 dates from the 3rd to the 28th. Daily birds on 11 dates, with twos on 5 dates, Malta was September (82 birds), followed
counts in August and September ranged the last sighting being 24th September. The by August (29 birds) and October (15
from 1 to 4 birds. October sightings, only October sighting was a dark phase at birds). This raises the question of where
involving mostly single birds, were spread Dwejra, Gozo on the 20th. the birds seen in Malta actually come
over six days between the 8th and the 22nd. Taxidermists’ records listed singles in from, because all the birds seen locally
There were no spring records in 2005. Malta on 18th November 1976, a dark are seen before the adults and juveniles
The total count for autumn 2006 reached phase on 27th April 1982 and a female leave their breeding colonies.
37 birds: 7 in August, 27 in September, and on 5th May 1982; one on 17th November The complete migration of the adults from
3 in October. Sightings in August, involving 1984; 2 on 20th November 1985; and Sardinia to Madagascar took an average
mostly single birds, were spread over six 1 on 30th November 1985. November of 22.4 days. Contrary to the adults, the
days from the 20th to the 31st. Observations records are very interesting as this falcon juvenile falcons took different routes
in September were over 12 dates from the vacates the breeding station completely through the African continent and they took
2nd to the 30th, with daily counts ranging and birds should be on their wintering three times longer than the adults to reach
from 1 to 4 birds. October produced 3 grounds in Madagascar and Mozambique their wintering area. Five out of the seven
sightings of single birds on the 1st, the 7th at this time. Most sightings in the Maltese tagged individuals migrated for an average
and the 22nd respectively. Spring sightings Islands are from the area around Buskett of 64.4 days. The adult falcons reached
totalled 6 birds. In April single birds were and Dingli, Dwejra to Nadur ridge, as well Madagascar by mid-November, whereas
seen on the 20th, the 25th, the 29th, and the as the high ground along the southwest the juvenile birds arrived one month later
30th respectively, whereas in May single coast. The most common morph seen in between December and January.
birds were recorded on the 15th and 25th the light phase but dark phase birds are The spring migration of the two adult
respectively. occasionally recorded. females differed substantially in time spent
Migration in 2007 was relatively poor, The Eleonora’s Falcon breeds on on migration, the route taken and the
with a total of 14 birds recorded. In August islands in the Mediterranean particularly distance covered back to their breeding
there was only 1 sighting on the 4th at off Greece and Crete, where most of the sites. One adult female took 89 days and
covered 17,000 km, more than twice the October 1976 at Wied Ûembaq. This is the
distance and five times the duration of its fourth record for Malta.
autumn migration. Borg (1970) reported the capture of the
A second female left Madagascar on bird taken at tal-Óandaq in 1970 as the
the 23rd April and took a route back to its first record without having been aware of
breeding site via Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, the immature bird taken at St Paul’s Bay in
Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Algeria and 1968. These records are the first for Europe.
arrived back on Sardinia on the 22nd May, Sammy Borg and Frank Vassallo informed
approximately two months before the egg- me of the following records, all of which
laying period would start. involve single birds: a dark phase adult in
Comparing the two females, the distance April 1990 Óal Far; on 30th October 1990 at
flown during autumn migration was Óal Far; on 21st October 1992 at Marsa; on
nearly the same for both the adult falcons 27th April 2004 at Ramla, Gozo; a juvenile at
(8,700 km, 8,600 km), whereas for spring Ûonqor Point on 5th November 2008.
migration, the first female covered less than Sooty Falcons breed on islands and
half the distance of the second female. coastal or desert cliffs in northeast Africa
from Libya to Israel and the Red Sea. It is
a long-distance migrant, wintering in east
Sooty Falcon Africa and south to Madagascar. It is a rare
Falco concolor vagrant north of its breeding range.
Lanner
Ûumbrell G˙arbi
Vagrant. There are three single records Lanner Regarding the race feldeggi, Vella
published: in June, August and November Falco biarmicus Gaffiero (1975c) states that he had
respectively. But six more records have Bies Rasu Qastnija included the 1948 record in the short note
come to light after birds were seen in local which was published in Il-Merill No. 13
private collections and some previously Borin 2, Seker 11, Bies rar 15, 17, 18, Bies Rasu that came out in 1974 (Vella Gaffiero and
published dates have to be reviewed in Qastnija 19. Borg 1974), but this particular record was
the light of new information. One of the new inexplicably left out of the paper. Just one
records is a bird in spring Very rare, recorded some three times. But year later, in the 1975 publication, Sultana
The first record is of an immature bird another record, that of an adult female, is et al. published the very same record, with
shot at St Paul’s Bay on 2nd November being given here. It was shot at Dingli Cliffs the comment “De Lucca unpublished, and
1968. The second record is of a female on 16th October 1995. The first documented MOS in prep.”
shot on 17th August 1970 at tal-Óandaq. records of the Lanner Falcon in Malta were Regarding the race, the authors simply
The bird was in the company of another given by Vella Gaffiero (1975c). Wright stated, “The 1948 specimen belongs to the
two unidentified falcons. A male was (1869) quoted a record by Jaubert and race feldeggi”, without further comment.
recorded shot at Marsa on 16th June 1971. Barthelemy-Lapommeraye (1859) but had No acknowledgement was given to Vella
This particular bird was actually taken included the species with a question mark, Gaffiero, neither for the record nor for
some time around 24th August 1970 from as the French authors did not give precise the identification of the subspecies, even
the Addolorata Cemetery and an incorrect details about this record. Despott listed though he had already published the full
date had been given at the time (S. Borg two records in 1869, attributing them to details in Natural Heritage No. 1 (Vella
pers. comm.). A bird noted in a private Wright’s work. Gaffiero 1975c). Furthermore, the authors
collection at BirΩebbu©a was taken on 31st The first known records were of a bird allege “Despott and De Lucca listed the
taken at Beng˙isa on 15th April 1948 by Dr race feldeggi as occurring, apparently
Vincenzo De Lucca, Dr Carmelo De Lucca’s without certain proof”.
father, and another at Ba˙rija on 11th October The accusation against De Lucca was
1973. Vella Gaffiero said the one at Beng˙isa unfounded because the only feldeggi
was Falco biarmicus feldeggi and the one at specimen in existence was that taken
Ba˙rija was Falco biarmicus tanypterus. by his father in 1948, which was in his
The account about the Lanner in Sultana collection, and De Lucca therefore had
et al. (1975) is full of inconsistencies. The all the proof he needed to arrive at the
listing of the tanypterus subspecies was identification of the species and the race.
contested by Sultana and Gauci (1982) but The greatest inconsistency on the part of
not by Sultana et al. (1975), who listed it the authors was that while accusing De
without comment on the authority of Vella Lucca of cavalier attitudes, at the same
Gaffiero (1975c). The race tanypterus time they recorded the very same 1948
breeds from Libya to Jordan, while occurrence themselves as feldeggi without
another race erlangeri (not recorded in any explanation. They further elaborated
Malta) breeds from Morocco to Tunisia. (based on personal communication by Vella
Clark (1999) states that these races of Gaffiero) that Dr C. De Lucca had donated
North African Lanners are practically the skin to the Natural History Museum, but
Sooty Falcon indistinguishable from each other. subjectively commented: “this record was
Saker Saker
never published presumably because the Saker 1 at Dwejra on 3 rd October 2001 was
observer was unsure of his identification.” Falco cherrug probably the same bird.
This comment was obviously meant as a Bies Rasu Bajda In 2007, 1 at Mellie˙a on 7 th April and an
jibe either at De Lucca or at Vella Gaffiero. adult at Dingli on 28 th April, and singles
However, once again the allegation proved Seker 15, Seqer 17, Bies ta’ rasu bajda ,
18
on 23 rd and 28 th September at Luqa and
unfounded. Bies rasu bajda 19. Clapham Junction respectively.
Surprisingly, Sultana et al. (1975) seemed In 2008, 1 was seen at Dingli Cliffs on 25th
to have completely overlooked the fact Rare, but practically an annual autumn and 26th December respectively. In 2009,
that the record had been published twice visitor, mostly in October and November; a juvenile on 26th September at Clapham
already. A look at both De Lucca (1969) very rare in spring. Junction. An adult Male which escaped
and Vella Gaffiero (1975) shows that they Taxidermists’ records included a bird on from a falconer in Gozo on 3rd November
had both recorded the occurrence and both 28th October 1964 locality unknown, 1 on 2009 took up residence on Comino, where
had listed the bird as feldeggi, something 20th January 1968 at il-Óarrax and another it was seen regularly throughout December.
that the authors themselves did after all. on 29th October 1969 at tas-Salvatur, all in A bird ringed in the nest in Hungary on
This is a typical example of the pique and Gozo. 25th May 1996 was shot in Malta on 12th Oc-
the competition that existed for publishing A bird seen in a collection at Ûejtun tober of the same year. The Saker breeds
records, which has been referred to in the recently was shot at Delimara on 23rd from Eastern Europe eastwards across
introductory part of the book. December 1967. Asia to Manchuria. It is mainly migratory ex-
Ironically, an immature bird that was Sammy Borg informed me of the following cept in the southernmost parts of its range,
found injured at Mellie˙a on 16th November records involving single birds: on 11th wintering in Ethiopia, the Arabian Peninsu-
2004 and reported by BirdLife Malta in both January 1966, on 25th November 1966, on la, northern India and western China.
local and international press to be a Lanner 23rd October 1968, all at Óal Far; and on
Falcon was sent to Italy for rehabilitation 12th January 1969 at Mosta.
where it was identified as a Peregrine Other observations from last century Peregrine
Falcon (Andrea Corso pers. comm.). include: 1 at Dingli on 13th October 1984; Falco peregrinus
The Lanner breeds in Africa, southeast 1 over Attard on 7th October 1987; 1 at Bies
Europe and just into Asia. It is mainly Dwejra on 27th August 1988; 1 at Bidnija on
resident, but some birds, especially 17th November 1988; 1 on 21st September Bes, Bess1, Bies1,8-11,17-19, Albas, Behri2,
juveniles, disperse more widely after the 1995 at Buskett. Bies4, 5, Bys, Bysn 7, Falcun 12, Bies prim 12,
breeding season, and there are seasonal Recent records include: 1 on 13 th 13, 15, 16
, Perigrin, Bies mill-Kbar 20.
movements from high country to the April 2001 at Comino and 1 on 28 th
lowlands, particularly in winter. A bird April 2001 at Xag˙ra, Gozo; 1 seen off The Peregrine was a regular breeding
recently seen in a collection at Rabat is St Elmo Point on 6 th November 2004; bird and several place names around
said to have been found dead at Buskett 1 seen on 25 th March 2005 at Mellie˙a the coast still bear its name as it
at around 8th September in the early 1960s. by Raymond Vella; 1 at Buskett and probably bred there. The Peregrine can
occasionally be seen on migration and 26th January 1992; 1 on Comino on 11th May October at Wardija; 1 at Delimara and 1 at
in most years, juvenile birds are seen 1994; an immature at Tar©a Gap on 31st Buskett on 13th October; a male on 16th and
throughout the winter and early spring. March 1996; 1 over San Anton Gardens on 1 on 28th October, both at Buskett.
Many of these are unfortunately shot when 2nd March 1997; 1 at Mrie˙el on 2nd January In 2006, singles were seen on 15th and
they wander inland in search of prey. 1998; 1 at San Ìwann on 24th March 1998; 23rd April at Comino, and a male of the
Those which attempt to breed are often 1 at Birkirkara on 28th April 1998; 1 at brookei subspecies at Ta’ Óida on 23rd
shot, either from sea-craft or from land. Qawra on 30th September 2000. In 2002, April; a female on 8th May at Ramla, Gozo;
In 1982, for instance, Sultana and Gauci there were 4 sightings: a female brookei at singles on 21st September at Xag˙ra, Gozo
(1982) noted that the “Peregrines did not Buskett on 24th August; a juvenile at Qawra on 8th September, at Buskett and Mellie˙a
breed at Ta’ Çenç — both birds were shot on 1st September; another at Buskett on 23rd respectively; a juvenile on 22nd September
from a sea craft from below the cliffs in September; and an immature brookei at at Clapham Junction and 1 on 31st October
February”. But in 2009, two pairs bred Qawra on 21st October. Other occurrences at Buskett. A pair was noted displaying at
in the Maltese Islands, both successfully include: 1 at Birkirkara on 8th April 2003; Fawwara in early June 2007. Singles were
raised two chicks. Two immatures seen at 1 at id-Dahar, Mellie˙a on 21st May 2003; seen on 4th, 8th, 14th and 17th September
Buskett on several days from September an immature brookei at Tar©a Gap on 19th 2007 at Buskett and Dingli, on 6th November
to December were probably the young November 2003; another immature brookei over Sliema and on 29th November 2007 at
fledged in Malta. The adults were seen on 6th November 2004 at Qawra. Luqa Airport. In 2008, 1 on 2nd March at
close to the breeding sites on several A pair was present at San Blas, Gozo for id-Dahar, Mellie˙a, 1 on 13th September at
dates until late December. several weeks between February and April Buskett, 1 on 18th September at l-A˙rax, 2
The Peregrine’s breeding range includes 2005, but the birds suddenly disappeared on 9th November at Mta˙leb; an immature
land regions from the Arctic tundra to the (Fenech 2005b). Other records in 2005 female on 14th and 1 on 29th November
Tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere include: an immature brookei at Tar©a Gap both at Dingli Cliffs.
on Earth, except extreme Polar Regions, on 26th March; 1 on 19th and another on In 2009, an adult female at Marfa on 24th
very high mountains and most tropical 29th September, both at Buskett; 1 on 7th February, an adult at G˙arg˙ur on 14th
rainforests and New Zealand. This makes
it the world’s most widespread bird of prey.
Both the English and scientific names of
the Peregrine mean “wandering falcon”, a
reference to the migratory habits of many
northern populations. There are some 19
subspecies, of this bird worldwide.
The nominate race Falco peregrinus
peregrinus, as well as Falco peregrinus
brookei and Falco peregrinus calidus have
been recorded in the Maltese Islands. The
Mediterranean race brookei is the one that
occasionally breeds or attempts to breed.
The nominate race peregrinus occurs in
most of Europe east to the Yenisei River
in Central Siberia; the race calidus occurs
in the Eurasian tundra from Lapland east
to River Lena in eastern Siberia; brookei
occurs in the southern part of west
Palearctic, including the Mediterranean,
and east to south Crimea.
Records from taxidermists’ logbooks
include: 2 in November 1962, 2 in spring
1964 and 1 in autumn 1966, all from Gozo;
single records from Malta on 25th October
1972 and from San Lawrenz, Gozo on 6th
May 1973; 2 in May 1974; 1 in January
1975, 1 at the end of May 1975 and 1 in
spring 1976, all from Gozo.
Sammy Borg informed me of the following
three records: a bird on 20th October 1996
at Filfla; a female on 23rd October 2000 off
Filfla; and a female on 21st October 2000
at Mdina. The following records were
provided by Michael Sammut: 2 at Valletta
on 14th November 1990; an adult at Xemxija
on 24th March 1991; an adult at Comino on
Peregrine
7th April 1991; an adult at Qammieg˙ on
March, 1 at Comino on 4th April and 2nd May The particular record was previously
respectively, a female at Mount St Joseph treated as a rejected species (Sultana et
on 10th May and a female at Fawwara on al. 1975) but was reinstated by the same
30th May. A pair was noted at a site in the authors following information on these
cliffs in the southwest of Malta and another specimens from the museum keepers
pair was noted towards the northwest of (Sultana et al. 1978).
Gozo. An adult male, possibly one of the The Barbary Falcon breeds in the Canary
pair in Gozo, was repeatedly noted on the Islands and on the coasts of North Africa.
same spot in the cliffs in the southwest of It is mainly resident. An adult male was
Gozo. Both pairs were initially observed in shot on 29th March 1984 from G˙ar Ilma,
late April. By mid-May, only the male was Gozo (Joe. Vella Gaffiero pers. comm). An
observed on several days, usually early adult female on 19th September 1994 at
in the morning or late in the evening. Both Beng˙isa and an adult male on 28th April
male and female were seen in Gozo on 1999 at MiΩieb are the most recent known
15th June while the birds forming the pair in records.
Malta were again both observed from 20th
June onwards.
The male that was noted on the same Water Rail
spot in the cliffs in the southwest of Gozo Rallidae
is suspected to have been the same male
that was breeding less than two kilometres BirdLife Malta listed this species in its
away, and was often seen flying in that Water Rail Breeding Bird Atlas for 2008 but stated that
direction. Both the pair in Malta and the one Rallus aquaticus its status of breeder was not confirmed,
in Gozo fledged two young each. Gallozz tax-Xitwa adding that up to two pairs were present at
Two young birds were first noted in is-Simar throughout summer. The birds were
Gozo on 21st July while in Malta, a young Gallozz ta’ scittua, Gallozz ta’ geddumu seen displaying but breeding could not be
bird was first observed on 28th July while ahmar 8, 12, 14, Gallotz-ta-scitua 9, Galloz ta confirmed (Raine et al. 2009). The Water Rail
two were seen on several dates from 28th scitua 10, Galloz tax-xitua 11, Galloz tax- may have bred in 2003 as Charles Gauci
July onwards. There were 9 sightings in xitwa, Galloz xitui gheddumu a˙mar 13, recorded hearing adults calling and chicks,
September with 1 at Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq on Gallozz tax-xitua15, Gallozz tax-xitwa16-19. most probably belonging to this species,
2nd and another inland on the 19th. 2 on begging for food, in mid-June in the ditch
22nd and 23rd September at Buskett, and A scarce to frequent spring and autumn mi- behind the reservoir of the reserve (Gauci
singles on 3 other days. These included a grant and winter visitor. It is mostly recorded 1983). It may have bred again in 2009,
juvenile brookei at Clapham Junction on 26th between October and February, but has as an adult was seen at is-Simar Reserve
September. A female calidus at Comino on also been recorded as early as July and throughout summer and a juvenile was seen
5th November. A pair regularly at the same August. In spring, it is recorded between there on 13th July by Charles Coleiro. A pair
site in the cliffs in the southwest of Malta March and May. Because of its habit of were seen courting at is-Simar in September
from 5th March 2010 onwards and 1 at id- skulking and feeding at dusk and dawn, it 2009.
Dahar on 3rd, 5th and 19th March. is difficult to see, except if flushed. It can be The Water Rail breeds in marshes and reed
A bird ringed in Finland in July 1990, found in marshy areas and valleys with lots beds across Europe and Asia. Northernmost
shot at Dingli on 31st March of the following of reeds and dense undergrowth. Several and eastern populations are migratory,
year, must have belonged to the nominate can be fleetingly seen at G˙adira, particu- but Water Rails are permanent residents in
race Falco peregrinus peregrinus, as it was larly in between November and March. Gau- western and southern Europe, with numbers
ringed in the nest and only the nominate ci (1990) wrote that 30 per cent of the Water augmented by migrants in winter.
race occurs there. A Peregrine ringed in Rails ringed at G˙adira and which survived
Sweden lived for 17 years 4 months before the summer, returned to winter there, which
being killed by a car (Staav 1998). shows that given the right habitat, birds can Spotted Crake
spend time and return to the same places Porzana porzana
year in, year out, even in Malta. Gallozz tat-Tikki
Barbary Falcon In 2005, one was present at is-Simar on
Falco pelegrinoides 11th October and between 10th and 15th, Gallozz second 8, 10, 12-15, Gallotz second 9,
Bies ta’ Barbarija another was present at G˙adira from 31st Gallozz sekond 11, 16, 17, Gallozz tat-Tikki 18, 19.
October to 5th December. In 2006, up to 5
Very rare, recorded twice in the 19th were noted at G˙adira and up to 3 at is- Scarce spring and autumn migrant, usually
century, with some new records being Simar on most dates throughout March seen between February and May and from
given here. The first was an adult male, and April, then 1 on 23rd August and 2 on mid-August to mid-November. Singles or
obtained by Gulia and was preserved at 6th September at is-Simar and over 10 at pairs can sometimes be seen in reserves,
the Museum of Natural History in Florence G˙adira on 7th October, over 20 at G˙adira but usually there are not more than three
while the other was bought from the Valletta on 27th November and over 30 by the end records in a day. Apart from reserves,
Market on 22nd April 1885 and was in Henry of December. In 2007, a very early bird, an places such as Chadwick Lakes, Ba˙rija
Eeles Dresser’s collection, housed at the adult, was recorded at is-Simar on 4th July. and Wied il-Luq in Malta and Lunzjata in
Manchester Museum (Dresser 1891). Over 10 were at G˙adira on 21st November. Gozo are ideal habitats for crakes. A bird
stayed at Wied il-Luq from 7th August 1970 the area. 1 on 25th and 28th September 2009 2004 (Birding World Volume 20 Number 8
to January 1971. In 2009, single bird was at is-Simar and a female on 6th October. The issue no. 248 p.326). If these records are
at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 23rd February; 2 at Little Crake breeds in southern Europe and correct, then there are four records of this
the same locality on 5th April and 9th April. Central Asia, and winters in North Africa and bird from Malta. The first record in Italy was
Singles at Wied Arkata and G˙adira on 12th north India. in Livorno on 4th January 1997 (British Birds
and 26th September 2009. The Spotted 1998).
Crake breeds in west Europe to central
Asia, and winters in the Mediterranean Baillon’s Crake
south to south Africa and east to Thailand. Porzana pusilla Corn Crake
Gallozz tal-Faxxi Crex crex
Gallozz A˙mar
Little Crake Gallozz rar 10, 11, 13-15, Gallotz terz 16, Gallozz
Porzana parva tal-Faxxi 18, 19. Gallozz tal Germania8, Gallotz-ta-Germania
Gallozz Ûg˙ir 9
, Gallozz tal Germania10, Gallozz tagh
A rare and irregular visitor from mid-March Germani11, Galloz ta Germania12, Galloz tal
Gallozz terz 8, 10-16
, Gallotz terz 9, Gallozz to mid-May in spring and from October to Germania13, 14, Gallozz15-17, Gallozz A˙mar 18,
Ûg˙ir 17, 18, 19. November in autumn. According to Sultana 19
, Bodbod tas-Summien, Garlozz 20.
and Gauci (1982) the race Porzana pusilla
Rare in spring and very scarce in autumn. intermedia has occurred. Recent records Rare and irregular in both spring and
usually recorded between late February include a male from 15th to 21st April 2001 at autumn. It has been recorded from late
and mid-May in spring and from late is-Simar, one seen in March 2005 at Salina March to mid-May and from September
August to early October. One spent the and another at is-Simar on 11th April 2005. to mid-November. Taxidermists’ records
winter between 2004 and 2005 at G˙adira The Baillon’s Crake breeds in sedge beds included singles on 17th September 1982,
Reserve. mainly in eastern in Europe and across 28th September 1983 and 20th November
In taxidermists’ records there were records Asia. It is a migratory species, wintering in 1983, all locality unknown. In 2005, 1 on
of individual birds in spring of 1959 in Gozo east Africa and south Asia. 31st October at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. In 2009, 2 on
and in Malta on 26th June 1985. A male and 23rd September at BirΩebbu©a. The Corn
a female were seen at is-Simar on 18th March Crake breeds across Europe and wtern
2005 while a female was seen there on 19th Striped Crake Asia, migrating to Africa in winter.
April 2005. In 2006, a male at is-Simar on 29th Porzana marginalis
March; singles at is-Simar on 1st and 4th April; Gallozz Afrikan
at G˙adira on 5th, 7th to 9th and 11th April, at is- Common Moorhen
Simar on 20th and 22nd April. In 2007, a female Vagrant: The first documented records for Gallinula chloropus
was at is-Simar on 14th April and 2 females at Malta. A juvenile male was shot in the first Gallozz Iswed
the same locality on 23rd April. In 2009, a pair week of November 2003 at Ba˙rija. Another
possibly bred at Kevin Mallia’s bird park in juvenile male was shot at Chadwick Lakes Galloz 4, Gallozz prim 8, 14, 10-13, Gallotz prim9,
Burmarrad. Two adults were often seen fleet- in early April 2004. The former was seen in Galloz isued 13, Gallozz tal Germania 15-17,
ingly at the edge of the same section of the a collection in January 2005 while the latter Gallozz Iswed 15, 18, 19, Gallozz Munqaru
reedbed throughout May and July, and one was seen in February 2005. When shot, it A˙mar, Farru©a 20.
of the birds was often heard uttering the typi- was initially believed to be a Spotted Crake
cal alarm and tail twitching behaviour when and was given to another hunter who had A fairly common migrant in both spring and
a Moorhen or another bird ventured close to it mounted. A photograph of it is only being autumn. The bird has now established itself
used because this bird is so rare in Europe in reserves and quite a few pairs breed at
that it is difficult to obtain photos of it in G˙adira and is-Simar reserves annually.
the wild. Apart from the rufous rear flanks The Moorhen was first recorded breeding
and undertail feathers and heavy bill, the in 1984 (Doublet and Portelli 1986-87) and
Striped Crake has long toes. The hind toe was suspected to have bred at G˙adira in
was 25 mm long, while the hind toe of a 1986 as chick contact calls were heard in
Spotted Crake is 11 mm long. The middle the dense Saltbush (Atriplex halimus) that
toe of the Striped Crake in question was 49 covers the ditch (Gauci 1990). One of the
mm long while that of the Spotted Crake is constraints this species faces is lack of
40 mm. The bill was 17 mm and the tarsus suitable freshwater habitats with bushy
was 39mm. When the bird was examined, cover, which are scarce. The few existing
its legs were dark, practically black but areas are heavily visited by hunters.
dark olive green at the knee whilst the A few pairs are recorded breeding
toes were yellowish. The colours on legs of every year at a reservoir in G˙ajnsielem,
mounted birds can however change and Gozo, where the farmer keeps people
tend to get darker. out of his land and thus there is very little
In April 2004, a note in Birding World human disturbance. Three to four pairs of
gave two other records for this species: Moorhens bred there in 1988, just a year
one at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 29th March after the reservoir was dug (Sultana et al.
Striped Crake
1981 and another at Si©©iewi in April 1988). At least two pairs bred at the is-
Simar Reserve at Xemxija in 1995 (The

Malta Independent 1995).
There are at least 15 breeding pairs
resident at is-Simar (Coleiro 2009) and
at least 10 breeding pairs resident at
G˙adira (Gauci 2009). These populations
are augmented by migrants in spring and
autumn with monthly counts reaching 50
birds. Similar numbers are sometimes
recorded in winter (e.g. December 2006 at
G˙adira). A juvenile bird noted at G˙adira
on 22nd October 2006, which was still
growing its primaries shows that Moorhens
were still breeding in September. Numbers
swelled because of a number of successful
nests and over 45 (including 5 family parties
with a total of c.15 chicks), were noted in
mid-May. In 2009, several pairs bred at
both reserves. Some 14 nests were in use
at is-Simar in the first week of May. By the
first week of June, more than 45 Moorhens,
including at least 6 family parties and 25 Common Moorhen
chicks, were noted at is-Simar.
Although the first documented record and a juvenile were seen, while young (S. Borg pers. comm). Joe Vella Gaffiero in-
was in 1984, Moorhens actually bred at birds were heard calling from the reeds formed me of another record on 6th Febru-
Lija in the early 1960s. A chick was recently and thick vegetation. Moorhens were con- ary 1979 at il-Bidni, Wied il-G˙ajn (J. Vella
seen in an old collection of stuffed birds firmed breeding again at Wied Qirda in Gaffiero pers. comm). 1 in October 1999
at Lija and Doris Muscat recalled the bird April 2010, and another pair was noted at Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq, 1 was found dead at St
had been preserved as a memento by her breeding at Xag˙ra, Gozo. The birds which Venera on 8th January and another shot at
brothers, who were both hunters, after a bred in valleys such as G˙ajn Ri˙ana and Wied il-G˙ajn on 10th January 2010, while an
pair had bred in their garden and one of Wied Qirda were extremely wary, dashing adult male was shot on 10th January 2010 at
the young was found dead. into cover at the slightest noise or move- Ûonqor Point, Marsascala. The Allen’s Gall-
A pair of Moorhens was given to her ment. This behaviour contrasts sharply with inule breeds in marshes and lakes in sub-
brothers by farmers in St Paul’s Bay and Moorhens breeding in Europe, where they Saharan Africa and it is partially migratory,
these were released in their large back can be found to be very tame in parks and undertaking seasonal movements.
garden, which has a large pond with bull large gardens frequented by people. On
rushes. She could not remember whether 1st June 2009, Raymond Galea observed
the Moorhens had their wings clipped or an adult Moorhen attacking a Sand Mar- Purple Gallinule
not, but recalled her brothers saying that the tin, which settled by at the water’s edge by Porphyrio martinica
Moorhens had built a nest and laid two eggs the reed bed. The Moorhen kept trying to Fa©an tal-Ba˙ar Amerikan
and two chicks hatched, one of which died drown the bird, until the Sand Martin man-
shortly after and was stuffed as a reminder aged to swim away, but was unable to fly. Fagian tal ba˙ar 14, Gallozz ta’ l-Amerika 19.
of when the birds nested in their garden. The Common Moorhen has an almost
Several pairs of Moorhens bred at worldwide distribution, but is missing from Recorded once at Salina in autumn 1977
Girgenti for the first time in 2005, after the deserts, many tropical rainforests, and the but there were possibilities that the bird had
place became a bird sanctuary because Polar Regions. Common Moorhens from escaped from captivity because it had Ca-
it fell within the confines of the Prime northern populations migrate. nary Grass seed in its stomach (Attard Mon-
Minister’s summer residence. Chicks of talto 1977). This record was initially rejected
several ages were seen over the water by Sultana and Gauci (1982) but reinstated
on different dates, indicating that at least Allen’s Gallinule without any explanation by Sultana (2001).
three different broods were present (Tony Porphyrio alleni This is the most easterly record in Europe.
Bonnici pers. comm.). Fa©an tal-Ba˙ar Afrikan The 4 to 5 accepted records are from the
In 2009, Michael Sammut and John Az- Azores, Britain, and Iceland.
zopardi noted at least 5 Moorhens, includ- Vagrant. It breeds in tropical Africa and is The Purple Gallinule, also known as
ing a pair in courtship display, on 14th May an accidental visitor in Europe. There is only American Purple Gallinule, breeds in warm
at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. These were confirmed one published record, a sighting at Lunzjata, swamps and marshes in south-eastern
breeding by the same observers on 20th Gozo on 9th January 1994. One was shot at states of the united States and the tropical
June, when 7 (2 adults with 2 grown up M©arr, Gozo on 2nd December 1976. Other regions of Central America, the Caribbean
chicks, and 2 adults with a small chick), single birds were shot on 21st January, 9th and northern South America. Most Ameri-
were seen. Steve Zammit Lupi and Christo- September and 2nd November 1977 at Ûab- can birds are migratory, wintering south to
pher Cachia Zammit also found Moorhens bar and Salina respectively. Another bird Argentina. It is a very rare vagrant to West-
at Wied Qirda on 19th June, when 2 adults was shot at Marsascala on 3rd January 1979 ern Europe.
Purple Gallinule Eurasian Coot
Purple Swamphen records or specimens that were definitely also unusually late. In March 2008, a pair
Porphyrio porphyrio taken locally. Today the Purple Swamphen bred in the wild for the first time in Malta
Fa©an tal-Ba˙ar has a restricted range. In the early and mid at Kevin Mallia’s Bird Park in the limits of
19th century in Sicily it used to be a fairly Salina and laid three eggs, but the nest was
The Purple Swamphen, formerly known as common resident on the Catania plain, flooded when the water level in the pool
Purple Gallinule (then known as Porphyrio Lentini, Syracuse, along the Anapo River rose after heavy rains. In April of the same
caeruleus, but now renamed Porphyrio and in the Mazara marshes (Iapichino and year, a pair of Coots bred successfully
porphyrio) was initially recorded by Wright Massa 1989). A single bird spent a week and raised young at is-Simar Reserve. Six
(1869) who referred to two freshly stuffed at G˙adira after being first spotted on 1st chicks were noted on 19th April.
specimens in the university Museum col- April 2010, and then was seen at is-Simar On 7th March 2009, there were 8 birds
lection, but later said these formed part on 10th and 18th April. at is-Simar, where a pair bred again in
of a group of six that had been imported that year. On 6th April three of the eggs
from Syracuse. Despott (1915) had re- hatched while the fourth egg was about
jected this species, arguing that it was a Eurasian Coot to hatch. On 7th April Ray Galea observed
localised one, which was unable to make Fulica atra one of the chicks being killed by an adult
extensive sea crossings, even such as the Ti©ie©a tal-Ba˙ar male. There was no sign of chicks on 8th
one between Malta and Sicily. Baldacchino April. At least 2 adults were at is-Simar on
(1938) noted there were three specimens Tigiega tal Ba˙ar 8, 10-12, Tigiega-tal-Ba˙ar 23rd April and a single bird on several days
in the museum collection and that anoth- 9
, Tigiega tal ba˙ar seconda 13, Ti©ie©a until July. The Coot occurs and breeds in
er was donated from the collection of the tal ba˙ar 14, 15, Gallozz prim 16, Ti©ie©a tal- Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and
late Col. J.L. Francia, and that the Purple ba˙ar16-19, Fellus tal-Ilma 20. Africa. It is resident in the milder parts of its
Gallinule was found in southern Spain, range, but migrates further south and west
Sardinia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Scarce visitor, mostly occurring from in winter.
Sicily and it occasionally occurred in Italy, September to March. Before Coots started
Hungary, France and Portugal. Therefore, spending more time in Malta thanks to
he had concluded that “There is therefore, reserves and reservoirs on private land
no reason why the occurrence of the birds where hunting was not allowed, it was
in Malta should not be absolutely genuine, rare to hear of Coots outside this period.
especially taking into account that a similar Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of a rather
species, Allen’s Gallinule, which is found late record of a bird on 30th April 1979, at
throughout the greater part of Africa, has M©arr, Gozo. G˙adira and is-Simar are
been recorded as far off as the Ascension now places where one is guaranteed to
Islands, Azores, Madeira etc.”. see a Coot, and in some years up to 30
De Lucca listed the bird as a “straggler”, birds may be present.
basing his assertion on the fact that a Recent notable records from is-Simar are
number of specimens were scattered in of a bird on 28th August 2005 and 3 on 11th
local collections and there was no reason October 2005. In 2006, an unusually late
to think they were all imported or that they bird was seen on 14th and 17th May, while
had all escaped from captivity. another 2 were seen towards the end of
The species was however rejected by July and a single bird on 23rd August. In
Sultana and Gauci (1982), who argued winter 2006, up to 10 birds were noted at
Red-knobbed Coot
they could not trace any documented is-Simar. A single bird on 4th July 2007 was
Eurasian Coot
Red-knobbed Coot Scarce migrant, seen annually, from higher altitude and most were invisible.
Fulica cristata October to December and March to Another significant passage took place in
Ti©ie©a tat-Toppu April. Most are seen in November and January 1984, when some 900 birds were
December. It has also been recorded in counted in the morning, with flocks of up to
Tigiega tal Ba˙ar 10, Tigiega tal Ba˙ar January and February. Individual birds and 150 birds, mostly in the south of Malta.
prima11,13, Tigiega tal Ba˙ar tat toppu 15, small flocks are usually seen, but heavy Analysis of about 2,200 records spanning
Ti©ie©a tal-ba˙ar tat-toppu 17, Ti©ie©a tal- passages of up to 400 birds have been 47 years between 1963 and 2009, but
ba˙ar tal-qrun 18, Ti©ie©a tat-Toppu 19. recorded in some years. Despott (1917) ignoring the unusual peaks of December
reported seeing“thousands” in one day in 2009 and January 1984, show that the
Only two records exist, one dating back to November 1912. highest counts were recorded in November
May 1859 and 3 at Marsascala in February December 2009 was remarkable with a (46%), followed by December (19%). The
1860. It is a resident breeder on freshwater very strong passage between the 20th and highest spring counts were recorded in
lakes and ponds across much of Africa 22nd December. Over 1,000 Cranes were March (17%), with the rest recorded in
and in southernmost Spain. It builds a nest seen on the 20th, when strong winds seemed other months.
of dead reeds near the water’s edge or to play a determining factor in pushing the In 2003, there were 532 sightings
afloat, and lays up to 8 eggs. birds over Malta. The largest flock of at recorded between November and
least 208 birds was seen over Marsaxlokk. December, with a total of 438 sightings in
Singles, small parties and flocks of between November alone. A strong passage took
20 and over 150 birds were also seen, place between 8th and 10th November
Gruidae mostly on the south-east coast of Malta. 2003, with about 400 birds being seen, and
Smaller, but significant numbers were seen another 38 on the 14th. December 2003
on the 21st, when over 161 birds were seen produced a total of 94 sightings over six
Common Crane from Luqa, over 60 from Fawwara and 120 dates between the 6th and the 17th, with a
Grus grus from Dingli. Five flocks of between 30 and 50 notable passage of 72 birds (including a
Grawwa birds were observed at a very high altitude flock of 50) recorded on the 10th. Otherwise
in the early afternoon from Dingli, indicating daily counts in December ranged from 1 to
Grua 1, 9, 11, 13, 14, Ghranuch 4, Airun 8, 12, 13, that another significant passage was taking 16 birds.
Arnuk10, G˙arnuk13, Grawwa 15, 16, 18, 19, place, but because weather conditions were Barring the exceptional passages
G˙arnuq, Ajrun 16, Gruwwa 20. better, the birds were migrating at a much mentioned before, yearly totals between
Common Crane
1984 and 2009 varied from singles to up to Demoiselle Crane record. There have been no records since
200 birds annually. Anthropoides virgo then. Several skins of this species are
Autumn migration of Cranes starts in Dami©ella known to have been imported. Schembri
October. The highest October count of 45 (1843b) had stated that the bird bred on
birds was recorded in 1990, with the birds Vagrant. Schembri (1843a) states that Lampedusa, but Iapichino and Massa
being seen between the 25th and the 28th. these cranes appeared sporadically and (1989) refute this claim. The Demoiselle
Migration usually peaks in November with recorded one being killed by Governor Crane breeds in central Asia, with a few
several high daily counts. November 2005 Fredrick Ponsonby and another at found in Cyprus and eastern Turkey, and in
produced a total of 136 sightings including Corradino, but he does not give any dates. western and northern Pakistan. It migrates
a total of 113 birds (in flocks of up to 25) Wright states that only two or three records to Africa and South Asia in winter.
seen over Luqa Airport between 06.45 existed, the last one relating to a bird shot
and 08.20 on the 20th. Another significant in March 1861. Two were shot in Malta the
count was of 96 birds in November 2007: last week of December 1983 (Gauci 1983).
including a flock of 40 on the 28th. November No further details are available for this last Otididae
2004 produced 95 sightings including a
flock of 82 and 13 on the 9th. A total of 79
birds were seen in November 2008, with a Little Bustard
peak of 38 on the 19th. A flock of 40 birds Tetrax tetrax
seen on 6th November over G˙ajn Ri˙ana Pitarra
was the only sighting in 1991. In November
2006 there were 34 sightings, with a peak Galline pratajuole, Pitarre 4, Pitarre 6,
on the 3rd: a flock of 17 and 3 individuals. Pitarra 8-21.
The only autumn record in 1986 was of a
flock of 30 birds on 5th November. Vagrant, recorded mostly between
The highest spring count of 204 birds was September and November in autumn and
recorded in March 1987: a flock of 13 birds occasionally in spring.
on the 6th, followed by a marked passage New unpublished records include: 1
on the 8th with over 120 seen over G˙adira in winter 1959 and 1 on 11th November
and 71 over Valletta. The most notable 1965 both in Gozo; 1 at M©arr in April
record in March was from 1988, when a 1979; a female on 7th November 1981 at
flock of 100 was seen on the 10th. The only Ta’ Ìawhar, Gudja; another at M©arr, on
April records were from 2004 (3 on the 24th) 19th November 1978; 2 at Óal Far on 14th
and 2005 (1 on the 1st) and a flock of ca. 70 February 1983; 1 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a and 2
over Qala, Gozo on 2nd April.. at Óal Far both on 14th November 1983; 1
A noteworthy passage took place on 27th on 14th December 1983; 1 at Delimara on
February 2009, with a flock of 18 at Mrie˙el, 14th November 1994; 2 females at Óal Far
26 over Wied is-Sewda, Attard, as well as on 20th December 1996; 1 in Malta and
flocks of 92 and 36 at Burmarrad. The high- another in Gozo, in December 1999; 1 on
est count in January was of 93 birds in 1985, 15th October 2002 at San Ìwann and one
with the highest counts of 44 on the 4th and shot at Burmarrad on the following day are
35 on the 9th. Most sightings are of birds fly- likely to have been the same bird.
ing at considerable altitude and birds are The most recent record is of a single bird
sometimes heard calling in flight. The Com- shot at il-Lippija, limits of M©arr on 30th
mon Crane breeds in wetlands in northern March 2006.
parts of Europe and Asia, with the vast ma- The Little Bustard breeds in southern
jority nesting in Russia and Scandinavia. It is and central Europe and into western and
a long distance migrant wintering in south- central Asia. Southernmost European birds
ern Europe and to the south of Morocco and are mainly resident, but other populations
Demoiselle Crane
Ethiopia in Africa and in southern Asia. migrate further south in winter.
Houbara Bustard in October and December. usually seen

Chlamydotis undulata singly or in small flocks of up to 25 birds.
G˙ubara Analysis of sightings between 1979 and
2008 demonstrated that this bird is more
Ghubara 8, 12, Hubara, Faggian10, Hubbara11, frequent in autumn with migration peak
G˙ubara 14-19, Óubara, Óubbara 20. falling in August. The highest autumn total
of 78 birds was recorded between July and
Only three records, the last of which was October of 2007.
on 16th November 1980 at Bidnija, the The first sighting was of 3 birds on 6th
previous ones being in the 19th century. July. August produced 36 sightings over
A previously unrecorded bird was shot on five days from the 5th to the 27th, with daily
2nd December 1989 at Ta’ Garnaw, Gudja. counts ranging from 1 to 3 birds, but 29
One was shot at Corradino in 1841, and were recorded on the 15th. September
another was shot in Gozo in 1866, which too was a good month with a total of 25
was probably the one referred to by Leach, records: 2 on the 2nd, 22 on the 7th and 1
as Despott (1917) says this was obtained on the 9th. The last autumn record was of
for the Museum by W. Grant. Despott says 14 birds on 3rd October. An unusual record
he had seen a live specimen at Marsa was of a bird on 2nd June 2007 at Ba˙ar
in spring of 1910 and although he was iç-Çag˙aq.
assured it was caught by a net locally, he Another strong autumn migration was
believed it had been imported. that of 2006 with a total of 65 sightings
The Houbara Bustard is found in the evenly spread between July and August.
Canary Islands, North Africa, Iran and July produced 35 sightings, including a
Pakistan. It breeds in deserts and other flock of 11 on the 19th and a flock of 23 on
very arid sandy areas and is largely the 30th. In August there were 30 sightings,
resident within its range. including a flock of 7 on the 6th and a flock
of 19 on the 12th, then singles on three
dates between the 17th and the 26th.
Great Bustard A count of 42 birds was recorded in 1980.
Pitarrun Spring produced a sighting of 1 bird on
Otis tarda 31st March. Autumn migration was evenly
spread over August and September. There
Dundian salva©© 8, 11-14, Pitarrun 8-19. were 20 sightings in August including 18
on the 4th and single records on the 19th
A few records all in the 19th century, the and the 20th respectively. In September 20
last of which involving two birds was in birds were seen on the 9th and a single bird
October 1899. The Great Bustard breeds on the 25th.
in southern and central Europe, where it Autumn 2005 produced 41 sightings, all
is the largest species of bird, and across in August over six days from the 4th to the
Eurasian Oystercatcher
temperate Asia. European populations 30th. The highest count was of 20 birds on
are mainly resident, but Asian birds move the 4th, followed by 7 on the 8th and 9 on
further south in winter. Sizeable populations the 15th. Other daily sightings ranged from northeast coast of Malta, especially at
exist in Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Russia 1 to 2 birds. places such as Salina saltpans, Qawra,
and Spain, but the species is declining due Autumn 2008 produced 30 records Tas-Safra, Qrejten, Ta’ Fra Ben, Pembroke,
to habitat loss throughout its range. between July and October. The first 3 G˙adira, and St Paul’s Bay. Higher counts
birds appeared on 23rd July. A total of 26 in recent years are probably due to
birds were seen in August over five days increased sea watching activity during late
between the 15th and the 29th, including a summer and early autumn.
Haematopodidae flock of 15 on the 28th. Other daily counts The Eurasian Oystercatcher, also known
in August ranged from 1 to 5 birds. The as the Common Pied Oystercatcher, or just
last autumn record was of 1 bird on 12th Oystercatcher, is widespread, with three
Eurasian Oystercatcher October. Four birds were seen at Tas-Safra races breeding in Western Europe, central
Haematopus ostralegus on 10th September 2009. Eurasia, China, and Western coast of
Gallina tal-Ba˙ar Yearly totals from 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, Korea. It is migratory over most of its range.
and 1985 ranged from 1 to 2 birds, but a The European population breeds mainly in
Cavalier 4, 8-10, 12-14, Kavalier 11, Gallina tal flock of 11 on 25th July 1992 and a flock of northern Europe, but in winter the birds can
Ba˙ar 13, Kavalier 16, 17, Gallina tal-ba˙ar 18, 8 on 28th August 2004. Sightings occurred be found in North Africa and southernmost
19
, Ojsterkeçer 20. in August, but 1 on 19th March 1982, 1 on Europe.
29th May 1985, and 2 on 10th October 1982. A Eurasian Oystercatcher ringed in
Very scarce spring migrant from March Sammy Borg provided the records for the Germany lived for 43 years and 4 months
to May and scarce from July to mid- years between 1979 and 1992. before being killed by a bird of prey (Staav
September. It has also been recorded Most sightings occurred along the 1998).
In 2006 too there was a good number of

sightings. A total of 60 birds were recorded
between spring an autumn. All 20 spring
records occurred in March over five dates
between the 3rd and the 31st. Daily counts
ranged from 1 to 3 birds, but a flock of 12
was seen on the 28th at G˙adira Reserve.
An early autumn record was of 10 birds
seen on 31st July at G˙adira Reserve. Once
again, the August highlight was a flock of
30 birds (18 adults and 12 juveniles) that
spent from the 22nd to the 23rd at G˙adira
nature reserve.
In 2009 pairs of Black-winged Stilts
were observed on three dates. At is-Simar
Reserve a pair was present on the 12th and
13th June. Another pair was seen at Salina
saltpans on 18th June, while a pair was
observed in courtship behaviour at is-Simar
Eurasian Oystercatcher
on 25th June. 2 males were at G˙adira on
26th June and 3 at Salina on 8th July. Spring
Recurvirostridae migration was evident in April and May.
There were 30 sightings in April, over 4
dates from the 9th to the 30th, including the
Black-winged Stilt highest count of 19 birds on the 9th. May
Himantopus himantopus sightings totalling 5 birds occurred over
Fras-servjent three dates between the 1st and 24th, with Black-winged Stilt
daily sightings ranging from 1 to 2 birds.
Fra servente 6, 11, 12, 16, Fra-Servient 8, 9, 16, Late sightings were recorded in 2005: 4 to Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and
Fras-servjent 13-15, 17-19, Pesservjent 20. on 9th September and 3 on 4th October. Madagascar, South Asia. Some populations
A pair bred in the wild for the first time are migratory and move to the ocean coasts
A frequent spring migrant that can be seen in Malta at Kevin Mallia’s Bird Park, near in winter; those in warmer regions are
from early March to mid-May, and from Salina, on 11th June 2008, when three generally resident or short-range migrants.
early July to late August, but some may young hatched, of which only one survived
also be seen in summer. Most sightings as two were eaten by swans in the same
occur at Salina and G˙adira Reserve, but park. In the same year, a pair was observed Pied Avocet
also along the coast. Small flocks of around mating at G˙adira, but the birds later left Recurvirostra avosetta
20 birds as well as single birds may usually the reserve and did not return. Xifa
be seen. The Black-winged Stilt is found in Western
One of the best years for sightings in Europe and the Mediterranean region Scifa 9, 13, Xifa 11, 12, 14-19, Avozet 12, Avosett14,
recent times was 2008, which produced a Avoçetta17.
total of nearly 100 records spread between
spring and autumn. Spring records totalled A rare and irregular migrant in both spring
39 birds all in March over six dates from the and autumn. Sometimes it occurs in winter
19th to the 27th. Daily counts ranged from 3 too. Single birds are seen most times but
to 5 birds, but 9 on the 21st and 15 on the flocks and small parties are frequently
22nd. July produced 9 sightings (7 on the recorded. The most recent record is of 2
2nd and 2 on the 9th). birds at G˙adira on 12th November and 4
The highest autumn count was of 42 at Qawra on 7th December, both in 2009.
birds (33 adults and 9 juveniles) on the 17th Analysis of records between 1974 and
at G˙adira Reserve. The latest record was 2009 demonstrated that higher counts
of 1 bird on 4th October. occur in the autumn. One of the best years
An equally good year was 2007, with during the period was 2008, with nearly 100
about 65 sightings between spring and records all in autumn. Most sightings were of
autumn. All 29 spring sightings occurred parties or flocks. July produced 17 records:
in March over four dates between the 9th 4 on the 25th and 13 on the 26th. A total of 11
and the 22nd. These included 4 birds on the birds were seen on 21st September. October
19th, 9 on the 21st, and 15 on the 22nd. A late produced a remarkable 38 sightings
spring/summer sighting of 2 birds occurred on the 13th, including a flock of 34 birds
on 9th June. The highlight in August was a seen off Qawra. There were 26 records in
party of 18 birds that was present at Salina A nest of the Black-winged Stilt at Kevin’s November: 15 on the 10th whereas a party
saltpans on the 18th and 19th. Bird Park of 9 were present at G˙adira Reserve on the
20th. Autumn closed with a record of 7 birds

on 7th December at St Elmo Point.
Another notable autumn was that of 2005
when a total 56 records were logged over
seven dates between 14th August and
27th November. The most notable records
were: in October a flock of 10 on the 17th; in
November, 8 on the 5th, 16 on the 7th, and
10 on the 13th and 27th respectively.
In 2006 a total of 35 sightings were re-
corded. The only spring record was of 1 on
the 5th March. Then 6 on 1st October; in No-
vember, 4 on the 6th, 10 on the 7th, 13 on the
12th (including a flock of 7); and 1 on 16th
December. A total of 28 birds were record-
ed in 2003: 15 on 23rd March and 13 on
10th November. In 1998 there was a total of
21 sightings, all in March: 9 on the 1st and
12 on the 28th. Records from 1974, 1975,
1985, 1988, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,
and 2007 involved yearly totals ranging
from 1 to 12 birds, with daily counts rang-
ing from 1 to 11 birds over one to four dates
each year. A winter sighting was of 1 bird
on 22nd December 2001 seen at Qawra.
Records from 1974, 1975, and 1985 are
from taxidermists’ logbooks. Michael Sam- Pied Avocet
mut supplied the remaining records. Most
birds are seen on migration off the coast.
A bird ringed as a pullus in the ukraine bird and it is still shot. Buffon (1771) stated Both Burhinus oedicnemus oedicnemus
in July 1976 was shot at Marsaxlokk on 27th that Stone Curlews migrated twice in Malta, and Burhinus oedicnemus saharae
November of the same year. in spring and in August and that they bred. have been recorded. The nominate race
The Pied Avocet breeds in temperate He said Stone Curlews had an incubation oedicnemus is found in Europe from southern
Europe as well as in western and central period of 30 days. Schembri stated that England to southern Russia, south to Iberia,
Asia. It is migratory and most winter in the Stone- Curlew was a resident bird Italy and the Balkans while saharae occurs
Africa or southern Asia. Some remain to and bred in the areas least frequented on the smaller Mediterranean islands, east
winter in the mildest parts of their range, by humans around Mellie˙a (Schembri to Greece and Turkey and south to North
such as southern Spain and southern 1843a). Wright stated that it “may almost Africa, Sinai and Iraq.
England. A Pied Avocet ringed in Denmark be considered resident” and that it bred Sammy Borg informed me that two birds
when just three days old survived for 24 “on the barren rocks in the uncultivated belonging to the race saharae were taken
years and 5 months (Staav 1998). parts of the Island, particularly about
Marfa” (Wright 1864). A mere 50 years
later Despott wrote: “it appears that the
few individuals which arrive in the spring,
Burhinidae if fortunate enough to escape the guns
of our sportsmen, remain here to breed
and do not depart before the middle
Stone Curlew of summer” (Despott 1917). In another
Burhinus oedicnemus publication, Despott states that he saw a
Tellerita bird in down feathers in June 1909, which
was “taken” in the limits of G˙ar Óasan in
Tallarida 3, Tillirit 4, Tillarita 5, Tellerita 5, 8-19. 1909, while two eggs were taken to him
on 2nd June 1911 from a locality called
Now a scarce spring and autumn migrant, GΩira in the vicinity of Si©©iewi (Despott
that is mostly seen in March, April and 1916b). There have been no breeding
May, sometimes also in June, and from records since. Carmel Bartolo, a trapper
September to late October. However, it in his mid 60s from Mellie˙a, informed me
was formerly a breeding bird. The last that in his childhood, his father, who was
breeding record was in 1911. The Stone born in 1899, remembered seeing young
Curlew was regarded as a game bird up Stone Curlews at Marfa. This implies that
until 1993, when it became a protected up to the 1920s, the bird was still breeding Stone Curlew
species. Many still consider it as a game in the limits of Mellie˙a.
at San Martin on 21st April 1972 and another Senserna (limits of BirΩebbu©a); 1 on 3rd Charadriidae
specimen of the same race dated 23rd March 1972 at Ûebbu©, Gozo; 1 on 25th
October 1990 was seen at a taxidermist in May 1973 at G˙arb, Gozo; 1 on 27th Febru-
Ûebbu©. A bird on 24th June 2005 at Wied ary 1974 at Ûebbu©; 1 on 30th April 1977 Little Ringed Plover
il-Miela˙, Gozo, and another at Comino on at Xewkija, Gozo; and 2 at tal-Fessej Rock, Charadrius dubius
14th June 2009 are examples of unusually Gozo on 3rd July 1977. Monakella
late records sometimes encountered. On Other records include 1 in the south of
14th October 2009 there was an unusual Malta, on 4th January 1982 and 1 in Malta Monaqella seqonda8, Monakella
influx with several flocks of up to 15 birds on 30th June 1985, both locality unknown sekonda , Monachella10,15, Monakella11,
9
in the south of Malta, and a less marked and 1 on 3rd May 1993 at Ûonqor Point. In 16-19
, Monachella12, Monchella seconda13,
passage on the following day. 2005 2 were seen on 11th May at Xrobb Manikella17, Monakella tal-Óannieqa20.
The Stone Curlew is a summer migrant in l-G˙a©in, one of which was shot. In 2008,
the temperate European part of its range, an adult was at Luqa Airport between 21st Common migrant from March to late May
wintering in Africa. A Stone Curlew ringed and 24th May. In 2009, 2 were at the old in spring and from September to October
in Britain lived for 17 years 10 months Luqa Airfield on 4th and 5th February and 1 in autumn. Some individuals have been
(Staav 1998). at the same locality on 17th February and recorded in January. Most migrants do
an immature at Óal Far on 1st September. not spend more than five days at reserves
1 on 10th March 2010 at Marsascala. The (Gauci 1990). This wader started breeding
Cream-coloured Courser is found in the at G˙adira Reserve in 1995 and one pair,
Cursoriinae Canary Islands, North Africa and southwest sometimes two, have bred there annually
Asia. It is partially migratory, with northern ever since then (Gauci and Sultana 1999).
and north-western birds wintering in India, Six pairs bred there in 2007 and eight pairs
Cream-coloured Courser Arabia and across the southern edge of the bred in 2008.
Cursorius cursor Sahara. BirdLife reported that a least four pairs
Nankina successfully bred at G˙adira Reserve in
2009, raising 11 chicks. The first pair was
Pluviera ta l’Inghilterra 8, Pluviera ˙amra10-14, Collared Pratincole noted incubating on the 3rd April. Over the
Pluviera inglisa 13, Nanchina 14-19, Lankina17, Glareola pratinicola past few years, birds have bred between April
Ankina 20. Perniçjotta and August and some raise a second brood.
However, occasionally chicks are lost when
This species used to be a very scarce and Perniciotta 8-15, Perniçjotta , Sultan il-
16-19
they drown as they try to follow the adults from
irregular visitor and is now very rare. There Óuttaf, Perniçi 20. one island to the other.
were times in the past when large influxes The race Charadrius dubius curonicus is the
appeared. One such year was 1917, when A very scarce migrant that can be mostly one that occurs in Malta. This race is found in
continuous migration was evident on 22nd, seen in spring. It is scarcer in autumn. Eurasia from Scandinavia and Britain to north-
25th, 28th and 29th June with flocks of 20, 30 or The birds like to frequent open areas and west Africa and east to northern China, Korea,
more birds passing through (Despott 1917b). marshes. and Japan.
There were years when quite significant Taxidermists’ records listed 2 at Ta’ Çenç, A bird ringed in Germany in May 1990 was
numbers were recorded compared to other Gozo on 20th April 1968; 1 at G˙ajnsielem, re-trapped at G˙adira just over 14 months
years. In 1972, 6 were recorded between Gozo on 28th April 1969; 3 at Sannat, Gozo later. A Little Ringed Plover ringed in Finland
20th and 26th February; singles at il-Qag˙di on 25th April 1969; 1 on 2nd May 1976 at was still alive 12 years 11 months after being
(limits of Salina) on 1st March, at Ûebbu©, Marsaxlokk; 1 on 19th April 1977; 1 on 25th ringed (Staav 1998).
Gozo on 3rd March, at Mellie˙a on 5th May 1980; 2 on 7th May 1982 at Óal Far; 1 on
March, and at l-A˙rax on 5th April. 23rd May 1984; 1 on 14th May 1985 and 1 on
In taxidermists’ logbooks there were 11th May 1986, all locality unknown in Malta. Common Ringed Plover
the following records: 2 at M©arr ix-Xini, Singles were seen at St Elmo Point on 9th Charadrius hiaticula
Gozo on 2nd July 1965; 1 on 18th May 1966 September 1989, at Armier on 3rd October Monakella Prima
at Xewkija, Gozo; 1 at il-Qag˙di on 19th 1993 and at Birkirkara on 5th November
June 1970; 3 on 26th February 1972 at Ta’ 1999. Other sightings include singles at Monaqella prima 8, Monakella prima 9, 11,
tal-Barrani (l/o Tarxien) on 14th July 2005 16-19
, Monachella prima 10, 12, 15, Monchella
and over Dwejra (Malta) on 16th September prima 13, 14, Monakella tal-Óannieqa 20.
2006. In 2008, singles on 12th April at Ba˙ar
iç-Çag˙aq and Delimara respectively Fairly common from mid-March to mid-June
and 3 on 23rd April at Luqa Airport. In and from mid-July to late November. Most
2009, singles were recorded on 3rd May sightings are made between mid-April to
at Comino and at Xrobb l-G˙agin on 14th late May and in August and September.
September. usually seen singly or in small flocks of up
The Collared Pratincole is found in the to 25 birds. In 2009, 3 birds at G˙adira on
warmer parts of Europe, southwest Asia and 5th and 30th May and 3 at Salina on 1st and
Africa. It is migratory, wintering in tropical 2nd June.
Collared Pratincole Africa and is rare north of the breeding Both De Lucca (1969) and Bannerman
range. and Vella Gaffiero (1976) are of the opinion
that both the nominate race Charadrius

hiaticula hiaticula and Charadrius hiaticula
tundrae occur. The nominate race hiaticula
is found in north-west Europe from southern
Scandinavia and the Baltic region south to
France and west to Iceland and Greenland
as well as the eastern coasts of Ellesmere
Island and Baffin Island in Canada. The
tundrae race is found on the coast and
tundra of Lapland and Russia.
Birds ringed in the Czech Republic and
Finland have been recovered in Malta. A
bird ringed in Nigeria in April 1981 was not-
ed in a local collection in September 1991.
Kentish Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus
Monakella Saqajha Suwed
Pluviera Inglisa 10-12, Monchella inglisa 13-15,

Monakella16, Pluviera IngliΩa 16-18, Monakella
Saqajha Suwed 19.
Very scarce irregular visitor in spring from

March to May and in autumn and winter
from July to December. One wintered at
G˙adira in 2004–2005. Single birds or
twos are usually seen, mostly at G˙adira
Reserve and around the coast. Common Ringed Plover
A bird ringed in Bulgaria was recovered
in Malta. The Kentish Plover breeds in
most subtropical and tropical parts of the Greater Sand Plover Caspian Plover
world, from southern Europe to Japan and Charadrius leschenaultii Charadrius asiaticus
in Ecuador, the southern uSA and the Birwina tad-DeΩert Birwina tal-Asja
Caribbean.
The birds breeding in warmer countries Vagrant, with less than ten records Birwina seconda 15, Birwina sekonda ,
17
are largely sedentary, but northern and between July and August. First recorded Birwina ta’ l-Asja 18, 19, Çinja, Çina 20.
inland populations are migratory, wintering on 5th August 1972 (Sultana and Gauci
south to the tropics. 1982). Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me Vagrant, with some seven records in various
about one of the three birds that had months. With the new records being listed
been recorded on 17th March 1971 here, this bird has been recorded in March,
at BirΩebbu©a, which was incorrectly from May to September and in November.
labelled as a Greater Sand Plover in the Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of a record
collection where it was, but which was of a bird on 22nd November 1962 at Xrobb
actually a Caspian Plover. l-G˙a©in and one on 17th March 1971, that
Sammy Borg provided these two new had been earlier misidentified as a Greater
records: one noted at a taxidermist at Luqa Sand Plover (Joe Vella Gaffiero pers. comm.).
dated 16th April 1973 and another shot at Sammy Borg provided the following
Marsascala on 31st August 1976. Other new records: 1 in September 1968 at
recent records include one at Salina on 17th Marsaxlokk and another on 7th August
August 1981 and another at G˙adira on 9th 1978 at Salina. A male, seen at Salina by
August 1984. An adult male was seen at Michael Sammut on 25th June 2000 was
G˙adira on 22nd July 1993. also reported by Davies (2001). The latter
The Greater Sand Plover breeds in the two records are the first records in June
semi-deserts of Turkey and eastwards and August. Three were recently noted in
through central Asia. It is strongly two collections at BirΩebbu©a. They were
migratory, wintering on sandy beaches in taken on 14th August 1971 at Óal Far.
East Africa, south Asia and Australasia. It The Caspian Plover breeds on open
is a rare vagrant in Western Europe, where grassland in central Asia and migrate
Kentish Plover it has been recorded as far west as Great south in winter to east Africa. It is a very
Britain and France. rare vagrant in Western Europe.
Gudja. unpublished records from birds

noted in collections include singles on 8th
December 1976 at Ta’ Garnaw, Gudja,
on 27th September 1980 at Óal Far, at
Wied ix-Xoqqa on 17th November 1981
and at Beng˙isa on 22nd September 1993
respectively. Another was shot in July at
Salina, but the year is unknown. The most
recent record is 1 in late October or early
November 2009 near Mosta.
The race Pluvialis fulva fulva has
occurred. A hybrid between Golden
Plover and the Pacific Golden Plover was
recorded in Malta on 24th November 1975
(Borg 1976). The Pacific Golden Plover
breeds in the Siberian tundra and in
western Alaska and winters in the Pacific
Islands, Arabian Peninsular and North-east
Africa. It is regularly recorded in northeast
European Russia and is accidental in
several northern European countries.
Eurasian Dotterel
Eurasian Dotterel A Dotterel ringed in Finland was still European Golden Plover
Charadrius morinellus alive 8 years 10 months after being Pluvialis apricaria
Birwina ringed. Another ringed in the uK was Pluviera
still alive 10 years 11 months later (Staav
Beruini, Pizzarde 4, Beruini 6, Birwina8, 1998, 2000). Pluvieri 4, Pluviera 5, 8-19, Pluviera tax-Xitwa,
9
, Berwiena 10, Berwina 11, Biruina 12, Pluviera Salva©©a 20.
Birwina13-19, Sekonda 17.
Pacific Golden Plover Golden Plovers are common migrants and
Frequent from late August to November Pluvialis fulva winter visitors from October to March.
but rare in spring from March to April. Pluviera Ûg˙ira Some occur in April and May and
Occasionally it occurs in December and occasionally from mid-August to
January. Although Dotterels used to be Pluviera tal Virginia 10, Pluviera zg˙ira 13-14, 18, September. Sizable flocks used to winter at
more common and large flocks used to be , Pluviera seconda15, Pluviera sekonda17.
19
the airport and on Comino. Fewer birds do
recorded in the past, nowadays sightings so these days.
involve singles and twos as well as flocks Vagrant with very few documented In 2007, apart from a single bird seen on
of up to 9 birds. Notable flock sightings records. Sometimes known as Lesser 13th October at Faqqanija, there was a sig-
were over 130 birds on 26th October, 300 Golden Plover, it was considered as a race nificant passage with several singles and
on 2nd October and 120 on 6th November, of the American Golden Plover (Pluvialis small flocks of in several localities in Novem-
in 1976. A flock of 100 birds was recorded dominica). ber and December. Over 50 birds were seen
on 24th March 1973. In 2006, a juvenile The first record of dates back to at Fiddien (mostly singles and twos) on the
was seen on 14th September at G˙ajn March 1845, when Capt. Henry Maurice 6th, and over 100 birds on the 7th, including
Tuffie˙a, 3 on 19th, September at the Drummond acquired one of these birds. various flocks of up to 15 birds at Luqa and
Breakwater, one in summer plumage on He informed Hugh Edwin Strickland that Marsaxlokk. Singles were noted at Manikata,
21st September at Dwejra, Malta, 1 at Ta’ the man who had shot it had informed him and several birds at Luqa Airport on 11th No-
Qali on 22nd September and 1 at Dwejra on that there were two similar birds of which vember. On 29th November, 35 (mostly sin-
30th September. he had shot one and that he had shot such gles and twos but a flock of 4 and two parties
Although significantly smaller than the plovers before and that he recognized of 3) were at Luqa airfield. The first sighting
Golden Plover, Dotterels were avidly sought them by their call, which differ from that of 2009 were 2 birds at Mrie˙el on 22nd Octo-
by plover hunters, as they are easily lured of the Golden Plover and resembled more ber. On 16th December 6 birds were at Luqa
with calls just like those of Golden Plover. that of a Ringed Plover. The identification airfield. A significant passage took place on
The Eurasian Dotterel breeds in the Arctic was later confirmed by William Yarell 14th December with flocks of up to 35 birds in
tundra of northern Eurasia from Norway to (Strickland 1850). several localities, and again on 21st Decem-
eastern Siberia, the Scottish highlands and Wright (1865) later recorded another in ber with over 50 birds at Fawwara alone.
the Alps. It is a migratory species, winter- May 1861 and Despott recorded ‘some’ Plovers are considered as game and old
ing in a narrow belt across North Africa on 23rd January 1917 (Despott 1917b). De time hunters used to lure them with home-
from Morocco eastwards to Iran. Migration Lucca recorded another on 1st November made reed calls. Giant Reed (Arundo donax)
stopovers are traditional, and small parties 1966 (De Lucca 1967a). There are two or Bamboo were the most common materi-
of Dotterels pass through the same spots other old records: on 18th July 1974 near als used for plover calls but sometimes these
each year at inland arable or grassy sites. Delimara and in December 1978 near were made out of turned wood or bone.
Golden Plovers, Starlings and

Lapwings at Óal Far in the 1970’s
These days Golden Plovers are lured with sometimes painted, engraved or ‘drawn’ by A good plover call, once acquired, was
electronic bird callers, although their use is a series of dots made with a hot needle or not readily given away. A very popular
illegal. pointed implement on the call itself. Plover village doctor, who was also a very keen
It took several hours to make a plover call. calls were also used for Dotterel, Stone hunter, recently recounted an anecdote
Giant Reeds were cut in January and were left Curlew, Curlew and other waders. that proves this point. He had a patient
to dry indoors. The calls were manufactured Plover calling was considered an art and who lived in a farmhouse surrounded by
in summer, when the reeds would have hunters who specialised in plover shooting agricultural land renowned for Quail and
dried out. Calls made out of reeds that had were very fussy about their calls. Finding plover shooting. The patient, who was a
not dried lost their tone very soon. Only the a good plover call was considered very keen plover hunter, had suffered a stroke
bottom, thicker part of the reed, was used. difficult. Indeed, as one local saying goes, and was badly paralysed. He could hardly
Three or four calls were made from each suffara tal-pluvieri tintiret mhux tinxtrara, a move and speak, but when the doctor
reed. The reed was first cut to the size of the good plover whistle is inherited, not bought. visited him he motioned to him to open a
call, and then a round hole was drilled. There used to be several renowned small drawer in the bedside cabinet and
A notch was then cut into the front part makers whose calls fetched a higher price take a plover call he had inside it. The call
of the reed where an insert of wood, called and, when once in a blue moon, they looked quite ordinary but according to the
“the tongue” was fitted. A second hole was produced an exceptionally good call, they man it had the best tone one could hope
drilled and enlarged to a rectangular shape reserved it for someone in authority or a for. As he would not be using it anymore,
with a sloping face in the direction of the trusted friend. Those who were obsessed he wanted the doctor/hunter to have it.
first hole that was drilled. This is called il- with plover calls would readily pay ten Although he could see that the old man’s
bejta (the nest) and is aligned with the first times more than the usual price: a call sold days were numbered, the doctor refused
hole. A hard wood was used for the tongue for 10 pence but some were prepared to and told him he might take it another time
insert. American walnut (Juglans regia) pay 10 shillings for a very good call. as the man would still survive to use it,
was one of the types of wood preferred, as Old timers who used calls say they but the man insisted and the doctor took
it does not absorb moisture. If the wrong often took as many as eight calls with the call. After several months, the man
type of wood was used, it would expand them because if plovers were passing recovered and the doctor once noticed he
from the moisture it absorbed while being and they were using calls very regularly, was waiting in front of his house as he went
used and the call would lose its tonality. these tended to lose their tone because out to visit patients one morning. As the
The fitting of the tongue was the most of the saliva blown into them when calling. man did not speak to the doctor, the latter
crucial part as it had to fit tightly and its end These calls had to be left to dry before they took no notice as he thought the old man
had to be flush with a slit on the top of the could be used again. Most of those who was waiting for someone. But the following
reed call. considered themselves to be masters in day the old man was there again and the
Plover calls were sometimes decorated. the art of plover calling were reluctant to doctor went to speak to him to see whether
Calls often had mouthpieces made of silver show others how to use the calls effectively. he needed anything.
and in rare cases even gold. Mouthpieces Joseph Vella, one of the few remaining real The man told him he had a problem
were sometimes engraved with dates and call masters, now in his mid-80s, recalls and did not know how to go about it. “I
the names of the maker or owner. Sometimes he spent hours crouching, watching old- am embarrassed of how to tell you, but I
they were adorned by images of plovers. time hunters calling and observing the had given you a plover call because I was
Plovers, pointers, Snipes, hunters as well movements of the birds so that he would sure I was going to die, and now that I am
Lapwings, Dotterel and Stone Curlew were learn how to use the call effectively. still alive, I’d like to buy it back from you!”
Plover calls are most commonly made of Giant Reed,

but some are made of turned wood or bone. They were
sometimes decorated and many were marked with their
owners’ or makers’ names or initials. Some also had European Golden Plover
dates.
The doctor just went home and brought (1828), one finds nine proverbs that plovers passed at night, he tried trapping
it back to him. But some time later the mention birds. Of these, two are related to at night as that stopped interference from
man suffered another stroke and the story trapping and one to the “taking” of plover. hunters and he started catching more
repeated itself but as he gave him the call, Apart from traditional proverbs, there are birds. Several trappers started trapping
he told him that if he lived, he would again also hunters’ and trappers’ sayings. Many plovers too, especially after restrictions
ask for it back! such sayings are like a ‘Calendar of Saints’, on finch trapping were imposed. Over the
Hunters blew their whistles and practised in which Saints’ feast days provided points past 20 years, plover trapping became a
plover calling for hours on end, and they of reference with certain days of the year. rather intensive social activity for several
did so wherever they were. The late Noni Although such sayings are sometimes trappers, especially younger and retired
Medici, who was a keen plover hunter and conflicting, as is the case with the two people, who could dedicate plenty of time
also made plover calls, recounted he had related to the migration of Golden Plover, from October to January.
once taken a plover call with him when their existence shows that a particular Several such trappers spend days in the
he needed hospital treatment and was importance was attached to plovers. field and live in small rooms adjoining their
blowing it to his heart’s delight to while One of these sayings goes: L-aqwa trapping sites, taking turns to rest and man
away the time, but was stopped by hospital tal-pluvieri, il-kwinta ta’ Novembru, the the trapping sites, especially at night. Very
staff as he was bothering other patients full moon of November is the best time often, two or three large clap nets next to
while keeping his calling techniques prim for plovers, while another says Qabel in- each other are used and spotlights are
and proper! Such anecdotes show the novieni, tistenniex pluvieri, one should also used at night to illuminate the trapping
deep attachment passionate game hunters not expect to see plovers before 15th area when plovers are heard calling at
have for their plover calls. December. There are two other sayings night, as the lights lure the plovers down
Plovers have been considered game that mention plovers. One links the sight to the netting sites. A few trappers who
birds for quite a long time and in his book of plovers to impending bad weather meta had trapping sites in very good areas
published in 1805, De Boisgelin wrote ji©u l-pluvieri, ji©i l-maltemp. Indeed even are known to catch around 100 birds in
that the Maltese were “remarkable for the scientific name of plovers, Pluvialis, is a season. Sometimes birds were sold
imitating the notes of different birds and the Latin word for rain. The other proverb between Lm17 and Lm25 each (between
catch them with surprising skill.” Although states that he who goes out early and stays 40 and 60 Euros).
birdcalls were also used for Quail, thrush out late, takes golden plover without calling The European Golden Plover breeds from
and Skylarks, calls for such species do min ibakkar u jwa˙˙ar jie˙u l-pluvieri Northern Europe to central Siberia and winters
not produce melodious notes as the flute- ming˙ajr ma jsaffar. This is because in Western Europe to the Mediterranean and
like plover call does and hence, it is most plovers were known to arrive even at night the Persian Gulf. A Golden Plover ringed in
probable that the author was referring to time. The Netherlands was still alive 12 years 9
plover calling. Apart from proverbs, there are also months later (Staav 1998).
Old timers used to enjoy luring the plover fables and tales recorded by writers. Old
by calling it down but very often did not hunters in villages throughout Malta and
shoot it the first time round, especially if Gozo have their own stories that they like to Grey Plover
there were no shooters around. They would recount time and time again, but which are Pluvialis squatarola
stop calling when the bird drew near, and never written and are likely to die with their Pluviera GriΩa
the plover would simply go away. They narrator unless they are recorded. These
then would start to call again and the stories are often full of fantasy and usually Pluieri di mare 4, Pluviera pastarda 8, 9, 11, 13,
plover, especially the first migrants, which either dwell on the abundance of game 15, 16, 18, 19
, Pluviera bastarda 10, 12, 17.
are usually inexperienced juveniles, would in days gone by, mere wishful thinking,
come back again and again. Old timers or feature a particular hunter, making Very scarce from mid-March to May and
took pride in how close they could draw him the subject of a joke or dwell on his from August to November. It is occasionally
a plover with their call. The more capable feats, and are narrated by hunters to fellow seen in December and January. Singles or
ones would lure them down to a nearby sportsman. twos are usually seen. Grey Plovers are
field and then they would crouch behind Sultana and Gauci (1983) stated that invariably seen around the coast.
the low rubble walls surrounding the field plover trapping was almost non-existent. In 2006, 1 present from 6th to 8th August at
and walk to the other side, from where they Alfred Bongailas, of Ûabbar, is probably Salina; 1 seen at Marsascala on 9th August;
would start calling again to see the plover the pioneer of Golden Plover trapping in 1 in summer plumage at Salina and another
run in search of the call. Old timers used to Malta. He was a keen hunter and trapper off Qawra on 10th August; 3 birds in summer
say plovers were in the habit of migrating and the tract of land he tilled and hunted plumage on 26th August at Qawra; a bird
on the hour at 8 am, noon and 3 pm. and trapped on was very good for plovers. in summer plumage on the breakwater at
Plovers feature in a couple of Maltese prov- He was very renowned for his ability to lure Valletta on 28th and 29th August 2006. In
erbs that mention birds or hunting and trap- plovers with his call and started trapping 2007, 1 on 25th at il-Qbajjar, Gozo and 1 on
ping. Proverbs are popular sayings which plovers in the early 1960s, as he preferred 30th April at G˙adira; 2 on 23rd May at Ba˙ar
are often a source of information tapped by catching them alive to shooting them iç-Çag˙aq and 1 on 24th May at G˙adira;
anthropologists, ethnographers, historians (Alfred Bongailas pers. comm.). 1 on 5th and 7th October respectively at
and students of other disciplines and can Trapping birds that were avidly sought G˙adira; 1 on 7th November off Qawra. In
provide information about behaviours and by other hunters was not easy for him and 2008, 1 was seen at il-Qbajjar, Gozo on 18th
customs, some of which may be long lost. he still sadly recounts many instances April and 1 at Salina from 27th to 30th April.
In the earliest collections of proverbs where birds he was luring were shot before In 2009, 1 on 29th August and 1 on the 7th
of Agius De Soldanis (1750) and Vassalli they could be trapped. As it was known September at Qawra.
A modern trapping site with

caged Golden Plover decoys.
GuΩi Sciberras, known as Ûeppi
l-Mija, is one of the renowned call
makers who still makes plover
calls, and brands them with the
number 100, his nickname
A bird ringed in Tunisia was recovered key wintering sites in Israel, Syria, Eritrea,
in Malta. The Grey Plover, known as Black- Sudan and northwest India. It is a very rare
bellied Plover in North America, breeds vagrant in Western Europe.
in the Arctic regions. It is a long-distance
migrant, wintering from Britain and south-
western Norway south throughout coastal White-tailed Lapwing
Africa to South Africa, and from southern Vanellus leucurus
Japan south throughout coastal southern Venewwa Denbha Abjad
Asia and Australia. It makes regular non-
stop transcontinental flights over Asia, Pluviera sakaja sofor10, Pluviera sakkaja
Europe, and North America. A Grey Plover sofor11, Venewwa Denba Abjad 15, 17-19.
ringed in England was killed by a bird of
prey 23 and a half years later (Staav 1998). Vagrant. Formerly known as White-tailed
Plover, it has appeared six times, mostly
in October. It was first recorded by Wright
Spur-winged Plover (1865), who documented a specimen shot
Vanellus spinosus near Ûabbar on 16th October 1864. He
Spur-winged Plover
Venewwa tal-Ixpruni listed another specimen on 24th October
1869 (Wright 1870). Bannerman and Vella
Pluviera tal scheuka10, Pluviera tax-xeuka11, Gaffiero (1976) recorded one in a local
Veneua rara13, Pluviera bli xprun15, 17, collection taken ca. 1960 and Sultana and
Venewwa ta’ l-Ixpruni18, 19. Gauci (1983) recorded another at Salina on
22nd September 1973. Records during the
Vagrant. Recorded only five times in present century include 1 on 5th May 2000
January, August, September and October. (Davies 2001) and 1 taken at Dwejra, Gozo
The most recent record is of a bird seen on 28th March 2005. The latter is the second
at Qammie˙ on 5th January 1994. Several record in spring. The White-tailed Lapwing,
specimens exist in local collections but or White-tailed Plover, breeds semi-
most have been imported from Egypt over colonially on inland marshes in Iraq, Iran
the past 25 years or so following hunting and southern Russia. The Iraqi and Iranian
trips by Maltese hunters. breeders are mainly residents, but Russian
The Spur-winged Lapwing or Spur- birds migrate south in winter to south Asia,
winged Plover breeds around the eastern the Middle East and northeast Africa. It is a
Mediterranean, and in a wide band from very rare vagrant in Western Europe.
sub-Saharan West Africa to Arabia. The
Greek and Turkish breeders are migratory,
but other populations are resident. Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
Venewwa
Sociable Lapwing
Vanellus gregarius Veneu 4, 6, Veneua 8-13, Venewwa 14-19.
Venewwa tal-Qtajja’
Rather common winter visitor seen mostly
Pluviera inglisa8, 15, 17, 18, Pluviera demba from mid-November to February. It can
abiad10, 13, Venewwa tal-Qtajja’19. also be seen in October and occasionally Northern Lapwing
in March but there was a single record in
Vagrant. It has appeared three times: in early June 1976. Lapwings used to winter 30 at G˙allis and 25 at G˙adira were seen
Sannat, Gozo on 9th October 1923; on 23rd in considerable numbers at the airport on 4th December 1990; a flock of over
February and 24th March 1981 at Óal Far but few do so these days, mostly due to 100 was seen off Qawra on 8th October
and tal-Óandaq respectively. A specimen pressure from hunting and trapping. 1995. In 2005, a flock of over 45 birds was
noted in a collection at BirΩebbu©a The birds are easily lured with mouth- seen over Ta’ Qali on 13th November. In
recently was shot on 27th August 1981 at blown calls or electronic bird callers and winter 2006, most records involved single
Óal Far. Sammy Borg knows of another their slow flight makes them an easy target, birds and small parties of up to 6 birds
record of a bird shot at BirΩebbu©a on even though the birds are usually wary. but 42 were seen at Luqa Airport on 5th
24th or 25th March 1981, which is the fifth Live Lapwings are often used as decoys December.
record. in trapping sites and are very effective in A single bird at G˙adira on 14th April
The Sociable Lapwing, or Sociable luring down wild Lapwings to the nets. 2006 was an unusual record. Wright
Plover, breeds on open grassland in Russia Singles, twos and small parties of about (1864a) had noted that some were shot
and Kazakhstan. These birds migrate six birds are usually seen, especially with on 14th April 1861, remarking this was a
south through several countries including cold northerly winds, but large flocks have rare occurrence, while Despott (1917)
Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, been recorded and influxes sometimes recorded one in the first week of May. In
Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, to occur. For instance flocks of 80 at Dwejra, 2007, several singles and twos recorded,
Scolopacidae 11th July at Ûonqor Point. In 2008, singles

on 2nd, 24th and 27th April at Salina and on
30th April 2008 at Marsascala. In 2009, 1 at
Red Knot Salina on 13th and 14th April, 1 at G˙adira
Calidris canutus on 26th April and 1 at Marsascala on 11th
Girwiel Saqajh Qosra September.
A Sanderling ringed on 9th February
Ghirwiel rar 8, 9, 14, Gherwiel rar 10, 11, Ghiruiel 1975 in South Africa was recovered at
rar, Ghiruiel irmiedi 12, Ghirwiel irmiedi rar Marsascala on 22nd May 1975.
13
, Ghirwiel rar 14, 15, 17, Girwiel rari 16, Girwiel The Sanderling is a circumpolar Arctic
Saqajh Qosra 18-19. breeder, and is a long-distance migrant,
wintering south to South America, South
Very rare, having been recorded 13 times Europe, Africa, and Australia.
in May, August and September. There are
a number of records in recent years. In
2002, 1 on 13th May at G˙adira and another Little Stint
on 18th May at Salina, a flock of 19 on 16th Calidris minuta
September at Marsascala. 2 birds at Salina Tertuxa
on 18th September 2004 and another at
Xrobb l-G˙agin on 12th May 2005. One was Tertusca 8, 9, Tertuxa 11, 12, Tertuscia 13, 15-
seen on 20th September 2006 at Pembroke , Tentuxa, Piswejta, Pispisella, Buxwejk,
19
and 2 juveniles on 12th September 2007 at Girwiel 20.

Marsascala. In 2008, 25 seen off Ba˙ar iç-
Çag˙aq on 16th September. Common spring and autumn migrant. It
Sammy Borg provided these three can be seen from March to June and from
additional new records: 1 at Marsascala mid-July to November. Sometimes it also
on 9th September 1976; another at Qawra appears in December. Little Stints are
on 8th October 1981; and 1 at Ba˙ar iç- usually seen singly or in small flocks around
Çag˙aq on 21st September 1986. the coast, in inland valleys and around
The Red Knot, or Knot, breeds in tundra inland open reservoirs. In spring, most
and the far north of Canada, Europe, and spend up to 6 days in nature reserves to
Russia. North American breeders migrate build up their fat reserves, while in autumn
to coastal areas in Europe and South they spend up to 29 days (Gauci 1990).
America, while the Eurasian populations Recent notable records include about 40
winter in Africa, Papua New Guinea, birds on 7th May 2006 and about 70 birds
Australia and New Zealand. on 14th May at G˙adira. In 2009, singles
and twos, mostly at Salina and G˙adira in
April and May but at least 16 at Salina on
Sanderling 13th April, then some 15 on 14th May, 9 on
Northern Lapwing Calidris alba 16th May and 12 on 18th May, all at G˙adira.
Pispisella Bajda A Little Stint, ringed at G˙adira on 9th April
but 7 on 7th November at Manikata and 5 1966 was recovered in Messina 10 days
on 29th November at Luqa airfield and 2, Ghirwiel 14, Pispisella bajda 15-19. later. Another ringed at the same locality
on 16th December, also at Luqa airfield. in August 1992 was found in Senegal in
The first sighting of 2009 was a flock of 7 at Very scarce spring and autumn migrant. November of the same year.
Ta’ Çenç on 31st October. Some 80 birds, Most records are of birds seen in May. Little Stints ringed in Italy, Poland, Wales
in flocks of up to 15, were seen in Dwejra, Some are seen in April and from August and England have been recovered in Malta.
Gozo on 20th December. to October. There were several records The Little Stint breeds in arctic Europe
The Northern Lapwing, also known as in recent years. 3 birds present at Salina and Asia, and is a long-distance migrant,
the Peewit, Green Plover or just Lapwing, between 14th and 19th May; and singles wintering south to Africa and south Asia.
is common through temperate Eurasia. at Salina on 4th June and 6th August, at
It is highly migratory over most of its G˙adira Bay on 11th August, off Pembroke
extensive range, wintering further south on 15th August, 2 off Qawra Point on 31st Temminck’s Stint
as far as North Africa, northern India and August and 1 on 29th September at Qawra Calidris temmincki
China. in 2005. In 2006, singles were seen at Tertuxa GriΩa
G˙adira on 4th May, at Ûonqor Point on
6th May, at Qrejten Point on 30th July, 2 Begazzina 11, Pispisella, Tertuscia zgheira
(an adult and a juvenile) on 6th August at , Tertuxa rara 15, 17, Tertuxa 16, Tertuxa
13
Marsascala, 1 at Salina on 11th and 12th GriΩa 18, 19.

August and 1 on 12th September at Salina.
In 2007, 1 was observed at G˙adira on Scarce in spring (April to May) Spring (April
Calls for Lapwing were imported mainly from Italy 6th, 8th and from 15th to 17th May and 1 on to May) and autumn (July to September).
in Malta range from those silver grey ones

donning winter plumage to reddish brown
ones in summer plumage. Singles and
small parties are usually seen. A Curlew
Sandpiper colour dyed in Mauritania in
March 1985 was seen at G˙adira in May
of the same year. Birds ringed in South
Africa and Sweden have been recovered
in Malta. The Curlew Sandpiper breeds on
the tundra of Arctic Siberia. It is strongly
migratory, wintering mainly in Africa, but
also in south and Southeast Asia and in
Australasia.
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritima
Beggazzina tan-Nord
Vagrant. Only two published records. The

first record, of a bird shot in the limits of
Marsascala on 5th December 1976 was
given by Sultana and Gauci (1977b);
Little Stint
another was taken at BirΩebbu©a in mid-
December 1976 (Alfred Vassallo pers.
comm.). Sammy Borg has another record
usually recorded singly at places such as Pectoral Sandpiper of a bird found dead at Rabat on 20th June
G˙adira and Salina. At the former, birds Calidris melanotos 1979 while Joe Vella Gaffiero informed
have been recorded staying up to 5 days in Beggazzina Amerikana me of a sighting of a bird at Salina on 17th
spring and up to 4 days in autumn (Gauci May 1985, which are the third and fourth
1990). In 2005, 1 at G˙adira on 3rd and 4th Very rare vagrant, recorded three times. records respectively.
June, 1 at G˙adira on 23rd and 25th August A male was seen at Marsaxlokk on 1st The Purple Sandpiper breeds in the
and 1 at Qawra on 27th August. In 2006 May 1982 and was shot the following day northern tundra on Arctic islands in Canada
there were the following records: 1 on 17th (Vassallo 1981); another was shot on 30th and coastal areas in Greenland and north-
April, 2 on 19th April, 1 on 23rd July and 1 on September 1998 at Ûejtun. The only sight western Europe. They are late migrants
13th August, all at G˙adira. In 2007, 1 to 2 record is of 1 at G˙adira on 13th June 2009. and move to rocky ice-free Atlantic coasts
at G˙adira and is-Simar from 8th to 30th April The Pectoral Sandpiper is a very long- in winter. Most go no further south than
and from 1st to 24th May. A single bird was distance migrant breeding in the boggy North Carolina and northern Portugal.
seen at G˙adira on 16th July while singles tundra of northeast Asia and North America.
were again recorded at G˙adira on 29th The American and most of the Asian birds
and 31st August. Singles at is-Simar on 1st, winter in South America, but some Asian
3rd, and 26th September. breeders winter in southern Australia and
In 2008, singles on 16th, 29th and 30th April, New Zealand. On migration and in winter,
up to five birds between 1st and 12th May, all the Pectoral Sandpiper is typically found
at G˙adira . Singles at G˙adira on 29th July in freshwater habitats. Many of the birds
and on 31st at Marsascala, and at G˙adira occurring in Western Europe may be on
on most dates from 1st to 27th August, on a regular migration from Asian breeding
5th and 28th September and on 8th and 12th grounds to winter in Southern Africa.
October. In 2009, singles at G˙adira on 14th
and 26th April and on 14th May; 2 at G˙adira
on 16th May and 1 at G˙adira on 18th May. Curlew Sandpiper
The first ‘autumn’ record in 2009 was 1 on Calidris ferruginea
3rd August at is-Simar. Begazzina Óamra
A bird ringed in Finland was recovered in
Malta. Another ringed in Ottenby, Sweden Beccazzina hamra 8, Beggazzina hamra9,
on 22nd August 1981 was re-trapped at 13
, Begazzina hamra 10, 11, 15, Beccaççina
G˙adira Reserve on 6th September, just 15 hamra 12, Beggazzina Óamra 14, 16-19, Girwiel
days later. The Temminck’s Stint breeds tar-Rebbieg˙a 20.
in bogs and marshes in the taiga of Arctic
northern Europe and Asia. It is strongly Fairly common from mid-April to mid-
migratory, wintering at freshwater sites in May and scarce from July to September,
Curlew Sandpiper
tropical Africa and south Asia. occasionally until mid-October. Birds seen
Dunlin the Siberian race has never been recorded previous records are one at Marsa on
Calidris alpina in Malta, it is pertinent to note that Malta 1st October 1968 and 1 at Óal Far on 2nd
Begazzina tat-Tizz receives a number of autumn migrants and October 1978 (Sultana and Gauci 1983).
winter visitors from the Black Sea route. The new records are recorded by Sammy
Beccazzina ta tis 8, Beggazzina ta-tis 9, The race sakhalina has longer bill and Borg at Óal Far on 29th September 1978; 1
Bgazzina tal Tis 10, Bizzia 10, 11, 12, Begazzina legs than the other two races, suggesting taken at Óal Far on 28th April 1982. One in
tat-Tis11, Beccaççina tat-Tis12, Beggazzina Curlew Sandpiper. Birds ringed in ukraine, April 1999 (Davies 2001).
tay-tis13, Beggazzina tat-tiss 14, Begazzina Germany, The Czech Republic and Tunisia The Buff-breasted Sandpiper breeds in
tat-tizz 15, Begazzina tat-tiss 16, Beggazzina have been recovered in Malta. the open arctic tundra of North America
tat-TiΩΩ 17-19, Danlin, Pispisella tal-Pavalor 20. The Dunlin breeds in the Arctic Circle and is a very long-distance migrant,
and in subarctic regions. Birds that breed wintering mainly in South America,
Can be common or very scarce from mid- in northern Europe and Asia are long- especially Argentina. It migrates mainly
March to mid-May in spring and a more distance migrants, wintering south to Africa through central North America and
regular visitor between July and October. and Southeast Asia. occurs as a regular wanderer to Western
Seen mostly in reserves, where some may Europe.
also winter, but also seen around the coast.
Most however do not spend more than 7 Broad-billed Sandpiper
days (Gauci 1990). Two were present at Limicola falcinellus Ruff
G˙adira throughout December 2006. Beggazzina ta’ Munqarha Philomachus pugnax
Not enough research has been carried Girwiel
out in Malta to determine with any degree Beggazzina geddumha o˙xon 18
,
of certainty which races occur. Between Beggazzina ta’ Munqarha 19. Grieuel 4, 6, Ghirwiel 8, 9, Ghirwiel tal namra10,
1965 and 1993, a total of 172 Dunlins were Giruiel tan-namra11, Ghiruiel, Ghiruiel tan-
ringed by the Valletta Bird Ringing Group Vagrant, seven sightings have been namra12, Ghirwiel tan-namra 13, Ghirwiel tal
(Il-Merill No. 28), yet it does not appear that recorded to date. Two unpublished new ˙amra 14, Ghirwiela 15, Girwiel 16-19.
any attempt to identify the races involved records, one in January and another in
has been made, but ironically, the findings May are being given here. The first record Common from March to mid-June but less
of other researchers are refuted. was on 24th August 1973 at Delimara; the common from August to mid-October. It is
The race Calidris alpina alpina, which second on 8th August 1974 at Marsascala; occasionally seen in July and December.
breeds in northern Scandinavia and north- the third record is of a bird noted by At G˙adira, Ruffs have been recorded
west Russia and winters in north-east Sammy Borg at Salina on 8th January 1978, spending up to 12 days in autumn (Gauci
Africa, Arabia, and India, is likely to occur. which was hitherto unpublished; the fourth 1990). Ruffs used to be much commoner
Those birds wintering in the Mediterranean record is of a bird seen on 31st July 1980 at in the past and were considered as game
make long overland journeys through Marsaxlokk. The most recent records are of by hunters. Frequents open areas and
Eastern Europe. Bannerman and Vella a bird that was present at G˙adira between reserves. Can be seen singly or in flocks
Gaffiero (1976) state that the subspecies 4th and 9th August 1994. Another one was of about 30 birds. A remarkable passage
Calidris alpina schinzii also occurs. Sultana seen at the same place on 15th and 16th occurred on 10th March 2001 when large
and Gauci (1982) contend that there have July 2002. 2 at Salina at the end of March
been no previous records of schinzii in 2004. The latest record, the ninth one, is of
ornithological literature. The race breeds a single bird seen at G˙adira on 10th and
from southeast Greenland through the 14th My 2006. The Broad-billed Sandpiper
British Isles east to the Baltic and in breeds in the wet taiga bogs in the Arctic of
southern Finland, Sweden, and southwest northern Europe and Siberia. It is strongly
Norway. This race winters in northwest migratory, wintering from easternmost
Africa and during both migrations follows Africa, through south and Southeast Asia to
the coast along the Atlantic seaboard. Australasia. Despite its European breeding
Iapichino and Massa (1989) state that both range, this species is rare on passage in
races occur in Sicily and that schinzii has Western Europe, probably because of the
been identified from skins on only a few south-easterly migration route. A small
occasions in February and March. population winters in North Africa around
Isenmann et al. (2005) state the Dunlin the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia (Delany et al.
winters in Tunisia in impressive numbers 2009).
(in excess of 200,000 birds). They also
assert that 5 to 6 per cent of the wintering
population comprises of individuals Buff-breasted Sandpiper
belonging to the race schinzii arriving Tryngites subruficollis
from the Baltic, whereas about 90 per cent Girwiel Amerikan
of the birds belong to the nominate race
alpina. They also state that some birds of Gherwiel 10, Girwiel Amerikan 18, 19.
the race sakhalina from Siberia also winter
there. Birds of the latter race arrive and Vagrant, five records so far of which two Ruff
return via the Black Sea route. Although are being given here for the first time. The
flocks where recorded from different The Great Snipe breeds in marshes and
places in the north of Malta: over 1,500 wet meadows with short vegetation in north
from G˙adira Reserve and over 1,200 from Eastern Europe and north-western Russia.
Çirkewwa. Over the past 20 years, some Great Snipes are migratory, wintering in Africa.
trappers have constructed trapping sites
with ponds, stuffed birds as well as plastic
and live tethered decoys and electronic bird Eurasian Woodcock
callers to trap waders, especially close to Scolopax rusticola
the coast. Most such trapping takes place in Gallina
summer (Anon. 2005). Ruffs are particularly
sought because they are easily kept alive Gallina cieca 4, 8, 10, 12, Gkallina 5, Gallina 9,
and are sold to collectors when they change , Gallina cieka 11, Gallinaccia 12.
13-19
into their attractive summer plumage. Most

birds in summer plumage seen in local Fairly common from mid-October to mid-
collections have either been procured in this November. Some birds winter in Malta,
manner or were imported following hunting though this is a very rare occurrence
trips to Russia. Ruffs are very seldom seen these days because of hunting pressure.
in summer plumage locally. One wintered at is-Simar Reserve from 9th
Birds ringed in Finland have been January to 26th February 2002.
recovered in Malta. The Ruff breeds Common Snipe Woodcocks have become more common
on marshes and wet meadows across in recent years. Being one of the most
northern Eurasia. It is migratory and winters prized game birds, Woodcocks feature in a
in southern and western Europe, Africa, August. A single bird seen at is-Simar number of hunters’ sayings, most of which
southern Asia and Australia. on 23rd August 2006 is typical of the very link the arrival of the Woodcock with the
early ‘autumn’ migrants. The highest count feast of St Francis on October 4th. The feast
recorded in recent years was 12 together of St Catherine, celebrated on November
Jack Snipe at Salina on 20th January 2009. A Snipe 25th, marks the departure of the Woodcock.
Lymnocryptes minimus ringed at G˙adira in September 1981 was In 1749, the French Knight Godeheu de
Çinkonja shot four days later near Tivoli, Rome. At Riville wrote that the French proverb à la St
that time of the year, birds are normally Denys (20th October) becasse en tout pays
Biccazzine4, Cincogna8-10, Beccaçç zgheir, moving south. Other Snipes ringed in (on the feast of St Dennis, Woodcocks
Ciconja12, Cincogna13, Mezza Beccaçça14, Malta have been recovered in Italy. A could be found everywhere) does not
Cinconja15, Çinkonja16-19, Mezza Snipe ringed in the Czech Republic was hold in Malta, because it was rare to find
bekkaçça , Bukkaçç Ûg˙ir, Gallinaçç20.
17
recovered in Malta. Woodcock so early, but the peak was after
The Common Snipe breeds in marshes St. Martin (11th November) and lasted till
Scarce spring and autumn migrant that is and wet meadows in Iceland, the Faroes, the end of November.
seen between mid-October and late April. northern Europe and Russia. European The Woodcock has always been
Most are seen in October and November. birds winter in southern Europe and Africa considered prized game. A metaphorical
Single birds are seen in inland valleys and while Asian migrants move to tropical proverb also exists, attesting to the value
in reserves. A single bird was observed at southern Asia. A Common Snipe ringed given to the Woodcock’s meat: When
is-Simar on 24th December 2006. in England lived for 18 years and three you go to court, you eat sardine while the
The Jack Snipe breeds in marshes, tundra months (Staav 1998). lawyer eats Woodcock Meta tid˙ol il-Qorti
and wet meadows with short vegetation in int tiekol sardina u l-avukat jiekol Gallina.
northern Europe and northern Russia. It The late Indri Caruana, a former trapper
migrates, wintering in Great Britain, Atlantic Great Snipe from Rabat, informed me that Woodcocks
and Mediterranean coastal Europe, Africa, Gallinago media were so prized in pre World War II years,
and India. Bekkaçç ta’ Mejju that if someone pointed out to a hunter
where a Woodcock had settled and he
Beccacc ta meju 8, Bekkach-ta-meju9, succeeded in shooting it, the shooter had
Common Snipe Beccac ta Meju 10, Bekkacc ta Meju11, to give half of it to whoever informed him
Gallinago gallinago Beccaçç prim, Beccaçç ta meju 12, about it.
Bekkaçç Bekkacc ta’ mejju prim 13, Bekkaçç ta’ Woodcocks have been prized for a very
mejju 14, Beccacc ta Mejju 15, Bekkaçç ta’ long time. Over a hundred and fifty years
Beccacce 4, Beccacc 8, 15, Bekkach 9, Mejju 16-19, Bukkaçç Kbir 20. ago, Wright recounted that he had paid
Beccac10, Bekkacc11, Beccaçç second, eighteen pence to a hunter who had just
Beccaçç tax-xitua12, Bekkacc second13, Very scarce and irregular spring migrant, shot at a Woodcock that had settled close
Bekkaçç16-19, Bukkaçç 20. mostly in May, but a few recorded in by, provided he would allow him to shoot it
autumn occasionally. In 2006: 1 at is-Simar (Wright 1858). Baden Powell, who was in
Frequent spring and autumn visitor and on 7th May and 1 at G˙adira on 14th May. Malta in the early 1900s, and who was in
some winter in the Maltese Islands. Snipes The latter bird was found dead on 17th May. charge of the Governor’s country palace
are mostly recorded between September It was bearing a Norwegian ring. In 2008, 1 and adjoining gardens at Buskett, used to
and early May, occasionally in July and at is-Simar on 2nd May. shoot Woodcock there.
He wrote how he had made arrangements

with the head gardener to hoist a yellow
flag whenever a Woodcock was seen.
The flag was visible from his Valletta office
eight miles away, and “On seeing the flag,
I would jump in my cart and drive up to
Verdala. The gardener in the meantime
would have called together a few beaters
and we would proceed to get the cock.”
It has been noted that the Woodcocks fly
off immediately when they hear the alarm
call of a Blackbird (Peter Mifsud pers.
comm.).
Peter Mifsud, who was a keen hunter,
recalled that on two occasions a Woodcock
flew out from a distant carob tree he was
approaching after a Blackbird sounded its
alarm call. Woodcocks are known to take
to the wing reluctantly, especially if they
have not been already flushed. When a
hunter flushes a Woodcock but does not
manage to shoot at it and sees it settling
again, instead of making a bee-line for it,
hunters are in the habit of making a detour
and go to look for it by walking towards it in
a semi-circular direction, first walking away
to the left or right and then make their way
towards the spot where it settled.
Hunters use pointers to flush Woodcock
as well as wait for them at the break of dawn
when the Woodcock usually performs a
gliding flight, locally called tissiefa˙.
A heavy passage occurred on 22nd
November 2005, with some hunters
bagging up to five birds each. A smaller
passage occurred on the following day.
At least three birds were still present on
Comino on the second week of March
2006. They were last seen on 16th March.
In 2007, there were a considerable
number of records in autumn and winter,
with the first sighting at Faqqanija on 17th
October. Several Woodcock were seen
on 23rd and 24th October at various sites.
A number of sightings in different places
on 4th November, with 4 at Bin©emma, 13
at Mta˙leb, 5 at Wied l-Isqof, 3 at Girgenti,
singles on 5th November, 5 on 6th November
at Óal Far, 7 at Fawwara and 12 at is-
Salib tal-G˙olja on 7th November. Another
significant passage on 8th November with
several birds, including a flock of 5 at il-
Kunçizzjoni, 6 at Dingli, 5 at Buskett, 3 at
Faqqanija and 6 at Girgenti. Then several
single records from several localities, but 2
at Faqqanija on 13th November.
The Eurasian Woodcock has a
large breeding range, stretching from
Fennoscandia to the Mediterranean Sea and
Canary Islands and from Western Europe
to Russia. About one third of the world’s
Eurasian Woodcock
population breed in Europe, with more than
90 per cent of the continent’s population been recorded between March and July.
breeding in Russia and Fennoscandia. One noted at a taxidermist was taken in May
Northern and Asian populations migrate to 1977. One was seen at Qawra on 11th August
southern Europe or south Asia respectively. 2006. In 2009, 1 off Çirkewwa on 11th March
Birds in milder western, northwest and and 1 at Pembroke on 12th December. A
southern European countries and on Atlantic flock of 49 off Çirkewwa on 31st March 2010.
islands are mostly resident. The birds’ spring The Bar-tailed Godwit breeds on Arctic
migration starts in February and breeding coasts and tundra and winters on coasts in
territories are reached between March temperate and tropical regions of the Old
and May. A Woodcock ringed in Finland World. It makes the longest non-stop flight
survived for 11 years 5 months (Staav 1998) known for any bird and also the longest
while another ringed in England lived for 15 journey without pausing to feed by any
and a half years (Staav 2001). animal, 11,680 kilometres along a route
from Alaska to New Zealand.
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa Whimbrel
Girwiel Prim Numenius phaeopus
Gurlin Ûg˙ir
Ghirwiel prim 8, 9, Gherwiel prim 10, Giruiel
prim11, Ghiruiel prim 12, Ghirwiel prim 13-15, Gurlin terz, 10-15, Gurlin second16-17, Gurlin
Girwiel Prim16-19, Bekkaçç tal-Ìermanja 20. Ûg˙ir18-19, Kurazza, Wimbrill 20.
Scarce in spring and irregular in autumn. A rare migrant seen in both spring and
Most birds are seen between February and autumn from March to April in and from July
mid-April, but it is not unusual to encounter to September. This species migrates mainly
this species in January. It is very scarce in along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and
Black-tailed Godwit
autumn from July to October, occasionally North Africa to winter in West Africa. Single
in November. Singles are usually seen, but birds and small parties can sometimes be
in recent years recorded in larger numbers seen off the coast particularly at Qawra,
migrating along the coast, especially Tas-Safra and Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq around
in March. A bird at Luqa airport on 22nd March and in August.
November 2005 was the third record of this Taxidermists’ records listed singles at
species in November. In March 2006, 1 at Marsaxlokk on 25th May 1976 and on 21st
G˙adira on 1st and 3rd March, a flock of 33 August 1977. Sammy Borg has informed
and a single bird were seen off Çirkewwa on me of the following records, all of which
the 14th and a single bird, also at Çirkewwa involved two birds: on 12th July 1980 off
on 19th March. In 2007, 1 from 19th to 24th Qbajjar, Gozo; on 6th August 1980 at
February and another from 16th and 18th July Qawra; on 29th September 1980; on 2nd
both at G˙adira. In 2008, 1 on 19th February October 1980; on 19th November 1983 and
and 1 from 3rd to 11th April at G˙adira. The on 27th September 1985, all at Tas-Safra.
breeding range of the Black-tailed Godwit Single birds were seen at Qawra on 30th
stretches from Iceland through Europe September 1985, at G˙adira on 1st and 8th
and areas of central Asia. Black-tailed April 1990; on 9th April 2000 at Qawra and
Godwits spend winter in areas as diverse on 16th April 2000 at ix-Xatt l-A˙mar, Gozo;
as Australia, Western Europe and West a flock of 20 off Qammie˙ on 25th March
Africa. Black-tailed Godwits can live for very 2002 and 4 at Qawra on 4th November
long. Birds ringed in the uS were still alive 2002; 2, at Qawra, on 3rd March 2004. Whimbrel
21years 8 months and 31 years 4 months An unusual number of flocks were seen in
after being ringed (Staav 1998, 2002) September 2004 in the south of Malta. Three North America, Europe and Asia as far south
at Qawra on 3rd November 2004. In 2005, as Scotland. It winters on coasts in Africa,
9 were seen on 22nd August and 1 on 29th South America, south Asia into Australasia
Bar-tailed Godwit August at Delimara while one was seen over and southern North America.
Limosa lapponica Buskett on 21st September. In March 2006,
Girwiel Denbu bl-Istrixxi 10 were seen off Çirkewwa on the 25th and
40 over Marfa Ridge on the 27th. In 2007, 1 Slender-billed Curlew
Giruiel 11, Ghiruiel 12, Ghirwiel second 13, on 29th August at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq. In 2008, Numenius tenuirostris
Ghirwiel prim rar 15, 17, Girwiel Denbu bl- 1 at Marsascala on 29th August. In 2009, a Gurlin Munqaru Rqiq
Istrixxi 18, 19. flock of 30 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 9th April, 7 off
G˙allis on 22nd June, 1 at Ûonqor Point on 23rd Gurlin second 8, 10-13, 15, Gurlin terz 16, 17,
A very rare migrant that is recorded mostly August and 15 off G˙allis on 24th August. The Gurlin ta’ geddumu rqiq 18, Gurlin Geddumu
in September and October, but it has also Whimbrel breeds across much of subarctic Rqiq 19, Gurlin Mutu20.
Vagrant. Formerly it used to be common, Wright says he had shot five or six In 2007, a flock of over 25 on 29th March
so much so that Wright (1864a) states that specimens of Slender-billed Curlew and at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a; a single bird, probably
Whimbrel and Slender-billed Curlew were “examined many others obtained in the a female, on 4th April 2007 at Salina; 3 at
confounded together and that he found market.” Two study skins that still exist at BirΩebbu©a on 18th July; 4 on 20th August
out that the Slender-billed Curlew was the the Manchester Museum, at the university at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a, and a single bird on
commonest of the three species of Curlew. of Manchester, had been found by Wright 3rd November at Comino. In 2008, a few
It is almost mysterious how the Slender- at the Valletta Market on 4th September records involving single birds but a flock of
billed Curlew seems to have disappeared 1864 and sent to Henry Eeles Dresser. over 25 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 29th March; 3
when it was once so common in the 19th and There have been no recent records of on 14th September and on 24th October at
early 20th centuries. Researchers in Sicily this species. The last published records Qawra; 2 at G˙adira on 9th November and
and Tunisia echo the same views. Arrigoni are of birds recorded in December 1977 4 at Qawra on 11th November. In 2009, 1 on
(1929) stated that it was the commonest at Anchor Bay and at Marsascala on 17th 14th January at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra. and 1 on
Numenius species in Sicily. Similarly Heim October 1968 (Sultana and Gauci 1982). 24th September at Pembroke. In 2010,15 off
de Balsac and Mayaud (1962) considered A bird seen recently in a private collection Çirkewwa on 4th March.
this species to be the commonest Curlew at BirΩebbu©a had been shot at il-Brolli, Taxidermists’ records contained a rather
occurring in Tunisia in the early 20th century. BirΩebbu©a on 2nd September 1948. Joe late bird on 4th December 1985. The
One can only guess at the reasons for such Vella Gaffiero informed me of a record of a Eurasian Curlew breeds across temperate
a rapid decline. bird shot at Ûonqor Point on 15th November Europe and Asia. It is a migratory species
1985. This is the last documented record of over most of its range, wintering in Africa,
this species. southern Europe and south Asia. It is
The Slender-billed Curlew breeds in present all year in the milder climate of
marshes and peat bogs in the taiga of Ireland, Great Britain and the adjacent
Siberia, and is migratory, formerly wintering European coasts.
in shallow freshwater habitats around the
Mediterranean. It is now extremely rare,
with recent estimates putting the world Upland Sandpiper
population at around 200 individuals. The Bartramia longicauda
main breeding grounds are thought to Pluverott ta’ Denbu
have been the wet areas in the steppes of
Western Siberia which have been converted Gherwiel tal Amerkii10, Giruiel tal
to agricultural land and grazing ground for Amerki11, Ghiruiel tal America12, Ghirwiel
domesticated animals. This is thought to American13, Pluvierott ta denbu15, 17,
have been the main cause for the bird’s Pluverott ta’ Denbu 18, 19.
near extinction (Delany et al. 2009). The
main breeding grounds are thought to Vagrant. Two records, one in 1865 and
Common Sandpiper
have been the wet areas in the steppes of one in September 1966. Joe Vella Gaffiero
Western Siberia which have been converted informed me of a third record, a bird shot
to agricultural land and grazing ground for on 10th November 1983 at Dingli while
domesticated animals. This is thought to Alfred Vassallo recorded another, the fourth
have been the main cause for the bird's record, taken at id-Delli on 1st April 1987.
near extinction (Delany et al. 2009). The upland Sandpiper, formerly called
upland Plover or Bartram’s Sandpiper,
breeds across central North America and
Eurasian Curlew Alaska. It is a long distance migrant and
Numenius arquata winters in South America. It is a very rare
Gurlin vagrant to Europe.
Gurlini4, Gkorlin5, Gurlin Prim8, 10-15, Gurlin9, 15-19.

Terek Sandpiper
Frequent in spring, scarce in summer and Xenus cinereus
autumn. Larger flocks are mostly recorded Beggazzina tax-Xifa
in March and from October to November.
The largest flock seen recently was of over Vagrant: 1 at Salina on 20th June 1966; 1
70 birds on 23rd March 1997 at Qammieg˙. at Delimara on 28th August 1970; and 1
Records in 2005 are of 5 over G˙adira Bay in May 2000 at Marsaxlokk. Two shot at
on 8th August; 1 on 19th October; 1 on 7th Ûonqor Point on 19th May 2006 are the
November at St Elmo Point. In 2006, 5 were most recent record. The Terek Sandpiper
seen on the on 29th March and 26 on 30th breeds near water in the taiga from Finland
off Çirkewwa while a flock of 8 were seen through northern Siberia and migrates
flying off St Paul’s Islands on 21st July; 1 on south in winter to tropical coasts in east
Curlew 26th July over G˙adira, 2 at Qrejten Point on Africa, south Asia and Australia. It is a rare
30th July and 1 at Marsascala on 9th August. vagrant in Western Europe.
Common Sandpiper Green Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos Tringa ochropus
Beggazzina tar-Rokka Swejda
Beccaccine di rocca4, Beqqazzina ta roqqa8, Sweida8, 9, Sueida10, 13, Seuejda11,

Beggazzina tar-rocca9, 14, 15, Begazzina Swejda , Piswejda , Piswejta 20.
14-19 17
tal Rokka10, Begazzina tar-rokka11, 16-19,

Beccaççina tar-rocca12, Beggazzina di Fairly common migrant from mid-February
rocca13, Piswejta 20. to mid-May in spring and from mid-July to
early October in autumn. Single birds seen
Fairly common spring and autumn migrant at G˙adira on 9th and 12th June 2005 were
with most birds seen between mid-March rather late spring migrants or a very early
and mid-May and from mid-July to early ‘autumn’ migrants. It is also occasionally
October. However, it has been recorded seen in January and early July. It can be
in all months of the year. Studies through seen singly or in small flocks of up to 30
bird ringing show that most birds spend up birds. The Green Sandpiper breeds across
to 20 days in the same sites (Gauci 1990). subarctic Europe and Asia and winters in
It is regularly seen in winter as individual southern Europe and Asia, and tropical
birds are sometimes recorded in the same Africa.
areas, especially around the coast. For
instance in 2005, one was present at St
Elmo Point from 3rd to 11th December, 1 Spotted Redshank
on 16th December and 4 at Salina on 26th Tringa erythropus
December 2005. A flock of 13 was at Salina Çuvett
on 28th August 2006 while 7 at G˙allis on
2nd and 11th August 2009. Cuvet8, Ciuvet9, 10, Çuvet12, Civett13,
Birds ringed in Malta have been Cuvett14, Ciuvett14, 15, Çuvett16-19, Kjuvett,
recovered in Syracuse, Sicily. Birds Girwiel Imtektek20.
ringed in Finland and Germany have been
recovered in Malta. Scarce migrant from March to October, with
The Common Sandpiper breeds in north most occurring in April and May, and from
Spotted Redshank
and central Europe and north and central July to September. It occasionally occurs
Asia. It winters south to Africa, south Asia in November and December. Single birds
and Australia. These birds migrate in small are usually seen in both summer and winter
groups or alone. It is rarely seen in flocks in plumage.
the Maltese Islands, although small parties Recent records in 2006 include 7 at G˙adira
are frequent. on 21st April; 1 at Salina on 22nd April; and 1
at G˙adira on 26th April. In 2009, 1 at G˙adira
on 26th April and 1 at is-Simar on 27th and 29th
April, 1 on 25th September at G˙adira.
Birds ringed in England have been
recovered in Malta. The Spotted Redshank
is an Arctic bird, breeding across northern
Scandinavia and northern Asia. It is a
migratory species, wintering around the
Mediterranean, the southern British Isles,
France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia,
usually on fresh or brackish water.
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Çewçewwa Prima Common Greenshank
Ceuceu , Ceuceua prima

4, 6
, Ceu-ceua ,
8, 10-12 9
Ceuceua ta sakaigha ˙odor 12, Ceuceuua usually seen, mostly at G˙adira and Salina.
prima 13, Cewcewwa Prima 15, Çewçewwa 16, The Common Greenshank, or Greenshank,
18, 19
, Çewçewwa prima 17, Çerçewwa 20. as it was formerly known, is a subarctic
bird, breeding from northern Scotland
Fairly common migrant between March and eastwards across northern Europe and
June and from mid-July to mid-October, Asia. It migrates to winter in Africa, south
Common Redshank
occasionally in November. Single birds are Asia, and Australasia.
Marsh Sandpiper Common Redshank May 2005 and 1 on 7th August 2005 at
Tringa stagnatilis Tringa totanus G˙adira. A single bird in summer plumage
Çewçewwa Ûg˙ira Pluverott was seen on 6th May 2006 at Ûonqor Point,
Marsascala; 2 at G˙allis on 11th August, 2 at
Ruffiana tal caccia 8, 10, 12-14, Ruffiana tal Pluverot8-10, 12, Ciuvet, Pluvierot11, the Breakwater, Valletta on 10th September
kaccia11, Ceu-ceua sekonda 9, Cewcewwa Pluvierott ,
13
Pluverott ,14
Pluvierott15, and 1 at Qawra on 17th September. In
seconda 10, 11, Çewçewwa sekonda 12, Pluverott16, Pluvirott 17, Pluverott 18, 19. 2007, a single bird at Ûonqor Point on 21st
Çewçewwa Ûg˙ira 18-19. April, 2 on the 25th April at Marsascala;1 to
Fairly common spring, summer and 2 practically daily at G˙adira between 12th
Scarce in spring, from March to May, autumn migrant. Most are seen from June to 22nd May; 1 on 18th and 1 on 19th August
occasionally in June and July rare from to August in summer and occasionally at Salina and singles on 19th August and
August to late September. Single birds recorded in winter. Like most other waders, from 25th to 27th August at G˙adira. In 2008,
are usually seen, but up to 9 together Redshanks are seen mainly at G˙adira, singles at G˙adira on 4th and 11th May; 3
have been recorded at Salina. In 2007, 1 Salina, is-Simar, and around the coast. on 2nd May and 2 on 15th and 16th May, all
at G˙adira on 16th March, 1 on 28th April, But some may also be seen around inland at Marsascala. In 2009, a single at Salina
1 at G˙adira on 9th July and 1 at is-Simar open reservoirs and in inland valleys. from 11th to 15th May; 2 at G˙adira on 18th
from the 19th to 27th July; 1 on 21st August Though individual birds sometimes May; 1 at G˙adira on 24th April, 3rd and 5th
and 1 on 6th September at G˙adira. In winter in Malta, the following records in May; 2 at Salina on 8th May; a flock of 4 at
2008, singles on 16th March, from 27th to 2005 were rather late and worth recording: Marsascala on 9th May; 2 at Salina from 11th
31st March, 1 to 3 from 1st to 16th and on 6 on 5th November at G˙adira, 1 at Pwales to 15th May; and 2 at G˙adira from 16th to
27th and 28th April, 1 from 22nd to 30th June on 16th December and 1 over G˙adira on 18th May. In autumn, 1 on 19th September
and 1 on 17th August, all at G˙adira. In 20th December. Another at G˙adira on 5th 2009 at Salina.
2009, 1 from 24th to 28th March, 1 to 2 from November 2007 was also rather late. A bird ringed at Walvis Bay, South West
7th to 12th April, singles on 4th, 7th, 12th and Birds ringed in Tunisia have been Africa in September 1977 was shot at
23rd July and on 14th, 30th and 31st August, recovered in Malta. The Common Marsaxlokk in May 1982. Another bird
1 from 1st to 6th and 1 on 20th September Redshank is a widespread breeding bird ringed in Poland on 2nd September 1978
at G˙adira. across temperate Eurasia. It is a migratory was recovered in Malta within a month.
The Marsh Sandpiper breeds in open species, wintering on coasts around the
grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from Mediterranean, on the Atlantic coast of
easternmost Europe to central Asia. It Europe from Great Britain southwards, and Red-necked Phalarope
is a migratory species, with majority of in South Asia. Phalaropus lobatus
birds wintering in Africa, and India with BaruΩa
fewer migrating to Southeast Asia and
Australia. Ruddy Turnstone Barusa 15, BaruΩa 17-19.
Arenaria interpes
Monakella Imperjali Very rare, with two published records: 1 at
Wood Sandpiper Salina in October 1879 and 1 at Qormi on
Tringa glareola Monakella imperiala8-10, Monakella 12th September 1968. A new record is of a
Pespus tal-Ba˙ar impiriala11, Monachella imperiala12-14, bird shot off l-A˙rax Point in August 1990.
Monachella imperiali15, Monakella The fourth record is of a bird shot at Salina
Pespus tal-Ba˙ar 8-19. imperjali16-19, Ternstown20. in Winter 2003. The Red-necked Phalarope
breeds in the Arctic regions of North
Common migrant from the middle of March Ruddy Turnstones, or Turnstones as they America and Eurasia, and, unusually for a
to May in spring and from mid-July to mid- were called until recently, are very scarce wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans.
October. Some may occur in June and early migrants seen mostly around the coast or
July. In 1980, a bird stayed at G˙adira from in reserves such as G˙adira and Salina in
14th November to 3rd December. In autumn, spring and autumn. They are seen singly Red Phalarope
most birds however spend up to 11 days at or in small parties. Most are recorded Phalaropus fulicarius
G˙adira (Gauci 1990). It is seen singly or in between April and May and from August to BaruΩa GriΩa
small flocks, but flocks of up to 80 birds have September, but they are occasionally seen
been recorded and an exceptionally large in June, July, October and November. The Very rare, with three documented records,
flock of 252 was seen at Salina on 16th July Ruddy Turnstone is a highly migratory bird, the most recent of which was in January
1981. In 2006, the highest number seen on a breeding in northern parts of Eurasia and 1997, when remains of a bird were found at
single day was 54 (2, 30, 22) on 13th August North America and flying south to winter on the Grand Harbour, Valletta. A head and both
at G˙adira. In 2009, a flock of 33 was seen coastlines almost worldwide. Taxidermists’ wings were found and identified by Michael
on 26th July and a flock of 19 on 30th July, all records listed: 4 on 13th May 1964 and 1 Sammut. The previous two records were
at Salina. Birds ringed in the Czech Republic, on 14th May 1968 all tal-Fessej Rock, Gozo; singles on 25th December 1969 at Marsaxlokk
Finland and Sweden have been recovered in 2 at G˙ajnsielem, Gozo on 30th April 1969; and on 16th November 1970 at Qawra.
Malta. The Wood Sandpiper breeds in sub- singles on 11th and 25th May 1982. Three more records of single birds are
arctic wetlands from the Scottish Highlands A party of over 11 was seen at G˙adira being provided here by courtesy of Sammy
across Europe and Asia. They migrate to Af- on 13th May 2000. In 2005, 3 birds were Borg: 1 at Salina on 15th November 1978;
rica and southern Asia, particularly India. present at Salina between 14th and 21st 1 was shot at Salina on 16th October 1979
and another from the same locality on 19th distribution of sightings by season shows
November 1980. A fourth is also listed 13 records in spring (1st March - 31st
but is doubtful: 1 seen at a taxidermist at May), 13 in autumn (1st September - 30
Tarxien on 23rd May 1979 could have been November), 2 in summer (1st June - 31st
an imported specimen, The most recent August), and 8 in winter (1st December -
record is of a single bird shot at sea off 29th February).
Marsaxlokk in January 2006. During this period, odd records were 1
The Red Phalarope, which was called on 23rd February and 1 on 7th June, both
Grey Phalarope in Europe, breeds in in 2008, and 1 on 4th August 2002. The
the Arctic regions of North America and June 2008 sighting is of interest because
Eurasia. Like the Red-necked Phalarope, it involved an adult bird, which was
it migrates mainly on oceanic routes and observed chasing Cory’s Shearwaters
winters at sea on tropical oceans. off Pembroke, when it should have been
at the breeding grounds in the Arctic.
Similarly the bird seen in August 2002
was considerably off range at that time
Stercorariidae of year.
The highest number of sightings was of
4 birds recorded from Qawra in 2001: an
Pomarine Skua adult bird on 27th October, a juvenile on 24th
Arctic Skua
Stercorarius pomarinus November and a juvenile dark morph on
Skua ta’ Denbha the 5th and the 7th December respectively.
The 8 winter sightings, all single birds, there have been 21 other sightings of
Gauia cannella rara 13, Ciefa ta denba 15, were recorded mostly in December: 15th unidentified skuas between 1991 and
Çiefa ta denbha 17, 18, Skua ta’ Denbha 19. December 1985; 18th December 1993 2009.
(dark morph); 8th December 1997; 5th and The Pomarine Skua breeds in the far
Very scarce but annual visitor offshore, 7th December 2001; 19th December 2002 north of Eurasia and North America and
mostly seen from March to April and (dark morph); 8th December 2003; but 1 on migrates. Chief wintering areas in Atlantic
October to December. Occasionally it is 23rd February 2008. Ocean are north of the Equator, from
seen in July, August and September. This The 13 spring sightings, also of single Caribbean to Sargasso Sea and north to
skua occurs in two morphs: light or dark. birds, were recorded mostly in March and Cape Hatteras (North Carolina), and off
Analysis of 33 records between 1976 April: 1977 - 19th April; 1988 - 1st April; West Africa, especially 8-17˚N. Some cross
and October 2009 shows that the 1996 - 25th April; 1999 - 19th March and the Equator and move further down the
Pomarine Skua appeared most frequently 11th April (both light phase birds); 2000 - 9th West African coast to about 30˚S.
in December (a total of 7 sightings) April (light morph); 2003 - 23rd March (dark
followed by April (6 sightings). However, morph); 2007 - 10th March (juvenile) and
13th April; 2008 - 9th and 10th March 2008 Arctic Skua
(immature); 2009 - 5th March (adult light Stercorarius parasiticus
morph); but 1 on 2nd May 1976 and 1 on Skua tal-Artiku
25th May 1980.
The 11 autumn sightings, all of single Vagrant, previously recorded only eight
birds, occurred on: 29th September times, mostly in winter, but some new
1980 (from taxidermists’ logs); 14th records are being given here.
November 1999; 24th November 2001 New records include 1 on 11th October
(juvenile); 27th October 2001 (adult); 27th 1975 at M©arr, Gozo; 1 off Delimara on
October 2002 (juvenile dark morph); 27th 21st April 1981; 1 at St Elmo Point on 1st
September 2006; 25th October 2007; 10th November 1997; single birds in January
September 2008. In 2009. a sub-adult on and October 2001 (Davies 2002), a dark
7th September and an adult light morph on phase adult at Qawra on 3rd February 2002.
24th September off Pembroke and singles A dark phase juvenile at St Elmo Point and
offshore on 19th and 25th October 2009. off Qawra on 8th September 2005 was
There were 2 summer sightings: 1 (light probably the same bird. In 2007, an adult
morph) on 4th August 2002 and 1 on 7th dark morph bird seen at St Thomas Bay
June 2008. All sight records were land- on 1st September and a dark morph bird
based observations from vantage points seen off St Elmo Point on 13th December.
along the coast, such as Qawra, Ricasoli, In 2009, 1 was seen on 10th September off
Rinella, St Elmo Point, Pembroke, Marfa, Pembroke by Michael Sammut.
Qammie˙, G˙allis, Çirkewwa, Marsascala, The Arctic Skua breeds in north Eurasia,
Marsaxlokk, Delimara, and G˙ajn Tuffie˙a. northern North America and winters mainly
Skua species are not always easy to on the Patagonian Shelf off Argentina, and
identify and apart from the sightings in Benguela Current off Namibia and South
Pomarine Skua
listed under the relative species account, Africa.
Long-tailed Skua Although daily counts rarely exceed and eastern Canadian birds cross the
Stercorarius longicaudus 1 bird, there were two occasions when Atlantic by way of the westernmost fringes
Skua Denbha Twil 2 birds were recorded in a day: an adult of Europe to winter off southwest Africa.
and a juvenile on 31st December 2000; and Occasionally individual Sabine’s Gulls can
Vagrant. Previously recorded only seven an adult a juvenile on 9th December 2001, be seen off other coasts such as the north
times offshore between September and both observations at Qawra. eastern united States or further east in
January. As with other species of skua, Other records, all of single birds, are from Europe, typically following autumn storms.
fishermen sometimes see them offshore 1986 (16th February); 1991 (17th March);
but these are hardly ever recorded. New 1999 (31st March); 2000 (18th March and 9th
records include: 1 on 21st March 1979 April); 2001 (14th April); 2003 (2nd February); Black-legged Kittiwake
shot off St Paul’s Islands; a juvenile on the 2004 (4th and 29th January); 2006 (26th and Rissa tridactyla
11th and another single on 16th November 28th February and 14th March); 2008 (24th Gawwija tal-Ingilterra
2001 both at Qawra. An adult bird was March and 7th, 11th, 13th December).
seen at Jerma Point, Marsascala on 18th The bird recorded on 29th January 2004 Gauia8, 11, 13, Gawwija14, Gawwja tal
August 2005. A juvenile was seen on 30th was taken by poachers off St Paul’s Bay, Inghilterra15, Gawwija ta’ l-Ingilterra ,
17-19
September 2007 at St Elmo Point. The who had also shot a Cormorant. The birds Gawwija ta’ Tlett Iswaba 20.
Long-tailed Skua breeds in north Eurasia were seized by the police and the poachers
and northern North America and winters in were prosecuted and fined €700. Previously considered a vagrant, the bird
the south Pacific and south east Atlantic. The Great Skua breeds in Iceland, has now become a regular winter visitor
Norway, the Faroe Islands and the in the central Mediterranean, but tends to
Scottish islands, with a few on the Scottish remain offshore. Whereas there were only
Great Skua mainland. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in 8 records up to December 1980, it can now
Stercorarius skua the Atlantic Ocean and regularly reaching be considered as a very rare species as
Skua Kbira North American waters. A Great Skua records are increasing especially in recent
ringed as a first year bird at the Shetland years and since seabird watching has
Very scarce and annual visitor, mostly from Islands in Scotland in July 1974 was shot started being carried out on a more regular
February to March and late October to off Qawra in September 1980. basis. Generally one to two records,
December. Singles are usually recorded. occasionally up to five records a year.
Analysis of 28 records between 1986 and Most records are from November to March,
2009 shows that the Great Skua appeared especially in January. Most records consist
most frequently in winter with a total of 18 Laridae of first year birds.
sightings (7 in December, 2 in January, 9 During the period 1980 to 2009, a total of
in February), but there were 8 sightings 57 birds were recorded, mostly in winter.
in spring (6 in March, 2 in April). Autumn Sabine’s Gull December produced a grand total of 11
produced 2 sightings (10th November 1990 Xema sabini records over four years, with monthly
and 24th November 2001). Gawwija tat-Tandra counts ranging from 1 to 4 birds over six
There were 9 sightings in 2009: 1 on 9th dates between the 6th and the 26th.
and 10th February at St Elmo Point; 1 off The two records being given here are the January sightings amounted to 12 over
G˙ar Lapsi on 13th, 14th and 22nd February; first records for Malta, hence the bird is six years, with monthly counts ranging
and 1 on 11th March off Çirkewwa; on 25th a vagrant. The first record of this species from 1 to 4 birds over 10 dates between
October and 1 on 17th December, both was identified by Joe Baldacchino, who the 1st and the 29th. With 18 sightings, the
off Pembroke. As some of these sightings was shown a specimen of “a gull with February grand total was the highest. The
are very close to each other, it is quite a forked tail like a tern” by a fisherman. years 2003, 2007 and 2008 produced
possible that some of the sightings, if not The fisherman in question lent it to Mr 5 sightings between them. However,
all, involved the same bird. Baldacchino so that its identity could be February 2009 was exceptional with 13
confirmed. The bird in question was a first sightings between the 10th and the 28th,
year bird that was taken in October 2000 at with daily counts ranging from 1 to 4 birds.
Marsascala. Spring records totalled 7 sightings: 1 on
It was later learnt that another Sabine’s 2nd March 1984 (taxidermist logbook) and
Gull, also a first year bird, had been 6 in March 2009 (1 on the 8th; 2 on the 9th;
taken in the last week of September 2007 3 on the 11th). The 3 birds recorded on 11th
about 5 km off Marsaxlokk. There is one March 2009 were adults and they were
record of a Sabine’s Gull from Algeria on seen following a trawler together with over
3rd February 1984. The bird was noted 200 Cory’s Shearwaters.
following a storm in the Mediterranean and Autumn sightings were recorded in
winds from the west (Isenmann et al. 2000). October (1 on 14th October 1980; 1 on
The Sabine’s Gull breeds in the arctic and 25th October 2001) and November (1
has a circumpolar distribution through on 3rd November 2006; 1 on 13th, 23rd,
northernmost North America and Eurasia. 25th November 2007 and on 9th and 24th
It migrates south in autumn; most of the November 2009. Winter 2009 produced
population winters at sea in the Pacific off the following sightings, 1 on 5th, 6th, 10th and
Sabine’s Gull
western South America, while Greenland 16th December.
Black-legged Kittiwake Slender-billed Gull
Slender-billed Gull on the 18th and 3 on the 19th. October was in February between the 3rd and 20th. The
Chroicocephalus genei the highlight of the year with a total of 13 only spring record was of 9 birds on 1st May
Gawwija Munqarha Rqiq sightings: 11 on the 8th (including a flock of at G˙adira. In summer, a flock of 9 birds
6); 1 on the 14th and 19th respectively. The was seen on 11th July off Ta’ Fra Ben. In
Gauia 13, Gawwija 14, Gawwija roΩa 17, 18
, year closed with 1 record on 2nd November. September 2009, several singles and twos
Gawwija Munqarha Rqiq 19. Winter 2007 produced few sightings: 1 but 4 on the 8th and 6 on 26th September
on 3rd January; 1 on 8th and 17th February at Qawra and 5 off St Elmo Point on 18th
A scarce visitor, recorded in all months, but respectively. However, on 29th March a flock October and 5 off Qawra on 31st October
mostly seen from late July to March and a of 28 birds was seen circling just off the bay and 1 at Pembroke on 4th November.
few in December. usually seen singly but at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a. Other spring sightings A Slender-billed Gull ringed in Tendra
small parties of about 25 birds occur. It is were: 1 on 30th March and 2 on 22nd April. Bay, ukraine in June 1980 was shot in
probable that more sightings of this bird are An adult seen on 30th and 31st July at Salina Malta in December of the same year. Other
being recorded because of intensification of and off Pembroke respectively could have birds recovered in Malta have been ringed
sea-bird watching. In taxidermists’ records, been the same bird. August produced 11 in Tunisia. The Slender-billed Gull breeds
there were the following entries, but no records over five days between the 3rd and very locally around the Mediterranean and
localities were given: 1 in autumn 1962 in the 18th, with the highest count of 5 on the the north of the western Indian Ocean. Most
Gozo; 1 on 6th April 1982; 1 on 16th June 3rd, 3 on the 4th and then single birds. Other of the population is somewhat migratory,
1985; 1 on 10th December 1985. Analysis of autumn sightings occurred in September wintering further south to North Africa and
sightings between 2005 and 2009 shows that (1 on the 8th), in October (2 on the 18th) and India, and a few birds have wandered to
the highest frequency distribution occurred in November (2 on the 10th, 1 on the 13th, 2 Western Europe.
in October (total 97 records for the period) on the 25th).
and March (total 46 records for the period). The next sightings occurred in February
Sightings between 2005 and 2009 were 2008. A total of 15 birds were seen over Black-headed Gull
recorded over one to eight dates per month. eight days between the 3rd and 26th, with Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Migration in 2005 started in August with multiple sightings occurring on the 11th (5 Gawwija Rasha Kannella
1 sighting on the 7th and 2 on the 15th. birds) and the 26th (4 birds). The first spring
September produced 8 sightings over four migrants arrived in April: 8 on the 11th and Gavvi, gavvia, gavviyt, Geviae 7, Gauia8,
days between the 1st and the 22nd, with the 2 on the 13th. May produced 1 record on Gauia rasa seuda 10, Gauia ta rasa
highest daily count being of 5 birds on the the 1st. Summer visitors occurred in July hamrania12, Gauia rasha seuda13, Gawwija
1st at Delimara. The highest monthly count (an adult on the 25th) and in August (1 on rasha sewda14, Gawwja rasa seuda
was recorded in October with a total of 10 the 2nd, 4 on the 3rd, 2 on the 11th). Autumn seconda 15, Gawwija 17, Gawwija Rasha
birds: 1 on the 6th; 2 on the 16th; 7 on the 18th. migration opened with 1 sighting on 21st Kannella 18, 19.
November produced a total of 4 sightings: September. October was a remarkable
3 on the 7th; 1 on the 13th. 0A total of 6 birds month with a high total of 66 sightings over The most common gull that one sees
was recorded in December: 3 (an adult five days between the 11th and the 24th. in creeks and harbours and around the
and two immatures) at G˙adira Reserve on There was a marked passage on the 11th coast in late autumn and winter and early
the 18th, all of which died within a few days; October, with 38, including flocks of 4 and spring. Though the bird can be seen from
1 on 23rd; 2 on the 26th. There were only 2 13 (2 adults and 11 juveniles) at St Elmo late September to mid-April, most are seen
sightings in winter 2006: 1 on 14th January Point, followed by 20 on the 12th October at between November and February. Single
and 1 on 28 February. March produced Qawra. Other records in October were: 4 birds are sometimes seen even in summer.
a total of 7 records on four days between on the 19th and 2 on the 24th. A sighting of 5 Gulls tend to congregate in the Grand
the 2nd and the 31st, with the highest count birds was recorded on 10th November. The Harbour area, and in the Msida and Sliema
being of 4 on the 26th. In April there was year closed with 2 December records: a Creeks, especially with strong winds. up to
only 1 sighting on the 22nd. There were 7 juvenile on the 21st and an adult on the 31st. 3,000 birds have been noted on particular
sightings in August: 2 on the 8th; 1 on the The first sightings in 2009 occurred in days in such areas in the past, but smaller
11th; 3 on the 12th; 1 on the 25th. Autumn January: 1 on the 4th and 3 on the 14th. numbers are being recorded nowadays,
started with 6 sightings in September: 3 Then there were 4 sightings over four days with counts rarely exceeding 800 birds.
Black-headed Gull Slender-billed Gull
Exceptional counts were recorded on 21st Gulls. Black-headed Gulls arrived from a birds, whereas during the first three weeks
February 2010, when 1,700 were counted north-easterly direction, soared to great of February weekly totals ranged from 500
migrating off Rinella, were another 800 birds heights then moved towards the southeast. to 550 birds. Numbers started decreasing
were counted on the previous day. Around Significant numbers were still evident until from the last week of February onwards.
1,000 birds, such as on 28th January 2007. mid-February, with 800 on the 4th at St Elmo In spring, regular sightings stopped after
Birds tend to roost on boats and yachts in Point and 800 on the 11th at Rinella. Numbers mid-March.
harbours and on very windy days many take dwindled towards late February with just 250 Black-headed Gulls ringed in Finland,
shelter at the Marsa Sports Ground. seen at Rinella in the afternoon on the 25th. Latvia, uSSR, Poland, Hungary,
Recent unusual sightings recorded in Significant autumn sightings for 2007 Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic, Germany
summer are: singles at Salina on 11th June were recorded in the last week of October and France have been recovered in Malta.
2005 and off Marsascala on 24th August 2005; with a total of 240 birds, mostly from the The Black-headed Gull breeds in much
3 immature birds on the Breakwater at Valletta Grand Harbour area. November produced of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal
on 29th August 2006; an adult at G˙adira on more frequent sightings with weekly eastern Canada. Most of the population is
27th July 2007; a juvenile at is-Simar on 28th totals ranging from 90 to 220 birds. As migratory, wintering further south, but some
July 2007; an adult at Salina on 22nd June winter approached, numbers continued birds in the milder westernmost areas of
2008; 4 adult birds at the Valletta Breakwater to increase with December weekly totals Europe are resident. Some birds will also
in between 18th and 23rd July 2008; an adult in ranging from 260 to 450 birds, with the spend the winter in north-eastern North
winter plumage and a second year bird at St highest count being of 400 birds on the 31st America, where it was formerly known as
Elmo Point on 17th August 2008; and an adult December at St Elmo Point. the Common Black-headed Gull.
in summer plumage at Salina between 21st Winter sightings continued in January
and 23rd June 2009. However, it is pertinent 2008, with significant numbers recorded
to note that this gull starts arriving in Tunisia during the month. Weekly counts ranged Little Gull
from July onwards, where tens of thousands from 300 to 850 birds. February numbers Hydrocoloeus minutus
congregate for the winter (Isenmann et al. were somewhat lower, with sightings Gawwija Ûg˙ira
2005). In Sicily too, this gull starts arriving in trailing off completely during the third
small numbers in July (Iapichino and Massa week. Weekly counts ranged from 400 to Cirleua 8, Gauia 10, 12, Gauia zghira 11
,
1989). Corso (2005) states that in Sicily, the 550 birds. Cerleua12, Gauia zgheira 12, 13, Cirlweea 14
,
early arrivals are mostly birds in fresh juvenile Spring sightings were restricted to Çirlewwa 16, Gawwija Ûg˙ira 16-19.
plumage and some start arriving as early as the first week of March, with a total of
the third week of June, followed by the adults 260 birds recorded. The next sightings Formerly a scarce bird in winter, it is now a
with many still in summer plumage. in 2008 occurred in October, with very very scarce and irregular visitor seen from
Analysis of sightings from winter 2006 to small numbers recorded, with weekly September to mid-April, most birds being
spring 2009 shows some marked passages totals ranging from 4 to a maximum of seen between December and February.
and movements. On 31st December 2006, 35 birds. There were virtually no records Single birds are usually seen, but up to
400 at Fort St Elmo when flocks of 20 to 40 in November until the last week when 5 in a day may be seen occasionally. In
birds were noted soaring and moving in a numbers increased to 270. December winter of 1970-71, an exceptional number
south-easterly direction. brought further increases in numbers with of 50 were seen regularly from December
In January 2007 there was a marked weekly totals ranging from 220 birds to to January (Sultana and Gauci 1982). Joe
passage on the 28th when Michael Sammut maximum 450 birds. Vella Gaffiero informed me of a record of
observed over 1,000 birds migrating at In 2009, numbers continued to augment a bird on 9th January 1976 at Marsascala.
St Elmo Point between 07.15 and 08.15, until the third week of February. Weekly In 2005, 21 were seen on 2nd October
together with flocks of Yellow-legged totals in January ranged from 340 to 555 at Delimara. In 2006, one was seen at
Little Gull Black-headed Gull
Çirkewwa on 11th February, an immature The bird was first noted by Michael There were also two records in Senegal,
bird was seen at the Grand Harbour on 12th Sammut on 1st September in the afternoon the latest of which was an adult on 18th
February, another bird at Xemxija Bay on and it was seen again on the following March 1985 in Parc National du Sine-
14th February and a single bird at Qawra morning, when it was seen with a mixed Saloum and another two records, involving
on 26th February. flock of Yellow-legged Gulls, Audouin’s three birds, in Gambia in April 1981 and
Sightings in 2008 consisted of an adult Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Mediterranean a first-winter bird on 27th February 1984
on 6th January at Rinella, 2 at Xemxija on Gulls, and a single Lesser Black-backed (Erard et al. 1984, Gambia Ornithological
25th and 26th January, another off Rinella on Gull (Fenech 2007d). Society 1986).
8th February, 1 at G˙adira on 17th February The bird was described by Sammut as An adult was found in bad condition 2nd
and 3 off Qawra on 9th March. In 2009, a first having a particularly buoyant flight, more August 2006 at Racó de l’Olla, l’Albufera
winter bird was at Rinella on 10th January, reminiscent of a tern than a gull. The dark de Valencia, in Spain and released back
an adult at G˙adira on 12th January, a first grey back and wings with black flight after recovery on 19th September 2006.
winter bird at Rinella on 28th January, an feathers and a contrasting large white It was last recorded on 7th January 2007.
adult at St Elmo Point on 1st February, and rump were clearly visible in flight. When it Another adult was seen on 31st August
an adult on 8th February at Rinella. alighted, the whitish chin and throat con- 2007 at Loowaard, Duiven, Gelderland,
The Little Gull breeds in northern Europe trasted with the dusky breast and head The Netherlands.
and Asia. There also are small colonies in with darker ‘mask’. The three bird watch-
parts of northern Canada. It is migratory, ers present reported seeing the distinctive
wintering on coasts in Western Europe and profile with a black, heavy, drooping bill Mediterranean Gull
the Mediterranean. and attenuated rear end resulting from Larus melanocephalus
long wings, when the bird settled on the Gawwija Rasha Sewda
breakwater. The bird was also seen be-
Laughing Gull having like a skua, chasing the bigger Gauia 8-11, Gauia ta rasa seuda 12, 13,
Larus atricilla gulls, flying on long, agile wings, giving it Gawwija Rasha Sewda 14, 15, 18, 19, Gawwija
Gawwija Amerikana the appearance of a tern. 16, 17
.
The Laughing Gull has become a regular
This record being given here is a first vagrant to Europe in recent years and has Fairly common late autumn and winter
record for Malta. A second year bird was been recorded along Europe’s Atlantic visitor. It can be seen from September to
seen on 1st and 2nd September 2007 at the coast and in the Mediterranean as far as March, occasionally in April, and August,
Grand Harbour, Valletta. Greece. Among other countries, it has also with most occurring between November
been recorded in the uK, The Netherlands, and February. An annual migration offshore
Austria, Denmark and Hungary. has been noted in November and early
The Laughing Gull breeds on the Atlantic December and a return passage occurs
coast of North America, the Caribbean, in late January and February. From mid-
southern California and northern South January to mid-February, Mediterranean
America. Northernmost populations Gulls tend to gather off the Rinella sewage
migrate further south in winter, and this outfall to feed, together with Black-headed
species occurs as a rare vagrant to western Gulls and Yellow-legged Gulls. up to 400
Europe, although there was a large influx birds, have been counted, but over 600
into northwest Europe in late October 2005 were counted on 11th February 2007. The
Laughing Gull when there were between 18 and 35 in one highest number was recorded on 20th
day in the uK alone. February 2010 off Rinella, when over 1,600
otherwise stated, from St Elmo Point: a Grand Harbour on 15th August. A strong
single bird on 31st July at Salina, an adult passage occoured on 12th December 2009
and a first year bird on 1st September, a off Rinella, where over 450 where counted
juvenile on 3rd September, over 100 on 28th on migration.
October, over 120 on 2nd November, over Several Mediterranean Gulls ringed in
300 on 4th November, over 400 at St. Elmo Tendra Bay and Smalenyi Island in the
Point on 9th November and over 500 on the ukraine have been recovered in Malta.
following day. Over 150 at Delimara and The Mediterranean Gull breeds almost
over 250 at St Elmo Point on 10th November. entirely in Europe, mainly in the south
Over 600 seen in a continuous passage east, especially around the Black Sea,
of small flocks at Qawra, but over 200 and in central Turkey. There are colonies
were seen circling over is-Simar Reserve elsewhere in southern Europe, and this
and over 200 in a single flock over Luqa species has undergone a dramatic range
Airport on 11th November. Over 300 on 12th expansion in recent decades, colonising
November at St Elmo Point and over 120 parts of southern and eastern England
on 25th November, again at St Elmo Point. over the past few years. In winter, it
A constant passage of small flocks with migrates to Mediterranean and Atlantic
over 150 birds was noted in the morning coasts.
at St Elmo Point on 13th December while Mediterranean Gulls are known to live up
150 were seen at St Elmo Point on 31st to 22 years (Roland Staav pers. comm.).
December 2007.
In 2008, at Rinella in January 2008, over
Mediterranean Gull 300 on the 1st, over 350 on the 2nd, over Audouin’s Gull
100 on the 6th, over 200 on the 12th, over Larus audouinii
birds were counted, and over 500 on the 150 on the 13th January, over 80 at St Elmo Gawwija tal-GΩejjer
following day. Point on 27th and over 120 at Rinella on
Observations have shown that though 28th. In February, over 200 on the 4th at In the past considered as a vagrant, but
Mediterranean Gulls are often seen with St Elmo Point and a continuous passage it is now recorded annually in increasing
Black-headed Gulls, they seldom venture with over 600 counted off Rinella on the numbers. It has occurred in all months
into harbours to roost with most staying 11th. Michael Sammut, who carried out of the year, with highest frequency in
out at sea. This is further supported by the observations, noted that most flocks August.
observations early in the morning, when were of 10 to 20 birds with the largest flock The Audouin’s Gull is restricted to the
no such gulls are seen flying out of the being of 30 birds. The ratio was 90 per Mediterranean and the western coast of
roosting sites in the harbours (Sammut and cent adults and second winter birds while Saharan Africa. In the late 1960s, this
Azzopardi in. prep.) ten per cent were first winter birds. Only was one of the world’s rarest gulls, with
Sultana and Gauci (1982) stated that 30 were counted at Rinella on the 18th and a population of only 1,000 pairs. It has
large numbers involving around 600 birds over 150 were counted on 25th February. established new colonies, but remains
can be seen at the Grand Harbour area with Highest counts in December were over 150 rare with a population of about 18,000
strong winds in winter, but fewer numbers at Pembroke on the 12th, over 250 at Rinella pairs. Being a specialist fish eater, it rarely
have been recorded in recent years. In on the 13th and over 150 (including a flock scavenges and is strictly coastal and
2005, a passage involving over 150 birds of 58 moving NW) at St Elmo Point on 21st pelagic.
was observed on 27th November at St Elmo December. Formerly, there were few documented
Point and again over 100 were seen at St In January 2009, over 100 on the 3rd, records in various months, but as
Elmo Point on 4th December 2005 while over 150 on the 11th, over 400 on the 23rd, the population of this gull increased,
over 30 were counted on 17th December at over 250 on the 25th, over 300 on the 28th, combined with a rise in seabird watching
Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq. Over 120, including two all off Rinella. An influx on 1st February with activities, this bird is being recorded
large flocks (48, 56) were seen soaring to over 300 at St Elmo Point in the morning more frequently and in higher numbers.
a high altitude before heading in a south- and over 750 birds, with flocks moving in Analysis of records between 2001 and
easterly direction, at St Elmo Point on 31st from the northeast and forming two rafts, 2009 helps show the dramatic increase in
December 2006. many leaving heading north, at Rinella in the sightings of this species. The highest
In 2007, around 50 on 27th January, over the afternoon. yearly total of 192 sightings was recorded
80 on 28th January and over 200 on 4th Some 50 off St Elmo Point on 3rd February, in 2007.
February at Fort St Elmo. Over 600 seen over 200 at St Elmo Point on 7th February Highest counts were recorded in
during a continuous passage, mostly in and over 250 on 8th February at Rinella. August. In 2005, a total of 19 sightings
flocks of 10 - 30 birds, some 90 per cent Over 300 on 9th February and over 250 at were recorded over 10 dates between the
of which were adults and second winter St Elmo Point on 10th February; over 500 5th and the 30th August, with daily counts
birds and 10 per cent first winter birds at Rinella on 14th February, over 600 at St ranging from 1 to a maximum of 6 birds.
were seen on 11th February off Rinella by Elmo Point and at Rinella on 15th February, In 2006, August produced a total of 32
Michael Sammut. Over 150 at Rinella in the over 400 at St Elmo Point on 20th February, birds, over 11 days between the 6th and
afternoon on 25th February. over 90 at St Elmo Point on 5th March, 30th, almost all with multiple sightings.
Several sightings in late summer, autumn over 200 off Rinella on 8th March. The first The highest count was of 9 birds on the
and winter, with most records, unless ‘autumn’ record was of an adult at the 13th, which included 8 in the Malta-Gozo
Channel. Other daily counts ranged from 1

to 4 birds. In August 2007 there was a total
of 42 records over eight dates between
the 3rd and the 26th, almost all with multiple
sightings. There was evident migration in
mid-August with several high counts on
several days: 11 juveniles on the 12th; 9 on
the 16th; 7 juveniles on the 18th; 9 juveniles
on 19th. Other August records were: 1 on
the 3rd, 11th, and 25th respectively, and 4
on the 26th. August 2008 was marked with
several single records totalling 12 birds
over nine dates between the 7th and the
28th. Sightings in August 2009, apart from
singles on several dates, consisted of 12
birds (including a flock of 8) that were seen
on the 5th and 6 on the 11th. September
also produced high counts. In 2005 there
were 19 records over 10 dates from the
1st to the 29th, mostly of single birds. The
highest September count of 50 birds was
recorded in 2007 over six dates between Audouin’s Gull
the 1st and the 30th. All involved multiple
sightings except the 30th: 5 juveniles on the and 2009. Monthly totals range from 1 to Pallas’s Gull
1st; 7 juveniles on the 2nd; 12 on the 3rd; 15 4 birds over four dates from the 3rd to the Larus ichthyaetus
juveniles on the 8th; 9 juveniles and a 2nd 25th. Total February sightings amounted to Gawwija Imperjali
year bird on 9th. September 2008 produced 12 over the period 2001-2009.
18 records over six dates between the 14th Spring sightings occurred mainly in March, Vagrant. Previously known as Great Black-
and the 28th, mostly multiple sightings. The with a grand total of 17 records. The highest headed Gull. Before publication of this
most significant were: 5 birds (1st winter) monthly total of 6 birds was recorded in book, only two records existed, of a bird
on the 16th; 2 birds (1st winter) and 3 adults March 2009 over four dates between the taken on a fish hook off Beng˙isa on 11th
on the 20th; an adult and 3 juveniles on the 5th and the 21st. Only 2 sightings have been March 1909 (Despott 1917) and another
21st. recorded in April: 1 on 6th April 2003 and 1 in January 1999 (Sultana 2001). The latter
October was also a significant month on 14th April 2008. A unique record was of a record is incomplete and refers to the
for sightings, with the highest count sighting on 9th May 2008. sighting of a first winter bird at the Grand
being 18 birds in 2007 over four dates. There have been several interesting Harbour on 17th January 1999 by Michael
The most notable records were 7 records in summer: 1 on 2nd July 2005; Sammut. Ironically, although the sighting
juveniles on the 18 th and 9 juveniles on 4 in July 2007 (1 on the 5th and 29th was refused by the local Rarities Committee,
19th. Other records were of single birds respectively; 2 on the 30th); July 2008 (1 Sultana including it without details in his
on the 7 th and 28 th respectively. In other on the 22nd, 23rd and 25th respectively); work of 2001. New records are being listed
years, October monthly totals ranged and 1 on 28th July 2009. here. One shot in Gozo in spring 1978; Joe
from 1 to 4 birds. Birds of all ages are seen. However, the Vella Gaffiero informed me of another taken
November produced modest sightings consistent appearance of first year birds in on 27th March 1987 at Xlendi, Gozo; one
with monthly totals ranging from 1 to 4 the summer and autumn seems to suggest shot off Beng˙isa in March 1990. Michael
birds except in 2007 when 7 birds were the possibility of a colony close to the Sammut provided the following records: two
recorded between the 10th and the 25th. Maltese Islands. Observations were mostly adults at the Grand Harbour on 7th January
December sighting patterns are rather carried out from St Elmo Point on the west 1989; an adult off Qawra on 29th December
irregular, but with occasional high counts. side of Grand Harbour, Qawra, Pembroke, 2001; another adult on 26th January 2002; at
The highest December monthly total G˙allis, and Beng˙isa. the Grand Harbour.
of 12 birds was recorded in 2008 over up to now, this gull has been known in A first winter bird was seen by Michael
eight dates between the 4th and the 30th, Maltese as Gawwija Geddumha A˙mar, Sammut and Joseph Grech at St Elmo Point
with daily counts ranging from 1 to 3 meaning Red-chinned Gull. The Maltese on 21st January 2006 and the same bird
birds. A total of 26 birds were recorded name given here (suggested by John was seen again at Rinella on the following
during the period being analysed, mostly Azzopardi and meaning ‘island gull’) is day. In 2007, a first winter bird was seen
single records. Outside the period being considered to be a better description of at St Elmo Point on 28th October, making it
analysed, 9 sightings were recorded on the this gull that nests exclusively on offshore the first autumn record. The same bird was
22nd December 2001. Mediterranean islands. Audouin’s Gulls seen again on 11th November and on 17th
Other winter sightings have been nest on islands in very small colonies, often and 18th November at St Elmo Point.
recorded in January (1 in 2007 and 2009 near Yellow-legged Gulls. The colonies The Pallas’s Gull breeds in marshes
respectively), and February. February closest to the Maltese Islands are those from southern Russia and the Black Sea to
sightings are more regular: there were on islands of Zembra, Galite, and Fratelli Mongolia. It is migratory and small numbers
sightings every year in 2006, 2007, 2008, Islands, off Tunisia. winter in the Mediterranean, particularly in
Herring Gull
Common Gull
the east. In recent years it has occurred Marsascala on 7th April and a first winter bird Sea. The race graellsii occurs in Iceland,
more regularly in the central Mediterranean at Pembroke on 23rd December. In 2007, a Britain, Ireland, France and north-west
and it has been recorded in Libya, Tunisia first winter bird at St Elmo Point on 27th, then Spain. It is the most common race seen in
and Sicily where a few individuals winter at Rinella and St Elmo Point on 28th January Malta, followed by the race intermedius,
regularly at Lentini. was probably the same bird. A second winter which is found in northwest Europe and
bird was seen at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 22nd southern Scandinavia.
October 2007. A bird most probably belonging to
Common Gull In 2008, a first winter bird at Rinella on the heuglini subspecies has also been
Larus canus 12th January; 1 at G˙adira on 26th January; recently seen in a local collection. Larus
Gawwija Sekonda a first winter bird on 27th and 28th January fuscus heuglini occurs in the southern
at St Elmo Point and Rinella respectively; Kola Peninsula to Yenisey River in central
Gauia 8, Gauia komuni 10, Gauia ta sakaigha a second winter bird on 24th October at Russia. A bird taken 31st March 1980 at
cohol12, Gauia ta sieka ca˙la13, Gawwija Pembroke; a first a first winter bird off St Elmo Qawra could be the first record for Malta
comuni14, Gawwja tas-sigiar 15, Gawwija 16, Point on 29th November; a second winter of this subspecies. The bird is preserved
17
, Gawwija ta’ saqajha ka˙la 18, Gawwija bird on 14th December at St Elmo Point; and in the private collection of Sammy Borg, at
Sekonda 19. an adult at St Elmo Point on 21st December. Birkirkara. Though plumage characteristics
In 2009, singles at Rinella on 18th and 28th indicate it is probably a heuglini, one
Previously considered as a vagrant, with January, (the latter being a first winter bird); cannot be entirely sure because one has
only three documented records (Sultana 1 on 15th October at St Paul’s Islands; an to see such birds alive to see their posture
and Gauci 1983), this species can now adult off Rinella on 24th October; and 1 at and general appearance, which can easily
be considered as rare but almost annual Pembroke on 4th November. The Common be changed in stuffed and mounted birds.
visitor as it has been recorded more Gull breeds in northern Asia, northern The live bird had attracted Sammy’s
frequently in recent years. Most records Europe and north-western North America. attention because it appeared unusual and
are in December and January, but some It migrates further south in winter. different from the more familiar gulls seen in
occur in November and February, with a Malta. Its measurements are the following:
recent single record on 2nd April 2010 off Wing 431mm, tarsus 65mm, depth of bill at
Ûonqor Point, the latest ever recorded so Lesser Black-backed Gull gony 18mm, depth of bill at base 17.5mm,
far. Larus fuscus tip of bill to start of feathers 50mm.
The first record was given by Wright Gawwija Daharha Iswed The Lesser Black-backed Gull starts
(1874) who listed a bird on 18th December appearing in Maltese waters during the
1865. Then there were two other records, Gauia8, 10, 11, Gauia ta sakaigha sofor12, late summer. There were 4 records in July
one at Marsascala in November 1937 Gauia ta sieka safra13, Gawwija14, 15, (2 in 2007 and 2 in 2009), on two dates
and another near Delimara on 19th Gawwija sekonda, Gawwija daharha between the 12th and the 18th. August
January 1974. A bird noted in a collection iswed16, 17, Gawwija Daharha Iswed18, 19. produced a total of 10 sightings (1 in 2005
recently was shot on 14th February 1971 and 2006 respectively; 5 in 2007; 3 in
at l-A˙rieq, limits of BirΩebbu©a. A bird Fairly common visitor from late July to April. 2008), on one to four dates between the
found in a collection at Marsaxlokk was Sammut and Azzopardi (in prep) state that 10th and the 29th, with daily counts ranging
shot at il-Mag˙luq, Marsaxlokk on 25th most are seen in September and March, from 1 to 2 birds.
December 1993. In 1996, 1 stayed at whereas previous authors erroneously The peak migration period of this gull
G˙adira Reserve from mid-January to mid- recorded that it appears from December occurs in September. Analysis of records
February. Another on 4th January 1998 at to April, completely omitting the peak between 2005 and 2009 shows a total
St. Elmo Point. migration period. count of over 80 birds in September, with
One was seen on 23rd December 2002 at The races Larus fuscus fuscus, monthly counts ranging from 12 to 32 birds.
Qawra. In 2005, a second winter bird was Larus fuscus graellsii and Larus fuscus The highest September count of 32
seen on 27th November at Qawra and a first intermedius have occurred. The nominate birds was recorded in 2005 over 11
winter bird was seen off St Elmo Point on 11th race fuscus is the least common in Malta. It dates between the 5th and the 29th, with
December. Other records are of a first winter occurs in northern Norway and Sweden to daily counts ranging from 1 to 3 birds.
bird seen at Rinella on 15th January 2006, 1 at western Kola Peninsula and western White However, a total of 9 birds were recorded
Lesser Black-backed Gull - Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull - First year bird
on the 21st. In September 2007 there was a adult and a first winter bird), and 3 adult Herring Gull can survive for very log.
concentration of sightings over five dates: graellsii or intermedius. Other sightings A Dutch one lived 31 years 11 months,
1 on the 1st; 4 on the 2nd; 5 on the 8th; 6 on were an adult graellsii/intermedius and and a Finnish one 32 years and 1 month
the 9th; 5 on the 30th. Other notable records a first winter off Rinella and 2 first winter (Staav, 1998, 2001).
were of 5 birds on 17th September 2006 birds off Delimara on the 8th. The only
and 7 birds on 20 September 2008. Other April record was of 1 bird off Qawra on
September daily counts ranged from 1 to 3 12th April 2009. Yellow-legged Gull
sightings over six to seven dates. Most observations were conducted from Larus michahellis
Autumn migration continues in October the Grand Harbour area, as well as Qawra, Gawwija Prima
and November, but with much less Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq, and Pembroke. Birds
intensity. October produced a total of 12 ringed in Norway, Finland, Sweden and Gauia baida 13, Gawwja prima 15-17, 19,
records in all (5 in 2005; 2 in 2006; 4 in Denmark have been recovered in Malta. Gawwija Ba˙rija 20.
2007; 3 in 2008), over seven dates between
the 2nd and the 28th, with daily counts Resident bird that breeds in inaccessible
ranging between 1 and 3 birds. November Herring Gull cliffs at Dingli in Malta, Ta’ Çenç and
produced similar counts, with a total of 13 Larus argentatus Wardija Point in Gozo, and Filfla. The local
sightings (1 in 2005; 1 in 2006; 10 in 2007; Gawwija Prima Saqajha RoΩa population is augmented by winter visitors
3 in 2008) over eight dates between the 3rd from November to February, with most
and the 30th, with daily counts ranging from Gauia 8, 10, 12, Gauja 9, Gauia prima 11, birds arriving in November and December.
1 to 5 birds. Gawwija prima 18, Gawwija Prima Saqajha Flocks of between 50 and 200 birds are
The first winter sightings were recorded RoΩa 19. often observed on migration offshore,
in December, which produced a grand especially close to fish farms.
total of 30 birds (6 in 2005; 3 in 2006; Vagrant in winter. It is very similar to the Migrating flocks may soar to great
8 in 2007; 13 in 2008), over 15 dates commoner Yellow-legged Gull, but has heights before moving off, and may also
between the 4th and the 31st, with daily pink legs. It is only recently that the Herring fly over land. In late spring and summer
counts ranging from 1 to 2 birds. Winter Gull and the Yellow-Legged Gull have been 2009, flocks ranging between 80 and over
sightings continued in January with a total determined as separate species, and older 150 birds could be seen daily on G˙allis
of 14 birds (5 in 2008; 9 in 2009), over ornithological works refer to the Herring Gull Rocks at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq and flying over
nine dates between the 1st and the 30th, as a breeding bird in Malta. It is a bird of the the rubbish dump at Mag˙tab.
with daily counts ranging from 1 to 4 birds. North Atlantic and any occurrences in the The breeding birds start congregating at
The only sightings recorded in February central Mediterranean are accidental. The the colonies in January. Two to three eggs
were 1 bird in 2006 and 17 birds in 2009. Herring Gull breeds across North America, are laid from late March to early April in a
In February 2009, 4 birds were recorded Europe and Asia. Some Herring Gulls, crude nest on cliff edges, or on the ground
daily between the 1st and the 7th, then 2 on especially those resident in colder areas, on the plateau at Filfla. The eggs are olive
the 8th, 4 on the 14th, 5 on the 15th, and 2 migrate further south in winter, but many are grey and heavily blotched with shades of
on the 20th. permanent residents. dark brown.
March marked the peak spring migration, The first record, of a bird found entangled By the end of May, some of the young are
with a grand total of 26 sightings recorded. in barbed wire at Mellie˙a Bay on 24th ready to fledge. Horse-Mackerel (Trachurus
Several birds were seen in 2006 between December 1935, was given by Baldacchino trachurus), Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis),
the 1st and the 27th. In 2007, 5 birds were (1935-35). An adult was found injured at Goose Barnacles (Lepas anatifera) are
seen over four dates between the 23rd and the Grand Harbour and was released at among the marine food items identified
the 31st. March 2008 produced 7 sightings G˙adira in October 1985. Recent records in pellets from Filfla. Remains of Storm
over five dates between the 22nd to the 31st. include: an immature on 28th December Petrels were found in 4 out of 11 pellets
In 2009 Michael Sammut saw all three 1997; an adult on 26th December 1999 at analysed. Remains of Spanish Sparrows,
subspecies on 5th March. These comprised Qawra; and a first winter bird at St Elmo Starling, Collared Flycatcher, Moorhen,
2 adult fuscus, and 3 intermedius (2 adults Point on 18th January 2003. A bird ringed in Bee-eater, Tree Pipit, Phylloscopus sp.
and a first winter bird) off Pembroke; 5 Denmark in June 1974 was shot in Malta in and Phoenicurus sp. were also found in the
off St Elmo Point including 2 graellsii (an November of the same year. pellets.
Yellow-legged Gull Greater Black-backed Gull
Most of the birds taken would be tired driving them away from other colonies year at Homs, Libya. Another young bird
or weak migrants, though the gulls were around the coast of the Maltese Islands. As ringed in the nest at Filfla in May 1988 was
noted as being active on moonlight nights the hunting season from seacraft has now found dead at Catanzaro, Italy in May 1989.
when Storm Petrels are very numerous. been reduced to between October and A pullus ringed at Filfla on 1st June 1992 was
Remains of beetles were also found in the the end of January, this kind of pressure is found dead at Simeto, in Catania, Sicily 27
pellets (Borg and Cachia Zammit 1986). likely to ease over time. days later. Another pullus ringed at Filfla
While adults have silver grey wings with The idea of culling Yellow-legged Gulls in May 1994 was shot at Syracuse, Sicily
black tips, white bodies and yellow beaks on Filfla has been floated from time to time, in August of the same year. A bird ringed
and legs, first year and immature birds are as it is feared that these could be affecting in Tunisia in 1970 was recovered in Malta
dull mottled brown in colour. the breeding population of Storm Petrels. It two years later. This is listed as a Herring
The numbers of breeding Yellow-legged is indeed baffling that the Malta Breeding Gull, as the Yellow-legged race was still
Gull have declined sharply in recent years, Bird Atlas 2008 (Raine et al. 2008) states considered as a subspecies of the Herring
mostly due to shooting (Sultana 1989). A that Yellow-legged Gulls living on the lower Gull at the time.
number of young used to be taken from slopes of Filfla, are known to predate on
nests, mostly by fishermen who climb down Storm Petrels, when gulls breed even on
sea cliffs for fishing purposes. But the the upper plateau and it would be strange Caspian Gull
taking of individual chicks from the nests if the gulls living on the upper part also do Larus cachinnans
is not a determining factor in the decline in not take Storm Petrels. Gawwija tal-Kaspju
population as the practice of taking chicks But then, the same publication gives the
is not widespread. This decrease is more number of Storm Petrel breeding pairs This gull was until recently considered as
likely to be due to increased hunting from as between 5,000 to 8,000, which is an the eastern race of the Yellow-legged Gull,
seacraft, which is also one of the reasons increase over previous estimates. So in but has now been declared as a distinct
blamed for the decline in shearwaters and spite of predation by gulls, their population species. The Caspian Gull has several
other breeding birds. seems to be increasing. features that distinguish it from Yellow-
The decline in number of breeding gulls The removal of natural predators is legged Gulls, such as a structure, shape of
was noted at Ta’ Çenç Cliffs, Gozo where seldom a good idea unless studies are the head, shade and wing pattern as well
80-100 pairs were estimated to breed up conducted beforehand and the targeted as colour of the bare parts.
to the early 1970s (Sultana et al. 1975). By species are impacting the population of The Caspian Gull occurs in small
1976 only some 50 adults were counted in endangered species. It is a known fact that numbers between November and March.
April-May (Sultana and Gauci 1982), while predators take weaker birds, thus helping It has appeared once in September (10th
only seven pairs were found occupying maintain only a strong gene pool. Culling September 2006) and twice in October
the site in 1987 (Borg and Cachia Zammit would increase the chances of weak birds (28th October 2007 and 2 adults off Rinella
1988). Educating hunters and enforcing escaping predation and allowing them on 24th October 2009). Daily counts range
the law effectively all year round would to mate, thus permitting weak genes to from 1 to 3 birds. During the period 2001
result in an increase in the population of continue to flourish within a population, to 2009 sightings were most frequent
this species, more so now that a number damaging it in the long term. Apart from between November and February.
of fish farms exist in the vicinity of the birds’ local recoveries, a number of Yellow-legged November produced a grand total of 16
breeding sites. Gulls ringed in Malta have been recovered sightings over this period, with monthly
It has lately been assumed that the abroad. counts ranging from 1 to 9 birds over
colony on Filfla was increasing because A young bird ringed on Filfla in May 1983 eight dates between the 9th and the 27th.
pressure by hunters from seacraft was was recovered in December of the same December produced a grand total of 16
Greater Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus
Gawwija Ba˙rija
Gauia 8, 11, 13, Gawwja imperiali 15-18, Gawwija

Kbira ta’ Daharha Iswed 19.
Vagrant, with only four records. The

first record was an adult bird seen at
Grand Harbour on 31st December 2002
by Michael Sammut. Another adult was
seen on 13th December 2005 at Ba˙ar iç-
Çag˙aq by Michael Sammut and Joseph
Grech. In 2009, a single bird was first seen
on 25th January by Michael Sammut and
Christopher Cachia Zammit. The same bird
was seen again on 30th January, always
at Rinella. It was then seen again in the
morning on 1st February at Rinella and
later at St Elmo Point, where it landed on
breakwater between two Yellow-legged
Gulls. The identification of this gull was
confirmed from photos taken by Michael
Sammut and sent to the international gull
expert Klaus Malling Olsen.
The fourth record is of a third or fourth
winter bird observed by Michael Sammut
off Grand Harbour on 24th January 2010.
The first bird was seen together with 2
Yellow-legged Gulls soaring over Grand
Harbour and was clearly larger than the
Yellow-legged Gulls. It was later seen
Greater Black-backed Gull entering the Grand Harbour alone. This
bird was not considered by the Malta
sightings during this period, with monthly 26 were first year birds, 20 second winter Rarities Committee, which insists on a
counts ranging from 1 to 4 birds over birds and 9 third winter birds. The highest photo/video being provided for a first
seven dates between the 8th and the 31st. number was seen in 2009 when 24 record to be considered. This requirement
The last sightings in 2009 were single Caspian Gulls were recorded. does not coincide with the requirements
adults at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 8th December of the AERC, which state that in the case
and on 16th December off Rinella and 2 at of “highly qualified observers” written
Pembroke on 28th December 2009. The Glaucous Gull descriptions should suffice. The author
highest frequency was in January, with a Larus hyperboreus subscribes to this philosophy and feels
grand total of 21 sightings from 2001 to Gawwija Bajda that when records of rarities are submitted
2009, with monthly counts ranging from 2 by experienced and reliable birdwatchers,
to 5 birds over 14 dates between the 1st Gawwija 14, Gawwija griΩa 17, 18, Gawwija these should be accepted, especially if
and the 30th. February produced similar Bajda 19, Gawwija tal-Pinen Bojod 20. we want to veer away from the mentality of
counts, with 16 sightings, with monthly having a shot bird to record a new species.
counts ranging from 1 to 3 birds, but 7 Vagrant. Only one record of a bird shot Photos or videos are not always possible
in 2009. Daily counts ranged from 1 to 2 at Armier on 10th February 1932 (Despott or easy to take and a birdwatcher would
birds over 11 dates between the 1st and 1933). Despott wrote Col. Francia informed be more concerned with making careful
the 27th. From 2001 to 2009, a grand him that “a large beautiful gull” that was observations and notes rather than taking
total of 9 spring sightings were recorded with 8 other birds was shot by Salvatore a video, from which identification might be
between the 5th and the 27th March, with Borg. The bird is now in the Museum of more difficult because the quality might
6 in 2009 over four dates between the 5th Natural History at Mdina. not be good enough. The second record
and the 27th. The highest daily count of 3 The Glaucous Gull breeds in the Arctic was of a bird seen resting at sea with
birds during the period 2001 to 2009 was regions of the northern hemisphere and the Lesser-black Backed Gulls and other gulls
recorded on 5th March 2009. Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, by Michael Sammut and Joseph Grech.
Observations were conducted mainly wintering from in the North Atlantic and The Greater Black-backed Gull is found
from the Grand Harbour area, Pembroke, North Pacific oceans as far south as the in northern Europe including Iceland and
and Qawra. Birds of all ages have been British Isles and northernmost states of northeast America. It has been recorded
recorded. Of a total of 83 birds recorded the uSA. A few birds sometimes reach the in Tunisian waters (Isenmann et al. 2005),
between 2001 and 2009, 28 were adults, southern uSA and northern Mexico. and in Sicily.
Sternidae Scarce migrant, seen mostly from March to

June and from mid-July to October. Seen
singly or in small parties of between 3 and
Little Tern 13 birds. The most recent records are: 1
Sternula albifrons on 24th August 2005 at Salina; 1 on 29th
Çirlewwa Ûg˙ira September 2006 at G˙adira; 1 at G˙adira
on 21st April 2007; 1 on 30th August 2007;
Cirleua 8, Cerleua zhira 10, Cerleua zgira11, 1 on 21st September 2007 at Pembroke; 1
Cerleua 12, Cirleua zg˙eira 13, Çirlewwa at G˙adira on 4th June 2008; an adult at
Ûg˙ira 14, 15, 17-19. Salina on 7th June 2008; 2 at G˙adira on
1st May 2009.
Previously considered as a vagrant with The Gull-billed Tern breeds in warmer
very few records, this bird should be parts of the world in southern Europe.
considered as very rare as it now occurs There are very small isolated populations
annually. More such terns would be seen in northern Germany and Denmark. It also
were it not for collectors who shoot them breeds in temperate and eastern Asia, both
on sight, both around the coast and from coasts of North America, eastern South
seacraft. The considerable number of birds America and Australia.
seen in local collections is a clear testimony Post-breeding dispersal is common
of this. Most birds occur in September and but the northern breeders are the most
from mid-April to early June. migratory, wintering south to Africa, the
Interesting records from last century Caribbean and northern South America,
include: 1 at G˙adira on 3rd May 1981; 2 at southern Asia and New Zealand. Birds
Sliema on 11th November 1981; 4 on 10th ringed in Denmark have been recovered
and 1 on 17th August 1982 respectively, in Malta. A German-ringed Gull-billed Tern
both at G˙adira; 1 at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on lived for over 12 years 10 months.
24th July 1985; 1 at G˙adira on 13th May
1988; 1 present at G˙adira from 28th April to
Gull-billed Tern 2nd May 1989; 2 on 30th April at G˙adira; 1 Caspian Tern
on 5th May at St. Thomas Bay; 2 on 1st June Hydroprogne caspia
at G˙adira; 1 on 27th July at Salina; 1 on 12th Çirlewwa Prima
and 1 on 15th August at G˙adira. Singles in
1990 at G˙adira on 15th April, on 12th and Cerleua prima 11, Cerleua 12, Cirleua
13th May and on 5th and 6th June; 1 on 9th prima13, Cirlewwa 14, Çirlewwa Prima 15-19.
May 1991 at G˙adira; 1 on 2nd September
1991 at G˙allis; 1 present at G˙adira from Previously considered as rare and irregular,
5th to 7th October 1991; 1 at Xwejni on 8th July this species may now be considered as
1993; 1 at G˙adira on 27th August 1994. scarce, usually occurring between mid-
More recent records include a bird at August and mid-November and from
Salina in August 2001. In 2005, 1 was seen March to June. Generally one to two birds
at G˙adira on 10th April; 1 at Marsaxlokk on are seen but flocks of up to 11 birds have
19th May and 1 at G˙adira on 1st June. In been recorded.
2006, singles were seen at Salina, on 30th Interesting records from last century
April and on 4th June respectively. include 1 on 16th November 1976; 1 on 31st
The Little Tern breeds on the coasts and January; 1 on 10th November and 1 on 31st
inland waterways of temperate and tropical December 1979. A flock of 11 birds was
Europe and Asia. seen over G˙adira on 18th October 1981
It is strongly migratory, wintering in the and a single bird at the same place on 2nd
subtropical and tropical oceans as far November 1982. A Swedish-ringed bird
south as South Africa and Australia. There that was recently observed in a collection
are three subspecies, the nominate race was shot at l-A˙rax in October 1993.
Sterna albifrons albifrons occurring in Analysis of records between 2005 and
Europe to North Africa and western Asia; 2009 shows predominance of sightings
Sterna albifrons guineae of western and in autumn. In total September records
central Africa; and Sterna albifrons sinensis amounted to 48 over five years, with
of East Asia and the north and east coasts monthly counts ranging from 1 to 19 birds.
of Australia. The highest September count of 19 birds
occurred in 2009, with 13 on the 21st,, 2 on
the 25th and singles on 4 other dates. A
Gull-billed Tern total of 17 birds was recorded in 2008 over
Gelochelidon nilotica seven dates between the 7th and the 21st,
Caspian Tern
Çirlewwa Monqarha O˙xon with daily counts ranging from 1 to 4 birds.
Whiskered Tern Black Tern
October produced the second highest Africa and Australasia. In Europe it breeds In 2007, single birds were seen at G˙adira
numbers of sightings, with a total of 47 mainly around the Baltic Sea and Black on 24th May, on 1st and 2nd June and on 24th
records logged between 2005 - 2009. The Sea. August, all at is-Simar. In 2009, 1 on 21st
highest October count of 19 birds was American birds migrate to southern September at G˙adira and an adult on 28th
recorded in October 2005: 6 on the 2nd, coasts, the West Indies and northernmost May 2000 at Marsascala.
1 on the 4th, 10 on the 6th, 2 on the 10th. South America. European and Asian birds The Whiskered Tern breeds in warmer
October 2007 produced a total of 10 (2, winter in the Old World tropics. African and parts of Europe and Asia. The smaller-
3, 5) sightings on the 5th from different Australasian birds are resident or disperse billed and darker Chlidonias hybridus
locations. There were 11 sightings over short distances. delalandii is found in east and South
recorded in October 2008 over four dates Most birds recorded in Malta come from Africa, and the paler Chlidonias hybridus
between the 1st and the 13th, with daily Scandinavia. Finnish and Swedish-ringed javanicus from Java to Australia. The
counts ranging from 1 to 4 birds. Several birds have been recovered in Malta. A tropical forms are resident, but European
singles in October 2009 but 4 at Qawra on Swedish Caspian Tern lived for over 30 and Asian birds winter south to Africa and
the 22nd. November sightings were irregular years (Staav 1998). southern Asia.
and few: 1 on 7th November 2005; 2 on 9th The Caspian Tern was first recorded in Both Wright and Schembri said the
and 1 on 28th November 2006. Malta by Charles A. Wright in May 1869 Whiskered Tern was common in summer.
There were a number of summer and late (Wright 1870). They also recorded it in Spring and
summer sightings with August providing Autumn.
27 sightings in total over four years. An
exceptional number of 23 sightings was Whiskered Tern
recorded in August 2005, with the highest Chlidonias hybrida Black Tern
counts being 6 on the 30th off Ta’ Fra Ben Çirlewwa bil-Mustaççi Chlidonias niger
and 9 on the 31st at Xrobb l-G˙a©in. Çirlewwa Sewda
Otherwise daily counts in August ranged Cirleua 8, 10, Cirleua griza 13, Cirlewwa
from 1 to 3 birds over four dates between sewda 14, Çirlewwa bil-Mustaççi 15, 17-19, Cirleua 8, Cirleua seuda 10, Cerleua 11, 12,
the 7th and the 31st. Other summer records Çirlewwa Ta’ San Ìwann 20. Cirleua seuda 13, Çirlewwa Sewda 14-19.
were 1 on 9th July 2007 and 2 on 4th June
2008, all at G˙adira. In spring birds were Very rare, occurring mostly between April Scarce migrant but seemingly becoming
recorded in March and April. Together, and September. A single bird in summer more common in recent years. It is mostly
there were 11 sightings over four years. plumage was seen at Salina on 8th April seen from July to October. Single birds
The Caspian Tern is has an extensive 2006 while 4 were seen at the same locality or small parties are usually seen but over
range, breeding in North America, Asia, from 2nd to 6th July 2006 and 1 on 8th July. the past few years, up to 500 birds tend to
The Black Tern breeds across most only one occurrence in April: 3 birds on
of Europe, Canada, the northern united the 13th April 2009 at Marsaxlokk.
States, and western Asia. European birds Pre-migration dispersal from breeding
winter in Africa. North American Black colonies starts as early as late June. This
terns migrate to the coasts of northern behaviour tends to explain the occurrence
South America, some to the open ocean. of several sightings in August in Maltese
waters. In the period under review there
was a total of 79 sightings in August.
White-winged Tern In August 2005 there were 26 records
Chlidonias leucopterus over seven dates from the 4th to the
Çirlewwa tal-Ìewna˙ Abjad 30th, with daily counts ranging from 1
to 8 birds. About 90% of the sightings
Cirleua8, Cerleua10-12, Cirleua ta rasa were concentrated in the last two weeks
seuda13, Cirlewwa tar-rebbiegha15, 17, of August. August 2006 produced a
Çirlewwa tal-Ìewna˙ Abjad18-19. similar migration pattern with a total of
29 sightings over eight days, with daily
Rare migrant seen from early April to early counts ranging from 1 to 8 birds. An
June and from August to September. interesting observation on the 30th was
Single birds, or twos, are usually seen, that of an immature bird begging for
Sandwich Tern with maximum of 5 in a day. Most are food from an accompanying adult on the
recorded in spring. It is rarer in autumn, Grand Harbour breakwater at Valletta.
congregate near fish farms during August and occasionally occurs in October. The Since this tern’s breeding season is very
and September. In 2005, over 200 were most recent sighting is of a single bird at short and late (April to May), and the
present at G˙allis on 23rd August; 15 off G˙adira on 5th and 6th September 2006. young have a very strong bond with the
Marsascala on 24th August; over 20 on The White-winged Tern breeds near parents and they take up to four months
30th August off Qawra Point and over 40 bodies of fresh water across from south- to become independent, begging for food
at the same locality on the following day; eastern Europe east to Australia. It was by young birds on migration with parents
over 20 on 2nd September; at least 10 on 3rd formerly called White-winged Black Tern. is not exceptional nor unusual, although
September off Qawra; 1 on 5th September In winter, these terns migrate to Africa, perhaps not often seen.
at G˙adira; 1 at G˙adira on 7th September; southern Asia and Australia. There was only 1 sighting of the
and 1 on 9th September at Qawra. In Sandwich Tern in August 2007, but August
2007, a flock of 7 at St Elmo Point on 12th 2008 produced a total of 21 records over
August, 1 on 21st August and 6 (2, 4) on 8th Sandwich Tern six dates between the 16th and the 31st,
September at St Elmo Point. Sterna sandvicensis with daily counts ranging from 1 to 6
In 2008, significant numbers were ob- Çirlewwa tax-Xitwa birds. Once again, on the 29th a juvenile
served on 7th August off Marsascala when bird was observed constantly begging
over 120 were noted, over 50 off G˙allis on Cerleu 5, 7, Cirleua 8, Cerleua 10-12, Cirleua for food from an adult. The 2 birds formed
10th August and over 130 off Marsascala seconda 13, Cirlewwa hamra 15, Çirlewwa 16, part of a group of 6 travelling together.
on the 21st August. Over 80 off the Break- 17
, Çirlewwa tax-Xitwa 18-19, Terna 20. August 2009 produced just 1 sighting
water and over 300 off Marsascala on 24th of 2 birds on the 28th. The only other
August, some 50 off St. Paul’s Isles and a Previously considered as a scarce migrant, summer record during the period under
flock of over 100 off the Grand Harbour on the Sandwich Tern can be considered as review is of 1 adult bird seen on 23rd July
27th August. Over 500 off Marsascala on 29th frequent visitor, which has been recorded 2008 off G˙allis. Highest counts occurred
August, 45 (33, 5, 7) at the Valletta Break- in all months of the year. However most in autumn.
water on the 2nd September and over 150 sightings occur from August to April, with September produced a total of 131
off Marsascala on 8th September. Numbers highest counts between September and sightings over four years. In September
then dwindled with 14 at Qawra on the 14th March. usually seen singly or in small flocks 2005 there were 53 records over nine
September and singles, mostly at Qawra, of up to 10 birds, but an exceptionally large dates between the 5th and the 29th, with
until the 12th October. In 2009, an adult at is- flock of over 100 was seen off Comino on daily counts ranging from 2 to 8 birds,
Simar on 7th May. Several single birds were 20th April 1969. but 20 (8, 12) birds on the 28th. Migration
noted off the coast, particularly at Qawra, Analysis of sightings between 2005 and pattern in September 2006 was similar
Pembroke, and Marsascala on several dates 2009 indicate more evident migration in to the previous year: there was a total of
from mid-August. Significant sightings were autumn. In spring of this period there was a 55 sightings over 14 dates between the
recorded off Marsascala in August 2009: 20 total of 41 records in March and 3 in April. 1st and the 27th, with daily counts ranging
on the 20th; about 400 on the 22nd; ±1,100 The largest number recorded on a single from 1 to 10 birds. There were no sightings
on the 24th; over 2,000 between the 28th and day in March was in 2010, when over 80 in September 2007. Migration pattern in
31st near the fish farms. Other sightings in were seen off on the 31st. March 2009 was September 2008 was somewhat subdued.
August 2009 were: at least 50 on the 23rd exceptional with a count of 35 birds: 8 on There was a total of 21 sightings over 10
and over 40 on the 29th both at Qawra. In 2nd, 4 on the 7th, 7 on the 8th, 10 on the 9th, dates between the 13th and the 30th, with
September 2009, around 200 were noted on and 6 on the 11th. Other March sightings daily counts ranging from 2 to 3 birds. In
the 20th and some 300 on the 21st, near the were in 2006 (2 on the 23rd and 3 on the September 2009, there was one sighting of
fish farms off Marsascala. 25th) and 2008 (1 on the 31st). There was 2 birds on the 13th.
October counts were modest. In October Improved counts in February coincide

2005, there were 12 records (5 on the 2nd with an easterly shift of adults and
and 7 on the 29th). There were no records immatures in the Mediterranean towards
in October 2006, but 2 to 3 birds on the Black Sea colonies. February 2006
several dates in October 2007, then 15 on produced 17 records: 4 on the 14th; 5 on
the 23rd. The highest count of 88 birds was the 15th; 8 on the 28th. In February 2008 a
recorded in October 2008, with the first 4 total of 10 birds were seen: 5 on the 11th;
birds seen on the 2nd. A strong passage 3 on the 17th; 2 on the 26th. The highest
was evident between the 4th and the 13th: February count of 22 birds was recorded
a flock of 12 was seen on the 4th, 30 on the in 2009, over six dates between the 3rd to
9th, 11 on the 11th, 23 on the 12th, and 8 the 20th, with daily counts ranging from 3 Lesser Crested Tern
on the 13th. November sightings occurred to 4 birds. No sightings were recorded in
over three years. February 2005 and 2007.
In November 2005 there were 4 sightings: Sandwich Terns breed on the Atlantic and fridge, and as it was already emitting bad
1 on the 5th; 2 on the 7th; 1 on the 23rd. western Mediterranean coasts of Europe. odours by the time the boat returned to port
November 2006 produced 32 records: 5 on Birds from west European populations in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, he threw
the 1st; 7 on the 5th; 9 on the 10th; 7 on the winter off western African, whereas those the bird away at il-Mag˙luq. However some
11th; 4 on the 19th. In November 2007 there from the Black Sea area winter in the two days later, he informed Mr Vassallo
were 26 sightings: 9 on the 10th; 11 on the Mediterranean. Several birds ringed on the that he had shot a very strange looking
11th; 6 on the 25th. There were no sightings Orlov Islands, in the Black Sea, have been tern but had to dispose of it because it
in November 2008. recovered in Malta. was decomposing. Mr Vassallo went and
Winter sightings were also significant. recovered the carcass and preserved it as
December 2005 produced 6 records: 2 best as he could.
on the 4th; 1 on the 11th; 3 on the 18th. No Royal Tern Taxonomists recognise two distinct
sightings were recorded in December 2006 Sterna maxima albididorsalis subspecies of the Royal Tern. Sterna
but 1 bird was seen on 31st December 2007. Çirlewwa Rjali maxima maxima breeds on the Atlantic
December 2008 produced the highest and Pacific coasts of the southern uSA
count of 57 sightings over nine dates from First record for Malta. The only record of this and Mexico into the Caribbean. American
the 4th to the 21st, with daily counts ranging species is of a bird taken on 26 July 1979. birds winter south to Peru and Argentina,
from 1 to 13 birds. Significant numbers The skin was preserved by Alfred Vassallo and African breeders move both north and
were seen in December 2009. Apart from of Ûejtun, and it is quite a coincidence that south from the breeding colonies.
several sightings of between 1 and 3 birds, the skin was preserved at all. A fisherman, The slightly smaller Sterna maxima
16 were seen off Qawra on the 9th, 13 on who knew Mr Vassallo collected bird skins albididorsalis breeds only in Banc d‘Arguin,
the 18th and 9 on the 22nd off St. Paul’s Bay. noted a very strange looking tern and shot Mauritania. Birds of this subspecies have
January produced very modest counts: 1 on it while he was fishing some two hours reached Britain, Ireland, Norway, Spain,
2nd January 2008 and 16 in January 2009 (5 offshore. Since he left the bird on the boat and Portugal. The Malta record is significant
on the 8th; 6 on the 11th; 5 on the 14th). during the fishing trip and did not put in the because it is the farthest east in Europe.
Royal Tern
Arctic Tern Common Tern
Lesser Crested Tern bengalensis emigrata, which breeds in This tern is rare and rapidly declining. In
Sterna bengalensis emigrata the Mediterranean on islands off the coast the Western Palearctic it breeds in Ireland
Çirlewwa tal-Libja of Libya and winters in West Africa. Other and the Azores and winters exclusively in
races breed in the Indian Ocean (Sterna West Africa. Its occurrence in the central
First record for Malta. Vagrant, with no bengalensi bengalensis) and in Indonesia Mediterranean is purely accidental.
previous records. The first record of this and Australia (Sterna bengalensis torresii).
species was noted in the collection of Joe
Baldacchino of Marsaxlokk in January Arctic Tern
2007 by the author and Michael Sammut. Common Tern Sterna paradisaea
Mr Baldacchino said the tern was shot by Sterna hirundo Çirlewwa tal-Artiku
fishermen offshore along with two others in Çirlewwa tal-Ba˙ar
early 2006. First record for Malta. This species has
However, on discussing the matter with Cirleua 8, 13, Cerleua 10-12, Cirlewwa 14, not been recorded in previous local
Alfred Vassallo, it transpired that he had an Óuttafa tal-ba˙ar 15-18, Sterna 17, Çirlewwa ornithological literature. But it is being
adult which had been shot by a fisherman tal-Ba˙ar 19, Terna 20. included on the strength of three records:
who was fishing for octopus at Munxar a juvenile that was shot in winter 1998 off
Point, St Thomas Bay, in September 1989. A very rare visitor mostly seen offshore. Marsaxlokk; an adult taken some 5 km
Another, an adult in breeding plumage, All records were between March and offshore in 2005; as well as a single sight
was shot offshore in July 1997. Michael November, with most occurring in June, record on 31st December 2000 off Qawra.
Sammut and Joseph Grech saw a first July and September. Single birds are This bird, an adult, was seen by Charles
winter bird on 11th January 2009 fishing usually seen but up to three in a day Coleiro, Michael Sammut and Marvic
with six Sandwich Terns on and around fish have been recorded. Two birds seen in Sammut. It was not accepted by BirdLife
pens just off BirΩebbu©a. a collection at BirΩebbu©a recently were Malta’s Rarities Committee, as a photo/
Michael Sammut, identified the bird shot on 18th August 1967 at il-Qajjenza, video is necessary for the local rarities
after noticing the orange, slightly down BirΩebbu©a while the other was taken on committee to accept a first record. This
curved bill, as well as its grey rump, 12th September 1978, also at BirΩebbu©a. record is being included for the same
allowing a direct comparison with the The most recent records are adults on 18th reason the Greater-black Backed Gull was
field characteristics of the accompanying June 2005 at Çirkewwa and on 25th March included in this book.
Sandwich Terns. This is the first winter 2006 at Marsaxlokk. The Common Tern I am informed that the bird was seen very
record for this species. although seen at has a circumpolar distribution, breeding well and clearly identified.
an unusual time, as it should have been in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of The Arctic Tern has a circumpolar
in West Africa at that time, it is pertinent Europe, Asia and east and central North distribution, breeding colonially in Arctic
to point out that there are winter records America. It is strongly migratory, wintering and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia
in Tunisia too. in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. and North America. It is strongly migratory,
The Lesser Crested Tern breeds in seeing two summers each year, flying about
subtropical coastal parts of the world 38,000 km as it migrates from its northern
mainly from the Red Sea across the Indian Roseate Tern breeding grounds to the oceans around
Ocean to the western Pacific, and Australia. Sterna dougallii Antarctica and back each year. This is the
There is a significant population on the Çirlewwa RoΩa longest regular migration by any known
southern coast of the Mediterranean on two animal. The European population winters
islands off the Libyan coast. The Australian Vagrant. Only three records given by in the Antarctic pack-ice zone. The main
birds are probably sedentary, but other Despott in winter 1912 at Marsaxlokk. A passage is along the Atlantic seaboard,
populations are migratory, wintering fourth record is of a bird taken on 2nd April but vagrants have been recorded east to
south to South Africa. This geographical 1976 at Marsaxlokk and seen in a private the Red Sea and Persian Gulf (Beaman and
subspecies recorded in Malta is Sterna collection at BirΩebbu©a in 1992. Madge 1998). There are three confirmed
Greenland, Iceland, northern British Isles

and southern Norway.
Uria aalge albionis (known as Bridled
Guillemot) Southern British Isles, France,
Germany, Spain, Portugal; Uria aalge
hyperborea occurs in northern Norway,
northwest Russia, Barents Sea while Uria
aalge intermedia is found in the Baltic Sea.
The other races are found in the Faroe
Islands, the North Pacific and California.
Razorbill
Alca torda
Mus tal-Ba˙ar
Bug˙addas rar 13, Mus tal Ba˙ar 15, 17-19.
Vagrant. The most recent records are of

singles on 12th November 2009 off Rinella
and Delimara, both of which were shot,
on 5th December 2009 at Pembroke, on
2nd December 2002 at Marsaxlokk and
another on 16th December 2002 at Qawra.
Razorbill The previous records were in December Atlantic Puffin
1969 when 4 were recorded from different
places: 1 on the 6th at GΩira Point, and
records from Sicily, one in 1973, and one three singles on the 9th at Marsascala, at Salina. Despott said he had preserved
in 1976 (Iapichino and Massa 1989), as Marsaxlokk and again at GΩira Point. both for his collection. The Little Auk moves
well as a first winter bird present at Porto di The Razorbill breeds from north-western south in winter into northern areas of the
Megara, Augusta in Sicily on 5th November Russia to northern France. The Razorbill is north Atlantic. Late autumn storms may
2000 (Corso 2005). one of two auks that regularly winter in the carry them south of their normal wintering
western Mediterranean. Accidentals have areas, or into the North Sea.
been recorded as far east as Egypt. In
Malta, both Alca torda torda and Alca torda
Alcidae islandica have been recorded. Atlantic Puffin
The nominate race occurs in North Fratercula arctica
America, Greenland, Bear Island, Denmark, Pulçinell tal-Ba˙ar
Common Guillemot Norway and from Murmansk to the White
Uria aalge Sea and the Baltic region while islandica Purcinella tal ba˙ar15, , Purçinell tal-
17
Mus Munqaru Rqiq is found in Iceland, Faroe Islands, Britain, Ba˙ar18, 19, Paffin20.
Ireland, and Brittany. Of five specimens at
Bug˙addas rar 15, 17, 18, B˙al Çiefa tal-Pol 16, the Natural History Museum, one belongs Vagrant. Single Puffins are seen in winter.
Mus Geddumu Rqiq 19. to the nominate race torda (Vella Gaffiero The Puffin is mostly seen offshore and
1973). some are occasionally taken by fishermen.
Vagrant: two documented records: one The Puffin, as it is most commonly known,
at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 16th January 1911 breeds on the coasts of northern Europe,
and another shot at Selmun at around Little Auk the Faroe Islands, Iceland and eastern
1936. The Common Guillemot or Common Alle alle North America, from well within the Arctic
Murre, has a circumpolar distribution, Pulçinell Ûg˙ir Circle to northern France. The winter
occurring in low-Arctic and boreal waters months are spent at sea far as far south as
in the North-Atlantic and North Pacific. It Blon©iun tat-tempesti , Purçinell
15, 17, 18
the Mediterranean, and in North America to
spends most of its time at sea, only coming Ûg˙ir19. North Carolina.
to land to breed on rocky cliff shores or In Malta, both the race Fratercula arctica
islands. There are seven recognised sub- Vagrant. Despott (1917) recorded the arctica and Fratercula arctica grabae have
species of Common Guillemot. Some only two occurrences in the Maltese been recorded. The nominate race is found
birds are permanent residents; northern Islands. Despott said he had obtained a in Iceland, central and northern Norway,
birds migrate south to open waters near live specimen from the Valletta market on Bear Island, south-west Greenland and
New England, southern California, Japan, 27th January 1912, which had been caught eastern North America; while the race
Korea and the western Mediterranean. at Salina the day before. On January 28th grabae is found in Britain, Ireland, Faroe
The nominate subspecies Uria aalge 1912 the same dealer presented him with and Channel Islands, France, and southern
aalge, is found in eastern Canada, another bird, which was found dead, also Norway. unpublished records include an
a sitting position. The bird had a grey eye

stripe which had a hue recalling the grey
on the breast of a Red Partridge, and a
black stripe on its belly. Its overall colour
was fawn, recalling a Collared Dove, with
black flight feathers.
The throat and sides of the head were
pale orange-yellow, and its bill was slate-
bluish. It had dark spots on its breast and
upper parts. The name Ganga Mtektka
has been chosen due to its spots, which
also influenced its French name. This is the
second record for Europe.
The first was of two birds shot in Sicily,
one of which was taken near S. Croce
Camerina on 28th April 1909 (Iapichino and
Massa 1989).
The Spotted Sandgrouse is found from
southern Morocco, much of Sahara,
through Arabian Peninsula to Iraq, Iran,
Pakistan, and north-western India.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles orientalis
Ganga ta’ Spanja
Vagrant. Recorded four times from Gozo:

9th December 1911; 11th April 1916; 10th
and 12th June 1928. The nominate race
of the Black-bellied Sandgrouse breeds
in Iberia, northwest Africa, the Canary
Islands, Turkey, Cyprus and Israel, while
Rock Dove
the eastern race Pterocles orientalis
arenarius is found in Kazakhstan,
immature bird found dead on seaweed at Paul’s Bay along the Bu©ibba coastline. As western China and northern Pakistan. It is
BirΩebbu©a at around 1930. The bird is it did so, it flew by the birdwatchers at a a partial migrant, with central Asian birds
preserved in a collection at BirΩebbu©a. distance of less than 100 metres. moving to the Pakistan and northern India
One was recorded on 14th January 1974 Originally thought of as a juvenile in winter.
at Xlendi, Gozo. One, in full breeding bird, however after Michael Sammut
plumage, was shot on 10th March 1982 subsequently observed flocks of the
from Comino. The most recent record is of species while birdwatching in Tunisia he Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
1 seen off Qawra on 9th December 2001. was of the opinion that the bird seen in Pterocles alchata
Malta was a female. In fact as soon as he Ganga
saw the first flock in Tunisia he recalled
the specimen seen at Qawra. He also Ganga 1, Haggla sidirta hamra 10, 11, Tigiega
Pteroclididae noted in the bird seen at Qawra, and later ta Kartagini 11, 12, Ganga 13, 15, 17-19.
confirmed in Tunisia, that the tail ended
with a fine black line with a white trailing Vagrant. About five documented records,
Spotted Sandgrouse edge. The fine black line continued into the the first dating back to April 1843 and
Pterocles senegallus long pointed tip extension. This feature is the most recent on 16th March 1951 at
Ganga Mtektka not emphasised in field guides. Si©©iewi. The subspecies Pterocles alchata
In August 2005, a mounted specimen caudacutus has been recorded. This is
Vagrant. The first record for Malta. One of a female was seen in a collection in the race that is found in North Africa and
record of single bird seen at Qawra on Mosta. The bird was taken at Burmarrad on southwest Asia. The nominate race breeds
26th December 2000 by Michael Sammut, Boxing Day 2000 and was most probably in Iberia and southern France, whereas
Marvic Sammut and Charles Coleiro. Again the same bird seen at Qawra. The hunter the race Pterocles orientalis caudacutus
this was not accepted by the BirdLife saw it settling in vineyards at Burmarrad. is found in northwest Africa, and from
Malta’s Rarities Committee, as a photo/ He informed the author he had mistaken it southeast Turkey east to Kazakhstan. It is
video is necessary for a first record to be for a small duck, flushed it and shot it. a partial migrant, with some Asian birds
accepted. The bird came from Qawra Point The taxidermist who stuffed it recognised moving to the Middle East and northern
flying along the coast and going into St. the species and the bird was mounted in Pakistan in winter.
Columbidae
Rock Dove
Columba livia
Tudun tal-Ìebel
Hamem, Chamem, Hammem, Hammiem1,

Óamiena 3, Chamiem 4, 5, Hhamiema,
Hhamimiet 5, Hamiem Salvag 8, 10, Hamiem-
tal-gebel 9, 11, hamiem taz-zebbug 11,
Hamiem salvagg 13, 17, Óamiema salva©©a
14
, Hamiema tal gebel 15-17, Tudun tal-Ìebel
18, 19
. Eurasian Collared Dove
A resident bird that breeds in cliffs, but one use: Gamiema taΩ-Ûebbu©. The Stock Formerly a vagrant, it is now a breeding
can hardly say that the pure form still exists Dove is a widespread breeder across resident in small numbers as well as a
because of interbreeding with domestic much of Europe, with key populations in very scarce but annual visitor in spring.
pigeons. Feral pigeons seen in Valletta, France, Germany, The Netherlands and A first pair was confirmed breeding in
Floriana and the harbour area as well as the united Kingdom. In the northern part Malta in August 2003 at Mellie˙a. Other
Sliema are the offspring of such pigeons. of its European and western Asiatic range birds were seen at MiΩieb and in other
Rock Doves can be found breeding in cliffs the Stock Dove is a migrant; elsewhere areas at Mellie˙a but breeding could not
in Malta, Gozo and Comino. The largest it is a well-distributed and often plentiful be confirmed. Several birds bred again in
population in the wild is that on Comino, resident. summer 2004 at G˙arb and G˙asri in Gozo
where one can see several specimens with and at Mellie˙a in Malta. Birds bred again
typical plumage of the wild form. at Mellie˙a in 2005, and up to 17 birds were
Despott says the Rock Dove was resident Common Woodpigeon noticed at G˙ajn Ûejtuna in mid-June and
but uncommon, breeding in crags in Columba palumbus about 20 in mid-July. up to 2 pairs bred at
high cliffs. He says that in some places, Tudun Xewkija Gozo in 2008 and 2009 (Joe Vella
Rock Doves were “nothing but escaped Gaffiero pers. comm.) Two pairs bred at
domestic pigeons”. Todoni 4, Tudoni 6, Dudun 8, 12, Tudun8, 9, 11-19, Ta’ Braxia Cemetry in April 2009 and three
The Rock Dove is resident in western Toudoun 10. pairs were seen displaying in March 2010.
and southern Europe, North Africa, and Very scarce during March and April in A roost count at G˙ajn Ûejtun by the
into South Asia. There are 12 subspecies spring and scarce in from early September author on 26th December 2008 produced a
recognised by Gibbs (2000); some of these to late November in autumn. Singles have count of 310 birds. Most birds roost in one
may be derived from feral stock. also occurred in January, February, May, area in a Norfolk Pine tree and other trees
June and July. Single birds or parties of in the same area.
up to three are usually seen, but small The Collared Dove breeds in the whole of
Stock Dove passages involving same 30 birds a the Western Palearctic to where it expanded
Columba oenas day have been recorded. In 2005, one its range from Asia in the last 100 years. By
Tudun tas-Si©ar was seen on 16th October over Clapham the early 1900s it had started breeding in
Junction, near Buskett and another on 24th Turkey and in a span of 40 years it spread
Hamiema ta Zebbugg, Palumbella8, Tudun October at Luqa. In 2006, singles seen on over an area of 2.5 million km2 to reach
, Hamiem ta Zebbugg 10, Hamiem
9, 16, 17 23rd and 30th September, on 1st, 3rd and every corner of Europe and North Africa,
salvag 11, Hamiema taz-zebbug 13-15, Tudun 14th October, all at Buskett. including the Mediterranean Islands. The
tas-Si©ar 18, 19, Gamiema taΩ-Ûebbu©20. In 2007, singles on 8th March at Bidnija, changing status of this bird in the Maltese
on 1st April at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a, at MiΩieb Islands is part of this expansion.
Very rare and irregular, usually appearing and Salina on 3rd April, at G˙adira on Taxidermists’ records listed 2 on 9th May
around October. But once also recorded 26th and 29th July, 3 at G˙arb, Gozo on 1968 at Gozo. The following are some
at Balluta Valley on 26th May 1975 by John 22nd October and at Luqa airfield on 19th records that show increased frequency:
Azzopardi. One was seen at a Tar©a Gap November. In 2008, singles at Kennedy 1 on 24th October 1983; 2 at San Ìwann
on 23rd October 2004 and another at Salina Grove and another at MiΩieb on 3rd April. on 21st February 1997; 1 at Salina on 21st
on 5th March 2006. Then 3 on 16th and 18th October 2008 at February 1999; 1 in July 2000, 2 in June
Records in 2007 are of singles at Buskett Clapham Junction. In 2009, 1 on 17th May and 2 in August 2001 (Davies 2001, 2002);
and Dingli on 2nd and 4th October and at at Dingli. 2 on Comino on 11th April 2010. 1 on 28th August at Birkirkara 2002; 1 on
Luqa airport on 7th December. In 2008, 6th November 2002 at Buskett. Several
an adult male in the first week of May at birds were recorded in 2003: 1 at Dwejra
il-Bidni, Marsascala, singles on 3rd March Eurasian Collared Dove on 22nd March; 1 at Buskett on 27th April;
at Salina, on 25th October at Clapham Streptopelia decaocto 1 at G˙adira on 2nd and 1 on 5th July; and
Junction and on 30th September at Buskett. Gamiema tal-Kullar 1 at Buskett on 7th September. In 2004 the
Ciantar (1772) mentions Colombi dell following birds were recorded: 1 at Qawra
Ulivo, a name some elderly Gozitans still Gamiema ta’ l-India12, Gamiema tal-Kullar18, 19. on 29th February; 1 at Bidnija on 27th June;
6 (2 adults and 6 juveniles) at Mellie˙a on when young birds would be crossing from called ©oga, a contraption which works like
18th July; over 8 on 11th August and 12 on the breeding grounds in Europe to Africa. a human elbow.
26th December also at Mellie˙a. In spring, when the birds return, most are The bird sits on a round base and is either
In 2005: 1 at Buskett on 20th April; 1 at seen between mid-April and mid-May. harnessed or has leather jesses around its
Comino on 28th April; 1 at San Ìwann on Heavy passages can occur on some legs to keep it on the perch. The perch is
11th May; over 16 at Mellie˙a on 12th June; days in both spring and autumn. Such usually covered with sackcloth or has a
1 at Buskett on 3rd July; and around 20, passages sometimes occur on two or more woven mesh so that the birds can sit on it.
including 5 juveniles, at Mellie˙a on 10th consecutive days. When the trapper wants the bird to flutter,
July. Turtle Doves are much sought after by he gently raises the stick and then lets the
In 2006, a flock of 6 at Beng˙isa on 3rd hunters and trappers. Old time hunters say string go. The decoy bird is dislodged from
April; 1 at Ramla, Gozo on 11th May 2006, doves used to keep migrating until June its perch, has to flutter and open its tail in
over 20 at the Mellie˙a colony on 20th May 29th. There is a lot of folklore related to order to land on its perch again. Invariably,
and 1 at Salina on 2nd June, 1 on 30th July Turtle Dove trapping and hunting. Trappers the birds land face to the wind and the
at Salina, over 20, with a pair carrying nest keep live decoy birds from year to year and trappers believe that the white on the tip
material to a nesting site, at G˙ajn Ûejtuna, several sayings remind them that they have of the birds’ tail feathers renders them very
on 24th September, some 30 on 19th to pluck the worn flight and tail feathers on visible as they are settling and this attracts
October and about 35 on 16th December at the feast of St Matthias on 24th February, the attention of the migrating birds.
G˙ajn Ûejtuna. so that these can grow back in time for the Turtle Doves were trapped as a source of
In 2007, 1 on 27th March at Comino, over migration period. This is not because the food and trapping made more economical
55 on 18th May at G˙ajn Ûejtuna and over birds would be set free then but to make sense than hunting as the birds were
60 (including a flock of 20 and a flock of 15) sure they are in prime condition to attract caught alive and could be kept in large
on 9th June at G˙ajn Ûejtuna . A single bird migrating birds to the trapping sites. aviaries, just like chickens or other fowl,
was heard cooing at Madliena on 14th June, Decoys wear hoods similar to those for and only killed when they were to be eaten.
and 1 on 3rd October at Clapham Junction. falcons. Such hoods are formed on special Although, in the past, Turtle Doves
The Collard Dove started breeding on blocks that are mostly made out of wood, migrated in large numbers on most days,
Comino in 2008 after a few pairs were brass or lead. Soft leather is chosen and hunters and trappers believed that there
released by Salvu Vella, who lives there. In there are different ways of making them. In were three particular days each year when
2009, around 10 were noted on Comino on some cases, the leather is soaked, placed there was a much bigger migration than
10th April. A pair was at Fawwara from mid- over the block (which roughly resembles a usual. According to traditional sayings
May to mid-June, while two pairs bred at bird’s head but is slightly larger) and wire is the first migration occurs on the feast of St
San Anton Gardens where at least 15 birds then wrapped around it at the bottom, and George, celebrated on 23rd April. The feast
were present in March 2010. Singles were the end parts of the leather are stretched of the Holy Cross, on 3rd May marked the
seen in several localities in May and June. tight over the block with a pair of pliers. The second migration while the third migration
At least 120 at G˙ajn Ûejtuna on 6th June leather is then left to dry, any excess leather took place on the feast of St Philip (12th
and 42 at Pembroke on 7th June 2009. is cut off and a slit is cut for the decoy’s bill. May). But the number of migrating Turtle
The Eurasian Collared Dove, or Collared Another method is to cut around a pattern Doves has seen a sharp decline.
Dove, originally occurred in warmer and then sew the leather over the block. Local hunters blame the increase in the
temperate regions from southeastern In the past, as the birds were often kept number of buildings, more lights at night,
Europe to Japan. In the twentieth century hooded and even when the hoods were and pesticides for the decline, suggesting
however, it expanded across the rest of removed the birds were kept in the dark, that there has been shift in the migration
Europe, reaching as far west as Great trappers had to feed the doves by placing route. Few will admit that the actual
Britain by 1953; where it started breeding grain in their own mouths and transferring it population of Turtle Doves has plummeted
a few years later. It now also breeds north to the birds mouth to mouth. Feeding doves steeply over the past years and that there
of the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia. It is not the right amount of grains of corn was are no signs of recovery.
migratory, but some individuals disperse, not easy and the trappers had to be very Large numbers of Turtle Doves used
colonising new areas. A bird ringed in careful. They also had to pay particular to be trapped until the late 1960s but the
Yugoslavia was recovered in Malta. attention when they handled the birds so as decline has been felt for a long time. Old
not to damage their feathers with sweat or time hunters and trappers, who recall
dirt and trappers often use talcum powder large flocks, say that even their fathers and
European Turtle Dove on their hands before handling each grandfathers used to complain that there
Streptopelia turtur bird. This method of feeding the doves is were fewer Turtle Doves than in the past.
Gamiema dying out as decoy birds these days have ÌuΩeppi Mangion, of Wardija, who died
their hoods removed after the morning’s recently aged 98, used to recount that
Gamime 1, Gamiena 3, Gamiem 4
, trapping session and are placed in special there were so many Turtle Doves in April
Ghamiema 5, Gemiema 20. boxes where food and water are provided and May “that you could not see the sky.
for them and they can feed themselves. According to my grandfather, there was no
Turtle Doves are very common from late Trapping methods have not changed comparison with the numbers he used to
March to early June in spring and common much over 300 years. A pair of clap nets is see in his time and that the number of Turtle
from mid-August to October in autumn. laid on the ground and wild birds are lured Doves had decreased considerably”.
Occasionally single birds are also seen in by a series of fluttering hooded decoys that “There were no fridges or freezers at
November. Most birds in autumn are seen attract the birds into the netting area. The the time so birds that were shot had to be
between late August and early September, fluttering decoys are placed on gadgets consumed or disposed of within a few days.
European Turtle Dove

Turtle Doves Shot You did not eat meat everyday in those
days, only when Turtle Doves migrated.”
1916 36 Most hunters ate the doves they shot,
1917 44 but some sold them for two and a half or
1918 42 three pence each to get money for powder,
1919 47 shot and primers. In those days materials
1920 39 were scarce and many hunters would use
1921 19 cordite, (gunpowder taken from military
1922 39 cartridges), ground fine on a homemade
1923 63
grater to load their cartridges with.
1924 56
1925 36 Nothing was wasted. All the meat was
1926 22 eaten and breast feathers were kept for
1927 32 pillows. Although most men hunted at that
1928 5 time, they just hunted for an hour or so at
1929 45 dawn and then went to work. No one took
1930 28 time off work to hunt.
1931 27 “But Turtle Doves migrated in clouds.
1932 16 You simply could not count the birds in the
1933 21 flocks as they passed. Sometimes it was a
1934 24 frightening sight. You’d see flocks of doves
1935 15
instead of clouds,” Mangion recalled.
1936 9
1937 10
“You’d fire a shot at a flock of 100 or 200
1938 29 birds and kill six, eight or 12 birds each time.
I recall other hunters shooting at a flock of
Trapped doves that had just settled on a wall and
killing over 40 birds with one shot. Killing
1926 69 a dozen sitting birds with one shot was
1927 66 nothing unusual in those pre-war days. But
1928 49 today just seeing 50 doves is to see a lot”.
1929 278 Turtle Doves are still eagerly hunted
1930 222 and trapped. Trappers nowadays do
1931 141 not catch a fraction of what used to be
1932 148 caught. The prime location for Turtle
1933 111 Dove trapping was, and still is, the area
1934 148
known as id-Dahar, a stretch of land by
1935 196
1936 169
the Red Tower, which is the westernmost
1937 103 tip on the Mellie˙a Ridge. But whereas it
1938 251 was not uncommon for trappers there to
trap 1,000 birds in a season and over 50
birds in one haul at around and before
the 1950s, only three doves were trapped
from the best trapping site there in 2003.
Other trappers in the same area have
only caught in the whole season over the
past few years, between one and two-
dozen birds at most.
Schembri (1843a) said some pairs of
Turtle Doves have nested, particularly in
Gozo. A few pairs try to breed each year.
Towards the end of May and in early June,
individual birds are observed displaying.
Sultana and Gauci (1982) noted that “each
Turtle Dove year, males may be heard crooning and
trappers from observed indulging in the brief soaring
the 1950s. The
display flight”.
ones below are
This activity was more in evidence in
seen holding an
1981, the first year of the introduction of the
Ortolan Bunting
in addition to live
closed season from 22nd May. Pairs were
dove decoys. reported attempting to breed at Buskett,
Note children in Girgenti, MiΩieb and Lunzjata Valley,
school uniforms Gozo but successful breeding could not
in both photos be confirmed. Most of the birds were
eventually illegally shot (Sultana and Gauci birds were caught with each attempt than were seen at id-Dahar in May than in April.
1982). In 1954 a pair bred at Lunzjata with shotguns. Also it was customary for Practically twice as many Turtle Doves
Valley, but the adults were shot and the trappers not to flick their nets unless there were seen compared to April. Double
single nestling stolen (Attard 1964). was a party of at least 7 or more birds inside figures were seen on 10th, 17th, 29th, and
In 2007, several pairs were noted in the catching area. Catches of 15 to 30 birds 30th April, with the highest number being 25
various areas and males could be heard in one go were not uncommon. birds on the 30th April. The largest number
cooing and displaying in June in places seen from other localities was 61 on the
such as Buskett, Girgenti and Fawwara. 9th April. Higher passages were noted in
Two pairs were still present at Fawwara at Turtle Doves seen at id-Dahar May, when 50 doves were seen on the 3rd,
the end of July. April May Total Sept Grand Total
40 were seen on the 4th, 30 were seen on
using the bag records of Salvino Sant 1992 105 201 306 0 306 the 5th and 35 were seen on the 16th May.
Manduca, who hunted at Wardija between 1993 203 77 280 6 286 Records from the MOS show that up to 16
10th April and 20th May every year from 1916 1994 152 164 316 43 359 birds were seen from 3rd to 29th September.
to 1938, and who also kept notes on the 1995 240 131 371 55 426 In 1993, more than three times as many
number of doves trapped there between 1996 499 57 556 0 556 doves were seen in April than in May at
1926 and 1938, as well as the sightings since 1997 67 64 131 130 261 id-Dahar. The highest number was 50 on
1990 published by the Malta Ornithological 1998 100 135 235 35 270 24th April, but 36 were seen on 21st April,
Society (MOS - now BirdLife Malta) and the 1999 50 2 52 40 92 22 on 27th April and 14 and 15 on 22 and
records held by John Vella from Mellie˙a, 2000 100 100 200 0 200 25th April. MOS records list 26 birds on 25th
who kept accurate notes from a site at id- 2001 180 0 180 71 251 April. In May, the highest number at id-
2002 3 7 10 0 10
Dahar, which used to be a prime site for 2003 100 0 100 0 100
Dahar was 15 on the 11th. Autumn of 1993
Turtle Doves, an analysis can be made that 2004 220 3 223 0 223 had a significant passage as according to
shows that there has been a considerable 2005 80 10 90 0 90 records by the MOS, over 50 were seen at
decline in the number of Turtle Doves seen. 2006 150 3 153 3 156 Mta˙leb on 14th September while over 250
Records from the Malta Ornithological were noted at Rabat on 15th September.
Society come from various places. Source: Records kept by John Vella In 1994, a few more Turtle Doves
The older records are interesting because appeared in May compared to April. The
in them one can see fluctuations with good highest number, 40, were recorded on
and better years as well as some rather On the other hand, double-barrelled the 15th April. Other days with double
poor ones as far as Turtle Dove migration shotguns were used and when shooting figures were on the 21st and 25th when 20
was concerned. A downward trend can at birds in flight, most times a crack shot were seen; 12 on the 24th and 10 on the
be noticed even in these old records. The would hit only one or two birds each time. 19th and 30th. In May 60 were seen on the
average number of Turtle Doves shot by Hence in one sweep with nets a trapper 4th, 36 on the 6th, 22 on the 9th and 10 on
Sant Manduca at Wardija over the 23-year could easily catch the equivalent of what the 3rd. In September 1994, a total of 43
period was 30.6 birds a year. The best year a hunter would shoot with around 50 shots. Turtle Doves were seen: a single bird on
was 1923, when he shot 63 doves. A very The reason for the apparent increase in the 7th, a significant passage occurred on
poor year was 1928, with only 5 Turtle Doves the numbers of Turtle Doves resulting from the 8th, when 40 birds were seen and the
shot and the entry in his diary reads: “the trapping may be explained by the fact last two birds were seen on the 12th. MOS
worst shooting season that I remember”. that from 1926 to 1928 only one trapping records show that the number of Turtle
Bag numbers during the first 11 years up to site was manned whereas thereafter three Doves exceeded 10 on only 4 occasions
1927 exceeded the average of 30.6 birds, different trapping sites were manned. In in September: 22 on 12th September, 18 on
except 1926. The next 12 years from 1928 fact, the average number of birds caught 22nd September, 27 on 24th September and
onwards the numbers of birds shot were between 1929 and 1938 from three sites is 15 at Lunzjata on 25th September.
below average, except for 1929. 2.9 times the average between 1926 and In 1995, MOS records indicate an influx
A trendline applied to the data shows a 1928 from one site. on 24th and 25th April, when over 1,000
declining trend in Turtle Dove numbers over Trend analysis of Turtle Dove sightings Turtle Doves were noted at Mellie˙a. At
the years. However, during the 13 years at id-Dahar, Mellie˙a Ridge between id-Dahar, the peak was on 24th April, when
from 1926 onwards, the numbers of Turtle 1992 and 2006 shows a declining trend in 120 birds were seen, 30 doves were seen
Doves trapped significantly exceeded the numbers seen. It will be recalled that id- on 20th and 25th while 25 were seen on the
birds taken by the gun. In fact the average Dahar has always been the prime site for 19th. In May, 50 were seen on the 5th, 24
number of birds trapped each year was Turtle Dove trapping. on the 4th and 16 on each day on the 1st
of 150.1 against 30.6 shot. The tables on Records from the MOS show that in 1990, and 2nd. In September, 55 were seen on
page 312 left show catches from a single over 100 doves were noted at Gozo on 22nd the 21st at id-Dahar. MOS records reported
trapping site up to 1928 and then from April and over 1,000 birds on 30th April. In a small influx on 1st September, 33 on 17th
three sites until 1938. The average number September, some 40 doves were observed September and 16 to 40 on most dates
of birds from the original trapping site was at Buskett on the 4th. Records for 1991 from 17th to 23rd September.
of 61.3 birds each spring, and 176.7 each show 50 Turtle Doves at Xag˙ra on the 15th 1996 was the best year over the study
year after 1935. April, 60 at G˙adira on the 16th and over 50 period, with over 550 birds being seen in
In contrast with the birds shot, trend analysis at Comino on 21st April. April and May. Some 200 birds were seen
shows an increasing trend in the numbers Low numbers were recorded in autumn on the 25th, 50 were seen on the 24th and
of Turtle Doves trapped at Wardija. This is with 25 to 30 at Buskett on 4th and 5th 29th, 40 on the 18th and 28th and 30 on two
because when trapping, larger numbers of September. In 1992, more Turtle Doves consecutive days on the 26th and 27th April.
Top: A trapper with live decoys in the gabjun, the cage in which they are transported to
the trapping site. A decoy is placed on its perch, from which it is made to flutter. Arched
pieces of wire placed on the stones where decoys are placed ensures that decoy birds
don’t get tangled in nets when these are activated. Hooded dove decoys in the gabjun.
Hoods are made on moulds made of lead or wood, and to keep them in shape, they are
stored stuffed with cotton wool or tissue paper. A trapper feeds his decoy dove mouth
to mouth. Nets in action and trapped doves in a sack
May was relatively poor with double figures 150 doves on the 26th, 24 on the 17th April
being recorded only on three days: the and virtually none in May. In September,
5th, 11th and 13th May. MOS records listed notable passages on the 5th and 20th, when
14 to 100 Turtle Doves on 9 dates from 40 and 30 birds respectively were seen.
18 April to 13 May, with the largest influx 2002 was a very poor year with very few
on 25th April. According to MOS records, birds seen in April and May as well as in
autumn had some significant passages September. 2003 was a much better year,
with 31 Turtle Doves being seen on the 31st though numbers were still low. Highest
August, 50 in the 9th September and 38 on numbers recorded on the 17th April (50
11th September. birds), 21st April (30 birds) and 28th April
In 1997, fewer than 200 Turtle Doves (20 birds). Turtle Dove migration in May
were seen at id-Dahar, with a maximum of and September was rather poor.
30 on the 21st April, 10 on the 22nd and 20 In 2004, the highest number was on
on the 25th. MOS records give the highest 24th April, when some 120 birds were
number as over 35 at Xag˙ra Gozo on recorded. Some 30 birds were seen
25th and at Comino on the 29th April. At id- on the 16th and 30th April while 20 were
Dahar, 30 doves were seen on 12th May. noted on the 23rd. May and September
In September, 100 birds were recorded were rather poor. 2005 was another poor
on the 5th and 30 on the 7th. MOS records year, with up to 80 birds being recorded
indicate a significant passage, particularly throughout April and May. In autumn, over
in Gozo, which in autumn is usually not 90 birds were counted in several small
as good as Malta as far as migration is flocks at Buskett and 31 at Mellie˙a on 29th
concerned. Some 27 doves were noted August. A heavy passage occurred on the
at Blata l-Bajda on 14th September, 14 at following day: over 1,100 birds in various
Buskett on 5th September and 13 on 22nd flocks, the largest of which consisted of 65
September. A heavy passage in Gozo with birds, at Buskett, 25 (22 and 3) at G˙adira,
over 2,000 birds on 5th September and and 26 over Mdina.
over 200 doves at il-Lunzjata valley on 7th In 2006, a strong passage occurred on
September. 23rd April and during the nights between
In 1998, a strong passage occurred 24th and 26th April as a lot of Turtle Doves
on the 23rd April, preceded by smaller were present early in the morning on 25th
passages on the 21st and a slightly heavier and 26th April in several localities around
one on the 22nd. MOS records list 180 birds Malta and Gozo. A heavy passage took
at Blata l-Bajda on 23rd April. A significant place during the day on the 26th with flocks
number of doves were also noted on the of up to 9 birds being seen at various
28th April. MOS records list 555 birds at localities. Close to 100 birds were seen in
Blata l-Bajda, 130 at Birkirkara and 100 at the Salina area within the space of about
Manoel Island. In May, there were 30 birds half an hour, 85 of which were seen shot.
on the 1st and 9th and 20 on the 14th. The A notable passage was again noted after
autumn migration at id-Dahar was rather 11.30 on 27th April, with over 170 seen at
poor with about 35 birds seen from late Kerçem, Gozo. Another strong passage
August to mid-September. MOS records occurred on 29th April, with one hunter
indicate 33 birds on 28th August and 30 on bagging 33 in an hour. In May, a notable
8th September. passage took place on the 5th after 10.00 at
1999 was a very poor year with just ix-Xirbepp, close to Dwejra in Gozo when
around 60 birds being seen at id-Dahar 9 were seen in one flock, then a dozen
in April and May. Small passages were singles and twos in the morning. About 100
noted on 19th and 20th April and on 22 birds were seen in flocks of 5 to 15 birds at
and 23rd, but very few birds seen in May. G˙arb, Gozo in late afternoon on the same
MOS records however list up to 50 birds day. Another passage occurred on 8th May,
almost daily from 7th April to 31st May with with a maximum of 36 birds (singles and
over 300 at Xag˙ra, Gozo, on 25th April. In twos) at Xag˙ra, Gozo.
September, there was a small passage on In 2007, 18 at id-Dahar on 19th April, 37 (1
the 10th and 13th, with 10 and 30 birds being flock of 17 and one of 6 being the largest)
recorded from id-Dahar. MOS records at Mtarfa on 21st April. A good passage
show a significant passage in autumn: 43 on the afternoon of 21st April in the west of
at Buskett and 26 at Dwejra, Malta on 10th the island. Several small flocks seen flying
The best Turtle Dove trapping sites were situated on
September. north just offshore. Over 70 (largest flocks
promontories, as the background of the top picture
In 2000, a very poor passage with a 10 and 8) at id-Dahar, Mellie˙a, over 300 at
shows. Clap nets that stopped against each other
vertically in the air were introduced in the late 1970s and
maximum of 200 birds in all being recorded il-Kunçizzjoni and some 200 birds at Santa
were gaining popularity in the 1980s before they were in April and May and practically none in Luçija, Gozo on 27th April. The first ‘autumn’
made illegal September. In April 2001, a maximum of record was on 3rd August at Girgenti.
Singles at Dwejra, Malta on 24th October It is worth noting that a number of Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy
and another on 6th November at Girgenti Turtle Doves have recently been noted to and Tunisia have been recovered in Malta.
were rather late. arrive in Malta on container ships calling A Turtle Dove ringed in The Netherlands
In 2008, a significant passage with a flock at the Malta Freeport. The first time this was still alive 13 years 2 months later
of up to 80 birds on 14th April; with some phenomenon was verified was in 2005, (Staav 1998).
650 birds seen from Selmun while BirdLife when a flock of about 30 birds were seen
reported over 580 at Blata l-Bajda. Another flying off a container that was on board a
passage on 24th April with a lot of singles, ship calling at the Malta Freeport in the last Laughing Dove
twos and threes and flocks of between 6 week of April and a party of 6 were noted Streptopelia senegalensis
and 32 birds in several localities. Another again flying off a container at the same Gamiema tal-Ilwien
significant, though smaller passage, place in the first week of July. These were
occurred on 4th May, with several single two documented instances of assisted Gamiema ta Tunes15, 17
, Gamiema ta’
and twos as well as small parties of up to 9 passages, when weary birds alight on l-Ilwien 18, 19.
birds. It should be noted that spring of 2008 vessels and then fly off to continue with
was the first without legal spring hunting their journey after resting. Hunters in the Vagrant, occurring mostly in September
and there was virtually no shooting, hence area have informed me that they had noted and October, but there are individual
flocks that would have otherwise been some birds with rust stains, especially on records in April and May. A juvenile bird
shot or forced to disperse could be seen the tips of their tail feathers, and these was shot at Wied Ûnuber on 15th October
in many areas. Other notable passages in could be because birds would be resting 1982. One was seen on 15th July 2001 and
‘autumn’ occurred on 27th and 28th August for prolonged periods on containers. another on 4th July 2002, both at G˙adira.
and 10th September, with many singles and The nominate race Streptopelia turtur Streptopelia senegalensis phoenicophila
parties of up to 5 birds. turtur occurs. In May 1885, Wright found used to breed at San Anton Gardens during
2009 was a very poor year for migration a specimen identified as the subspecies World War II after birds were released from
of Turtle Doves, with the highest number of Streptopelia turtur isabellinus while the aviaries due to the shortage of birdseed.
over 45 (largest flock 16) at id-Dahar on 15th Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero (1976) But eventually the small population was
April, 11 on 16th and 22nd April at Comino, 54 recorded the race Streptopelia turtur wiped out.
(16, 13, 11, 9, 3, 2) at is-Simar, 20, including arenicola, which was questioned by Sultana It is worth pointing out that there were
a flock of 9, at Bin©emma and 15 (4, three and Gauci (1982). However several birds individuals, notably servicemen involved
twos and singles) at Dwejra (Malta) on 23rd seen in local collections and taken locally with security at the Palace, who had a
April, 15 on 25th April at Comino, c.20 at definitely belong to this subspecies. One special permit to hunt even at San Anton
Dwejra (Malta) and 14 at Comino on 26th of these, in a collection at Marsaxlokk, was gardens. Similar permits to hunt or trap
April. Two pairs were seen displaying in the taken in spring 2006. birds were also issued to servicemen
last week of May at Fawwara, and on 26th The nominate race is found from the working at Buskett, Óal Far, Ta’ Qali and
June, a fledged bird was noted. In June, 2 Canary Islands and Europe – except the Kalafrana.
at Ta’ Qali on the 1st, 1 at G˙ajn Ûejtuna and Balearic Islands - east through Turkey to the The race phoenicophila is found in
at the Addolorata Cemetery on the 6th and Caspian Sea, in western Siberia south to the northwest Libya, Tunisia, northern Algeria
2 males at Buskett on the 14th. 1 at is-Simar steppes of Kazakhstan. The race arenicola and Turkey. It is most probable that the birds
on 25th July. A total of 14 birds on 5 dates is found in the Balearic Islands, north-west in Malta had been introduced from Tunisia or
in August, with the highest number being 5 Africa east to Cyrenaica and Iran. The race Libya at the time.
on 26th August at Buskett. In September, the isabellinus breeds in the Nile Delta in Egypt. Most of the birds seen in local collections
highest passage occurred on the 8th, with Two birds ringed in the Czech Republic have been imported from Egypt. This
over 50 birds at Buskett, which included in July 1985 and May 1986 were shot in species might in future be recorded more
flocks of 8, 7 and 6. There were two other spring in Gozo five years later. A bird ringed often as it is expanding its range northwards.
days with a noticeable passage on the 20th in Naples in April 1987 was shot in Malta It has recently started breeding in Sicily
(24 birds) and 25th (27 birds). The last record in April 1988. Other Turtle Doves ringed in (Andrea Corso and Michael Sammut pers.
of 2009 was of 3 on 13th October at is-Simar. The Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, Hungary, comm.).
Barbary Dove In Italy and other parts of Europe including Common Cuckoo
Streptopelia risoria south England, Barbary Doves have Cuculus canorus
Óamiema tal-Barr established themselves in gardens and Daqquqa Ka˙la
parks. It can hybridise freely with either
This bird can now be considered as a species. Dacchuca chala4, Quqù, Dakkuka Qahla8,
feral species, and has been breeding Sultan il-Gamiem 8-11, 13-17, Kuku Kahla 9, 10 11,
in very small numbers at G˙ajn Ûejtuna, Dakkuka Kahla 9, 10 11, Sultan is-sommien 11,
Pembroke and in the limits of Mqabba. Cucù 12, Dakkuka cahla 12, 13, 15, Ku-Ku 14,
The birds at G˙ajn Ûejtuna escaped or Cuculidae Cuccu 15, Daqquqa Ka˙la 17 -19, Kuku, Tajra
were released there, and a small number Ka˙la, Daqquqa Seqrija, Ta’ l-Ifrat, Tal-
breeds in the same environs as Collared Karmnu 20.
Doves. Great Spotted Cuckoo
Two were seen at G˙ajn Ûejtuna on Clamator glandarius Cuckoos are common spring migrants from
12th August and another one on 16th June Sultan il-Gamiem tat-Toppu mid-March to mid-May, but most are seen
2007. The species is not as yet as prolific in April. They have also been recorded in
or widespread as the Collard Dove is, but Sultan il-gamiem tat-toppu 10-12, 14, 15 19, Cucù June. Smaller numbers are seen from July to
in the localities where it breeds, it has tal pinnaç, Cucù tat-toppu, Cerleua12, November. In recent years there have been
started interbreeding with Collared Doves. Daqquqa ca˙la tat-toppu 13, Daqquqa individual confirmed breeding records. A
Also known as the Ringneck Dove, or Ring Amerikana 20. fledged young was seen at Rabat in July
Dove, the Barbary Dove is considered to 1993 and the host was probably a Cetti’s
be a domesticated form of the African Very scarce and irregular visitor, usually Warbler. The bird was trapped and ringed
Collared Dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea. appearing from mid-February to early June. (Gauci and Dunlop 1992). In 1998 another
Taxidermists’ logbooks contained the young was seen at Xag˙ra, Gozo, where
following records: Singles at Lunzjata, the host was a Sardinian Warbler (Sultana
Gozo on 1st June 1965; at Qala, Gozo on 2001). Sightings of single birds at id-Dahar
7th February 1969; at Ûebbu©, Gozo on on 26th October 1993, at Buskett on 13th
14th March 1969; and on 1st September June 2006 and at G˙adira on 24th July
1971 in Gozo. A bird noted in a collection 2006 are typically late or early birds that
at BirΩebbu©a recently was shot on 27th are sometimes recorded.
March 1976 at Wied Ûembaq, limits of In 2007, latest spring sighting was a
BirΩebbu©a. single on 17th June. A juvenile was seen
Sammy Borg provided the following being chased by a Spotted Flycatcher at
records, all of which involve single birds: Buskett on 8th July 2007. Then a single
5th June 1965 at Wardija; 4th April 1967 on 29th July at is-Simar, 1 on 26th August
at Ûejtun; 16th March 1969 at Ta’ Óamet, at Rabat. In autumn, latest sighting was a
Gozo; 19th March 1969 at Wardija; 16th single at id-Dahar on 26th October 2007.
and 23rd October 1979 at Delimara and In 2008, several records of single birds
Buskett respectively; 13th March and 14th but a notable passage in early May when
March 1980 at tal-Óandaq; 16th July 1980 5 (including 2 rufous birds) at Dwejra, 3 at
at Buskett; 23rd May 1981 at Bulebel; 23rd Wied is-Sewda and 7 singles (including
April 1989 at Gozo; 15th September 1993 5 rufous birds) at Buskett on 6th May; 9
at Ûurrieq; 16th April 1993 at Wardija; 18th (including a rufous bird and a party of 4)
September 2000 at Wied il-G˙ajn, 1 in at Dwejra and 3 at Dingli Cliffs on 7th May.
Laughing Dove March 2003 at Naxxar, an adult on 24th One at the Grand Harbour on 8th June was
April 2006 at MiΩieb. a late spring record.
Recent sight records include a bird seen The latest autumn record in 2008 was 1
at the G˙adira on 6th March 2005, 1 on on 18th October at Buskett. In 2009, singles
14th February 2006 at Çirkewwa, 1 at Luqa on several dates in several localities in
Airport on 10th March and 1 at Ûejtun on April and May, with the first bird at id-Dahar
12th June 2006. In 2007, 2 on 25th February on 3rd April. A male and female were heard
and 1 on 27th February at Dingli Cliffs. In practically daily in the first three weeks of
2008, 1 at Fawwara on 16th February, 1 on May at the same area at MiΩieb, while a
9th and 10th March at G˙adira and id-Dahar male calling at Mellie˙a between 19th and
respectively. BirdLife also reported singles 24th May. At MiΩieb, 2 males were noted on
on 21st and 26th March 2008. In 2009, 1 at 25th and 29th May; 2 at Wardija and a male
Fawwara on 13th February, 1 at Delimara on at Fawwara on 30th May. Singles at Wardija
7th March, 1 on 5th April at Comino, a juvenile and Fawwara on 1st June, 2 at MiΩieb on 3rd
at Rabat on 18th April and 1 at Comino on June and 1 at MiΩieb on 16th June. A fledged
29th April. young, barely able to fly, was noted on two
The Great Spotted Cuckoo is a migrant consecutive days in the first week of July
to southeast and southwest Europe and at Wardija. BirdLife Malta reported that a
Great Spotted Cuckoo
western Asia, and winters in Africa. young bird “probably about to fledge” was
killed by a dog in vineyards on the edge

of MiΩieb and was taken to BirdLife Malta
offices on the 11th July (Raine 2009).
The nominate race Cuculus canorus
canorus occurs but Cuculus canorus bangsi
has been recorded twice. The nominate
race is found in Europe south to France
and Italy, and east through Siberia, south
to Turkey, Iran, northern Kazakhstan and
the Russian Altay mountains. The bangsi
race is found in Iberia, Balearic Islands,
and northwest Africa to Afghanistan and
northern Pakistan.
Birds ringed in Kaliningrad, former uSSR,
Germany, Tunisia and England have been
recovered in Malta.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus americanus
Common Cuckoo
Kukù Munqaru Isfar
Vagrant. A new record for Malta. An adult breeding (Sultana et al. 1975). In 1975, a and southern Europe, south to the Balearic
male was recently noted in a collection at pair was shot after the female had laid six Islands, Sicily, east to western Yugoslavia
Madliena. It was shot at l- A˙rax between 1st eggs in a crevice. A few years previously, and western Greece. The race ernesti is
and 3rd November 1994. Another was shot a breeding pair was shot and their newly found in Sardinia and Corsica. A Barn Owl
at il-Bidni, Marsascala towards the end of fledged young were taken to be stuffed ringed in The Netherlands was still alive 17
October in the early 1990s, but the precise (Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero 1976). years 11 months later (Staav 1998).
year is unknown. Another three specimens In 1976 it was only recorded at four All records for this species found in
were seen in local collections. Although it different sites during the breeding season unpublished taxidermists logbooks bear no
was learnt that the birds were taken locally, (Sultana and Gauci 1977-78) while it was date or locality. Most were shot in summer
data about them was not kept. recorded from only two sites in 1978 (Cachia as they are listed with other species
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo breeds in Zammit and Attard Montalto 1980). In 1982, normally taken in summer (such as Cory’s
deciduous woods from Southern Canada the Barn Owl was noted from at least one Shearwaters). Some individuals were shot
to Mexico and migrates to Central America locality (Sultana and Gauci 1982). In 1988 in spring and winter.
and as far south as northern Argentina. It the last known breeding pair of Barn Owls Most of the listed birds were probably
is a rare vagrant to Western Europe and was shot and five young owls were found siblings occurring together as the birds
has been recorded as far east as Italy. dead at the nest site (Fenech and Balzan were listed on the same page in the
The British Trust for Ornithology reported a 1988). logbooks. The totals shot from Gozo were
total of 68 birds until the end of 2007, 17 of A few Barn Owls are recorded (mainly as follows: 5 in autumn 1958, 2 in spring
which occurred prior to 1950. shot) each autumn. These birds are likely and 4 in autumn 1959; 12 in 1960: 3 shot
to be birds dispersing from nearby Sicily sometime between January and March, 3
and could establish themselves if left in spring, 5 in autumn and 1 in winter; 6 in
unmolested. 1961: 1, then 2 others in spring, and 3 in
Tytonidae Barn Owls regurgitate pellets after eating late summer.
their prey. The pellets are small elongated Three between January and February, 1
balls of fur and bones that when analysed in spring and 3 in autumn of 1963; 7 in 1966,
Barn Owl reveal a lot of information about the birds’ six of which were in late summer or early
Tyto alba diets as well as about the resident fauna. autumn and 1 in October or November.
Barba©ann Nesting sites are the best place to find Eleven were listed in 1967: 3 in spring and
accumulation of pellets, and from analysis 8 between summer and early autumn. In
Barbagianni 9, 10, 15, Barbagiani 11, of such pellets, it was established that 1969, 1 in spring, 6 in summer, 1 in autumn
Barbagianni abjad 13, Barba©anni 14, 16, 17, Barn Owls in Malta feed on House Mice and 1 in winter. One sometime between
Barba©ann18, 19. (Mus musculus), White-toothed Shrew 10th and 19th April 1973 in Gozo, 5 (2 and
(Crocidura suaveolens Pallas), Greater 3) in summer 1973, 1 in early autumn and 2
Once a very scare breeding resident that White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura russula in late autumn or early winter. In 1974, 5 in
no longer breeds due to persecution. Hermann), rats (Rattus sp.) as well as June and another 2 some time later.
Some birds that are recorded every autumn Spanish Sparrows (Schembri and Cachia Three on 10th May and 5 (2 and 3) at the
could be birds dispersing from Sicily or Zammit 1979). end of May 1975; 3 in summer 1976. In
elsewhere. In 1975, the Barn Owl was listed Both the nominate race Tyto alba alba and 1977, 1 in early spring and another in late
as a very scarce breeding resident and it Tyto alba ernesti have been recorded. The spring, 1 in August, 2 in October, and 1 in
was estimated that about ten pairs were nominate race is found in Britain, France, November.
Barn Owl pellets. Analysis of pellets can

reveal a lot of information not only about the
birds’ diet but also about what lives in the
same environment. Pellet analysis in Malta
has revealed that shrew populations were
larger than it was believed
Sammy Borg provided the following

records: singles on 7th May and 23rd May
1968 at Msiera˙; on 28th October 1969 at
Mosta Fort; on 28th October 1978 at Óal Far;
and on 17th November 1990 in Gozo. One
was found with a broken wing at Dwejra
by the author on 14th November 1997. One
seen in Xag˙ra, Gozo on 6th February and
another at the Central Bank of Malta in
Valletta on 18th October 2008.
Several Barn Owls can be seen in
pet shops and some are being bred in
Barn Owl captivity to be kept as pets. Skins of some
of these birds often find their way into local
collections.
Strigidae
European Scops Owl

Otus scops
Kokka
Coche 4, Qoqqa 8, 10, Kokka 9, 11, 16-19, Cocca

12, 14, 15
, Cocca tal bcarac13, Kokka miΩ-
Ûg˙ar, Kokka tal-Óarrub, Kokka tas-Si©ar20.
These small owls used to be very common

and were avidly hunted for food. Such
a practice, which was still common until
around the 1970’s has disappeared, while
the number of Scops Owls recorded has
also declined sharply.
Wright (1864a) states that Scops
Owls were “sold in great numbers, with
Nightjars and other birds for the table and
is considered good eating by the natives”.
Despott’s works are littered with references
of considerable quantities of such owls
Barn Owl
sold for the table from the market stalls that
used to exist in St John’s Square in Valletta. (March to May) and autumn (September
In his main work of 1917, Despott remarked to November) and some individuals may
that he often saw “heaps consisting of winter. The birds are very difficult to see
several hundreds of these birds” at the as their cryptic plumage helps to conceal
market (Despott 1917). them, but their whistling call betrays their
Strong passages occurred on 5th and 8th presence at dusk. A bird heard calling at
April 1916 when carob trees “were said Wied il-G˙asel, Mosta, on 15th June 2009
to be full of Scops Owls and the so-called was rather late.
sportsman is said to have enjoyed himself The Scops Owl breeds in southern Europe
much with these birds”. On the 9th April eastwards into western and central Asia.
1916, Despott noted 227 Scops Owls on It is migratory, wintering in southernmost
the market. Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Another 75 were seen on the 15th April A bird ringed in Malta on 16th April 1994
(Despott 1916f). In his account related to was shot at Teramo, Italy on 24th May 1994.
birds he had seen in the second half of Several birds ringed at El Haouaria, Cap Bon,
1915, in the entry of 1st November Despott in Tunisia, have been recovered in Malta.
wrote: “Passing through Wied Zembak I
met a man who had killed eleven Scops
Owls, and I learned from him that he had Eurasian Eagle Owl
taken twenty eight of these the day before,” Bubo bubo
(Despott 1916e). Kokka Imperjali
Scops Owls were still considered to be
a delicacy until the mid 20th century and Omm issubien 10, Cocca imperiala 13, Omm
some hunters who were able to see the well- is-subien 14, Kokka Imperjali 15, 17, 19.
camouflaged roosting birds specialised European Scops Owl
in their shooting and loaded special A stuffed specimen of this species
cartridges with a very small amount of shot existed in Antonio Schembri’s collection been taken, it was still breeding regularly
or coarse sand as the birds were shot at a and another one in the collection of the in Sicily. Considering ringing findings, it is
very close range. Such a practice was still university Museum. None of these bore not inconceivable that individuals could
common up to the early 1970s, when such any details about where and when they have made the short sea crossing from
owls were still relatively common. It was not were taken. Captain A. V. Falzon Sant Sicily more than 200 years ago. We can
unusual for hunters to kill several of these Manduca had assured Despott he had shot come to this conclusion with the benefit of
birds in one morning. one of them at Pembroke, and in his work hindsight. When seen in this light, it is easy
Peter Micallef of Ûebbu© recalls that of 1917, Despott wrote that “according to understand why Despott was somewhat
in the 1940s, there was a family in his to the description of the bird, I cannot wary about admitting the record of Falzon
hometown who were avid owl hunters. but ascribe the individual except to this Sant Manduca, even though Despott
These had a stretch of land known as species”, but added that further evidence considered him a highly reliable source.
tal-Patri at Wied Qirda, in the limits of was needed. In his work of 1932, Despott As the knowledgeable ornithologist that
Si©©iewi and another at Fawwara, both mentions Schembri’s specimen and Falzon he was, Despott knew that the Eagle Owl
of which were very good for Scops Owls. Sant Manduca’s record again, saying was a sedentary bird but, unlike us, he did
Both sites were littered with Carob trees that the species was evidently very rare. not have the benefit of ringing research that
and Scops Owls were very common Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero (1976) as would have shown that the bird wandered
there, especially following calm moonless well as Sultana and Gauci (1982) treated considerable distances although not
nights in October. Peter recalls it was not it as a rejected species. On account of migratory. This knowledge could only
unusual to see eight to ten owls in a tree Despott’s record, based on information come to light from ringing studies, which in
and hunters would shoot the ones sitting from Capt. Falzon Sant Manduca, whom he the late 19th century and early 20th century
on the lowest branches first as if the owls trusted with several other records, there is were not carried out.
saw a bird falling, they would fly away. no reason to reject this species completely. The fact that Despott identified the speci-
Considerable numbers of Scops Owls Despite the fact that none of the three mens as belonging to the nominate race
could be shot on particular days, and specimens survived, its occurrence cannot Bubo bubo bubo continues to strengthen
Peter recalled that on one instance the be dismissed outright. the argument in favour of the possible oc-
son of one of these hunters counted 101 Although the Eagle Owl does not currence of the Eagle Owl from Sicily, the
owls that had been shot by his father in the migrate, ringing recoveries in Europe have breeding location closest to Malta at that
1960s. Another hunter, who was hunting in shown that birds wander between 11 and time. The North African race Bubo bubo
the same area, had shot even more than 205 km. It was last recorded breeding in ascalaphus, which inhabits semi-desert re-
his father. The shot owls were then sold Sicily in 1935, but specimens continued gions, is considerably different in appear-
mostly to well-off people who had a sort of to be collected up to 1976 and Iapichino ance from the nominate race, and some au-
standing order with the hunters, who were and Massa (1989) are of the opinion that thors consider it a good species. The Eura-
instructed to take birds to them whenever extinction took place much more recently sian Eagle Owl has a wide distribution range
they shot any. than the last breeding record suggests. In and is found from North Africa and Europe
Scops Owls are no longer common the late 1800s and early 1900s when the and the Middle East to Asia. There are 17
but some can still be seen in both spring three Malta specimens are thought to have sub-species of Eagle Owls.
The Little Owl is a resident in much of the

temperate and warmer parts of Europe,
Asia east to Korea, and North Africa. It
was introduced in Great Britain in the 19th
century, and is now naturalised there. It
was also successfully introduced to the
South Island of New Zealand in the early
20th century. 1 was shot in Gozo in 2009 but
no date or locality could be obtained.
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Qattus
Omm issubien 10, Omm is-sibjen, Qattus Long-eared Owl

Eurasian Eagle Owl
11
, Barbagianni tal uidnein, Kattus 12, 15,
Omm is-subien 12-14, Qattus 17-19, Kukkun,
Little Owl Kokka tal-Qrun, Kokka tal-Brieg˙ed, Kokka
Athene noctua t’G˙ajnejha Óomor 20.
Kokka tat-Tikki
Scarce autumn migrant, appearing from
Qoqqa 8, Kokka 9, Barbagianni abiad 10, the end of September to late November
Barbagiani 11, Cocca zgheira 13, Cocca and rare from March to May in spring. A pair
Ωg˙ira 13, Cocca 14, Cocca rara 15, Kokka bred in an Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis)
rari 17, Kokka Ω©˙ira 18, Kokka tat-Tikki 20. at Comino in 2002 (Fenech 2005). This is
the first confirmed breeding record of this
A single record on 29th March 1950 was species in Malta. The birds were noted by
given by Roberts (1954). Previous ornitho- Salvu Vella, known as il-Venew, a resident
logical literature, such as Schembri (1843a), of Comino, who did not report the find
listed this owl as common without giving any immediately, fearing “more restrictions on
records. Falzon (1890) states that one was Comino”. There are only four people living
taken in Malta and preserved, while Ardoino on Comino, which is a bird sanctuary. Salvu
(1928) said it was extremely rare and oc- and his brother An©lu used to hunt there
curred towards the end of March. Despott before Comino was declared a sanctuary.
referred to previous works and states that Salvu Vella showed me the nest site in
bird taken by Prof. Falzon in 1890 was the January 2005 and the remains of the nest
only one he knew about that had been taken were still there, but had been taken over by
locally. He did not note any new records. rats. A large platform of fallen Aleppo Pine
needles trapped on horizontal branches
formed the base of the nest, which was about
one metre off the ground. Vella said he had
heard “strange cat like calls” while digging
up potatoes in May and it was difficult for
him to pinpoint where the calls were coming
from because of the ventriloquial nature
of the calls. He finally saw one young bird
above the nest and then another two. Later
he also saw the adults.
He described the young birds as “greyish”
and said he kept seeing the birds for several
days after, often in other parts of Comino,
but then they disappeared. Vella said there
were a number of “balls of fur and bones
under the nest.” In a later inspection at
the nest site on 17th April, John Azzopardi
and Michael Sammut found some pellets
containing bones of shrews and some
feathers that still have to be analysed, as
well as breast feathers of the owl itself. The nest of the Long-eared Owl in Comino,
These were found both in the nest and on and above, some of the pellets with rat and
Little Owl
the ground immediately around it. sparrow remains
Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl
It is interesting to note that German Scarce in some years and more common Odd pairs of Short-eared Owls used to
birdwatchers, who were on Comino at the in others. It can be seen both in spring and breed in Malta in the 19th century. Antonio
time Salvu Vella said he had found the autumn. Most are seen from early March Schembri wrote that a few pairs bred near
nest, had reported hearing calls which to April and from mid-September to late Qrendi and in some localities in Gozo
they believed were of young Scops Owls November. A recent record noticed in a (Schembri 1843a). A few years later,
(Charles Gauci pers. comm.). taxidermist’s logbook, bearing the date 16th Charles A. Wright stated that the Short-
The following records are from January 1984 is worth recording. It is quite eared Owl “has been known to breed here”
taxidermists’ logbooks: 2 in 1962; 2 in evident that if these owls were not shot, a (Wright 1864 p.49). Three nests were found
1963; 1 on 13th February 1964; 1 on 2nd few of them could winter in both Malta and during last century. In May 1906 a brood
November 1965; 1 on 21st November 1969; Gozo and some of the wintering ones may of five was found in the vicinity of Si©©iewi
2 at Nadur, Gozo on 29th October 1968; 1 be tempted to breed if persecution and and a nest with three eggs was found at
at Ûebbu©, Gozo on 1st November 1971; disturbance were not so intense. Wied Ûnuber in May 1909 (Despott 1917).
1 at Qala, Gozo on 2nd November 1971;
1 in Malta on 10th November 1976; 1 on
18th October 1977 at Marsaxlokk; 1 on 20th
October 1977; 1 on 31st October 1977, and
1 on 5th December 1985.
Sammy Borg also informed me of an
unusually late bird seen on 19th June 1978
at the Addolorata Cemetery; 2 on 23rd
October 1985 and 1 on 5th December 1985
both in Malta.
In 2007, up to 10 records of individual
birds in several locations in October, 1 on
5th November at Faqqanija and another
at the same locality on 29th November. In
2009, a single bird was seen at Wardija on
14th November.
The Long-eared Owl breeds in Europe,
Asia, and North America. It is partially
migratory, moving south in winter from the
northern parts of its temperate range.
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Kokka tax-Xag˙ri
Omm issubien4, Omm ys sybien 7, Omm-

issubien8-10, Barbagiani11, 12, Omm is-
sibjen11, Omm is-subien12-18, Cocca13, Kokka
tax-xag˙ri17-19, Kukkun, Kokka tas-Subien,
Short-eared Owl
Kokka tal-Qamel, Kokka tas-Sibbien20.
The most recent breeding attempt was partially migratory, moving south in winter and from late August to early November,
in 1983, when a nest with five eggs was from the northern parts of its range. It will with most birds being recorded from mid-
found at Comino in March. The nest was also wander nomadically in search of September to mid-October. They can
found destroyed a few days later. During better food supplies during years when be seen hawking for insects at dusk and
the same period in which the nest was vole populations are low. dawn. During the day they rely on their
under observation only one owl was seen, A bird ringed in Hickling, England, was camouflage to conceal themselves.
and a Short-eared Owl was shot from recovered in Gozo 17 months later. A Nightjars used to be so common that
a dinghy just off Comino in mid-March young bird ringed in the nest in Sweden country folk used to catch them with nooses
(Sultana and Gauci 1984-85). Records in in July 1977 was recovered in Malta on tied to the end of a stick or by nooses made
2006 include single birds at Marsascala 28 th October of the same year. A Short- out of Wild Oat Grass (Avena arvensis), ‘bil-
on 27th September, on 17th October at eared Owl ringed in Germany was still ˙afura’. Camelo Bartolo (above) shows how
Wied il-Luq, Buskett, on Comino on 26th alive 20 years 9 months later (Staav this was done and says such a custom was
– 28th October and on 3rd November at 1998). still practised in the early to mid-1900s. In the
Pembroke. In 2007, singles on several late 1800s, Wright noted that as many as 130
dates in March and in October but 2 were shot in a single day by a single person.
together on 23rd September at Buskett, 2 Despott stated that hundreds of Nightjars
on 22nd October near Mnajdra Temples, Caprimulgidae used to be sold for food, alongside other
2 on 24th October at Dingli and 6 on 1st birds, at the Valletta market.
November at Ûurrieq. In 2008, singles The steep decline in their numbers can
seen in various localities in the second European Nightjar also be seen in bag records of Salvino
week of March and singles or twos in Caprimulgus europaeus Sant Manduca, who hunted at Wardija
various localities between 4th and 18th Buqrajq between 10th April and 20th May every year
October. In 2009, the first record 23rd from 1916 to 1938. The average number of
October at Mrie˙el and 2 on 31st October Bukraik 4, 6, 8-10, 12, 13, Buqrejq 7, Bu-karrack 8, Nightjars shot over a 23-year period was 12
at Ûurrieq and 3 at Tal-Fanal, Gozo, on Bukarak 9, Buqrajq 11, 16-19, Bukrajk, Bukarrak each spring. In 1916 he shot 44, which was
several days throughout November and 14
, Pa˙˙u, Nejjiek ir-Ri˙ 20. 8 more than the number of Turtle Doves
December. he had killed that year. In 1923, when he
The Short-eared Owl occurs on all The Nightjar used to be very common in killed 63 doves, he shot only 5 Nightjars,
continents except Antarctica and the early to the middle of the 1900s. It is and in the following year he shot only 4,
Australia. There are ten recognized still common but much fewer numbers when it was another bumper year for Turtle
sub-species of Short-eared Owl: Asio are seen these days, in both spring and Doves as he had bagged 56. There were
flammeus breeds in Europe, Asia, North autumn. Nightjars can be seen from late several years when he shot no Nightjars or
and South America, the Caribbean, March to early June. Migration peaks from not more than 4 birds in the whole spring
Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands. It is the middle of April to the middle of May, season.
European Nightjar
Some superstitious old time hunters used

to keep a dried leg of a Nightjar in their
hunting jacket or game bag as an amulet
against the evil eye (Aldo Azzopardi pers.
comm.).
up to recently, although protected,
Nightjars were still shot in relatively large
numbers and most were consumed,
usually ending up in broth.
No proper study of Nightjars has ever
been undertaken in Malta and a lot of
birds of different shades, colours and
sizes have been noted in local collections.
It is a known fact that although there are
six races of Nightjars, there is much clinal
variation and intergradation, that is the
races interbreed, where their breeding
ranges overlap (Cleere and Nurney 1998).
The nominate race Caprimulgus
europaeus europaeus, which is found in
central and northern Europe and northern
Asia, occurs. Bannerman and Vella
Gaffiero (1976) reported also Caprimulgus
europaeus meridionalis, which was
questioned by Sultana and Gauci (1982).
The meridionalis race is found in north
European Nightjar Morocco, northern Algeria and north-
Red-necked Nightjar Apopidae

Nightjars shot at Wardija Caprimulgus ruficollis
Buqrajq A˙mar
1916 44
1917 22 White-throated Needletail
1918 20
Bukraik abiad 10, 12, 13, Buqrajq abiad ,
11
Hirundapus caudacutus
1919 33 Bukraik ahmar 15, Buqrajq A˙mar 19. Rundun tal-Labar
1920 32
1921 19 Very rare, with singles recorded in April Rundun tal-Palestina 17, Rundun ta’ l-Asja18,
1922 18 and May and once in June. There has not Rundun tal-Labar 19.
1923 5 been a record of this bird for a long time
1924 4 and all existing records were of birds that Vagrant, with only one documented record
1925 17 had been shot. The last two records listed of a bird shot at Faqqanija in mid-November
1926 9 by Sultana and Gauci (1982) were of a 1971 (Sultana and Gauci 1973a).
1927 8 single at Ta’ Ìiorni on 29th June 1969 and
1928 1 Formerly known as Needle-tailed Swift or
another at Mellie˙a in early April 1974. Spine-tailed Swift. These swifts breed in
1929 9
Since the Nightjar became protected rocky hills in central Asia and southern Si-
1930 26
1931 3
in 1980, hunters were reluctant to report beria. It is migratory, wintering south to Aus-
1932 3 the occurrence of such a bird whenever tralia. It is a rare vagrant in Western Europe.
1933 0 they came across it. But taxidermists have
1934 2 assured me that a few individuals are taken
1935 1 from time to time. The last one they knew Common Swift
1936 0 of was a bird taken in spring 2002, but no Apus apus
1937 0 date or locality was known. One seen in a Rundun
1938 1 collection recently was shot in mid-May,
year unknown at Ìebel Ciantar, another at Chauief 4, Rundun 8, 9, 11-19
, Roundoun 10
,
Source: Bag records of Salvino Sant Manduca Dingli in June 2000. Rundunu20.
Both the nominate race Caprimulgus
western Tunisia and in Iberia, east through ruficollis ruficollis and Caprimulgus Very common migrant and summer visitor
southern Europe, the Mediterranean, ruficollis desertorum have been recorded. from March to November, with most being
Crimea, Caucasus, to northwest Iran and The nominate ruficollis occurs in Portugal, seen between May and August. It has also
the Caspian Sea. It leaves the breeding Spain and parts of Morocco while the race been recorded in December and February.
grounds at about the same time as the desertorum is found in northeast Morocco, Hundreds, sometimes thousands are seen
nominate race, moving south on a broad Algeria, and Tunisia. on single days, especially with medium to
front across the Mediterranean, the strong north-westerly winds, and Swifts are
northern parts of the Middle East and observed flying against them.
North Africa. The return movements north Egyptian Nightjar Schembri (1843a) and Wright (1864)
probably take place at the same time as Caprimulgus aegyptius state that it bred in fortifications and sea
those of the nominate race (Cleere and Buqrajq Abjad cliffs. In both his works of 1916 and 1917,
Nurney 1998). Hence it is not improbable Despott said that the Swift was “one of the
that it could be recorded in Malta too. At Bukraik rar 13, Bukraik abjad 15, 17-19. more common breeders.” He adds that:
least five birds seen in local collections “great numbers could be seen flying about
have been identified as meridionalis. Vagrant, with few documented records, but southern cliffs and entering their crevices”.
Sammy Borg informed me that a bird of it seems to appear annually in spring. He reported seeing a nest in the cliffs close
the meridionalis race was shot at Ûebbu© unpublished records include one to G˙ar Óasan in May 1909.
on 20th May 2000. 2009 was a very poor sometime before 20th April 1968 in Gozo; In 1992 a pair was noted mating at Dingli
year for Nightjars, with a few single birds another on 7th March 1976 at Qajjenza, Cliffs. In July 1997, a pair was recorded
recorded from mid-April to the end of BirΩebbu©a; an adult on 23rd March 1995 breeding at Marsascala (Borg 1999b).
May. Two were noted at Comino on 29th at Pembroke and another on 3rd June 1998, Since 2004, Swifts have been breeding at
April. Another 2 recorded at Fawwara on locality unknown; another in spring 2004 in Portomaso Tower in July and August.
23rd June were rather unusually late. In Gozo. In 2008, two pairs possibly bred under the
September, singles and twos on several Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of two arches of Wied il-G˙asel Bridge in Mosta in
dates but 6 on 23rd September at Comino records: 1 on 1st April 1983 at Ta’ Çenç, late June 2008, where the birds were seen
and 3 on 25th September at Buskett. Gozo and another at G˙arb, Gozo on 3rd repeatedly throughout the months of June
The European Nightjar is a Palearctic April 1984. Only one has been recorded and July. Raymond Vella noticed three
breeding migrant, with its non-breeding in autumn on 8th November 1986 at tal- pairs around the Mellie˙a Church in July.
grounds mainly in West and East Africa, Óandaq. These probably bred in crevices at the
with some wintering in southern Africa. Most probably the race occurring in back of the church. Some 20 birds were
Birds ringed in Denmark and Sweden have Malta is Caprimulgus aegyptius saharae, also repeatedly seen circling, screeching
been recovered in Malta. Nightjars can which is the one that breeds in North Africa. and chasing each other in Paceville, where
live for rather long. A female ringed while This race has also been recorded in Sicily some bred in ventilators in the upper floors
breeding in the uK was still alive 11 years several times. of a block of old flats. In 2009, flocks of up
later (Staav 1998). to 250 birds on many days in April and May
Most Swifts used to be left to rot where bird was seen on 28th September 2007 at
they fell, although some were also eaten. Clapham Junction.
This practice has fortunately decreased In 2009, records of several singles and
considerably. up to 10 birds from April to July, but over
A bird ringed in Germany was shot in 30 at il-Kunçizzjoni on 17th April, over
Malta six years later. Another bird ringed 180 at Fawwara on 30th May. At least 10
in Finland on 28th July 1976 was shot at tal- at Fawwara on 18th June. At least 8 in
Óandaq, limits of Qormi, on 15th September the morning at Pembroke and over 100
of the same year. at Ìebel Çiantar noted arriving an hour
A Swiss-ringed Common Swift was found before dusk with Common Swifts from
breeding 21 years later (Staav 1998). a southerly direction on 12th July; some.
45 on 26th July at Fawwara and about 30
on 21st August at Dwejra, Gozo, 3 on 25th
Pallid Swift September at Buskett.
Apus pallidus In 2009, BirdLife reported that Pallid
Rundun Kannelli Swifts had bred in Malta for the first time.
About 10 pairs were recorded in Gozo,
Rundun scehbieni13, Rundun second 15
, with birds recorded flying into nesting
Rundun 17, Rundun Kannelli 18-19. sites with food balls in their mouths indi-
cating the presence of young. A colony
Scarce but regular from March to estimated to have another 5 pairs was
October, but easily overlooked. A careful located in a sea cave at a separate site
Common Swift birdwatcher can spot the paler Pallid Swifts in Gozo. Another pair is thought to have
with more contrasting upper parts among tried to breed in a chapel in the south of
2009, but over 800 on 16th April at Dwejra, groups of Common Swifts. More records Malta, but one of the birds was shot and
over 300 at Comino on 25th April, over 500 are being logged as birdwatchers are was left on site. It was found to have a
at Salina on 8th May, over 500 at Xag˙ra, paying more attention to flocks of Swifts, brood patch (Raine 2000).
Gozo on 10th May, over 500 at Dwejra on where individual Pallid Swifts are often The race Apus pallidus brehmorum
12th May, over 300 at Dwejra, Malta, on 4th identified. occurs in Malta. This race is found in the
June, over 300 at Fawwara on 8th June and In 2006, a single was noted at Salina Canary Islands, Madeira, Iberia, southern
at least 250 at Fawwara on 18th June. on 30th July, 2 at Buskett on 23rd August, France, western and southern Italy,
Swifts were recorded prospecting and singles at Buskett on 25th and 31st August southern Greece, Cyprus, and on the coast
breeding in a number of localities in 2009. and 1st September, 1 on 3rd September at of North Africa to northwest Egypt. There is
The small colony at Mellie˙a church had at Nadur (Malta), 1 on 6th and another on 9th another race of Pallid Swift, Apus pallidus
least 8 pairs and was first observed on 26th September at Buskett and 3 (1, 2) on 30th illyricus that has not yet been recorded
April. At least six pairs bred in a block of September at Clapham Junction. in Malta, but it is not inconceivable that
flats in Sacred Heart Street, St. Julians in The highest count so far for this species it should occur as it is found on the east
May. At the end of May, there were up to was 300 at G˙ar Lapsi on 17th June 2007. coast of Adriatic Sea.
7 birds breeding by the Mdina Cathedral; Michael Sammut, who observed the
at least 4 pairs were breeding at the birds, noted flocks of Swifts and Pallid
Mosta Bridge, another four pairs were Swifts coming in from the south west,
breeding at Mater Dei Hospital. circling overhead and heading out to sea
There were also several small colonies in a north westerly direction. Some 200
in other areas in Paceville and Swieqi, Swifts were seen in addition to the Pallid
Sliema, GΩira, G˙arg˙ur, Rabat (Malta) Swifts.
and in sea cliffs between Xlendi and The largest flock recorded previous to
Dwejra, Gozo. this was 40 birds (Michael Sammut pers.
A curious behaviour was noted in comm.). Apart from the high count on 17th
several localities. Swifts were observed June, several records involving single birds
trying to enter Spanish Sparrow nests and low figures were registered in 2007.
and dislodge the sparrows from their Over 200 Pallid Swifts and over 300
nests in several areas such as Mosta and Swifts were seen on 5th August 2007 at
the Mellie˙a Church. Clapham Junction. Michael Sammut noted
Swifts used to be shot in large numbers, Swifts feeding with Pallid Swifts arriving
especially in May and in summer. Some first in two flocks before the onset of rain,
indulged in shooting at them during the then they were joined by more Pallid Swifts
migration period, especially when there mixed with flocks of Common Swift and 2
were no Turtle Doves about. Alpine Swifts, eventually converging into
Others specifically went out to shoot them one big flock before dispersing all over the
at places such as Dingli and Faqqanija, area with most of the Pallid Swift leaving in
spending the cartridges they did not use in a southerly direction whilst the Common
Pallid Swift
April and May. Swifts kept circling in the area. A single
flock of over 15 at Dwejra, 4 on the 27th Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of a bird on
September at Buskett, 5 on 28th September 16th December 1975 from Wied il-G˙asri,
at Clapham Junction, a flock of 17 on 2nd Gozo. The most recent records are of a bird
October at Buskett, 7 on the 2nd October seen on 13th September 2003 at Buskett
at Dwejra and a total of 19 (including and two single birds in 2009, 1 at Dwejra,
a parties of 6, 5 and 4) at Dwejra on 6th Gozo on 5th June and another at il-Munxar,
October and 1 at Clapham Junction on St Thomas Bay, on 11th June.
25th October.
In 2009, several singles but 3 at G˙adira
on 7th March, 3 off Çirkewwa and 5 at
Dwejra, Gozo on 10th March, 4 on 13th Alcedindae
March off Çirkewwa, 5 over is-Simar on
19th March, 4 on 31st March and 6 on 3rd
April at Dwejra (Malta), 4 at Wardija and 2 Common Kingfisher
at Salina on 14th April, 2 at Nadur (Malta) Alcedo atthis
on 15th April, 3 at Dwejra (Malta) and 2 at G˙asfur ta’ San Martin
Comino on 16th April, 2 at Xag˙ra, Gozo
on 13th May and 2 at Fawwara on 18th Ghasfur ta’ San Martin8-19, Alçjun, Kingfixer20.
Common Kingfisher
June. Singles at G˙arg˙ur on 10th July,
at Dwejra on 4th August and at MiΩieb on Kingfishers occur mostly in August and
8th August, but 18, including a flock of 12, September but they can be seen from
Alpine Swift at Buskett on 18th September and 10 at July to mid-March. Birds can be seen both
Apus melba Dwejra (Malta) on 20th September and 10 around the coast as well as inland where
Rundun ta’ Ûaqqu Bajda on the 21st. there is water in valleys. A few birds winter
Alpine Swifts breed in mountains from at G˙adira and is-Simar Reserves. Single
Rundun 8, Rundun ta zaccu baida 8, 9, southern Europe to the Himalayas. They birds are usually seen but up to 8 have
Roundoun zakku baida 10, Rundun zakku are strongly migratory and winter much been counted at is-Simar and G˙adira.
baida 11, Rundun ta zakku baida 12, 13, further south in southern Africa. On Some of the birds ringed at G˙adira in
Rundun ta’ Ûaqqu Bajda14-19, Rundun migration, they wander widely and are summer and autumn were re-trapped there
Abjad, Rundun mill-Bojod, Rundun tal- regularly seen in much of southern Europe in the following autumn or winter. A pair
Óannieqa 20. and Asia. was also observed displaying at G˙adira in
March 1984 and the species is considered
Mostly single birds are seen in both spring as a potential breeding bird (Gauci 1990).
and autumn, but sometimes small to White-rumped Swift Schembri (1843a) implies that the
medium sized flocks can be seen as well. Apus caffer Kingfisher was a rare breeder while
It is often seen in the company of other Rundun tal-Óawwief Wright (1864a) said “it was said to breed
swifts, and it is not unusual to see 2 or 3 here sometimes”. Despott (1932) and De
Alpine Swifts in a flock of Swifts. Most are Rundun Ωg˙ir 18, Rundun tal-Óawwief 19. Lucca (1969) state that the race Alcedo
seen from mid-March to May, but some atthis ispida occurs, though De Lucca
occur in June and July as well. It is scarce A single record in May 1974. The bird was argued that the race occurring in Malta
from mid-August to early November. seen in a collection of stuffed birds and was seemed to be an intermediate between
Taxidermists’ records included 1 shot recorded by Sultana and Mallia (1988). A ispida and the nominal race atthis. The
on 9th November 1984. Records in 2005 flock of 10 birds was recorded from Sfax, race ispida occurs from south Norway,
include: 4 on 2nd October at Rabat; 8 at Tunisia on 24th January 1984 (Isenmann et Ireland, and Spain to Leningrad in the
Xag˙ra, Gozo on 25th September; 3 at al. 2005). Although of tropical origin, this western Russia. The nominate race
tal-Ìordan, Gozo on 7th October; 8 on 8th bird now breeds in Morocco. Alcedo atthis atthis is found breeding in
October at Buskett; 1 on 17th October also northwest Africa, southern and eastern
at Buskett. Spain, Corsica, central and southern Italy
Among the notable records in 2006, 4 Little Swift to Bulgaria, eastern and central Rumania
were seen at Comino on 27th April, 1 at Dingli Apus affinis to Turkey and Pakistan.
on 20th August, singles on 8th September Rundun Ûg˙ir Eastern and northern populations
at Dingli, at Buskett and Mellie˙a on the (mainly ispida) are largely migratory,
15th; 9 at Buskett and 1 at Mellie˙a on 21st Very rare with about nine records prior to moving south to the Mediterranean in
September, and 1 on 30th again at Buskett. this book, occurring five times in spring, autumn. Central European populations
Several single and twos in 2007 but over three times in autumn and once in winter. (mainly atthis) are only partially
10 on 30th April at Dwejra, Gozo; 2 on 5th The race Apus affinis galilejensis occurs. migratory, whereas western and southern
August at Clapham Junction, 1 at Bidnija This race occurs from northwest Africa populations (atthis) are mostly sedentary.
on 15th August and 4 on 16th September at south to Chad, in central Sudan and in the Malta receives the ispida race since birds
Clapham Junction. Middle East and east to uzbekistan. of this race undertake leapfrog migration
In 2008, 1 on the 26th August at Buskett Sammy Borg provided the following two from the east and north of the range to
was the first ‘autumn’ record. Highest new records: 1 at Salina on 23rd June 1970 winter in the Mediterranean, skipping over
numbers on the 10th September with a and another on 29th July 1971 at Ûurrieq. the atthis populations in the centre and
south. More than 200 Kingfishers were Merops persicus was formerly known as
ringed in Malta during the period 1965 to Merops superciliosus. The nominate race
1993, but almost no details are available Merops persicus persicus, that occurs
regarding the races involved. in northern Egypt and Middle East, east
The first birds for summer of 2006 to Kazakhstan and north-west India, has
were 2 at St Elmo Point on 6th August been recorded in Malta.
and a single at is-Simar on 8th August;
then 3 at G˙adira from 13th October
to 18th October. In 2007, sightings of European Bee-eater
single birds from several places from Merops apiaster
August onwards but 3 at G˙adira on 2nd Qerd in-Na˙al
November. In 2008, singles, mostly in
several coastal localities but 2 at G˙adira Chert-innahal 4, Kort e nahhal 5, Qyrd yn-
on 19th February, 2 on 27th August at nahal 7, Kirt-el-nahal 8, 9, Kart il nahal 10, Kart
Salina, 3 at is-Simar on 30th August and 2 in-nahal 11, Kirt in-nahal 12, Kard in-na˙al 13,
at G˙adira on 1st September, 3 between Kird in-nahal 15, Qird in-na˙al 17-19.
11th and 13th September at is-Simar, 5 on
18th September at is-Simar, 3 at is-Simar Common from mid-April to mid-June, and
between 19th and 24th September, where in recent years it is even more common in
European Bee-eater
2 were still present on 30th November at autumn, from late August to September.
is-Simar and 1 to 2 at G˙adira until the It is sometimes recorded also in July. As
end of December. Bee-eaters usually appeared late in the had closed, but it was later learnt that two
In 2009, the highest counts were 3 at spring migration, when flocks were seen of the birds had been shot. Two birds were
Salina on 8th January and 3 at is-Simar in in former times, this was taken as a sign seen daily, but from June onwards only a
August. The first record after spring was that the Turtle Dove migration had come single bird was noted from time to time,
1 at Wied il-G˙asri, Gozo on 28th July. 2 to its end and, in fact there was a proverb flying over the area or perched on wires.
to 3 birds, mostly at G˙adira and is-Simar that said: Meta tisma’ l-Qerd in-Na˙al, erfa’ This could be explained as both males and
throughout September, but over 5 at x-xbiek mur lejn ir-ra˙al (When you hear the females incubate the eggs and the single
G˙adira on 26th September. Bee-eater, pack your nets and go home). bird that was seen was probably the one
A bird ringed in the Czech Republic was Bee-eaters can appear singly or in small that was not incubating.
recovered in Malta. A Kingfisher ringed in parties, but flocks of 15 to 20 birds are In the third week of July, four young birds
Belgium was still alive 21 years later (Staav rather common and flocks of 50 or more were seen being fed by two adults in the
1998). birds are not unusual. Groups of around area. The four birds often sat on wires and
200 birds are often observed at Buskett the adults perched on the wire above them.
in autumn. As the birds are in the habit of The birds were seen daily hawking for
Meropidae calling when in flight, they are very often insects over the area. An adult and juvenile
heard before they are seen. A single bird seen at Buskett on 22nd July were probably
at Chadwick lakes on 21st June 2005 was some of the birds that bred locally. One
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater rather late. Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of the birds seen at Buskett had one of its
Merops persicus of another very late record of a bird on 24th flight feathers on its left wing damaged,
Qerd in-Na˙al A˙dar June 1990 at G˙arb, Gozo. just as one of the birds at Fawwara did.
In 2006, a pair bred at Fawwara, raising Although it is not unusual to see Bee-eaters
Kirt-el-nahal 8, Kart il nahal rar 10, Kart in- four young (Fenech 2006c). This is the first with damaged wing feathers because of
nahal rar 11, Kirt in-nahal 12, Kard in-na˙al confirmed breeding record of this species. illegal hunting, the probability of the birds
rar 13, Kird in-nahal rar 15, Qird in-na˙al rar Schembri (1843a) stated that according to being the same in this instance is very
17
, Qerd in-Na˙al A˙dar 18, 19. Dr Pisani, the chief medical officer of the strong because Buskett and Fawwara are
Gozo hospital, Bee-eaters sometimes bred barely 2 km distant as the crow flies and
Vagrant: recorded nine times in April and at Ramla, Gozo, laying their eggs in the the fact that the damaged feather was on
May and once in September. The last sand, but neither Schembri nor subsequent the same wing makes the probability even
record is of a single bird at Wardija on 20th ornithologists who mentioned this managed stronger. Furthermore, although lone late
May 1973 (Sultana and Gauci 1982). These to confirm it, though it was very likely to have or early Bee-eaters have been sometimes
authors listed a single bird at G˙ajnsielem, happened. The birds at Fawwara bred in a noted, it is very seldom they are seen in July
Gozo on 9th May 1968, but a taxidermist’s mound of sand in a disused quarry. There is and there were never daily occurrences
records indicate that two birds were taken a lot of arable agricultural land in the area, throughout summer, as happened in this
on that day at G˙ajnsielem, and another with water running in open channels and a case when they bred. I went to the area
at Comino in the following day. The latter large reservoir amongst a cluster of Acacia on 24th August after being informed about
record was included by Sultana and Gauci and other assorted trees including fruit them by Joe Borg, the farmer practising
(1982). trees. Dragonflies and other insects are very organic farming in the area, and heard the
A considerable number of birds of this common as organic farming is practised birds calling before seeing the six birds
species exist in local collections, but the over most of the area. together three times in the area. The birds
vast majority of these have been imported Four birds were initially noted in the area were seen once near the Acacia grove
following hunting trips to Egypt. at the end of May, when the hunting season and twice near the quarries, one of which
European Bee-eaters
is disused. In the morning on 25th August, Gozo and over 50 birds were also seen and over 60 at Dingli. Other September
a flock of 15 Bee-eaters came in from the at Dwejra (Malta). An adult and juvenile at records were over 60 at Buskett and over
sea. The local birds started calling and Buskett on 22nd July were probably from 45 (20 and over 25) at Clapham Junction
the newly-arrived birds joined them and the pair which bred at Fawwara. on the 9th; 11 on the 12th and 8 on the 15th all
later settled in Acacia trees, but all then left Several flocks were recorded in August: at Buskett; over 75 at Buskett and Clapham
together. The six birds however returned 25 and 21 birds on the 21st at is-Salib tal- Junction and over 65 (over 45, over 20)
about an hour later. G˙olja; 25 on the 22nd and 21 on the 23rd, all at Dwejra (Malta) on the 16th; over 25 at
On 29th August, some 200 migrating at Buskett; 64 (22, 42) at Buskett, over 47 Buskett on the 17th; over 60 at Buskett and
Bee-eaters came to the area and the local at Dingli and some 50 at Dwejra (Malta) on 30 at Dwejra (Malta) on the 21st; over 60 at
birds again called them down and joined the 24th. A flock of about 40 at Bin©emma Clapham Junction on the 22nd; over 25 and
them in the same acacia trees. The same and 36 at Buskett on the 25th; over 55 at 30 at Buskett and Clapham Junction
behaviour was noted as all the birds left the Buskett and over 37 (23, over 2 and 12) at respectively on the 23rd; 38 (13 and 25) at
area together, but six birds returned less Nadur (Malta) on the 26th; flocks of 20 and Buskett on the 30th and 11 on 1st October,
than an hour later. 38 at Buskett on the 31st. In September, also at Buskett.
The birds remained at Fawwara until over 50 on the 1st at Dwejra (Malta); 20 at Bee-eaters were quite evident in 2007,
the first week of September, and were no Buskett and about 45 at Dingli on the 2nd; which was quite a good year. There were
longer seen after that. The birds bred each over 50 on the 3rd at Nadur (Malta); over up to 70 on most days in April and up to 55
year since then. In 2007 another two pairs 60 on the 4th and over 100 on the 5th, all at on several dates in May and several singles
bred and adults were seen feeding three Buskett; flocks of over 70, and over 60 at in June. In August, a flock of 8 over l-A˙rax
fledged young on more than one occasion. Buskett and Dwejra (Malta) respectively on on the 19th; over 150 birds in various flocks,
In 2008, a pair bred, again raising three the 6th; about 45 on the 7th at Buskett. On most of which later gathered in a flock of
young while in 2009, two pairs bred, one the 8th September, a notable passage was over 80 birds, on the 31st at Nadur (Malta).
of which used a different location within the registered: 48 (in flocks of 12, 16, 20) were In September over 25 on the 3rd at Buskett;
same quarry while another dug a fresh hole seen from Dwejra (Malta), 20 at Buskett circa 40 on the 8th at Clapham Junction;
in the sand bank where the first breeding over 90 on the 14th at Buskett; 37 at
occurred. Apart from the two pairs, there Clapham Junction on the 15th; over 100 at
was another male who was frequently seen Buskett and over 80 at Clapham Junction
with one of the pairs. This phenomenon is on the 16th; over 58 (35+, 23) on the 28th at
known in Bee-eaters as an unpaired male Clapham Junction.
sometimes helps the pair raise their young. In 2008, notable flocks in April were
In 2006, there were several sightings of over 50 on the 20th at Comino; over 100
Bee-eaters on migration. A single early at Luqa Airport on the 21st; over 60 on the
bird was seen on 1st April at Salina. Several 28th at Dwejra (Malta). A flock of over 70
birds in flocks were seen in April and May: birds was seen at Delimara on 22nd June.
10 on 30th April at Ramla, Gozo; over 65 (in In August, 50 to 100 birds at Fawwara on
flocks of 12, 16, 17, and over 20 birds) on most dates from the 12th to the 31st. Flocks
23rd April at Ta’ Óida, Gozo; over 65 on 30th of between 50 and 90 birds at Buskett
April at G˙ajn Ri˙ana and again on 1st May; from 25th to 28th August, over 200 on 29th
over 40 at id-Dahar on 9th May. A significant August, over 50 at Mizieb on 30th August.
passage seems to have occurred on 10th An evident passage on 31st August with
May as over 200 birds in flocks of over 30 over 70 present at Dwejra while several
and over 50 birds each were seen at Ramla other small flocks were seen passing over.
l-Óamra, Gozo. Flocks of over 25, over 30 Some 150 were also noted at Buskett. In
and over 55 birds were seen at Dwejra, One of the nest holes at Fawwara in 2009 September, recorded daily with up to 100
birds in several localities, but over 100 at 60 at Kapuççini Valley and a flock of 50 2009. Three young birds were seen being
Buskett on the 4th, 9th and 10th. Over 150 at Marsalforn Valley while in Malta a total fed by two adults close to the nesting site
seen at Dwejra on the 10th September and of 33 at il-Qortin tal-Mellie˙a. Other April on 18th June. A second pair was seen with
over 100 at Buskett on the 11th, 13th, 14th, sightings included over 70 (largest flock two fledged young on 25th June. On 10th
18th and 27th. of 35) at is-Simar and 47 at Comino on July, a third pair was noted entering one
Over the past few years, the number of the 27th; over 25 at Qormi and over 30 at of the nesting holes with food. Michael
Bee-eaters seen has increased and birds Comino on the 28th; over 147 (largest flock Sammut noted a pair with three young in
are being seen rather early. In 2009, 5 at 50) at is-Simar, 20 at Nadur, Gozo and over Gozo in July.
Xag˙ra, Gozo and at least 2 at Bidnija on 20 at Comino on the 29th; 49 at Comino, 72 It was only after Bee-eaters bred for the
31st March were rather early birds. In April, at id-Dahar and a flock of 28 at is-Simar on fourth consecutive year that BirdLife Malta
a flock of 26 on the 2nd and a flock of over the 30th. In May, over 75 at Wied Qirda and finally acknowledged that these birds were
25 on the 8th at is-Simar; 14 at id-Dahar on over 40 at Xag˙ra, Gozo on the 1st; 40 at breeding. In a report about rare breeding
the 9th; a flock of 27 at Dwejra, Gozo, over in-Nuffara, Gozo and Comino respectively birds, BirdLife reported the matter using
30 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana and a flock of over 40 and over 30 at Dwejra (Malta) on the 2nd; these exact words: “Between one and
at Ta’ Qali on the 11th; 12 at Tal-Óandaq on 8 at Dwejra (Malta) and 13 at Comino on two pairs bred at a location in Malta and
the 13th; a flock 19 at id-Dahar and 15 at the 3rd; 8 at G˙adira on the 5th; over 40 successfully fledged young. From the
Wied Qirda on the 15th; 11 at Dwejra (Malta) at is-Simar, 32 at Luqa Airport and over presence of old nest holes in the same site;
and over 35 at Comino on the 16th; over 30 15 at Xag˙ra, Gozo on the 6th; over 40 at it appears that pairs of this species may
at Mount St Joseph, 36 at Nadur (Malta), Dwejra (Malta) and 20 at Xag˙ra, Gozo on have bred at the site in previous years.
a flock of 40 at Ramla, Gozo and a flock the 8th; over 35 at Dwejra (Malta), over 15 Breeding in previous years has been
of 15 at is-Simar on the 17th; 17 at Mount at Bidnija and over 10 at Xag˙ra, Gozo on reported by third parties but cannot be
St Joseph and 25 at Salina on the 19th; the 9th; 28 at Dwejra (Malta) and over 15 at verified by BirdLife Malta. Possible breeding
over 25 at il-Qag˙di on the 22nd. Significant Mount St Joseph on the 10th; 28 (16, 8, 4) was recorded at a single location in Gozo,”
passages between 23rd and 26th April with at Dwejra (Malta) and 20 at Xag˙ra, Gozo (Raine 2009). Apart from ignoring previous
46 (largest flock 20) at is-Simar, over 33 on the 13th; and over 10 at G˙adira on the records, which had been published in the
at Comino, a flock of 26 at Wied Qirda, a 14th. press, the family party seen by Michael
flock over 25 at Dwejra (Malta), over 15 at Singles and twos were seen in various Sammut in Gozo was not even accepted as
Bin©emma, all on the 23rd. other localities such as G˙ajn Ri˙ana, a breeding record, but a possible one. This
Over 185 in a regular passage at is- Ta’ Qali, G˙adira, is-Simar in the first two
Simar on 24th April, with flocks of between weeks of June, but a flock of 19 at is-Simar
15 and 40 birds seen all day up to about on the 20th. In autumn, a flock of around
16.00 hours. At least 300 were seen in 100 birds, and sometimes more, were
the morning at id-Dahar, with flocks of observed practically daily at Clapham
between 15 and 40 birds seen passing Junction and Buskett from 28th to 31st
through at regular intervals, with flocks August. While some birds often spend
sometimes combining to form bigger a few days in Malta, others may be seen
groups. On 25th April, over 250 at Comino, passing through on migration throughout
over 200 at id-Dahar, 92 (largest flock 35) September.
at Fomm ir-Ri˙, 34 at Chadwick Lakes, 25 Bee-eaters bred again in 2009. A pair
at Dwejra (Malta) and 8 at Çirkewwa, while was seen performing courtship display at
in Gozo, over 80 at Ta’ Lambert, over 50 Fawwara on 30th May. Four birds were seen
at Qala and 12 at Kerçem. Small flocks on the following day and five, two pairs and
of around 10 birds were seen in various a male, were noted on 3rd June. At least
localities in Gozo on 26th April but over three pairs fledged young at Fawwara in
Previously considered as a fairly common at Clapham Junction on the 23rd and 2 at

migrant, it is now very scarce in spring and Clapham Junction on 30th.
even scarcer in autumn. Most birds appear In 2007, singles on Comino on 25th April;
from early April and individuals can be at id-Dahar, Mellie˙a and at Kerçem, Gozo
seen until June, and occasionally in early on 29th April, another at id-Dahar on 30th
July. April and 3 at G˙arg˙ur on 5th May. In
In autumn it occurs from August until 2008, 1 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 11th May, 3 at
October, with most records in September. Buskett on 9th September and 1 at Dingli
Being large, colourful and conspicuous on 28th September. In 2009, singles on
and in the habit of sitting on exposed 16th April at Dwejra (Malta), on 17th April
perches, Rollers soon attract the attention at il-Kunçizzjoni, at Mount St Joseph on
of poachers and do not survive for 18th April, 2 at MiΩieb on 24th April and 2
European Bee-eater very long, even though they are legally at is-Simar on 29th April, singles at Dwejra
protected. Rollers usually appear singly, (Malta) on 12th May, at is-Simar on 15th May
but occasionally twos and small parties of and at Dwejra (Malta) on 23rd May than 2 on
confirms what has been stated earlier in several birds may be seen. the 15th September at Buskett, 1 at Girgenti
this book about the arbitrary way in which Rollers used to breed in Malta and in and 3 at Buskett on 25th September.
BirdLife Malta accepts or ignores records. 1749, the French Knight Godeheu de Riville A bird ringed in Tunisia was recovered in
A very interesting aspect is the breeding wrote that Rollers, which he called Geais de Malta.
behaviour of Bee-eaters in Malta is that the Barbarie or Geais de Strasbourg, appeared
adult birds are very silent, seldom calling, and in May and September. The French name
when they do, they utter individual calls, not was coined by the Swiss naturalist Conrad
the repeated chorus one hears on migration Gesner (1516-1565), who had received Upupidae
or in other breeding areas in Europe. Another one of these birds from Strasbourg, but the
aspect is that adults did not fly and soar name is no longer in use.
over the breeding area, but remained at a De Riville wrote that a hunter assured him Eurasian Hoopoe
distance of almost half a kilometre away, and that in June he had observed a Roller fly Upupa epops
when they came to the breeding area, they out of a bank of earth where he found a hole Daqquqa tat-Toppu
did not linger there but entered the nest holes the size of a fist and when he probed inside
immediately. When fledged, the birds moved the tunnel, which ran in horizontal direction Dacuc 1, Dacchut tal panneg 4, Dakkuka
away from the breeding sites immediately for about 30 cm, he found a nest made of 4
, Daqquqa 7, Dakkuka tal pinnacc 8,
and the first week after fledging, the birds straw and scrub, inside which there were 13
, Dakkuka tal pennacc 10, Dakuka tal
could be seen about one kilometre away two eggs. Very often, Rollers take over the pinnacc 11, Dakkuka tal pinnaç 12, Dakkuka
from the breeding site. old nests of woodpeckers in hollow tree tal pinnaçç 11, 14, Dakkuka 15, Daqquqa
Bee-eaters were very popular with trunks, but in Cyprus, where there are no tal-pinnaçç 16, 17, Daqquqa tat-Toppu17-19,
hunters as trophies. One is pleased to note woodpeckers too, the Roller breeds in Pinniççiera, Perniççiera, Bukokka 20.
that the habit of shooting them has really holes in dunes as they used to do in Malta
decreased, hence the presence of flocks (Baldacchino and Azzopardi 2007). Common in spring and frequent in autumn,
in various parts of the countryside in both Schembri (1843a) reported that in spring Hoopoes generally herald the start of
spring and autumn. In the past, such flocks of 1842 a pair had bred in the ruins of a migration. usually seen singly, but there
used to be decimated in no time. Still one house in Ûurrieq in an area that was not are days when dozens can be seen,
can sometimes see evidence of shooting very frequented, but he was not at all sure especially in spring. Mostly seen from mid-
at such birds, and birds sporting broken about this information because he clearly March to late April and from mid-August
or missing feathers as a result of gunshot wrote “it was said” a pair had bred. There to mid-September. Some appear even in
may still be seen. One hopes that it’s only have been no breeding records since. February and May as well as early June.
a matter of time before such shooting stops Notable recent records are: a bird in Single birds seen at Dwejra on 7th June
completely. taxidermists’ records on 12th August 1984 2006 and at Tal-Fanal, Gozo on 30th July,
was rather early; a flock of 5 at Birkirkara on were rather late. Early ‘autumn’ migrants
10th September 1996; 9 (3, 6) at Buskett, 1 include singles on 10th August at Xag˙ra,
at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a and 3 from Ìnejna on 13th Gozo; 1 at Qawra on 12th August; singles
Coraciidae September 2005; 1 on 15th September 2005 on 24th August at Buskett, Dwejra (Malta)
at Xrobb l-G˙a©in. In 2006: singles near and at San Blas and 2 at Fawwara; 2 at
Salina on 21st April and again at Salina and Buskett on 25th August.
European Roller another at Tal-Fanal, Gozo on 26th April. In A single bird on 17th October 2005 at
Coracias garrulus May, 1 on the 4th and 1 on the 5th at Ramla, Comino was rather late. Another bird on 8th
Farru© Gozo; 1 at Bin©emma also on the 5th; 1 at May 2007 at Mellie˙a as also rather late.
Buskett on the 7th; 1 on the 8th at Clapham In 2008, the first ‘spring’ record was a
Farug 1, Grisa 4, 10, Farrucia 4, Farug, Farruga Junction and 3 together at Nuffara, Gozo single bird at Qammiegh on 3rd March
7
, Karnanklic 8, 10, Karnaclic 9, Farrug 8, on the same day; 3 at Ramla, Gozo on while the first ‘autumn’ record was a single
9
, Farrugg 10, 11, Qarnanqlic 11, Griza 11-14, the 12th. Then singles in September 2006: bird at Salina on 2nd August, then singles
Farru© 12, 13-19, Karnankliç 12, Karnanclic 13, at Wardija on the 8th; at Buskett on the at the Grand Harbour on 11th August, at
GriΩa 17, Farru©a, Sultan il-Gamiem 20. 15th, 16th and 17th; at Ta’ Qali on the 22nd; Fawwara and Dwejra on 12th August, at
G˙adira, Dwejra and Dingli on 19th August, the nominate race, which is a long distance
at Bin©emma on 20th August. In 2009, 1 on migrant. Outside Europe, the subspecies
10th February at Dwejra (Malta), another at mauretanica occurs in northwest Africa
ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra on 18th February, 5 at and himalayana in northwest Himalayas.
Dwejra (Malta) on 7th March. Singles daily in Some researchers (Bertarelli 1998,
several locations in April until mid-May, but Roselaar 1985) are of the opinion that
5 at id-Dahar and 2 at Nadur on 9th April, although assigned to the race torquilla,
2 on Comino and Dwejra on 10th April, 4 at the Wrynecks that breed in Portugal,
Clapham Junction on 11th April, 2 at Dwejra Spain and the Balearic Islands are
(Malta) on 16th April. 1 at Buskett on 13th June intergrades between the nominate race
was unusually late. The first August record and mauretanica.
was at G˙asri, Gozo on 1st August. Singles The populations of the nominate race
and up to two birds in various localities were torquilla start vacating their breeding
noted on 8 other dates in August. grounds between July and August but
Birds ringed in Germany, Poland and migration reaches its peak in September.
Hungary have been recovered in Malta. They spend the European winter in Africa
south of the Sahara. Most Wrynecks migrate
Eurasian Hoopoe
at night and have been recorded covering
600km in eight days (Winkler et al. 1995).
Picidae The return journey takes place between
late March and mid-April, but by May most
of the birds are back in Europe. Ringing
Eurasian Wryneck recoveries suggest that there may be a
Jynx torquilla migratory divide in Europe, with Wrynecks
Bulebbiet from the north and west moving through
Iberia, and those from further east taking a
Soltan issoimnien4, Sultan I Summien, Bu- route through Italy and the Balkans. In Malta,
lebbiet8, 9, Sultan-isummien 9, 10, 13, Sultan the nominate race occurs mostly in spring.
is-Sommien 11, Bulebbiet 12-14, 17-19, Sultan The Mediterranean race tschusii is
is-Summien 12, 15-17, Bulebbù, Bukag˙war, largely sedentary, but some birds from the
Furrax is-Summien, Sultan il-Bqaraq 20. northernmost limits of the range winter in
the Mediterranean, including the Maltese
The Wryneck used to be a fairly common islands. This is the race that occurs in
spring and autumn migrant, seen from autumn and winters in Malta.
February to May and from late August to The status of the northwest African race
November. Some birds might spend the mauretanica is somewhat unclear. Moltoni
winter here, but Wrynecks have decreased (1973) identified a bird belonging to this
noticeably in recent years. race taken in Tripolitania in March 1927.
In 2009, very few records of individual Heim de Balsac and Mayaud (1962) state
birds in April, but at least 12 on Comino on that this race was a regular but rare winter
10th April and 4 on 16th April at Comino. The visitor to Tunisia and Roselaar (1985)
first ‘autumn’ record was a single bird at recoded it from central Tunisia. There are
Fawwara on 22nd August. also some unconfirmed reports of this race Eurasian Wryneck
The Wryneck is polytypic. The nominate from Sicily (Bertarelli 1998).
race torquilla breeds across Europe Wing length has been one of the most
north of the Mediterranean, most of the consistently used criteria to distinguish A bird ringed in Malta in spring was
Balkans, and eastwards into Asia. The different geographical races. It has been recovered in Crete the following autumn. A
Mediterranean subspecies tschusii determined on this basis, that the race that bird ringed in Finland in August 1965 was
breeds in Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, occurs in autumn and winter in Malta is the recovered in Malta on 31st October of the
mainland Italy, western Slovenia, and Mediterranean race tschusii whereas that same year. Other birds ringed in Finland,
western Croatia. occurring in spring is the nominate race have also been recovered in Malta in other
The two European races are very torquilla. years.
difficult to distinguish in the field. The However, from work being done by
Mediterranean race tschusii is very similar John Azzopardi on examination of wing
to the nominate race but darker, particularly lengths of birds handled for ringing, it Green Woodpecker
on the underparts and tail. appears that a few birds trapped in winter Picus viridis
The throat, chest and upper breast are had wing lengths that could be indicative Bulebbiet A˙dar
more heavily barred black-brown, and of the mauretanica race, and this has
the black flecks on the mantle, scapulars not been recorded in Malta before. The Bulibbiet ahdar 15, Bulebbiet a˙dar 17-19.
and crown are bolder and broader. Being analysis of these finding is currently
a largely sedentary race, the wings are the subject of a paper in preparation There are three records of this bird, all given
shorter and more rounded than those of (Azzopardi in prep.). by Despott. A record of a bird shot in the
American songbird, that is common across with several small flocks of up to 14 birds
its vast range, from southern Canada to seen in several localities: 30 at Dwejra and
Argentina and is a favourite cage bird. It is Bingemma; 47 at Dingli; over 70 at Buskett;
doubtful whether the bird in question was a and 42 at Wied is-Sewda. In 2009, singles
genuine migrant from America or whether it and twos on several dates throughout
was an escapee from an aviary. April, but 3 males at id-Dahar on 15th April;
6 males at Rabat and 3 at Comino on 30th
April; 5 at Wied Qirda on 1st May; 4 at
Dwejra on 3rd May; a significant passage
Oriolidae on 5th May with 33 birds at Wied is-Sewda
and 22 at Girgenti; 4 at Lunzjata Valley ,
Gozo on 10th May; at least 12 at Buskett on
Eurasian Golden Oriole 16th May; 4 at Rabat on 17th May. Several
Oriolus oriolus singles in several localities, such as
Tajra Safra Buskett Girgenti and Fawwara, up to late
June. 1 at Clapham Juntion on 17th October
Taira Safra 4, 11, 12, Sofor 6, Taira saffra 8, 10, was rather late.
Taira hadra (f & juv) 8-12, Taira safra (m) 9, Birds ringed in Tunisia, Germany,
Tajra safra13-19, Tajra hadra 13, Tajra ˙adra Hungary and Italy have been recovered in
14, 17
, G˙asfur isfar 17, G˙asfur taç-Çawsli 20. Malta. A female ringed in Comino Malta on
5th May 1994 was found dead in Italy on 27th
Common spring migrant from April to June, June of the same year. The Eurasian Golden
with most seen from late April to mid-May. Oriole is the only species of the oriole family
It also occurs in smaller numbers from to breed in northern hemisphere temperate
mid-August to mid-October. usually seen regions. It is a summer migrant to Europe
singly or in small flocks of about 15 birds, and western Asia, wintering in the tropics.
but heavy passages sometimes take place.
Both Schembri (1843a) and Wright
(1864a) said this bird was likely to breed
were it not so heavily persecuted and Laniidae
Despott (1917) shared this opinion. He
said some birds lingered until the end of
May and a few could be seen even until Daurian Shrike
Eurasian Golden Oriole mid-June. Despott says that a number Lanius isabellinus
of females he dissected had ovaries that Kaççamendula Denbha A˙mar
neighbourhood of BirΩebbu©a in May 1903. were so ripe that within a few days the
Despott (1917), said the bird had been birds would have laid eggs. Lynes (1912) Vagrant: The only records to date are
“consigned to the pot”, but the head and observed it was “a plentiful migrant from being published here for the first time. A
wings were nailed to a door and the bird could 1st May onwards” and said it was possible bird in the collection of Alfred Vassallo
be identified from them. that a pair stops to breed in some of the was shot at il-Marnisi, between Marsaxlokk
Despott also mentioned another specimen more secluded valleys or orchards on the and Delimara, in October 1984. This is a
in the Natural History Museum that had no southern side of the Island, where an adult first year male in advanced post-juvenile
date or locality but was said to have been male was heard singing on 23rd June, but moult, as typical for isabellinus. The outer
taken locally and another that was preserved added that the bird did not behave as primaries and primary coverts are still the
in the collection of Prof. Ruggero Falzon, who if it had a nest or young. “The chances juvenile feathers.
had shot it himself, but no date or locality were of a brood being reared in this thickly An adult male, probably still in its 2nd year
given. There have been no other records populated and ‘ornithophagus’ country are after a complete moult, was taken from il-
apart from these. very small,” Lynes concluded. No breeding Ballut at Marsaxlokk on 27th April 1986. The
records for this bird exist so far. bird is in a private collection at Marsaxlokk
In 2006, two were seen at Buskett on 25th and was seen and photographed by the
August. In 2007, up to 50 birds recorded author in March 2006.
Vireonidae daily in April, with an influx on 27th April Brian J. Small, a professional ornithologist,
when over 30 in small flocks (largest flock who is also one of the principal artists for
of 8) at G˙arg˙ur, 22 at Salina on 29th April Handbook of the Birds of the World and
Red-eyed Vireo and up to 25 birds daily throughout May. a member of the British Birds Rarities
Vireo olivaceus On 8th July, 3 birds, 2 singing males and a Committee, as well as renowned Dutch
Virju t’G˙ajnu Óamra female, were seen at Buskett, while a single taxonomist Kees Roselaar, confirmed
bird was seen at Bin©emma on 10th June. the identification of the two local records
A single record of a bird trapped and In 2008, 6 at is-Simar on 26th April; 6 on from photographs e-mailed to them by the
ringed on 29th October 1983 at G˙ajn 28th April and 12 on 29th April at Dwejra; author.
Ûejtuna, Mellie˙a (Sultana and Gauci 8 on 4th May and over 20 on 6th May at After examining the photos, Roselaar
1984). The Red-eyed Vireo, is a small Dwejra. A significant passage on 7th May wrote: “The rather pale underparts of both
specimens tinged rather strongly rufous typical, so it should be published with

on flanks is typical for freshly moulted some remark about this uncertainty.
birds, and are characters also shown The Isabelline Shrike is polytypic and
by the type specimen of isabellinus breeds in central Eurasia, from Iran and
collected in W Arabia (examined by me in Afghanistan across to western China.
the Berlin Museum). Because underparts Populations from different type localities
and tail colour are rather strongly affected winter in East Africa and from the Middle
by abrasion and wear, these are not very East to southwest India, with Iran being the
good characteristics. The occurrence one of the few countries where all races
of a more or less contrasting rufous appear at one time or another
cap, typical of the phoenicuroides race The ‘isabelline’ shrike complex has
(excepting karelini, if this form exists), been split into three species and have
which is absent in isabellinus. Both been named as follows: Lanius isabellinus
Maltese birds do not show any sign of (formerly speculigerus), Daurian Shrike;
this contrast, and thus are unequivocally Lanius phoenicuroides, Turkestan Shrike;
isabellinus.” Lanius arenarius (formerly isabellinus) and
“Whether they are subspecies of a tsaidamensis, Chinese Shrike (Sangster
single species or are all good species et al. 1998). It has been recorded as
is a matter of debate. After examining accidental in Britain, Ireland, France, West
additional specimens in collections since Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden,
1998 I’m of the opinion now that isabellinus Finland, Poland, Spain, and Egypt. In Britain
(speculigerus) and phoenicuroides are there have been annual records since
Red-backed Shrike
subspecies of one single species, while 1975. In Sicily there have been several
arenarius and tsaidamensis are subspecies sightings since the first one in 1992. In the
of another. But even some intergradation light of such sightings, observers in Sicily Airport; 1 at Buskett on 25th September
between arenarius and isabellinus seems hold the view that this shrike might be a 2005 and singles on 23rd and 24th October
to occur, though field observations are scarce and irregular migrant to the Island, 2005 at Comino. In 2008, singles at Gozo
needed to see what is happening in the which is overlooked because of lack of on 4th April, at G˙adira on 7th April, a male at
zone where they meet in the breeding area observations and shortage of observers Dwejra on 28th July and another at l-A˙rax
to take a decision on this,” (Kees Roselaar (Corso 2005). on 1st October. In 2009 a female at Dwejra
pers. comm.) The majority of first-winter birds seen in on 23rd May.
Lars Svensson said that the larger the uK are Daurian Shrikes (L isabellinus). The Red-backed Shrike breeds in most
specimen is a definitive Lanius i. isabellinus Being a longer distance migrant than of Europe and western Asia and winters in
male. This is the taxon that formerly was phoenicuroides, it may well be expected tropical Africa. A bird ringed in Hungary
referred to as speculigerus, and it breeds that isabellinus is more frequent (Small was recovered in Malta.
mainly in Mongolia, wintering in East Africa 2006).
and Middle East. Regarding the smaller Lesser Grey Shrike
specimen, which is a female, Svensson Lanius minor
was of the view that it is probably also an Red-backed Shrike Kaççamendula GriΩa
Lanius i. isabellinus, but felt more caution Lanius collurio
was needed because it was not entirely Kaççamendula Óamra Bu-ghaiat 8, Buaiaat 10, Bughajiat,
Kacciamendola 11, Bughaiat second,
Cacciamendula10, Kacciamendola11, Bughiddiem irmiedi12, Cacciamendula
Cacciamendula hamra , Kaççamendula
15
irmidia13, Bug˙ajat 14, Bughajjat second 15,
˙amra17-19. Bug˙ajjat sekond 17, Kaççamendula griΩa 18,
19
, Busajjied 20.
Very scarce autumn migrant, appearing
from mid-August to October, sometimes Very rare and irregular, mostly appearing
also in November and even more rare from mid-August to late September in
in April and May in spring. This bird autumn but singles have also appeared in
undertakes a loop migration with most birds February, April, May, June, October and
passing though the eastern Mediterranean November. A bird was seen at Bin©emma
in spring, and taking a more westerly route on 3rd August 1986. An adult male on 21st
in autumn. A pair is suspected to have bred August 1990 at Dingli and an adult male
at Buskett in 1972 when the birds were in April 1997 at Marsaxlokk are the most
observed displaying in June and a juvenile recent records. This shrike is a summer
was noted in the same locality in July. A visitor to Europe and it enters and leaves
male was seen at l-A˙rax in May 2003. Africa through routes in the eastern
During a heavy fall in autumn of 1969, 23 Mediterranean.
birds were recorded from Buskett alone One noted in a collection recently was
(Gauci and Sultana 1971). Other records shot on 22nd October 1971 at il-Brolli,
Daurian Shrike are of a bird on 23rd September at Luqa BirΩebbu©a.
Southern Grey Shrike siliqua). He described nests as neat and
Lanius meridionalis compact, built by the female in 8 to 9 days.
Kaççamendula GriΩa From 5 to 6 eggs were laid. These were white
tinged greenish-blue and boldly speckled
Very rare and irregular, mostly appearing with grey and brown. One brood is usually
in spring but has also occurred in winter. raised in a season.
The nominate race meridionalis inhabits A notable passage took place on 26th April
southern France and Iberia, whereas the 2006 when 25 individual birds were noted
insular race koenigi is found in the Canary at Comino, 14 at G˙adira and 8 at Salina.
Islands. The race algeriensis inhabits the The birds dispersed or moved on as only 5
coastal strip of North African from northern were noted on Comino on the following day.
Morocco to Tunisia, and the race elegans It is not unusual to see up to 8 birds in one
is found in North Africa east of Tunisia to particular area.
northern Sinai and southwest to the Negev In 2007, considerable numbers on 30th
Woodchat Shrike in Israel. Another race to be found in the April with 10 at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo, 17 at Wied
east is the race aucheri, which inhabits is-Sewda, about 20 birds at Wied Inçita, and
the Levant and Arabia through to Iraq 15 birds at id-Dahar. A pair was noted at
Great Grey Shrike and Iran, and the Red Sea coast between Wied il-Luq in May. A male of the badius sub
Lanius excubitor Egypt and Somalia. The far-eastern race species at Clapham Junction on 26th August.
Kaççamendula GriΩa pallidirostris is found from the Lower A pair bred at Buskett as two fledged young
Volga, Transcaspia, and Iran east to China with very short tails were seen being fed by
Bu-ghaiat 8, Cacciamendula, Buaiaat 10, and Mongolia. the adults on 10th and 18th June 2006. Another
Bughajiat 11, Bughaiat prim, Bughaiat A first year bird was observed skulking pair is likely to have bred at Dwejra (Malta)
sidirtu hamra 12, Bughajat 13, Caççamendla in olive trees and occasionally perching on as three birds, a male, female and a juvenile,
14
, Bughajjat 15, Bug˙ajjat prim, Bug˙ajjat overhead wires at Ta’ Lambert (Gozo). The were seen on 16th September. Other records
çar, Bugiddiem, Bugiddiem ta’ Barbarija bird was first seen by Joe Sultana on 3rd in 2009 include, several singles in April and
17
, Kaççamendula prima18, Kaççamendula July 2006 but was still in the area on the 6th. May, but 4 id-Dahar on 9th April, while influxes
GriΩa19. A male, possibly of the race elegans, was occurred on a few days: with at least 10 on
seen by Ray Galea on 6th July at Buskett. In Comino, 7 at id-Dahar, 3 at Dwejra Malta, 3
It is only recently that the North African (L. 2009, 1 at Comino on 2nd May. at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 10th April; 11 at Comino,
meridionalis) and Middle East (L. excubitor) unpublished records include a bird of the 9 at id-Dahar, 2 at Dwejra and 2 at Qrendi on
populations started being considered as race algeriensis shot at Ta’ Majna, limits of 16th April; 25 on Comino, 13 at id-Dahar, 3
two separate species. Schembri (1843a) BirΩebbu©a on 16th November 1977 and a at Tar©a Gap, 2 at Paradise Bay and singles
listed a single record of Lanius excubitor. male of the race elegans, shot at Wied il- at Qbajjar, Nadur, Gozo and on 17th April; at
One was seen at G˙adira on 1st March 1981 Mixta on 18th February 1979. least 5 at Comino 25th April, where 15 were
and 1 at the same locality on 31st March noted on 26th April. Most of the birds left as
1992; another at Manoel Island on 11th May only 3 were seen on the following day. Two,
1995 and 1 at San Gwann on 13th and 18th Woodchat Shrike one of which was a badius race, were seen
February 1997 respectively. Recorded in Lanius senator on Comino on 2nd May; 3 at Dwejra and at
February, March and April as well as in Kaççamendula G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 9th May; 3 (one was noted
September, October and November. Four to have a grey back), were seen at Xag˙ra,
races had been identified by Schembri Scacciamendole 4, Caccamendula 8, Gozo by Joe Sultana on 10th May. A pair bred
(1843a), Wright (1864a), Despott (1917), 9
, Bu-ghiddiem 8, Bughiddiem 9, 13, 14, at Fawwara, where three fledged young and
and De Lucca (1969a): Lanius excubitor Bugiddiem 10, 13, 15, 16, Cacciamendula 10, two adults were seen on 29th June. The first
excubitor, Lanius excubitor meridionalis, 13, 15
, Kacciamendola 11, Caççamendula ‘autumn’ record in 2009 was 1 at Clapham
Lanius excubitor elegans and Lanius 12
, Kaççamendula 16, 17, 19, Sqalli 17, 18, Junction on 10th August.
excubitor algeriensis. Nowadays, this Kaççamandra, Kaççamendla, Kuççlement, Both the nominate race and the Corsican
division is no longer valid as the Grey Çiklement, Çiklemenda, Kaççamell, race, Lanius senator badius occur. Sammy
Great Shrike has been split into two distinct Kaççamend, Mardon, Marden, Moron 20. Borg was the first to identify the Corsican
species, each of which is polytypic. What race. The birds that breed in Malta belong
used to be the race meridionalis is now a Fairly common from late March to early June to the nominate race. The nominate race
good species in its own right (see below). in spring, and from early August to mid- senator is found in Europe from the Pyrenees
The nominate race excubitor is found October in autumn. The odd pair breeds to mainland Italy, Sicily, Libya, Greece and
in northern Eurasia east to Yenisey. The almost annually. The bird used to breed western Turkey. The badius race is found in
race homeyeri inhabits the ukraine, more commonly in the past. Schembri the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia.
Crimea, southeast European Russia, and (1843a) said Woodchat Shrikes often nested. Another race, Lanius senator rutilans, nests
southeast Siberia to Altai, whereas the race Lynes (1912) says many nests of this species in Iberia and north-west Africa, east to
przewalskii occurs in northern Kazakhstan were found and the first eggs were laid in Tunisia. This race is not clearly separable
and Barbinskaya steppe, and the race the second week of May. Despott noted a from the nominate senator (Roselaar 1985).
sibericus is found in Siberia. decrease in number of nests found, and A fourth race niloticus breeds in the eastern
Most records in Sicily belong to the race says they always built the nests in forked Mediterranean, Levant and Asia Minor. A bird
excubitor (Iapichino and Massa 1989). branches of big Carob Trees (Ceratonia ringed in Tunisia was recovered in Malta.
Rook Western Jackdaw
Masked Shrike tends to wander outside the breeding range in to the Grand Falconer (AOM Libr 429 Vol
Lanius nubicus in winter. Ringing recoveries have indicated 9 f.29, 20th May 1785, AOM Libr 355 June
Kaççamendula tal-Maskra movements of between 40 and 60 km and, 1773 f.10). The Jackdaw is now extinct in
in one case, 130 km (Cramp et al. 1977). our Islands. On 8th February 1845, Antonio
Vagrant. A single record from Lunzjata This is the race that breeds in Sicily. In view Schembri, who was also secretary of the
Valley, Gozo on 20th October 1985 (Grech of this information, it is not inconceivable that Società Economico Agraria, wrote to the
1988). Another record is of male at Marsa a wayward wanderer could reach Malta. members of the society, and suggested
on 1st and 2nd March 1994. The Masked A Red-billed Chough (race unknown) was that in view of the presence of a large
Shrike breeds in south-eastern Europe and seen and photographed in Bizerte, Tunisia number of Jackdaws, those who handed in
the eastern end of the Mediterranean, with on 10th March 2000 (Isenmann et al. 2005). chicks, eggs and carcasses of Jackdaws
a separate population in western Iran. It were to be reimbursed with the cost of a
is a common species in Turkey, Cyprus, shot. A mere 70 years later, Despott noted
Israel and Syria. It is migratory, wintering in Eurasian Jay that the birds, which were once so common
northeast Africa. Garrulus glandarius that one could see them on roofs of houses
Sultan iç-Çawl in Valletta, had been decimated to such an
extent that the few that remained bred in
Sultan icciaul15, Merill, Çawla16, Sultan iç- inaccessible sea cliffs.
Corvidae Çawl17-19. “It is said that in other countries few are
the places where the Jackdaw cannot find
Vagrant, with only one record on 9th May 1916 a home. Well, it must be said that in Malta
Red-billed Chough at Ûabbar. Leach (1907) mentions an undated few are the places where it can find one,
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax specimen in the university collection. The such is the persecution the poor bird suffers
Çawla Munqarha A˙mar Jay occurs over a vast region from Western all the year round, and during the breeding
Europe and north-west Africa to the eastern season especially.... If speedy protection is
Previously unrecorded in Malta. Joe seaboard of Asia and down into south-east not afforded to this bird I am afraid that its
Vella Gaffiero informed me he has seen a Asia. Across its vast range, several very extinction as a breeding species in Malta
specimen that was shot on 10th November distinct racial forms have evolved. will be a question of the very near future”
1975 at Tas-Sil© by a man from Tarxien. The (Despott 1916b).
man had contacted Vella Gaffiero, stating Though previous ornithological
that he had a bird that did not appear in the Western Jackdaw literature asserts that the last colony in
latter’s book of 1976. The stuffed specimen Corvus monedula Mellie˙a survived until March 1944 and
was photographed by Vella Gaffiero. Çawla consisted of 15 birds, Carmel Bartolo,
There are three races of Chough in from Mellie˙a, recalls that before he left
Europe. The nominate race Pyrrhocorax Nigret, Nighyrid, Nigrid, Nigrit, Nichired, for Australia in December 1954, 28 birds
pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is restricted J nnighred, Nigred 1, Ciaula 1, 4, 9, 10, 13, 15, were still present at l-A˙rax. He recalled
to Britain and Ireland, the race P. p. Chaula, Chiaula, Chaulat, Ciaul 1, Caula 5, there used to be more birds, over a 100,
erythrorhamphus is found from Iberia Cawl, Cavla, Caulyt, Cawlu 7, Cawla 8, Kola before that time and that they bred at
and southern France through the Alps to 8, 9
, Caula 11, Çaula 12, Cola 14, Çawla 14, 16-19. G˙ar iç-Çomb, at l-Irdum tal-Madonna. A
Austria and south through Italy to Sicily and few birds were also present at Mistra. A
Sardinia. The race Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax The Jackdaw is one of the birds Malta has single bird used to sit on a wall as sentry,
docilis is found in the Balkans, Greece, lost due to shooting. Once so plentiful that as the others fed.
Crete and east through Turkey and the the Knights of the Order of St John issued It is not known when the birds were
Middle East. Although mainly sedentary, the bans proclaiming a bounty to be paid on exterminated from Malta but a few pairs
Alpine and Iberian race erythrorhamphus every egg, head and pair of legs handed survived in Gozo until 1956 and a flock of 31
Carrion Crow Hooded Crow
was regularly seen at il-Qortin tax-Xag˙ra. Far. Sammy Borg informed me of two separate species. Past ornithological litera-
The last surviving bird was shot by a Maltese unpublished records: one at Wardija on ture documents four records: 1 in Novem-
hunter at id-Dabrani, Gozo (Anon 1963). As 21st April 1966 and another at l-A˙rax on ber 1881, 1 in April 1914, 2 on 23rd Novem-
Jackdaws are sedentary birds that nest 27th February 1981. The most recent record ber 1927 and 1 on 18th May 1976. It could
in colonies, there is little hope that a few is a single bird seen at Tar©a Gap on 11th not be ascertained if all these records were
stragglers might one day reach our shores December 2004. of Carrion or Hooded Crows. The Carrion
and survive long enough to start breeding Schembri, who said it was not very Crow breeds in western and central Europe.
again. Mario Bosios recently informed me common, recorded small groups of up to 6
that he had seen two Jackdaws in January birds passing in October and November.
2003 at il-Fanal in Gozo. Wright said it was very common in winter Hooded Crow
There are four recognised subspecies, of 1861 and 1862 and in the following Corvus cornix
but all European subspecies intergrade winter of 1862 and 1863 and said it Çawla GriΩa
where their populations meet. Corvus remained until April. In one of his diaries,
monedula monedula breeds in south-east Wright noted that “Adams saw a large Ciaula griza15, Çawla griΩa17, 19, Çawlun griΩ18.
Norway, southern Sweden and northern flock of Rooks in the fall of the autumn.
and eastern Denmark, with occasional He has observed several of these in the Very rare, with the most recent records
wintering birds in England and France. company of Jackdaws at San Anton and being 1 in April 2001 at Qammie˙; 1 seen
Corvus monedula soemmerringii is found in the fields near Sliema or Fort Manoel on 9th April 2004 at Salina and a single bird
in north-eastern Europe, and north and Bridge. They disappeared by the end of shot in the first week of June 2006 from
central Asia, from the former Soviet union February”, (Wright 1862b). He noted the Lambordin, limits of Delimara. The Hooded
to Lake Baikal and north-west Mongolia first bird for 1863 on 30th November. Like Crow is widely distributed, and is found
and south to Turkey, Israel and the eastern many other records, this was a bird he saw across northern, eastern and south eastern
Himalayas. It winters in Iran and in Kashmir, at the market (Wright 1863b). Europe and the Middle East.
India. Corvus monedula cirtensis is found Despott said it was rare and mostly seen
in Morocco and Algeria in North Africa. in autumn, but he recorded 3 which he saw
Corvus monedula spermologus occurs in himself on 11th April 1916 and reported 3 Common Raven
western and central Europe, and winters others seen by Captain Scott Hopkins in Corvus corax
in the Canary Islands and Corsica. It is the the vicinity of Óagar Qim on 6th May 1916. G˙arab
race that bred in the Maltese Islands. Apart from the records given above, single
records exist since Depott’s times: in Ciaulun, Corvu 10, 14, Çaula imperiali 12
,
December 1924 and March 1925, at l-Ahrax G˙arab 13, 19, Çawlun 14, 17, Ciaulun 15
,
Rook on 20th September 1946, at Lunzjata, Gozo G˙arab 17, Korvu 18, Çina 20.
Corvus frugilegus in November 1973. The Rook is resident
Korvu, G˙arab in Great Britain, Ireland and much of Vagrant, with only four records, twice
north and central Europe and a vagrant to in autumn, once in spring and once in
Gurab, Gurabi, Gorab, Ghrab, Horob, Iceland and northern Scandinavia. winter.
Girob, Churab1, Ewrep3, Ghrab5, Gharb, Both the nominate race and the race
Ghorb, Gharba, ghroba, ghrbyt5, Korvu8, 11, Corvus corax tingitanus, from Morocco
17
, Cawlun8, 11, Corvu 9, 12, 13, 15, Ciaulun 9, 15, Carrion Crow to north-west Egypt, have occurred. The
Arab 10, Çaulun 12, Korvu14, 16, 19, G˙arab 14-18, Corvus corone spring record relates to two birds of the
Çawlun 16, 17. Çawlun race tingitanus taken on 12th May 1912
in the vicinity of Qrendi (Despott 1917).
Vagrant, with the latest published record Vagrant. The Carrion Crow and Hooded All other records relate to birds of the
being that of 13th April 1979 at Óal Crow were only recently divided into two nominate race.
Regulidae Regulus regulus hyrcanus in Iran; Regulus In 1990 between 1 and 20 birds were seen
regulus. buturlini, the Caucasian Goldcrest from late January to mid-March, mostly
in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central at G˙adira, Xemxija and Lunzjata Valley,
Goldcrest Asia; and Regulus regulus sikkimensis in Gozo and between 1 and 8 birds in autumn
Regulus regulus India and China. A British-ringed bird lived between November and December at the
Bufula tal-Qamar for at least 5 years and 1 moved after being same places. Between 5 and 15 birds were
ringed (Staav 1998). noted between January and March 1991
Ziemel8-13, 15, Ûiemel14-17, Ûiemel tal-qamar18, and up to 8 birds were recorded between
Bufula tal-Qamar 19, G˙asfur taΩ-Ûg˙ar, November and December 1992. In 1993,
G˙asfur ta’ rasu Safra, G˙asfur Dubbienu20. Firecrest 1 to 6 birds were seen on various dates
Regulus ignicapillus from January to March; 1 on 5th January
Frequent. Appears from October to March, Bufula tat-Toppu A˙mar 1994 and 1 on 26th October 1995, both at
occasionally until mid-April. The Goldcrest G˙adira.
is like a duller version of the Firecrest, Ziemel 8-12, Dauara 13, Ziemel tat-toppu In 2007, 3 on 30th and 2 on 31st October at
measuring from 8.5 to 9.5cm and weighing ahmar 15, Ûiemel 16, Ûiemel tat-toppu a˙mar is-Simar, 1 on 31st October at G˙adira. up
as little as 5g. It is dull greenish above, with
17, 18
, Bufula tat-Toppu A˙mar 19, G˙asfur to 7 birds recorded from Salina, G˙adira
buff or white under parts. It has two white taΩ-Ûg˙ar, G˙asfur ta’ rasu Safra, G˙asfur and is-Simar from 1st to 20th November: 1
wing bars and a plain face with a striking Dubbienu 20. on 2nd November at G˙adira, 3 at is-Simar
black eye. The crown has black sides and a on 19th November and 3 at Salina on 20th
narrow black front, and a bright central crest, Frequent visitor from September to mid- November. On 25th December 2007 a male
orange in the male and yellow in the female. April. The Firecrest is the second smallest and a female were seen and photographed
Several subspecies of the Goldcrest have European bird which breeds in most of tem- at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. In 2008, 3 at is-Simar on
been described in Continental Eurasia: perate Europe northern Africa and Madeira. 6th January and 1 at Salina on 10th January.
Regulus regulus regulus in Europe; Regulus The Firecrest is greenish above and has BirdLife reported up to 4 birds in January
regulus himalayensis in the Himalayas; whitish under parts. It has two white wing 2008 from is-Simar, up to 7 birds at G˙adira
Regulus regulus japonensis in Eastern bars, a black eye stripe and a white super- and is-Simar throughout February, and up
Asia, Japan, Korea, China and Siberia; cilium. It is partially migratory, with northern to 5 birds from 4th to 19th March at Salina,
Regulus regulus tristis in China and Central and eastern birds wintering south of the G˙adira and is-Simar.
Asia; Regulus regulus coatsi in Russia and breeding range. The birds are more often In the 1960s, this bird expanded its
Central Asia; Regulus regulus yunnanensis heard than seen, as they rummage through range towards the southwest in Europe,
in the eastern Himalayas, Burma and China; the canopy of trees, searching for insects. colonising large areas of Spain.
Firecrests on Madeira, previously treated as Birds ringed at Lunzjata Valley have been
a subspecies Regulus ignicapillus madeir- re-trapped at G˙adira and Xemxija while a
ensis, are now treated as a distinct species bird ringed at G˙adira in February 1989
Madeira Firecrest Regulus madeirensis. was re-trapped in November of the same
The latter has a shorter supercilium, duller year at Lunzjata Valley. A bird ringed at
orange crest and a longer bill. Lunzjata Valley in December 1989 and re-
trapped at Xemxija in February 1990 was
also re-trapped in the region of Forli, in Italy
in October 1991. A bird ringed in Germany
Remizidae in June 1988 was re-trapped at Xemxija
two and a half years later.
Penduline Tits live in Eurasia and Africa
Eurasian Penduline Tit and North America. The genus Remiz
Firecrest Remiz pendulinus is almost exclusively Eurasian, ranging
Pendulin discontinuously from Portugal and the tip
of northern Morocco through to Siberia and
Scarce and irregular, but absent in recent Japan.
years. It was recorded for the first time on 4th
November 1972, when a bird was trapped
and ringed at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo by
John Grech, Victor Vella Muskat and Joe Paridae
Sultana (Sultana and Gauci 1973a) but has
appeared several times. Two at Lunzjata
Valley and Ramla Bay, Gozo on 2nd and 16th Blue Tit
November 1983 respectively; 3 at G˙adira Cyanistes caeruleus
on 11th March 1984; 1 to 6 at G˙adira Primavera
present on various dates from October to
December 1986. In 1987, there were six Buchaila 12, 13, Primavera 15, 17-19.
sightings involving 1 to 5 birds while in
1988, 2 to 6 birds were seen in both Malta Vagrant, there were only two records in the
Goldcrest
and Gozo. last century. The last time it was recorded
Blue Tit Great Tit
was at the Lower Barracca Gardens on 9th been given the status of a good species and parts of central Asia as far as Japan.
October 1975. In his work of 1917, Despott Parus teneriffae and ultramarinus now is a Another band of distribution occurs through
stated that Gulia, in his Repertorio di Storia subspecies of it. The fact that Leach did Iran into northern India into south eastern
Naturale (1858-63) reported that these not include any of the specimens in his Asia, whilst another population lives in
tits sometimes arrived in Gozo in great list of 1907, could imply that the nominate southern India. The species also occurs
abundance and that a few arrived in Malta race specimen could have been captured over much of China, Korea and Japan, and
too. Despott (1917 and 1932) said that at the same time or after the ultramarinus in Indonesia down into Borneo.
this statement sounded incredible, but he specimen, between 1908 and 1915 when
recalled that architect G.R. Busuttil had Despott drew up his list of the birds of Malta.
sent his father a dish full of very small and Had it been captured before 1908, Leach
beautifully coloured birds, which according would have most probably included it in the Alaudidae
to the impression he still had, could only list. No data is available on the nominate
have been Blue Tits. De Lucca (1969a) race specimen mentioned by Despott. A
stated, “several recorded”, but gave no specimen, without data, at the Mdina Natural Calandra Lark
specific records. History Museum could well be the original Melanocorypha calandra
Despott (1917) states that both the specimen from the university Museum. Kalandra
nominate race and the North African race The Blue Tit is a widespread and
ultramarinus have occurred, and that common resident breeder throughout Calandra 4, Kalandra 5, Calandra 8-10, 12-15
,
specimens of both were at the university temperate and subarctic Europe and Kalandra 11, 16-19.
Museum. Sultana, Gauci and Beaman western Asia.
(1975) dismissed the occurrence of the Very rare and irregular in March and April
North African race and they were of the and from mid-September to November. It
view that Despott had confused the races. African Blue Tit was also recorded in December. One was
In his work of 1917 Despott had given an Cyanistes teneriffae seen in Gozo on 27th March 1987. A bird of
account of how the ultramarinus specimen this species was shot at Delimara on 23rd
was caught in 1908 and how it ended up in See the account of the Blue Tit, where March 2005. The most recent records are of
the university Museum collection. Despott the occurrence of this species is 2 at Nadur (Malta) on 25th December 2008
had examined the specimen and had discussed. and 1 at Fawwara on 22 nd November 2009.
agreed that the Maltese name Primavera Sammy Borg informed me of the following
rasha griΩa (meaning Grey-headed Blue unpublished records of single birds: on
Tit) was appropriate because of the “main Great Tit 16th October 1965 and on 21st October
difference that exists between this species Parus major 1965 both at il-Qag˙di; at Óas-Saptan on
and the previous one”. Fjorentin 19th March 1970; at Qrendi on 20th October
This statement proves conclusively that 1979; and at Fomm ir-Ri˙ on 15th October
Despott had correctly identified the race. Fiorentin 10-12, 15, Fjorentin 13, 14, 17-19. 1996. Calandra Larks were popular cage
The race ultramarinus differs considerably birds kept for their song and some used
from the nominate race. The former has a Vagrant. The last published record was in to be imported in the early 1970s. Some
dark bluish-grey skullcap and greyish-blue early November 1974. Joe Vella Gaffiero continue to be imported even now.
mantle, as well as narrow white supercilium informed me of a record of a single bird
and black collar which readily distinguish present between 8th and 12th January 1984
it from the nominate race. As Bannerman in a garden at G˙ajnsielem, Gozo. Another Bimaculated Lark
(Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero 1976) was seen on 20th December 2002 at Floriana. Melanocorypha bimaculata
contends, “Despott was too experienced Great Tits are found across all of Kalandra tal-Lvant
to have made an error of identification”. Europe except for Iceland and northern
The difference between the two races Scandinavia, and then across the Middle This bird is not recorded in previous
is so marked that the African Blue Tit has East, Northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia ornithological literature and is being listed
here on the strength of records provided by been imported in March 2002. Crispo
Sammy Borg and Joe Vella Gaffiero and of a Barbaro (1878) was the first author to
single specimen seen in a private collection mention this bird, listing it as Moor lark (A.
at Mosta. Five records involving single tatarica). The author gave no records but
birds at Marsascala on 30th October 1976; said it was very rare.
another trapped at il-Bidni limits of Ûebbu©,
Malta in November 1976; at Mta˙leb on
4th October 1986; at Fomm ir-Ri˙ in late Greater Short-toed Lark
September 1996 and again at Fomm ir-Ri˙ Calandrella brachydactyla
on 23rd October 1997. The bird trapped Bilbla
in November 1976 was in Vella Gaffiero’s
collection and was donated to the Natural Bilbile, Belble, Bolbile, Blebel 1, Bilbole 4, Greater Short-toed Lark
History Museum at Mdina, but was left there Bilbil, Bliebel 5, Bilbole 6, Bylbla, Bylbliet 7,
without any data (Joe Vella Gaffiero pers. Bilbla 8-19. Areas such as the stretch of land near the
comm.). The bird that was shot at Fomm ir- temples at Óa©ar Qim and Mnajdra, G˙ajn
Ri˙ in late September 1996 formed part of Very common migrant and breeding Tuffie˙a area, Ras il-Pellegrin, Manikata,
a flock of six birds of similar size and flight resident. In spring, Greater Short-toed ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra, and id-Dahar, l-A˙rax
pattern, but it could not be ascertained Larks start arriving in early March and large and Selmun in Mellie˙a are amongst the
whether they were all Bimaculated Larks. flocks of over 50 birds can be seen. best breeding sites in Malta while Ta’
In the 1970s, two birds were imported Breeding starts in mid-April continues Çenç, San Dimitri and San Raflu hold the
with several Calandra Larks by Ta’ Fonz until the end of July. In late July and August, biggest densities in Gozo. It is estimated
pet shop of Óamrun. The Bimaculated Lark they start forming flocks and depart south. that the plateau at Ta’ Çenç holds about 20
is common in Turkey and breeds in large A small number of migrants re-appear from pairs of Greater Short-toed Larks. Comino
numbers in Russia. There is a record of one mid-August to late September. A flock of 18 also holds a good breeding population of
from Sicily in October 1978 (Iapichino and seen on 23rd September 2006 at Clapham Greater Short-toed Larks, but this too is in
Massa 1989). It has also been recorded Junction is a typical example of these decline.
from Britain, Sweden and Finland. migrants. It is occasionally recorded in In some of these areas, it is not unusual
October and Despott once recorded seeing to see people walking with dogs without a
one at the Valletta Market on 2nd December leash, especially on summer evenings, and
White-winged Lark of 1915 and stated he had never seen one some dogs, especially pointers, as well as
Melanocorypha leucoptera so late in the year (Despott 1916e). Local feral cats, can wreak havoc with nests when
Kalandra tal-Ìewna˙ Abjad hunters’ sayings state that in autumn, the they come across them. A sensible educa-
Meadow Pipit and Skylark never meet the tion campaign to keep dogs on a leash dur-
Calandra salvaggia15, Kalandra selva©©a17, 18, Greater Short-toed Lark because it goes ing outings in the countryside, especially
Kalandra tal-Ìewna˙ Abjad 19. away when they appear. The opposite during the breeding season in spring and
happens in spring as when the Greater summer, can help save some nests.
Vagrant. A single record in 1904. The Short-toed Lark arrives, it drives them away. The Greater Short-toed Lark has been
record was given by Despott (1917) who Greater Short-toed Larks nest in open protected in Malta since Government
said a bird was bought alive from bird areas such as fields but more commonly in Notice 31 was published on 24th January
dealer Giulio Mallia and mounted by the garrigue areas. The nest is usually situated 1911, however it continued to be trapped in
most popular taxidermist at the time, in the shelter of a stone or plant on the relatively large numbers until very recently,
Giuseppe Micallef, from whom Despott ground and consists of fine grasses that and although this activity has decreased,
borrowed several names of new species. are used to scantily line a small depression a number of trappers still trap them. Some
Despott gave neither the date nor month in the ground. Both the nest and eggs are can even be seen for sale in pet shops.
for this rare record. very well camouflaged. From 3 to 5 eggs Greater Short-toed Larks used to be
Some White-winged Larks were imported are laid, mostly four. Incubation takes caught with nets and the practice dates
alive in January 2000. about 13 days and the young remain in the back hundreds of years. In the first
This bird breeds on the steppes between nest for another 10 days. The young are dictionary of Maltese language published
the Black and Caspian Seas. It has been still unable to fly when they leave the nest in 1750, Agius De Soldanis gives the
recorded as vagrant in various European and continue to be fed by both parents for meaning of the word mansab (trapping
countries. some more days. Two broods are raised site) and specifically mentions trapping
between April and early July. sites for Short-toed Larks, Turtle Doves,
The breeding population has greatly falcons, and pigeons.
Black Lark decreased over the past twenty years. A In the early 20th century, Greater Short-
Melanocorypha yeltoniensis decline in the number of birds as well as toed Larks were still netted for food. In a
Kalandra Sewda disturbance and predation of nests are debate that took place in the Council of
some of the key reasons for the decline. Government in November 1916, which was
Kalandra sewda 11, 15, 17-19. Studies of the breeding habits should be Malta’s Parliament at the time, Giuseppe
undertaken without further delay. Nest Zammit, who was elected from the 7th
Vagrant. A single record, given by Despott robbing by people, who used to like to rear district, made up of Mdina, Rabat, Si©©iewi,
(1932-34), of a bird taken in winter 1929. nestlings, has decreased, but many nests Dingli, Qrendi, Mqabba, Ûurrieq, Safi and
A single specimen is also known to have are lost each year, some inadvertently. Kirkop, was one of those who opposed the
Nests of Short-toed Larks are very well camouflaged
bird protection provisions of October 1916. as the race Calandrella brachydactyla within the range of rubiginosa, but were quite
He had spoken in favour of “bird netters” hermonensis have been listed as occurring, happy to use Vaurie’s views to discredit the
and asked why they should be deprived but the occurrence of the latter is doubtful. claim by Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero
of an honest trade from which they derived The race hermonensis occurs in the Middle (1976) that the race longipennis also occurs.
their living. Speaking against the protection East from Sinai north to Syria and into The race longipennis is found on the plains
of Short-toed Larks, Zammit said that these parts of southern Turkey, but not in Tunisia north of Caucasus and ukraine, east through
passed over the Island “in their millions as stated by Sultana and Gauci (1982). steppes of lower Volga and ural rivers and
in April and May” and if the law remained These authors state that Payn (1938) had from Turkmeniya east to northern Mongolia
unchanged, “the wool-carders of Ûurrieq collected specimens from Malta, which he and north-east China.
would die of want, being deprived of their ascribed to the race hermonensis because It is pertinent to point out that in fresh
means of subsistence during the months in of “light red backs and heads”. This plumage several races are notoriously
which they are unemployed”. He argued that description fits the race rubiginosa (which difficult to identify. Besides, variation owing
although it nested, it could not be caught by has rufous back and crown) more closely to plumage wear and bleaching makes
nets while breeding, as these birds were than it does hermonensis, which is much separation very difficult.
only lured to nets while migrating in flocks buffer and less rufous than the former. On
(Anon 1916). In spite of the pressures this basis, the occurrence of hermonensis
created in the Council of Government, the seems somewhat doubtful. Lesser Short-toed Lark
regulations remained unchanged. The nominate race occurs in Europe north Calandrella rufescens
Despott (1916b) stated that the Greater to Yugoslavia and southern Romania, and Bilbla Sekonda
Short-toed Lark was the most common on the Mediterranean coast of north-west
breeder after the Spanish Sparrow, and Africa. Sultana and Gauci (1982) insist Bilbla sekonda Bilbla sekonda 15, 17-19, Bilbla
confirmed that “great numbers were taken that this is the race that breeds in Malta. sekonda, Bilbla ta’ lvant 17.
by clap-nets”. However Vaurie (1959), Cramp (1979) and
In certain areas, such as Ta’ Çenç, Beaman and Madge (1998) all state that the Although classified as a vagrant in
children used to trap adult birds over the race rubiginosa, which breeds in southern previous ornithological literature, because
nest by means of a stone trap similar to Tunisia, is the race that breeds in Malta. there were only 11 documented records
ones used to trap Ortolan Buntings in Although one would be tempted to dismiss up to 1983, this bird can be considered as
France. This kind of trap is locally known this view as unlikely, it must be realised very rare and irregular in both spring and
as id-dessies. A stone was placed over the that the Maltese Islands are located much autumn. Individual birds are taken every
nest at an angle of about 45 degrees, and further south than the north Tunisian coast year by trappers, who do not distinguish
on one side it was supported by a twig tied where the nominate race breeds. them from Greater Short-toed Larks. Some
to a piece of string. When the child saw the Therefore it is not inconceivable that the then find their way into local collections,
bird under the stone, he tugged the string, race breeding in the Maltese Islands could after collectors spot them out in pet shops.
causing the stone to fall onto the bird. well be rubiginosa. Sultana and Gauci Sammy Borg informed me of two records
The nominate race Calandrella (1982) had shown scepticism that Vaurie in 1977: 1 on 17th July at Safi and 1 on 19th
brachydactyla brachydactyla, as well (1959) should “inexplicably” include Malta July at Si©©iewi.
Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of a correct identification, and therefore of east to north-west Altai Mountains and
specimen of the minor race trapped on nesting. This should be proof enough for northern Afghanistan and winters across
13th March 1996 in the limits of Rabat. Two the acceptance of the breeding records. the Middle East. The minor race is found
others have been noted in a collection at Certain species of Malta’s breeding throughout North Africa - except the Nile
Mtarfa recently but no date and location birds have a much closer affinity with delta - and from northern Sinai north to
were available. Like the Greater Short- North African species than they do with southern Turkey and east to western and
toed Lark, this bird is a protected species southern European ones, among them central Iraq.
and few collectors would want to attach the Greater Short-toed Lark. Similarly,
incriminating records with their specimens the minor race of the Lesser Short-toed
these days. A flock of 25 were reportedly Lark is a typical North African species, Crested Lark
seen at is-Simar Reserve on 30th October which is a very common nesting bird in Galerida cristata
2008 by Raymond Galea. 1 at Ta’ Çenc for Tunisia and Libya. Although the Lesser Çuqlajta tat-Toppu
several days after 2nd April 2010. Short-toed Lark is a sedentary bird in
Despott (1916b) recorded this species North Africa, it is not inconceivable that Cuklaita 8, Cuklaita rara 10, 11, Çuklaita
as breeding. In his work of 1917, he the species could have nested in the 12
, Aluetta tat-toppu 13, Çuqlajta rara 14,
elaborates on his earlier statements and Maltese Islands in the late 19th century Ciuklajta tat-toppu 15, Çuqlajta rari 16,
said fairly good numbers had occurred in and early 20th century as Despott reports Çuqlajta 17, Alwetta tat-toppu 18, Çuqlajta
1897 and he was shown several clutches and as has been corroborated through the tat-Toppu 19.
of this species by the taxidermist Giuseppe correspondence with Jourdain. What is
Micallef. These eggs were identical to a certain is that it would have been a much Vagrant. Only two documented records
clutch he had in his collection. In 1907, he less widespread breeder in Malta than in past ornithological literature: 1 on
received other specimens and a clutch of the Greater Short-toed Lark, and would 15th October 1957 at Salina and 1 on 3rd
four eggs. therefore have disappeared well ahead of November 1974 at Luqa. The bird taken
Correspondence dating back to 1916 the latter, which started to decline during in 1957 and identified by Vella Gaffiero
discovered recently by the author, shows the 20th century. (1976), belongs to the race Galerida
that Despott had sent several eggs of From recent records of trapped birds, it cristata meridionalis, which occurs in
Lesser Short-toed Larks to Jourdain in April seems that the species continues to occur the south-west and southern former
1916, but the parcel was lost, as in his every now and again, but considering the Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, mainland
letter dated 20th April, Despott said he was difficulty with identification in the field, it Greece and Crete. No details regarding
sorry this might have caused him serious is hard to assess the correct status of this the race of the bird recorded in 1974 have
disappointment, but promised he would bird in the Maltese Islands. The one major been published.
send him other eggs, except those of the identifier is the song. All things being
Lesser Short-toed Larks and Levantine equal, if Lesser Short-toed Larks nested,
Shearwaters, of which he did not have any theoretically it should not be difficult to
at that moment. recognise them from the song, at least.
In another letter dated 18th October 1916, However, the issue is further complicated
Despott thanked Jourdain for his valuable by the great ability that the Lesser Short-
opinion regarding the specimens Despott toed Lark has to mimic the song and calls
had sent him: “The eggs of the C. minor of the Greater Short-toed Lark where the
are identical to mine, which are authentic, two nest in close proximity, as well as
so if it will not be difficult to you to favour the songs and calls of birds as varied as
me with a specimen of any you obtain from Wood Sandpiper, Corn Bunting, House
the Canaries Islands I will be extremely Martin, Sky Lark, Yellow Wagtail, other
obliged to you.” larks, wagtails, waders, as well as Kestrel.
Sultana and Gauci (1982) argue that In some localities, such as Libya, it is
Despott’s breeding records are to be known to be less vocal than the Greater
considered as doubtful as in his “main Short-toed Lark.
work 1932-34, Despott did not mention Therefore, silent birds or birds not
them”. Such a statement completely lacks uttering typical calls and songs would
objectivity, and is not a legitimate basis be very difficult to spot. Apart from the
for rejecting a record. On a point of detail, identification complications created by
Despott’s main work is that of 1917, which the voice aspect, the limited area covered
is very comprehensive, and his later work by the small number of observers cannot
contains much less information compared guarantee that any Lesser Short-toed
to his earlier work and it does not include Larks, whether migrating or nesting,
all the information he had published before. would be discovered. Apart from the race
The 1932-34 work was never published in Calandrella rufescens minor, the race
its entirety because Despott died before Calandrella rufescens heinei has been
he could complete it. Although none of the recorded on the authority of Wardlaw
eggs that Despott had acquired survive, Ramsay (1923), on the basis of one
the correspondence with Jourdain tends specimen now kept at the British Museum. Crested lark
to prove the existence of clutches, their The race heinei occurs in the Caucasus
Wood Lark Sammy Borg and Michael Sammut This race is largely migratory and territories
Lullula arborea informed me of the following records: 1 at are vacated in autumn with some bird
Çuqlajta Bulebel on 25th October 1980; 1 at G˙adira reaching the Maghreb countries (Cramp
on 29th October 1991; 4 at G˙adira on 29th 1977). Heim de Balsac and Mayaud (1985)
Cuclait 4, Cuklaita 8, 10, Ciuklajta 9, 13, 15, October 1992; 1 at Qawra on 24th October confirm that the race arvensis occurs in
Cuqlajta 11, Çuklaita rara 12, Aluetta tat- 1998; 1 at Selmun on 26th October 2001; 3 Tunisia, and Iapichino and Massa (1989)
toppu 13, Çuklajta 14, Çuqlajta 16-19. at Qawra on 27th October 2001; 1 at San confirm its occurrence in autumn and
Gwann on 4th April 2003, 1 on 26th October winter in Sicily.
Scarce and irregular in autumn, when it 2003 and 1 on 1st November 2003, both The race cantarella is found in north-
is usually seen from mid-October to late at Qawra. A single bird was seen at east Spain, southern France, Italy, central
November. Some occasionally winter. It G˙arg˙ur on 1st April 2006. and southern former Yugoslavia, central
is very rare in spring, usually occurring in In 2007, a flock of 8 on 9th September at Hungary, and Greece, east through south
March. Despott (1917) records a heavy Nadur (Malta), 1 at Dingli and 3 at Girgenti European uSSR to the northern slopes of
passage in autumn of 1911. on 30th October. 1 on 7th December 2008 the Caucasus. Some populations of this
The nominate race Lullula arborea at St Elmo Point. In 2009, 1 was seen at race, mainly from the Balkans and southern
arborea as well as Lullula arborea pallida Clapham Junction on 24th September. 5 at European Russia, are migratory and winter
have been listed as occurring. The Mrie˙el on 22nd October and 4 at id-Dahar in North Africa (Cramp 1977).
nominate race is found in Europe south on 29th October, on both days there was a Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero (1976)
to Portugal, northern Spain, northern Italy, heavy passage of Skylarks. stated that the race intermedia, from Siberia,
northern Yugoslavia, north-west Rumania has occurred in Malta. Subsequent authors
and ukraine. The birds from Fenno- have dismissed this claim, since occurrence
Scandia and ukraine migrates in a SSW- Eurasian Skylark of this subspecies is very unlikely as it
WSW direction to the Atlantic seaboard of Alauda arvensis breeds in the Far East. However, Heim de
Europe, as well as southern Spain, France Alwetta Balsac and Mayaud (1985) state that the
and Italy. Such movement is likely to race has been collected from Tunisia.
bypass the Maltese Islands altogether. The Aluet 4, 8, 9, Aluetta 5, Elvettae, Qambra, Skylarks have been considered as game
race pallida occurs in north-west Africa, Qambryt (pl.), Qmabar (pl.), Qmobar (pl.) birds in Malta and were avidly hunted for
southern Europe, Turkey to Iran and parts of 7
, Alouetta 10, Aluetta 11-15, Alwetta 16-19. lark pies in the past. In some years large
the former uSSR. Circumstantial evidence passages involving over 5,000 birds a
suggests that, while southern European Very common autumn migrant and winter day have been recorded in late October.
pallida are mainly resident, small numbers visitor. Skylarks appear in early October and Despott (1916e), for instance, states that
cross the Mediterranean in autumn (Cramp some winter here. A few sometimes appear on 25th October 1916, he observed large
1977), to reach southern Tunisia (Isenmann in late September. Smaller numbers migrate flocks of larks arriving in the afternoon.
et al. 2005) and Libya (Bundy 1976). From from the middle of February to the middle “These continued to increase both in
the birds that have occurred in Malta, the of April, occasionally also in late April and number and frequency towards sunset.
specimens examined so far belonged to May. In 2007, a strong passage occurred During the night the fields must have been
the race pallida (Bannerman and Vella on 16th October with over 400 at Faqqanija. full of them.” Large flocks of larks were
Gaffiero 1976). Significant passages were evident on 30th again observed on the following day.
and 31st October 2007 with a steady flow The following anecdote, recounted to me
of several small flocks mostly of 6 to 18 by the late Peter Mifsud, of Ûebbu©, shows
birds in various areas and on 7th November the large number of larks that used to be
with several small flocks in various areas. seen in the early 1900s. Peter recalled that
Notable records in 2008 include, 1 on 26th when he was young in the 1920s, he used
March at Ta’ Çenç, a passage with several to go out hunting with his uncle . Peter used
flocks of up to 35 birds between 11th and 13th to be amazed by large flocks of larks flying
October, another passage, with flocks of up and calling over the fields and when he
to 30 birds, on 20th, 21st and 24th October used to point his fingers in awe at the flocks,
and 3rd November. his uncle used to hit him on the head and tell
A heavy passage in the morning on him to stop being amazed as “that’s nothing
22nd October with flocks of up to ca. 90 compared to what we used to see”.
birds from several localities. Another Old time hunters lured larks by mouth-
significant passage on 29th October, blown calls as well as by the use of lark
with flocks of up to 45 birds seen from mirrors, a banana-shaped wooden lure with
several localities. The nominate race mirrors stuck on it that was made to spin
Alauda arvensis arvensis as well as Alauda to and fro. It was locally called alwettiera,
arvensis cantarella have been recorded. and such lures were also used in varying
The nominate race arvensis is found in the degrees in England, France, Italy, The
Azores and Europe from Wales, England, Netherlands and Germany. In France and
and Norway east to ural mountains, south Italy they were manufactured commercially
to central France, Alps, north-west former and some of these models reached Maltese
Wood Lark
Yugoslavia, north-west Hungary, The shores. Many local hunters however made
Czech Republic and in European uSSR. their own lark mirrors, which they said were
Eurasian Skylark
Lark mirrors came in various

shapes. A still life by Andrew
Micallef representing lark hunting
Sammy Borg provided the following four of Ûebbu©. Another eight new records are
new records, all of birds taken in spring: 1 being given here for the first time.
at Qrendi on 23rd May 1974; 1 in Gozo on Although previous ornithological literature
22nd May 1981; 1 at il-Qaws, limits of Dingli followed Giglioli (1886) and refer to the first
on 9th April 1989; and 1 at Birkirkara on 18th record as April 1886, this species was
May 1990. The most recent record is of a actually first recorded by Wright (1862),
single bird seen by Raymond Galea at ix- who gave no date of capture. The bird was
Xag˙ra l-Óamra on 2nd and 3rd June 2007. probably taken sometime between April
This is the tenth record for Malta. 1843 and 1862 as Wright said that Antonio
The race Eremophila alpestris flava Schembri had obtained a specimen after
has been recorded. This occurs in arctic having published his catalogue of 1843.
Eurasia and Asia and is the only truly As the last entries of Schembri’s work
migratory race of this species. refer to birds taken in April of that year, the
bird was probably taken after this date,
unless he had it before and had problems
Temminck’s Lark identifying it. Wright (1862) listed it as
Eremophila bilopha Alauda lusitania but in his article in The
Alwetta tal-Qrun Ibis, Wright (1864a) listed this species as
Alauda lusitanica, the Cream-coloured
Alwetta safra tad-deΩert17, Alwetta tal- Lark. He stated that a single specimen had
qrun18-19. been captured, adding that Schembri had
preserved its skin.
Previously known as Temminck’s Horned A manuscript which appears to be
Bar-tailed Lark Lark. In previous ornithological literature Wright’s first Catalogue of Malta Birds,
there are only four documented records, compiled in March 1860, which has been
more effective in years with low rainfall. one of which is doubtful as it concerns a just discovered in the library at Tring,
While lark mirrors were used on the continent possible escaped bird. makes no reference to this bird. Hence
for migrating larks, old-time hunters in Malta The records are as follows: 1 on 4th it is probable that the bird was acquired
say the lure was more effective in luring the October 1955 near Ûurrieq (De Lucca by Schembri after this date or that Wright
wintering larks, which survived the early and De Lucca 1959). In his later work, De was not yet aware of the specimen in
hunting sprees and were not easy to lure with Lucca (1969a) said this could have been Schembri’s collection.
calls. Owl decoys, that were popular in Italy an escaped bird. The other records were Wright later found another specimen at
and France to lure larks, were not common all in Gozo: in 1959 and 1962, and at Nadur the market. He bought the specimen, a
in Malta but a few hunters used a stuffed in March 1971. female, on 12th April 1867 and preserved
Scops Owl or a Short-eared Owl to lure larks Sammy Borg informed me of two new the skin. This is recorded in his hand
(Arentsen and Fenech 2004). records: a bird on 17th February 1982 at written diaries also found at Tring Library.
Large numbers of larks were taken, and Ta’ Kandja, and a male at Óal Far on 21st The specimen eventually ended up in
to economise on powder and shot, hunters March 1982. Dresser’s collection. Dresser (1871) stated
often shot them while they were feeding in This bird inhabits stony desert habitat that a friend of his had given him some
furrows so as to kill as many as possible with from Mauritania in the west across North skins from Wright, among which there was
one shot. GuΩeppi Vella, of BirΩebbu©a, Africa to the Middle East. It is mainly one with a label in Wright’s handwriting
informed me that when shooting Skylarks a sedentary bird, but some movement “Alauda lusitania rare Malta”. Dresser
in the first half of the 20th century, wealthy towards the south may take place in winter. stated “correspondence with the friend
people who had guns and could afford Individual dispersals may occur. revealed the lark in question was obtained
to buy cartridges would still use muzzle- in Malta from a market stall”.
loaders to save money because one would The bird in Dresser’s collection is now
fire many shots on the plentiful flocks. Bar-tailed Lark at the Manchester Museum. According to
Ammomanes cinctura information received from Henry Andrew
Alwetta Qastnija McGhie, the Head of Natural Sciences,
Horned Lark who is responsible for the bird collection,
Eremophila alpestris Bilbla 10, 11, Aluetta baida 13, Aluetta bajda 15, this specimen was bought by Wright at
Alwetta Safra 17
, Alwetta qastnija 18-19. the Valletta market in April 1867. The label
attached to the bird states that “in sending
Aluetta safra 15, Alwetta safra 17-19. Vagrant. Formerly known as Bar-tailed Desert this bird Mr Wright sends a note stating that
Lark. There are six records, mostly in April, it is a very rare occurrence in Malta.”
Formerly known as Shore Lark. A vagrant but these should actually be eight, as the first It is somewhat curious that Wright did not
with five documented records prior to this record has escaped those who wrote about make any reference to this record in any
book; four in winter: 1 on 2nd October 1912 at Maltese ornithology, while Despott (1932- of his works published after this date, as
Beng˙isa; 1 in December 1912 in Gozo; 1 on 34) gave another record of a bird he found both from what Dresser wrote, as well as
5th September 1960 at Qrendi; 1 at Delimara at the Valletta market in 1918 and said he from the tag attached to the bird, it is clear
in November 1960; and once in spring: 1 on had another specimen that had been given that Wright knew what the bird was. Wright
19th May 1974 at Si©©iewi. to him by Rev. Alexander Zammit Mackeon published three papers in The Ibis in 1869,
1870 and 1874, and one wonders whether August); 1 on 17th October 1975; 4 in 1977
it simply escaped his attention. (12th July; 30 August; 24th September; 2nd
Arrigoni degli Oddi (1929) makes it December); 2 in 1980 (4th October; 13th
clear there were two specimens. He said October). Several new records are being
Wright had listed it “from an old specimen given here for the first time. It is interesting
found by Schembri”. While the second to point out that four of the published
specimen, also found by “Wright and listed records were in 1977 and another four of
by Dresser was a Pale Lesser Desert Lark the new records being published here for
(Ammomanes phoenicuira arenicolor or the first time also concern birds taken in
Ammomanes cinctura of other authors)”, 1977. Hence a third of the existing records
which is the Bar-tailed Desert Lark. are from that year.
Hence one can safely conclude these One seen in a collection in BirΩebbu©a
were two distinct records, with the recently was a female shot at G˙ar Óasan
latter being the Bar-tailed Desert Lark on 24th July 1977. Sammy Borg informed
(Ammomanes cinctura arenicolor) that has me of the following records: 1 on 19th
been recorded in Malta. This is the race that October 1971 at Wied il-G˙ajn; 1 on
occurs in the Sahara, Arabia and Middle 25th October 1976 at Tas-Sil©; 1 on 15th
East. The type locality of the nominate January 1976 at Ûebbu©; 2 on 10th July
race cinctura is the Cape Verde Islands. 1977 at Si©©iewi; 1 on 19th July 1977 at
Arrigoni Degli Oddi gave the Maltese name Safi; 1 on 16th November 1980 at MiΩieb
as Aluetta Baida, which was the same and 1 on 1st August 1984 at Rdum id-Delli, Greater Hoopoe Lark
name used by Despott and others. G˙ajn Tuffie˙a. The most recent record is
Hence the existing records should a bird seen by Michael Sammut on 30th margaritae. This bird was identified in the
read: 1 locality and date unknown, taken September 2005 at Luqa. collection of Lorry Attard, of Sta. Venera, in
sometime between April 1843 and 1862; a March 2005. The bird was bought from a
female on 12th April 1867 (found by Wright pet shop, where it was seen in a cage with
at the market); 1 in March 1893, listed by Dupont’s Lark about a dozen Greater Short-toed Larks
Ardoinio; 1 in 1918, recorded by Despott Chersophilus duponti (Calandrella brachydactyla). The bird
(1932) and another whose date is not Alwetta tad-DeΩert was selected from the rest as it appeared
known, also recorded by Despott; 1 on strange. Attard did not remember exactly
11th April 1959 at BirΩebbu©a recorded Aluetta tad-desert15, Alwetta tad-deΩert17-10. the date when the bird was bought but
by Sammy Borg; 1 at Delimara on 24th recalled the bird was bought “in April or
February 1966 recorded by Alfred Vassallo Vagrant. One documented given by May six or seven years before”, which
and 1 at Marsa on 5th April 1971, listed by Despott (1917). The bird was caught in the implies that it had been trapped in April or
Joe Sultana and Charles Gauci (1972). limits of G˙arg˙ur on 15th November 1901. May 1998 or 1999. The outer tail feathers
Sammy Borg provided the following new This specimen, like many other rarities on the bird were still not fully grown but
records, all of which involve single birds: at at that time, had been initially acquired were white, edged with brown turning to
Delimara on 1st March 1966; at Beng˙isa by the taxidermist Guiseppe Micallef, of buff on one side. This lark (like most larks)
on 3rd March 1977; again at Delimara on Birkirkara, from whom it was acquired for undergoes a complete moult in summer
13th September 1980 and 5th September the museum’s collection, even though it after the breeding season (July – August).
1982; and at l-A˙rax on 15th March 1987, was in a very bad state. In a later work, Moult lasts between 50 and 58 days. This
1 in April 2002 at Manikata. Taxidermists’ Despott (1934) had listed the specimen as bird had mostly new tail feathers (except
records included a specimen taken on 16th belonging to the nominate race C. duponti the central pair which were very worn).
March 1985, but the locality was not given. duponti, which is found in Iberia, Morocco, It also had new outer primaries, but
In 2010, 1 at Delimara between 31st March northern Algeria, and north-west Tunisia. worn body feathers. The tail feathers are
and 5th April. A new record being given here for the first generally moulted rapidly, starting when
time is of a bird of the North African race 3-5 primaries are moulted and finishing
before the outermost primary is fully-grown.
Greater Hoopoe Lark This bird seems to fit this pattern although
Alaemon alaudipes the tail was not completely moulted.
Alwetta Bumunqar The nominate race Chersophilus duponti
duponti is found in Iberia, Morocco,
Alwetta ta’ Tunez 17, Alwetta bumunqar 18, 19. northern Algeria, and north-west Tunisia. It
is accidental in France and Italy. Due to the
Very rare, with 15 documented records. birds’ secretive habits, little is known about
Despott (1917) was first to record it after a its distribution. Some dispersal is known to
specimen was sent to him on 9th December occur, but very little is known about this and
1916. The bird had been taken with nets it may be irregular. The race Chersophilus
a few days before. Out of the published duponti margaritae, occurs on the southern
records, 1 was taken on 13th November slopes of Atlas mountains from Biskra,
1960; 3 in 1964 (16th and 25th October; 3rd Dupont’s Lark Algeria and eastward, south-east Tunisia,
November); 3 in 1972 (April; 28th May; 29th northern Libya and north-west Egypt.
sighting was of 35 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 9th seen at Ramla, Gozo on 30th April 1988; 5
April, 4 on Comino but over 100 at Dwejra at Xlendi, Gozo on 25th December 1992; 1
(Malta) on 10th April, over 300 on 16th April on 1st January 1993; 1 on 6th March 1994;
at Dwejra (Malta), over 80 at is-Simar on 1 on 28th September at Lunzjata, Gozo, 1
24th April, over 150 on 27th April at is-Simar, on 12th November at is-Simar and 1 on 14th
where over 150 were seen on 6th May, over November at G˙adira, all in 1995. A bird at
500 at Salina on 8th May, over 100 at is- Tar©a Gap on 10th November 2004 and 2 at
Simar on 13th May and over 150 at G˙adira Buskett on 29th November 2004. Records
on 14th May. On 1st June, 5 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. in 2005: 1 on 13th and 1 on 14th September
There are several recoveries of birds at Buskett; 1 at Mellie˙a on 10th October; 1
ringed in Malta. A considerable number at Buskett on 27th October and a single bird
of birds ringed at G˙adira are often re- at Ta’ Çenç on 21st December.
trapped at Marsalforn, Lunzjata and Ramla
in Gozo and vice versa, often within a day
Thick-billed Lark
or two. Some have been recovered abroad Barn Swallow
too. Malta-ringed Sand Martins have been Hirundo rustica
recovered in Latvia, Hungary, The Czech Óuttafa
Thick-billed Lark Republic, uSSR, Slovenia, Bulgaria,
Rhamphocoris clotbey Poland, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Chitafe1, Hottafa1,7, Óutafa3, Chuttaf4,
Kalandra Bumunqar England, France and The Netherlands. Chauifa5, Hottaf 7, Huttafa 8, 15, 17, Hauiefa8, 9,
Birds ringed in Finland, Scotland, Huttafa tal primavera 10, 11, Huttafa kastnija12,
This is the first record of the Thick-billed England, Ireland, The Czech Republic, Huttafa tar-rebbiegha 13, Óuttafa14, 16, 18, 19,
Lark in the Maltese Islands. The bird in Yugoslavia, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Óawwiefa14, Óuttafa tal-Pinen20.
question was shot at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a in Hungary, Germany, The Netherlands,
October 1980. The bird was noted and Denmark, Italy, France, Belgium, Greece, Barn Swallows are very common migrants
identified in the collection of John Grech, Algeria, Nigeria have been recovered in from the end of February to mid-June
of Mosta in February 2005. Grech recalled Malta. The oldest Sand Martin was ringed and from late August to mid-November.
the bird was on the ground, close to a small in Sweden and survived for 10 years (Staav Thousands of birds can be seen on some
pool of water, and was shot when it flew off. 2001). days, especially as they congregate to
Although not very well mounted, the bird is feed before roosting at places such as
unmistakable. Lunzjata and Ramla Valleys, in Gozo.
The Thick-billed Lark occurs in North Eurasian Crag Martin Barn Swallows can be seen flying low
Africa. Although mainly sedentary, it is Ptyonoprogne rupestris over fields, catching insects or resting
subject to nomadic dispersal outside the Óawwiefa tal-Blat on overhead wires. Individual pairs have
breeding season, with birds moving toward nested from time to time. There were
the coast for winter. Huttafa, Hauiefa 8, 9, Huttafa baida 10, 11, breeding records in 1974 (Sultana et al.
, Huttafa griza 12, Óuttafa, Óawwiefa 14,
13
1975); a pair bred in an old farmhouse at
Hawwjefa tal-blat 15, Óawwiefa tal-Blat 16-19. Bidnija in 1995 (The Sunday Times 1995);
and a pair raised two broods in the Buskett
Hirundinidae Very rare and irregular between the end of area in July and August 2004. The first
October and mid-April. Can appear singly brood consisted of five birds. The first nest
or in small flocks of up to 10 birds. One was was noted in late July and on 25th July, the
Sand Martin young were still in the nest but by the 30th,
Riparia riparia five fully fledged birds were seen flying
Óawwiefa tax-Xtut and begging for food from perches. On
8th August, the adults were seen building
Huttafa 8, 9-11, 13, Hauiefa 8, 9, 13, Huttafa ta another nest, which was almost complete
sakaigha hamra 12, Hawwjefa tax-xtut 15, when noted. By 15th August, the female
Hawwiefa tax-xtut 16, 17, Óawwiefa 16, 17, was incubating eggs.
Óawwiefa tax-Xtut 14-19. A pair must have bred again in 2005
as a family party of six, four very recently
Very common from March to mid-June fledged young and two adults were seen at
in spring and frequent, but much less G˙adira on 3rd August 2005.
common between late August to late Two pairs bred in 2006: a pair bred at
October in autumn. A few are sometimes Tas-Sellum, Mellie˙a and another pair in
recorded from late February, throughout Xag˙ra, Gozo. Charles Gauci noted a pair
summer and in winter. Notable records in feeding together and collecting feathers
2008 include: over 150 on 28th April and from one of the islands at the G˙adira
over 100 on 7th May at Dwejra (Malta) Reserve in early June 2006 and a nest was
and over 500 on 21st April at Tal-G˙attuq, found by Michael Sammut on 11th June at
Gozo. In 2009, several sightings of up to 50 Tas-Sellum, about two kilometres away.
birds in April and May. The first significant Eurasian Crag Martin
The female was incubating 4 eggs on 14th
Barn Swallow
Young Barn
Swallows in the
nest in June 2006
June while the male continued to bring continued to increase on the following days July; two pairs bred in the limits of Óal
feathers to the nest. The female was noted with 700 roosting at Girgenti on the 16th, Far and a pair bred in a farm at Tas-Sil©,
to be still on the nest on 28th June (Fenech over 2,000 at Buskett and 5,000 forming raising 3 young. Another pair bred in a
2006) and four birds hatched on 7th July. a pre-roosting flock at Clapham Junction farmhouse in the limits of Mtarfa, raising
They fledged on 20th July 2006. on 19th September. Most left on the 4 birds in July and another pair bred at
A family party of Swallows composed of following day but over 400 were seen on Burmarrad, raising 3 young in the first
two adults and three fledged young were the 28th September at Clapham Junction, week of August. This latter pair might
seen at Xag˙ra, Gozo by Joe Sultana on where over 1,000 were noted on the 30th have had an earlier brood. In Gozo, a pair
4th July 2006. The same family party was September. Over 2,000 birds were noted bred in the limits of Sannat, another pair
observed flying about on the following at Dwejra (Malta) and over 5,000 at Buskett bred at G˙arb, Gozo, raising 4 young,
day. In 2007, a pair bred at Fawwara on 1st October. Only over 200 birds were while a pair fledged 4 young in Xewkija
raising four young, another pair bred in noted at Buskett on 3rd October and over on 7th August.
Sannat, Gozo raising three young in July 100 at Dwejra on 19th October. Malta-ringed Barn Swallows have been
while another pair bred somewhere close In 2009, several sightings with up to recovered in England, Italy, Finland,
to G˙adira. A flock of 8 at Tas-Silg on 23rd over 100 birds on several dates in April Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria,
July could well have been a family party. A and May, but at over 200 on 10th April at Yugoslavia, The Czech Republic, uSSR,
pair raised two broods from two nests in an Dwejra, over 250 on 13th April at is-Simar, Germany, Switzerland, France, Morocco,
abandoned house in the limits of Buskett in over 400 on 14th April at G˙adira, over Algeria, Central Africa and Crete.
August 2007. On 8th August, 2 adults and 5 500 on 16th April at Dwejra, over 500 on Birds ringed in Yugoslavia, Poland,
juveniles from the first brood were noticed 17th April at il-Kunçizzjoni, over 300 at Slovenia, Hungary, Germany, Austria,
perched on wires outside while four young Mount St Joseph on 18th April, over 300 Belgium, The Netherlands, France,
were in the second nest. at is-Simar on 23rd April, over 250 at is- Switzerland and Sweden have been
In 2008, two pairs bred at a derelict Simar on 24th April, over 300 on 25th April recovered in Malta. Hybrids between
farmhouse in Óal Far in June, raising 2 and at Comino, over 1,200 at Salina on 8th hirundines are sometimes observed. A
3 young respectively while 18 Swallows (10 May, over 1,000 at Xag˙ra, Gozo and over hybrid between a Barn Swallow and a Red-
adults and 8 juveniles) were noted on the 1,500 at Mount St Joseph on 10th May. In Rumped Swallow was recorded on 11th
outskirts of Xewkija, Gozo on 13th July by autumn 2009, significant passages with May 2002 at Wied Qannotta.
Michael Sammut. The birds were resting on over 300 birds daily in several localities A hybrid between Barn Swallow and
wires, hunting low over a field and nearby from the 25th to 30th September, with the House Martin was ringed at G˙adira on
cow farms. As some juveniles were too highest peaks being on 19th, 27th and 1st October 2005 and another noted on
young to have already migrated, it is very 28th when over 600 birds were counted 22nd April 2007 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a. A Barn
likely that the birds had been born in the around Buskett alone. Swallow ringed in England lived for 9 years
area. Also in 2008, BirdLife reported a pair In 2009, BirdLife reported that four 9 months (Staav 1998).
breeding at Sannat, Gozo for the second pairs bred between June and August in
consecutive year. Gozo, with at least one pair successfully
As far as sightings of considerable fledging two broods and that another Common House Martin
numbers go, in 2007, a large flock with four pairs bred in the south of Malta, Delichon urbicum
over 5,000 birds was at Wied ta’ Gerxija, as newly fledged birds were recorded Óawwiefa
Gozo on 30th April. being fed by adults (Raine 2009). Ten
In 2008 an early bird at Comino on 25th breeding records are being given, some Huttafa 8, 9, 17, Hauiefa 8, 9, 13, Hauifa 10,
February. High numbers on 21st April, with of which may include those recorded by Hauuifa11, Huttafa ta demba abiad 12,
over 1,500 at Tal-G˙attuq, Gozo, some BirdLife Malta, as BirdLife did not give Hawwjefa15, Óawwiefa 16, Hawwiefa 17,
1,000 at Girgenti. In September, 30 at the location of the breeding records: a Óawwiefa 18, 19, Óuttafa tal-Kalzetti, Soru,
Buskett on 1st September, over 500 were pair bred in a dilapidated farmhouse in Kalzettieran 20.
estimated to be roosting in Giant Reeds the limits of Ûejtun, raising two broods of
(Arundo donax) at Girgenti on the 15th three between June and August; a pair Very common spring and autumn migrant,
September. The number of roosting birds bred at Marsacala, raising 4 birds in seen between early February and mid-
The first nest of House

Martins under a balcony
Common House Martin in Mosta in 1981
June, with most between mid-March to mid- early spring migrants. Over 100 in various Sweden, Germany, Poland and the Czech
May and from August to late November, flocks on 11th March at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a; over Republic have been recovered in Malta. A
with most seen from mid-September to 200 on 21st April at Tal-G˙attuq, Gozo; over House Martin ringed in Germany was still
mid-October. Some birds are recorded in 100 on 28th April at Dwejra (Malta) and over alive 14 years 5 months later (Staav 1998).
December and January. It is most likely 200 at the same locality 7th May. In autumn,
that House Martins bred in Gozo in the over 500 on 1st October and over 800 on
past without ornithologists recording their 3rd October at Buskett. Late individual birds Red-rumped Swallow
breeding, as a proverb from Gozo says were seen on 15th November at is-Simar Cecropis daurica
they breed in April and May. and on 27th December at Migra l-Ferha. Re©ina tal-Óuttaf
House Martins were first recorded Early birds were seen at the Grand Har-
breeding in June 1981, just a year after bour on 1st February and at Manikata on 4th Huttafa hamra 11-13, 15, 17, 18, Óuttafa, Óawwiefa
the hunting laws of 1980 re-introduced the February 2009. 14
, Re©ina tal-Óuttaf 19.
close season. Two nests were built under Large fluctuations in the number of
a balcony opposite the Mosta church. The hirundines are seen on migration in Malta. Scarce spring migrant from late March
following year, a pair raised two broods in Their presence is determined by weather, to late May and rare in autumn, from
a nest beneath one of the clocks on the especially wind direction and condition. September to early November. Singles
façade of the Mdina Cathedral. Another A few figures will show this point more have been recorded in February, June and
pair was found breeding on Filfla in August graphically. In spring 2009, around 25 August. Individual birds are usually seen in
1982 (Sultana and Gauci 1981-3b). In House Martins were present at G˙ajn the company of Barn Swallows and martins,
2000 and 2001 a pair bred in the limits of Ri˙ana on 9th April. Over 100 were noted but twos and threes and occasionally up to
Dingli. Another pair bred at Nadur, Gozo at Dwejra, barely a kilometre away, on 10th 20 have been recorded together with other
in July 2002, but the adult birds suddenly April. Around 50 were seen in the morning hirundines. On 2nd April 2003, 14 were
disappeared (Fenech 2002b). A hybrid at Dwejra on 16th April, where the number seen at is-Simar. In 2005, single birds were
between House Martin and Barn Swallow swelled to over 1,500 by the evening. noted on 1st September at Buskett, on 7th
was ringed at G˙adira on 1st October Between 100 and 300 birds were seen October at Luqa Airport and on 2nd and 5th
2005. The bird was a juvenile and had a on various dates in different areas until October at Buskett.
rust-coloured throat and forehead like a 24th April, but 500 were seen on 25th April Significant numbers were recorded in
Barn Swallow, no white collar, a white rump at Comino. In May, numbers ranged from 2006, when it seemed to be commoner
with dark spots, and a forked tail like a over 60 at Comino on 2nd May to over 300 at than other years. Singles at Dwejra on 26th
House Martin’s but no streamers like the Salina on 8th May but over 1,000 at Xag˙ra, March, at San Pawl tat-Tar©a on 5th April;
Barn Swallow’s tail. Its tarsi were without Gozo, over 100 at Dwejra (Malta) on 10th one at is-Simar and 6 at Ta’ Óida, Gozo on
feathers, like a Barn Swallow’s. May. On 9th and 10th May, a huge flock of 23rd April; 6 on 26th April at Salina; 2 on 29th
Two birds seen at Rabat on 28th Decem- over 2,000 hirundines gathered towards April at G˙adira; 4 at Bidnija and 1 at Salina
ber 2005 were rather late, while the first the evening in the area around at Mount on 1st May; 1 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 2nd June; 1
bird in 2006 was seen at is-Simar on 30 St Joseph and went to roost in the area of at G˙adira on 5th June; 1 on 9th September
January. Eight birds were noted at Salina Wied Qannotta. Over 300 were seen at is- at Clapham Junction; 1 on 15th September
on 7th February while two were at Chadwick Simar on 13th May, over 150 at G˙adira on at Buskett; 3 on 16th September at Buskett;
Lakes on 9th February. A single bird at Bus- 14th May, over 100 at Dwejra (Malta) on 16th 1 on 29th September at Buskett; 1 on
kett on 18th June 2006 was rather late. In May. Numbers then tapered off. In June, 5 30th September at Buskett and Clapham
August 2008, two pairs of House Martins at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on the 1st, 6 at Girgenti on Junction; and 1 at Dwejra on 4th November.
bred at the abandoned Jerma Palace Hotel the 2nd, 3 at Ramla Dam, Gozo on the 3rd, 2 In 2007, 2 at Marsascala and singles at
in Marsascala. A bird was seen collecting at Rabat on the 6th June. Kapuççini Valley, Gozo on 30th March; 1
mud and flying in the hotel from late July to House Martins ringed in Malta have been at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 1st April; 1 at Salina
2nd August. up to three birds were seen at recovered in England, Sweden, The Czech and 2 at is-Simar on 4th April; 2 at Dwejra
once. Interesting sightings in 2008 include: Republic, Lithuania, uSSR, Belarus, Hun- (Malta) on 7th April; 6 at Da˙let Qorrot,
over 15 at Comino on 25th February were gary and Germany. Birds ringed in Norway, Gozo on 8th April;2 at G˙adira on 13th April;
1 on 25th May at Dwejra (Malta). In 2008, 1 Cetti’s Warblers started breeding in Malta Vagrant. The only record to date is of a bird
at G˙adira on 28th March; 2 at Marsascala in the middle of the last century. that was trapped, ringed and released by
on 30th March; over 30 on 21st April at In Despott’s times, they were very rare. Mario V. Gauci in his back garden at Rabat
Gozo; 1 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 11th May; 1 Despott says he placed the bird on the list in November 1987 (Gauci 1988).
on 21st September at Buskett and Clapham of Maltese birds as he had seen a specimen This warbler breeds in Central Siberia east to
Junction; 1 on 1st October at Buskett; 2 on “in a bad state of preservation” in 1912. The the Himalayas and north-west China. It winters
3rd October at Clapham Junction. bird had been taken in 1901. Despott said in southern China, India, and Indochina.
In 2009, several records of singles and that further evidence was desirable. The
up to three birds, mostly in April, but a species was probably breeding at Girgenti
flock of 6 on 10th April at G˙ag˙ur and a in the 1950s, as farmers recall hearing its Yellow-browed Warbler
flock of 20 at Dwejra (Malta) on 11th April; distinctive call. Phylloscopus inornatus
at least 5 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 12th April; 10 The first confirmed breeding came in Vjolin tal-Faxx
at Dwejra (Malta); 15 at Bin©emma on 16th 1970, when a female with a brood patch
April; a flock of about 20 at is-Simar and at and carrying a caterpillar was caught Bufula tas-sidra safra 14, Vjolin rar 15, 17, Vjolin
least 10 at il-Qag˙di on 24th April. 1 on 26th for ringing purposes. The birds started tal-faxx 18, Ûinna 19, Çina 20.
September at Clapham Junction. 1 on 10th gradually dispersing and several birds
February 2010 at Rinella, was the earliest ringed at Girgenti and Wied il-Luq, Buskett, Rare and irregular visitor in autumn,
record of a return migrant so far. moved to G˙ajn Barrani, Gozo within three winter and spring. It has been recorded
It was Wright who had first recorded months, while some ringed at Xemxija, in February, March, May, October,
the occurrence of Red-rumped Swallows St. Paul’s Bay, were found at Ramla Bay, November and December. Sammy Borg
in Malta after Andrew Leith Adams shot a Gozo. has provided the following new records:
specimen at Salina on 5th April 1862, when single birds on 11th March 1976; on 21st
two more were seen (Wright 1862b). November 1978 at MiΩieb; on 21st May
The race Hirundo daurica rufula is the 1992 at M©arr; on 12th February 2001 at
race that occurs. This race breeds in Phylloscopidae Marsascala. Following an influx in Europe,
southern Europe and North Africa, east there were four records in 2005: 1 at
through Middle East to Kashmir. Buskett on 15th October; 1 at G˙adira on
Greenish Warbler 27th October; 1 on 31st October at Buskett;
Phylloscopus trochiloides 1 on 4th November at G˙adira.
Vjolin tar-Russja In 2006, 1 was noted at Wied G˙ajn
Cettidae Ûejtuna on 19th October. In 2007, 1 on 30th
Vagrant. The only record to date is of a bird October, 2 on the 1st and 2nd November and
caught and ringed at G˙adira by Charles another on 29th November, all at is-Simar.
Cetti’s Warbler Gauci on 9th December 2002. In 2008, singles in October at Buskett and
Cettia cetti This bird is accidental in Britain, although is-Simar on the 6th, at Buskett on the 7th
Bag˙al tal-G˙ollieq it is recorded annually. It is also a vagrant in and 21st, at Clapham Junction on 25th, at
Ireland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands,
Beqqafiq 10, Beccafic tal’ ilma 15, Bekkafik Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria and the
ta’ l-ilma 17, Bag˙al tal-g˙ollieq 18, Çetta 20. Czech Republic. It attempted to breed in
Denmark in 1985 and has bred in Germany
Fairly common but very localised to valleys in 1962 and in Heligoland in 1990. It is an
and places with dense vegetation, such as occasional breeder in Sweden, Finland,
Lunzjata Valley, Gozo, Buskett, Girgenti, Poland and ukraine.
and il-Maqluba at Qrendi. In recent times
it has however started spreading to various
other areas as long as there is ample cover. Arctic Warbler
It is more easily heard than seen. Phylloscopus borealis
Cetti’s Warblers breed between April Vjolin tal-Artiku
and July. The nest is built among strands
of Bramble (Rubus ulmifolius), Ivy (Hedera Very rare with only five records in autumn.
helix) or other dense vegetation. Dry blades Two were ringed at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo
of reed and grass are used to build a rather and Xemxija on 25th October 1987 and 26th
elegant, deep, narrow cup. Between two October 1988 respectively. Another bird
and four eggs of a deep brick red colour was ringed at Dwejra on 7th October 1999.
are laid and incubated by the female for The Arctic Warbler breeds in northern Fenno-
17 days. Both adults feed the young with Scandia, north-west Russia east to Mongolia
insects, including small grasshoppers, and Korea. It winters in south-east Asia.
both during the two weeks they spend in
the nest as well as during the three weeks
that follow after they fledge. Two broods Pallas’s Leaf Warbler
are reared in a season. It is suspected that Phylloscopus proregulus Cetti’s Warbler
males can be polygamous. Vjolin ta’ Pallas
Bonelli’s Warbler Common Chiffchaff
Comino on the 26th and at Mellie˙a on 3rd Bonelli’s Warbler In 2006, single birds were noted at
November. In 2009, singles at Madliena on Phylloscopus bonelli G˙adira and Comino on 26th April, and
25th and 26th October and at G˙adira on Vjolin Bajdani tal-Punent another at Comino on the following day.
30th October. This warbler breeds from the Another bird was seen on Comino on 3rd
northern urals east to the Himalayas and Bufula 8-11, 13, 16, Bufula baida 12, Beccafic tal May and 1 at is-Simar on 4th May.
China. It winters in the Far East. ful15, Bufula tal-ful 17, Vjolin Bajdani 18, 19. In 2007, 1 on 2nd April, 2 on 16th April and
1 on 18th April, all at is-Simar. In 2009, 1 on
until 1995, the Bonelli’s Warbler (Phyllo- 6th April at is-Simar.
Radde’s Warbler scopus bonelli bonelli), was considered to In April 2010, singles at Simar on the 6th
Phylloscopus schwarzi have a subspecies (Phylloscopus bonelli and at G˙adira on 7th and 8th April and on
Vjolin ta’ Radde orientalis). Following research by Helbig et 10th April at both Simar and G˙adira, at
al. (1995), it was decided that the two rac- G˙adira on 13th, 17th and 19th April and at
Vagrant, the first record is of a bird shot es of this warbler should be treated as two is-Simar on 18th April, and 2 at G˙adira on
at Salina on 10th September 1963 (Sammy separate species because of differences in 24th.
Borg pes. comm.) One was ringed at morphology, vocalisation (both the call and
G˙adira by Charles Gauci on 6th November song are different) and the genetic data.
1990 and re-trapped on the following day; This split has been accepted by both the Wood Warbler
another at Lunzjata, Gozo, on 23rd October British Ornithologists’ union Records Com- Phylloscopus sibilatrix
1999, ringed by John Grech; and 1 on 2nd mittee as well as by the Association of Eu- Vjolin Óadrani
November 2007 at Comino. The Radde’s ropean Records and Rarities Committees.
Warbler breeds from Central Siberia east to In Malta, the Bonelli’s Warbler is scarce Bufula8-10, 13, Bufula hadra12, 15-17, Vjolin a˙dar 18,
Northern Korea, and winters in Indochina. in spring, appearing from late March to Vjolin Óadrani19, Tal-Maltemp, Tal-Ìenna20.
early May. It is scarcer in autumn, from
mid-August to October. One was seen at Common from late March to late May in
Dusky Warbler Buskett on 2nd October 2005. Another was spring and smaller numbers are seen from
Phylloscopus fuscatus ringed at Comino in spring 2006. In 2009 1 mid-August to late October in autumn. It
Vjolin Skur was seen at is-Simar on 16th April. is occasionally recorded in early June,
early August and early November. A bird
Very rare. One on 20th October 1994; 1 in showing xanthochromism, a condition
November 1997; 1 present from January Balkan Warbler where excessive yellow pigmentation
to April 2000 at G˙adira Reserve. The Phylloscopus orientalis occurs, was recently noted in a private
fourth record is of a bird that was present Vjolin Bajdani tal-Lvant collection at Qormi.
at is-Simar from 6th to 27th January 2004. In 2009, high counts were recorded on a
Another was seen at is-Simar on 17th March Formerly known as Eastern Bonelli’s number of dates, such as over 60 at is-Si-
2004. One at Munxar, Gozo in October Warbler. mar on 23rd April, over 30 at is-Simar on 24th
2008, a single bird was seen at G˙adira Scarce in spring and autumn. Sultana April, over 80 at is-Simar on 29th and 30th
on 31st October and on most dates from 2nd and Gauci (1982) stated that if the wing April and over 25 at Comino on 30th April.
to 19th November 2008. 1 at Rabat on 1st length was a reliable criterion to separate Birds ringed in Latvia have been
November 2009. the orientalis from the nominate race, just recovered in Malta.
The Dusky Warbler breeds from Central over 40 per cent of the Bonelli’s Warblers A bird ringed in Germany survived for at
Siberia east to Mongolia. It winters from ringed in Malta belonged to this race, least 10 years and 3 months after being
India to Taiwan. which is now a distinct species. ringed (Staav 1998).
Chiffchaffs and December. A Chiffchaff, ringed on

18th March 1991 at G˙adira, was found
in Christianso, Denmark on 28th April
Research by Erard and Salomon (1983) of the same year, while another ringed
as well as recent research in Germany at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo on 17th March
by Helbig et al. (1993, 1996) has shown 1996, was found in Sweden on 4th May
that the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita of the same year. Another ringed at
should be split into at least four separate Lunzjata Valley, Gozo in November 1992
species. This recommendation has been was found in Cagliari, Sardinia less than
accepted by both the British Ornithologists’ a month later. A bird ringed in Slovenia
union Records Committee as well as by in October 1989 was found in Sliema a
the Association of European Records and month later.
Rarities Committees. Chiffchaffs ringed in Malta have also
Evidence from acoustics, morphology been recovered in Libya, Algeria, Czech
and molecular biology has revealed that Republic, Slovenia, Belgium, Austria and
birds from Iberia (Phylloscopus ibericus) Sicily. Birds ringed in Germany, Slovenia,
are clearly distinct from those of the Canary Czech Republic, Kiev, uSSR and Austria
Islands (P. canariensis). have also been recovered in Malta. In spite
Furthermore, the populations inhabiting of their small size and the journeys they
mountainous regions of the Caucasus and undertake on migration, Chiffchaffs live
eastern Turkey across into Afghanistan are rather long. A Chiffchaff ringed in Britain
separable into two closely similar forms P. was still alive 7 years 8 months later (Staav
sindianus and Phylloscopus (sindianus) 2001). Common Chiffchaff
lorenzii that are best treated as subspecies Three subspecies of Chiffchaffs occur
for now, but which future research may in Malta: the greenish-olive birds that
show to be similarly distinct. inhabit an area from the Pyrenees to A small breeding population of the Iberian
The birds that inhabit the rest of Europe, western Russia belong to the race Chiffchaff was discovered in Kroumerie,
from the Pyrenees to western Russia form a collybita; those of the south-west through Tunisia in 1977.
clinal group from the familiar greenish-olive Scandinavia belong to the race abietinus;
birds (collybita) of the south-west through which occur in Malta mostly in March,
Scandinavia (abietinus) into the drab olive- while the drab olive-grey birds of western Willow Warbler
grey (tristis) of western Siberia. Siberia belonging to the tristis subspecies Phylloscopus trochilus
Following these findings, the Chiffchaff has is very rare in Malta. Recent records of Vjolin Pastard
been separated into four species: Common tristis include singles on 28th October
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, Canary Is- at Qawra 2008, on 19th and 20th March Bufula 9-11, 14, 16, Rozinjol pastard 11, Rosiniol
lands Chiffchaff Phylloscopus canariensis, 2009 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. 1 at G˙adira on 6th bastard 12, 15, Rosignol bastard 13, RoΩinjol
Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus, March 2010. bastard 16, 17, Bufula ˙adra 17, Vjolin pastard
Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus. 18, 19
.
Iberian Chiffchaff Common in both spring and autumn. It is

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus seen from mid-March to late May and from
Phylloscopus collybita Vjolin ta’ Spanja mid-August to late October. The eastern
Vjolin tax-Xitwa subspecies yakutensis has also been
A bird was present at Buskett from 20th May recorded (Thake 1990). The northern
Bufula 8, 16, Bufula tal xitua 9, Bufula tax- to 20th July 2005. This is the first record European race acredula has not been
xitwa10-13, Violin 15-17, Vjolin tax-xitwa 18, 19, for Malta, and it occurred at the same officially recorded. The nominate race
ÛunΩajna, Ta’ Pompej, G˙aksa 20. time when many others were recorded in trochilus from western and central Europe
many parts of Europe. The bird had yellow migrates in a SW direction in autumn, with
Very common autumn migrant and winter tarsi and its song initially recalled that of birds being much in evidence in France,
visitor, seen from early October to early a Chaffinch or Cetti’s Warbler and then Iberia and Morocco. The race acredula
April. Birds are occasionally recorded in turned into a melodious song. The bird was from Scandinavia and Finland heads
May: single birds were heard singing at seen on several occasions by Raymond south and southeast in autumn. Birds of
G˙adira and is-Simar on 20th May 2006 Galea and others. Singles at Simar on from the acredula race from the east of the
while a single bird was noted at Buskett 27th February to 4th March and at G˙adira range as well as birds of the yakutensis
on 8th July 2007. In 2009, 1 was seen at from 22nd February to 6th March 2010. race migrate in a west of south direction
Buskett on 14th June. The Iberian Chiffchaff has only been in autumn. These migration routes would
Bird ringing has shown that birds recognised as a species in its own right suggest that in autumn acredula should
ringed in a particular locality in spring since 1998 and records of its sightings be the more regular migrant through
may be found at the same place in the across Europe are still few because Malta, whereas trochilus should be less
following winter. There have been a birdwatchers are still not sufficiently frequent.
number of birds ringed in March and re- familiar with the species, and Malta is no A Willow Warbler ringed at G˙adira in
trapped in the same locality in November exception. April 1991 was recovered in Fichtolberg,
Germany in June of the same year. A bird April to early June and from late August to
ringed towards the end of August 1998 in early October. In 2005, a single unusually
Norway was re-trapped at Rabat on 12th late bird was noted at G˙adira.
October of the same year. In his description of Malta of 1647, Abela
A bird ringed at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo at mentions these warblers, referring to them
18.00 on 29th April 1983, was re-trapped as “fat”. These birds were undoubtedly
at G˙adira at 07.40 on the following day. sought for food and in a medieval contract
Another bird ringed in Malta in spring in involving lease of land the owner reserved
1991 was re-trapped in Germany just over the right to set up nets for these birds.
two months later. Birds ringed in Malta have In Wright’s time in the mid 1800s, large
been recovered in Spain. Birds ringed in numbers used to be trapped for food
Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Belgium and and he reports up to “a hundred dozen”
Germany have been recovered in Malta. for sale at the market. This practice was
still prevalent until the early 1930s but
the trapping of such warblers diminished
suddenly and was no longer practised by
Sylviidae the 1950s. In his works of 1916 and 1917,
Despott says that occasionally, a pair or
two were found nesting.
Female Blackcap
Blackcap A notable fall occurred on 10th May
Sylvia atricapilla 2006, when John Attard Montalto recorded
Kapinera well over 1,000 birds at Buskett. Loquat
(Eriobotrya japonica) and Fig trees (Ficus
Beqqafiq 8, Beqqafiq rasu sewda 10, carica) were literally full of such warblers,
Bekkafik rasu seuda 11, Beccafic ta rasu which were also visible on other trees,
seuda 12, 13, Capinera 15, Kapinera 16-19, including Eucalyptus trees, which were
Bekkafik 16. covered with Garden Warblers. Birds were
constantly seen coming down from great
Common winter visitor and passage heights into the area all morning. The birds
migrant, appearing from September to must have been coming in from before
mid-March. It is occasionally recorded dawn, as they were already very evident at
in July. Large numbers involving over first light.
1,000 birds can be present in late Only just over 8 birds had been seen
February and March especially in areas at Buskett on 7th May. A similar influx
where Ivy (Hedera helix) abounds. The occurred at Buskett on 28th April 2007. An
influx coincides with the ripening of unusually late record was of 1 at G˙adira
the fruit of Ivy, a favourite food of these on 8th December 2008.
warblers. Garden Warblers ringed in Malta have
Individual birds can occasionally be been recovered in Italy, France, Finland
seen until May. Males have a black crown and Hungary. Birds ringed in Slovenia,
while females have a brownish crown. A Italy, Austria and Germany have been
male on 31st August 2006 at Wied il-Luq, recovered in Malta.
Buskett was rather early. Blackcaps ringed
in Malta have been recovered in Hungary,
Male Blackcap
England, Austria, Sweden, Sardinia, Italy Barred Warbler
and Tunisia. Birds ringed in Norway, Sylvia nisoria
Switzerland, France, Germany, Poland, Bekkafik tal-Istrixxi
Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia
and Italy have been recovered in Malta. Bekkafik rari 17, Bekkafik tal-istrixxi 18, 19.
Vagrant: only three records so far before

Garden Warbler this book: 1 on 16th March 1955; 1 on 10th
Sylvia borin September 1973; 1 on Comino on 12th May
Bekkafik 2003. New records include a bird seen in
a private collection in Qormi, was shot at
Beccafichi 4, Bekkafik 5, Ghasfur yt-tin Selmun on 30th April 2005. Single birds were
7
, Beqqafiq 8, 10, Bekkafik11, Beccafic noted at G˙adira on 14th September 2007
gris, Violin12, Beccafic 13-15, Bekkafik 16-19, and at Sliema on 18th December 2009. The
Bokkavit 20. Barred Warbler breeds throughout Eastern
Europe and across much of temperate
Common in both spring and autumn. Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in
Garden Warblers can be seen from mid- eastern Africa.
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat and Gauci 1982). Given that the split 1999; 1 at Delimara on 26th April 2000; 1 at
Sylvia curruca between the two species is rather recent, Ûurrieq on 11th April 2001. In 2005, there
Bekkafik Irmiedi and that the birds are very similar, so much were the following two records: 1 was shot
so that they are most reliably identified at Ûebbu©, Gozo on 15th April; 1 was shot
Beqqafiq irmiedi 8, 10, Bekkafik irmiedi 11
, through their song in the field, it is difficult on 9th May at Wied ix-Xoqqa, BirΩebbu©a. 1
Beccafic irmiedi 12, Beccafic ahmar 13
, to ascribe recent sightings to any of the two at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a on 22nd April 2010.
Beccafic irmiedi 15, Bekkafik irmiedi 17-19. species.
The only definite record since the split is
Very scarce migrant, from September an adult male, seen at Buskett on 27th and Common Whitethroat
to October in autumn and very rare from 28th May 2010 by Charles Coleiro. Sylvia communis
March to May in spring. Records in 2007 Bekkafik A˙mar
were on 14th April in Gozo and 1 on 3rd
November in Malta. In 2008, singles Eastern Orphean Warbler Beqqafiq ahmar8, 10, Bekkafik ahmar11,
at G˙adira on 16th, 22nd, 23rd, and 27th Sylvia crassirostris Beccafic ahmar, Fiamma12, Beccafic
October, another at Xag˙ra, Gozo on 25th Bekkafik t’G˙ajnu Bajda irmiedi13, Beccafic a˙mar14, Beccafic
October, 1 on 4th November at G˙adira and ahmar15, Bekkafik a˙mar16-19.
1 on 5th November at is-Simar. In 2009, 1 Vagrant. Only two confirmed records.
at is-Simar on 17th September, 1 on 23rd An adult female seen in a collection had Common spring migrant, from mid-March
September at Comino and at is-Simar and been taken at Óal Far on 31st March 1981. to late May but scarce from mid-August
1 on 25th September at Mellie˙a. Identification was confirmed by Kees to early November in autumn. In 2009, the
Roselaar. Another, a male, was seen on 31st highest numbers were recorded at Comino,
March 2002 at M©ieba˙ by John Azzopardi where over 30 were noted on 25th April,
Western Orphean Warbler (Baldacchino and Azzopardi 2007). over 20 on 26th April, over 40 at Comino on
Sylvia hortensis 27th April, 10 on 28th April and over 15 on
Bekkafik t’G˙ajnu Bajda tal-Punent 30th April.
Asian Desert Warbler The Whitethroat was a rare breeder in
Vagrant. The Western (Sylvia hortensis) Sylvia nana Despott’s times and he said he had found
and Eastern races (Sylvia crassirostris) Bufula tad-DeΩert four nests that had between four and five
have been split into two distinct species eggs.
(Shirihai et al. 2001), with the range of the The first and only record was of a bird The nests were found between mid-April >p. 351 et a
Western birds spreading from Portugal and seen at Salina on 24th April 2005 by John and mid-May (Despott 1916b, 1917). No
Spain to France and Italy and from Morocco Azzopardi and Michael Sammut. The bird nests have been found since. A bird ringed
to Tunisia and northwest Libya; while the was seen at a very close distance and for at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo in May 1981 was
Eastern birds is found from Slovenia and a considerable period of time and both recovered in Egypt in September of the
other Balkan countries to Greece, Turkey observers were sure of the identification. same year. Another Whitethroat ringed in
and beyond. Before the split, the species The Asian Desert Warbler is monotypic Malta was recovered in Italy.
used to be called Orphean Warbler. and occurs in south-east European uSSR
Schembri (1843a) said the Orphean and Middle East to central Asia.
Warbler was not very common but
appeared in March, September and
October. Wright (1864a) recorded 1 sent to African Desert Warbler
him by Sir William Jardine in 1858. Despott Sylvia deserti
(1916b) described it as a rare visitor in Bufula tas-Sahara
spring and autumn and says he had found
five nests in Carob Trees in 1907, when Bekkafik Ωg˙ir17, Bufula tad-deΩert 18, 19.
considerable numbers of this species were
seen. One of nests was identified as being Vagrant. Previous ornithological works
that of an Orphean Warbler as Despott had say it has appeared some five times, in
seen a bird sitting on the nest. The other October, March and April.
four were identical in shape, position, The African Desert Warbler is monotypic
construction material and size and colour and occurs in the Western Sahara, hence
of eggs. Two of the nests were found in its Maltese name. The race Sylvia nana
April and three in May. In a later work, he deserti, found in north-west Africa, has
said the bird was rare, but considerable been recorded.
numbers were seen in 1907, but did not The following are a number of new
mention the breeding record (Despott records of Desert Warbler in Malta. One
1917). In his work of 1932, Despott spoke was shot at BirΩebbu©a on 31st March
of the 1907 breeding records but added 1972. Sammy Borg gave me the following
that it was otherwise scarce. records: 1 at il-Kunçizzjoni on 13th April
In recent ornithological literature, there 1982; 1 at il-Ballut, Marsaxlokk on 19th
were 7 published records from March to April 1982; 1 at Wied l-Isqof, Rabat on 15th
Common Whitethroat
May in various years up to 1982 (Sultana March 1997; 1 at Marsascala on 21st April
was March, not July, and as other North

African species had been recorded in
March, these could have overshot their
range (Sultana 1975a and b, Sultana and
Gauci 1975b). But later Faure contacted
Sultana and insisted that the March date
was incorrect and July was the correct one.
In view of the uncertainty created by
Faure about the date of capture, both Vella
Gaffiero and Sultana and Gauci agreed
that in the interests of ornithology, the
controversial date of capture should be
omitted and only the year of capture should
be stated as 1974 (Vella Gaffiero 1975d,
Sultana and Gauci 1975b). But Sultana and
Gauci still maintained that the 8th March
date was the most plausible one because
six Moussier’s Redstarts (including the two
in Faure’s collection) had been recorded
in March. To add to the confusion, Sultana
and Gauci (1982) gave the date of capture
Spectacled Warbler as “8th March or 21st June”, adding that the
latter being the date when the bird was
Spectacled Warbler autumn or winter because fewer birds are acquired by the Natural History Museum,
Sylvia conspicillata seen at the time and that a few birds can when in fact, this was the date when Vella
Bufula Óamra also arrive in winter, as five were ringed at Gaffiero reported it in the local press. The
G˙adira on 22nd and 23rd November 1980. Tristram’s Warbler and the two Moussier’s
Ghasfur il harrub 8, Ghasfur tal gamiem 8, Like all low nesting species, Spectacled Redstarts were sold to the Museum of
11-13
, asfur tal gamiem 10, Ghasfur tal Harrub Warblers nests suffer from a relatively high Natural History for Lm120 (€280), which
11, 12
, Buliff 12, G˙asfur tas-si©ar a˙mar 14, degree of predation. up to 20 per cent of 95 was a considerable sum for the mid-1970s.
Buchaila 15, Buk˙ajla 16, Buk˙ajla 17, Bufula nests under observation in the 1970s were It is not clear why Faure would have given
˙amra 17-19. taken by Western Whip Snakes (Coluber conflicting information about the dates.
viridiflavus) (Sultana and Gauci 1983). The uncertainty about the date of capture
Scarce breeding resident that nests in low of this species made one suspicious about
scrub and small saplings. up to 30 years whether the bird was genuinely recorded
ago it was more common and widespread Tristram’s Warbler from Malta or imported. However, a female
than it is today and studies should be Sylvia deserticola was recently noted in a private collection. It
urgently undertaken to try and find out Bufula tat-TuneΩija was shot on 25th April 1979 at BirΩebbu©a.
the reasons for its decline. Competition
for breeding and feeding sites with the The only record is of a male, allegedly
Sardinian Warbler could be one of the shot at MiΩieb by George Faure in 1974. Dartford Warbler
factors, but the decline of this species A few months later, in May 1975, the bird Sylvia undata
should be looked into without further delay. was identified in the collection of George Bufula tax-Xag˙ri
Spectacled Warblers establish territories Faure (Sultana and Gauci 1975a and b),
between January and February. Nest and Faure gave the date of capture as 8th Ghasfur tas sigar ahmar 8, 11, 15, asfur tal
building starts between mid-February and March. Sultana and Gauci called it Bufula siggiar ahmar 10, Ghasfur tas-sigar ahmar,
mid-March, with both adult birds bringing tat-TuneΩija. Faure had also shown them Ghasfur tal Passa 12, G˙asfur tas-si©ar
material and weaving fine grasses to build one of two Moussier’s Redstarts that were hamrani 13, G˙asfur tas-si©ar a˙mar 17,
the nest. The deep cup-shaped nest is allegedly taken on the same day. Bufula tax-xag˙ri 18-19.
usually located within 30 cm from the On 21st June 1975 Joe Vella Gaffiero, then
ground. curator of the Museum of Natural History, Scarce annual winter visitor, appearing
Three to five eggs are laid. These range wrote two articles in the local press about it, from mid-November to mid-March. It is
from greenish white speckled with olive- and confirmed that the bird was acquired by occasionally recorded in October and April
brown to grey. Incubation takes between the Museum. In these articles, as well as in too. Both in his paper about the breeding
12 and 13 days and is carried out by both the booklet Natural Heritage published by the birds of Malta published in 1916 as well
parents. The young, fed by both parents Natural History Museum, Vella Gaffiero gave as in his work of 1917, Despott said that
as well, fledge after 10 to 12 days and the bird the Maltese name Bufula ta’ l-Atlas, the Dartford Warbler was a very irregular
continue to be fed for some more days. A a reference to its breeding area in the Atlas and rare visitor, but was “pretty common
pair can raise two or three broods a year. mountains, and gave the date of capture as in 1910-11”, when he found several nests,
The birds stay around their territories 8th July 1974 (Vella Gaffiero 1975a, b and c). three of which were identified from sitting
throughout the year. Sultana and Gauci After contacting Faure again, Sultana birds. The rest were identical “in every
(1982) suggest that some birds migrate in replied in the press, insisting that the date respect” and he ascribed them to such
species. The nests were found in shrubs Sammy Borg informed me of bird on 21st
in the thickest parts of Wied Ûembaq. November 1976 at Qawra and another on
Most were found in April and May but one 20th December 1976 at MiΩieb and an adult
was found in March. In his work of 1932, male on 6th March 1993 at l-A˙rax. There
Despott states that he only managed to see were three records in 1994, when singles
a single bird since 1910-11. were seen: a male was seen at Qammieg˙
At present, from one to five birds are on four dates from 5th to 29th January 1994,
usually recorded from different localities, another bird at Delimara on 28th February
but in some years it can be commoner and another bird, again at Qammieg˙, on
with up to 16 recorded from G˙adira in 2nd March 1994. A bird was seen at Mistra
winter 1970-71. Recent records provided on 5th February 1995.
by Sammy Borg, Michael Sammut or taken
from taxidermists’ records, include: 1 on
16th January 1978, locality unknown, a male Rüppell’s Warbler
on 3rd November 1978 at Wied Dalam; 1 Sylvia rueppelli
on 19th December 1979, locality unknown; Bufula tal-Pavalor
1 at Tas-Safra on 18th November 1980;
a male at St Elmo Point on 23rd October Very rare and irregular, appearing mostly in
1989; a male at Qammieg˙ on 5th January March and April in spring and in September Subalpine Warbler
1994; 2 at Qawra on 7th November 1998; in autumn. It has also appeared in May and
an adult male at is-Salib tal-G˙olja on 9th October. noted that between the last week of March
November 1998 and at Ûonqor Point on 8th Sammy Borg informed me of the following and the last week of April, the peak of
January 1999.1 at Qawra on 9th November records, most of which were on the South the spring migration, males predominate
2001; and 1 at Rinella on 1st January East coast: 1 on 22nd March 1953 at during the first two weeks of the migration
2005. In 2007, a single bird at M©ieba˙ on Marsaxlokk; 1 on 10th May 1966, 1 on 23rd and females predominate in the last two
15th January and in 2008, BirdLife Malta March 1970 and 1 on 22nd March 1976 all weeks (Gauci and Sultana 1976). This is
reported singles on 29th January and on at Óal Far; 1 on 18th April 1977 at Wied il- the general behaviour with migrants in
6th, 24th and 26th February. In 2009, 1 at G˙ajn; 1 at Marsaxlokk on 8th April 1982; Europe, with males arriving earlier to find a
Pembroke on 31st October and another at 1 on 22nd March 1987 at Fomm ir-Ri˙; 1 suitable breeding territory.
G˙adira n 13th November. on 23rd March 1989 at Wied il-G˙asel; one In autumn, the first migrants appear in mid-
present from 11th to 30th March 1992 at July with a peak between mid-August and
Qammieg˙; 1 on 25th March 1992 at Óal the third week of September. In autumn, it
Marmora’s Warbler Far. Two that were noted in a collection at feeds mainly on berries and concentrations
Sylvia sarda BirΩebbu©a were taken at Wied Ûembaq of birds can be encountered where the
Bufula GriΩa on 25th March 1972 and on 1st April 1980 at fruit is plentiful. In spring, though it may
Wied ix-Xoqqa respectively. be encountered inland, it is found mainly
Bufula grisa 10, Bufula griza 13
, Bufula 17, 18, In April 2002, 1 on the 4th at Xag˙ra, Gozo, around the coast and feeds on insects.
Bufula GriΩa 19. and a male on the 9th April 2002 at M©ieba˙ In his paper about the breeding birds of
(Baldaccino and Azzopardi 2007). In 2005, Malta published in 1916, Despott describes
Vagrant, appearing mostly in winter. Despott a female was seen on 24th April at Salina the Subalpine Warbler as “a rare migrant
(1916, 1917) says that the Marmora’s by John Azzopardi and Michael Sammut. during both seasons” and that it “nests
Warbler was fairly common and could be A female was observed from 27th March here every now and then”. He described
seen “during the greater part of the year”. to 1st April 2006 at Dwejra, Malta and an how the nest was constructed, the clutch
There were several years when they were adult male at Marsaxlokk on 23rd May 2005. size and colour of eggs and says he found
not seen however, and he says that between In 2008, 1 was noted at G˙arg˙ur on 12th nests in March, April and May. In his work
1909 and 1911 and in 1914, he could not April. A male at G˙arg˙ur on 9th April and of 1917, he says, “it sometimes nests.”
procure a single specimen. Nevertheless, in a female at Pembroke on 17th April 2010. Both the nominate race Sylvia cantillans can-
his paper of 1916 he says it nested in Carob tillans and the race Sylvia cantillans albistriata
trees and described the nests, the eggs, occur, but the latter occurs less frequently.
and clutch size and stated that the birds Subalpine Warbler The nominate race cantillans occurs in
bred between March and May. Sylvia cantillans southern Europe from Iberia east to Italy,
As in the case of the Orphean Warbler, Bufula Passajra including Sicily and Sardinia while the race
it is rather strange that in his work of 1917, albistriata is found in south-east Europe,
Despott said that the bird was rather Bufula grisa 8, Asfur tal harrub 10, Bufula from south-west Slovenia to western
irregular in its visits, being fairly common in grisa12, G˙asfur tal ˙arrub 13, 14, Ghasfur Turkey. Another race, inornata is found in
some years but absent in others, but did not il harrub 15-17, Bufula tal-˙arrub 18, Bufula north-west Africa, but this has not been
mention the breeding records. Could it be Passajra 19. recorded locally. A fourth race moltoni has
that the Marmora’s Warbler bred in years been described from Corsica, Sardinia, the
when it was common and not in other years? Common in spring from mid-March to early Balearic Islands, and possibly mainland
There have been very few records since May and much more common from mid- Italy. This race has been recorded from
Despott’s times. Sultana and Gauci (1982) July to October. It appears occasionally Tunisia (Isenmann et al. 2005). A bird
summed up 10 records from 1943 to 1976. in November and February. It has been ringed in Italy has been recovered in Malta.
Sardinian Warbler shown that most of these migrants however

Sylvia melanocephala leave suddenly. A total of 111 birds were
Bufula Sewda ringed in four localities from 26th October to
15th December 1974. Only six were retrapped
Busueida 8, 9, 12, 13, Bugrisa 10, Busuejda, in the same localities within a fortnight.
Ghasfur tal maltemp 11, 12, 14, Ghasfur ta rasu In 1912 Lynes noted that Spectacled
seuda 12, Buswejda 15-17, Bufula sewda 17-19, Warblers were breeding plentifully in Malta
Ta’ G˙ajna Óamra, Bifula, Pespusa 20. but makes no mention of Sardinian Warblers.
Gibb (1951) noted that in March 1945,
The Sardinian Warbler is today a at Wied il-Kbir there were less pairs of
common breeding bird and breeds in the Sardinian Warblers than Spectacled
countryside as well as in large and small Warblers. The situation today is very
private gardens. However, the Sardinian different. Gibb stated that the Sardinian
Warbler has only been breeding for just Warbler had established itself as a common
over 130 years. In 1874, Henry Eeles breeding species between 1874 and 1885.
Dresser, who was working on The Birds The breeding season of Sardinian
of Europe, was informed by Major H.W. Warblers was believed to range from
Fielden that Sardinian Warblers had February to July but Denis Cachia found
started to breed. a nest with three eggs at G˙adira on 13th
Dr David Bruce, the army surgeon who August 2006. The peak breeding season is
identified the undulant Fever microbe between March and May. Most nests have
(hence its name Brucellosis) was stationed a clutch of four eggs, but clutches of three
in Malta. He later wrote to Dresser to inform and five are common. Both sexes share in
him that as far as he was aware, Sardinian nest building, incubation, brooding and
Warbler nests had never been found in feeding the young. But the female spends
Malta before and that he had found two, more time incubating and brooding.
one of which was empty and another with Incubation takes around 12-13 days and
three eggs and he had shot a female off birds take another 13 days to fledge.
the nest to make sure what the species Fledged young stay in the company of
Sardinian Warbler - Male was (Dresser 1885). In his earlier work of their parents for up to three weeks. Birds
1864, Wright said it was a common winter nesting by early March may raise up to three
visitor but it was not known to breed. broods, but most pairs raise two broods and
But in his Fifth Appendix (1874) he the success rate is about 45 per cent.
said that the Sardinian Warbler may have It has been recently discovered that an
started to breed. He refers to a female he internal dispersion of Sardinian Warblers
saw shot on 7th May 1874 and to a pair takes place after the breeding season as
seen at the head of St Julian’s Valley on 9th birds, especially juveniles, converge on
May 1987 by Major H. W. Fielden, who had places such as Buskett and Bin©emma,
failed to locate the nest but who shot the where the habitat is rich in food during sum-
male, which was found to be in breeding mer. By October, the number of birds from
condition. Wright added he had seen or these locations decreases and they seem to
heard two or three others, and noticed return to their natal area (Coleiro 2002).
one “as late as the middle of May” (Wright Sardinian Warblers have a varied diet
1874, Dresser 1885). ranging from insects to fruit. On 3rd February
In the early 1900s, in Despott’s times, 2006, a male was seen pecking at a fallen
some were noted migrating in spring and orange in a private garden at Óamrun. A
autumn and it was assumed that some female joined shortly later and when the
of the birds arriving in spring stayed to birds left it was noticed the birds were
breed. Evidence from bird ringing has pecking at the fruit where the orange peel
shown that some Sardinian Warblers pass had been broken, probably as a result of the
through Malta between late October and fall. In November and December 2007, both
mid-December and that a return migration males and females were on more than one
also takes place between late February occasion seen pecking at ripe and decaying
and early March. In 2008 for instance, over olives fallen from olive trees at Naxxar.
30, mostly migrants, were noted while bird A Sardinian Warbler ringed at G˙ajn
ringing was taking place at Comino on 29th Ûejtuna in November 1983 was found
October while over 50 (of which over 45 dead in February 1986 in Taranto, Italy and
males) were seen at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo and another ringed at Óas-Saptan in February
over 20 (again mostly males) at ix-Xag˙ra 1987, was killed by a cat in Hrvatska,
tal-Magun, Gozo, on 2nd January 2009. Yugoslavia in spring of the same year. There
There is no fixed migration pattern and have been other Sardinian Warblers ringed
Sardinian Warbler - Female their migration seems irregular. Ringing has in Malta that were recovered in Yugoslavia.
Locustellidae
Common Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naevia
Bag˙al tal-Ìurati
Beqqafiq 10, Bag˙al tal-©urati 18, 19.
Very rare with nine records, three times

in spring and six times in autumn. It
has been recorded in March, August,
September and October. Two in Gozo: 1
on 9th October 1987, another on 8th October
1990 at Lunzjata and 1 on 19th April 2001 at
Comino are the most recent records.
River Warbler
Locustella fluviatilis
Bag˙al tax-Xmajjar Moustached Warbler
Bufula rara 10, Bufula tax-xmajjar 11, Bufula Scarce but annual autumn and winter Warbler. Recent records of the Eastern
tax-xmara 12, Beccafic taxxmajjar15, Bekkafik visitor from October to mid-December. Olivaceous Warbler are 1 on 20th May 2001
tax-xmajjar 17, Bag˙al tax-xmajjar18, 19. Some are recorded up to early March. at G˙adira, at Bidnija on 18th July 2004 and
In 2006, 3 birds were recorded on 20th No- another on 23rd May 2005 at is-Simar.
Very rare with five records: twice in spring vember; 2 on 6th December; and 1 on 17th In 2007, 1 on 30th April at San Raflu, Gozo
and twice in autumn: 1 in April 1956, 1 in December, all at is-Simar. In 2007, 2 were still and 1 at G˙adira on 18th May. In 2008, 1
September 1969, 1 in September 1971, at is-Simar on 8th February and 1 to 2 birds on 17th May 2008 at Dwejra, Gozo and at
1 at G˙adira on 20th May 1988. The most were again recorded at is-Simar on several Clapham Junction on 17th October 2009.
recent record is of a bird ringed at Rabat dates from 2nd to 26th November. In 2008, sin- The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler breeds in
on 21st September 2004. gles on 21st and 27th January at G˙adira. In south east Europe and the Middle East and
February, 1 on the 5th and 6th, 2 on 8th, 1 on winters in sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia.
the 19th, 1 on 22nd, and 1 on the 26th, all at is- De Lucca (1969a) said a bird seen at Wied
Savi’s Warbler Simar, 1 at G˙adira on 30th October, singles id-Dis on 9th September 1960 “approached”
Locustella luscinioides on 2nd November at is-Simar, on 11th Novem- the race elaeica, but he was unsure about it
Bag˙al A˙mar ber at Salina, 2 on 15th November at is-Simar as it was not captured. Given that this race
and another on 28th December, also at is- occurs in Hungary, south-west ukraine and
Bufula grisa rara 10, Bufula 11, Bufula rara Simar. In 2009, singles at is-Simar or G˙adira Balkan countries south to Greece, it is not
12, 13
, Bufula griza 15, Bufula griΩa 17, Bag˙al on 30th October and on 7th, 19th, 23rd and on impossible for it to be recorded in Malta. The
a˙mar 18, 19. 26th November and on 6th December. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler has two other
Wright (1864a) was first to record this subspecies: reiseri, found from Morocco
Very scarce but annual spring migrant from species after a bird was shot at Marsa by to Libya, and laeneni, found in northern
late February to April and from August to Oc- Dr Andrew Leith Adams on 11th November central Africa from Sudan to Nigeria. Some
tober in autumn. One was ringed at is-Simar 1860. The specimen was in Sir William taxonomists debate whether the three
on 21st August 1999. Another was recorded Jardine’s collection. African taxa should be regarded as valid
at Bidnija on 2nd and 3rd April 2004. Ringed subspecies or if they should be treated as
birds were re-trapped in the same locality a single African subspecies of the Eastern
up to a week later. In 2006 there was a bird Olivaceous Warbler.
at Lunzjata, Gozo on 18th October. Singles Acrocephalidae
on 6th April and 9th April at is-Simar and at
G˙adira on 8th, 10th, 19th and 24th September Western Olivaceous Warbler
and again at G˙adira on 8th and 20th October. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca
In 2009, 1 G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 21st June. Hippolais pallida Bekkafik GriΩ tal-Punent
Bekkafik GriΩ
Very rare and irregular visitor between May
Moustached Warbler Bufula 10, Bekkafik GriΩ 17-19. and September. Singles were recorded on
Locustella melanopogon 10th June 2004 at Buskett, on 5th May 2004
Bag˙al Qastni Rare and irregular visitor between May and at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo. The Western
September. A race of this species has now Olivaceous Warbler, also known as Isabelline
Beccafic ahmar 13, Beccafic kastni 15
, been determined as a separate species: Warbler, breeds in Iberia and North Africa
Bekkafik qastni 17-19. Hippolais opaca, Western Olivaceous and winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
it with the Icterine Warbler (Wright 1864a). 1986 (Sultana and Grech 1988). Another,
Wright stated that Schembri was not also at Lunzjata Valley on 27th September
alone to commit this error as even foreign 1994. A third bird was ringed by Charles
ornithologists had made a similar mistake. Gauci on 11th September 2000 at
Despott (1917) gave the first definite record G˙adira. The Paddyfield warbler breeds
of a bird shot on the 18th September 1908 in temperate central Asia and winters in
that had been given to him under the name of Pakistan and India and is a rare vagrant to
Beccafik isfar, a name he retained, but which Western Europe.
was changed in subsequent ornithological
works. Despott said he was assured that
the species occurred in fair numbers during Blyth’s Reed Warbler
some years, but added that there had to be Acrocephalus dumetorum
more evidence of such an assertion. Bag˙al ta’ Blyth
Vagrant, with only three records, the first

Aquatic Warbler at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo on 24th October
Acrocephalus paludicola 1990, the second at Wied il-Luq on 22nd
European Reed Warbler Bag˙al tal-Qamar August 1992, the third at Lunzjata Valley
on 13th October 1998.The Blyth’s Reed
Icterine Warbler Baghal rar 15, Bag˙al rar 17, Bag˙al rar 18, Warbler breeds in temperate Asia and
Hippolais icterina Bag˙al tal-Qamar 19. easternmost Europe and winters in India
Bekkafik Isfar and Sri Lanka. It is one of the most common
Vagrant, with a single record on 5th winter warblers in these countries but is a
Bufula , Bufula tar-rebbiegha
8, 10, 14, 16 12, 13, 15,
October 1909. The Aquatic Warbler breeds rare vagrant to Western Europe.
17
, Bekkafik isfar 18, 19. in temperate Eastern Europe and western
Asia. Its stronghold is in the south Belarus,
Common in spring, from mid-April to early where 70% of the world’s population Marsh Warbler
June, especially in early May, and scarce breeds. The world population is estimated Acrocephalus palustris
from mid-August to mid-October in au- to be around 15,000 pairs. The Aquatic Bag˙al tal-G˙adajjar
tumn. Single birds are usually seen, hunt- Warbler is migratory, wintering in West
ing for insects like flycatchers. Africa. Most of the European population Beqqafiq ahmar 10, Bag˙al ta’ l-ilma ,
17, 18
In 2009, 8 at Comino on 26th April. The Ic- winters in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Bag˙al ta’ l-G˙adajjar 19.
terine Warbler breeds in mainland Europe Senegal.
except the southwest, where it is replaced Very rare visitor recorded between August
by its western counterpart, Melodious War- and October in autumn. This bird is
bler. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saha- Sedge Warbler practically impossible to distinguish from
ran Africa. Acrocephalus schoenobaenus a Reed Warbler unless it is caught and its
Bag˙al tas-Simar mouth examined while in the hand. Marsh
Warblers have yellow inner mouths, which
Melodious Warbler Violin 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, Baghal terz 15, Bag˙al terz, are orange in Reed Warblers. Inevitably,
Hippolais polyglotta RoΩinjol bastard 16, 17, Bag˙al tas-is-Simar 18, 19. these birds are recorded when caught for
Bekkafik tal-G˙ana ringing purposes. Sammy Borg knows of
A rather common visitor from March to two records at Salina on 15th September
Bufula 10, Beccafic isfar 15, Bekkafik Isfar 17, June in spring and from August to mid- 1977.
Bekkafik tal-g˙ana 18, 19. November in autumn. It is hardly ever Recent records include: 1 on 26th August
seen, as it prefers dense vegetation. 2001 at Buskett, another on 9th September
Vagrant, appearing mostly in spring. It has Birds that have been ringed in Malta 2004 at Mellie˙a and another bird on 31st
been recorded in April, May, August and were recovered in England. Birds August 2005 at Buskett. In Europe, the
September. A bird seen in a collection ringed in Finland, the Czech Republic, Marsh Warbler breeds from southern
recently was shot at Wied il-Buni on 11th Hungary, Italy, Austria, Wales and The Scandinavia south to the Alps, northern
May 1977. Netherlands -have been recovered in and central Italy, the Balkans, Caucasus,
One was seen at Dwejra, Gozo on 17th Malta. and eastern Turkey.
April 1991. Singles were recorded on All populations migrate from the breeding
Comino on 1st May 2001 and 8th May 2002. grounds into the Middle East, birds from
Although Schembri (1843) had listed this Paddyfield Warbler west of range taking southeast or east-
species, then called Pettychops Warbler Acrocephalus agricola southeast heading, thence southwards
(Sylvia Hippolais) as common, Wright Bag˙al tas-Saqwi across Arabia. The Maltese Islands
(1862) omitted it from his list and later therefore lie outside the normal migration
stated that although there was no reason for Vagrant, with only three single records in route. There are only four documented
the Melodious Warbler not to be recorded September 1986, 1994 and 2000. The first records from Sicily (Corso 2005) and
in Malta, he had never met with a specimen record is of a bird trapped and ringed at no authenticated records from Tunisia
and that Schembri had probably confused Lunzjata Valley in Gozo on 5th September (Isenmann et al. 2005).
A Reed Warbler ringed at Lunzjata Valley, it. Vegetable down and wool are also used,
Gozo in September 1984 was re-trapped in and the female continues to line the nest
Verona, Italy eight years later, in May 1992. by adding fine blades of dry grass. Nests
Birds ringed in the Italy and the Czech look like a bottle with an elongated neck
Republic have been recovered in Malta. and a rounded bottom, but the opening is
slanting towards one side. At first, nests are
rather conspicuous as they usually appear
Great Reed Warbler white from the type of material used in the
Acrocephalus arundinaceus construction, but as nest building starts
Bag˙al Prim in mid or late February, the vegetation
continuing to grow around it conceals the
Gerab 8, Baghal 9, 11, Baal 10, Baghal prim, nest very well. The breeding season lasts
Gherab prim 12, Gharab prim 13, Bag˙al 14, until August. Breeding was once recorded
15
, Bag˙al prim 16-19. in November (Borg 1999c). Three young
that had just fletched from the nest seen at
Common spring and autumn migrant, Wied Ûembaq on 26th November 2009 by
appearing from the end of March to the author confirm that the breeding season
Zitting Cisticola mid-June and from mid-August to early
November. An adult ringed at G˙adira on
European Reed Warbler 8th April 1982 was re-trapped in Hungary
Acrocephalus scirpaceus on 2nd May of the same year. An adult
Bag˙al tal-Qasab male ringed at G˙adira in April 1991 was
re-trapped in Hungary on 1st August of
Baal second 10, Baghal sekond 11, 12, the same year. Another ringed at G˙adira
Gherab tal kasab, Gherab second, Ghorab in May 1993 was recovered in France in
12
, Gherab second tal kasab 13, Bag˙al August of the same year, while another
second 14, 15, 17, Bag˙al tal-qasab 18, 19. ringed at Ramla Valley, Gozo in April 1991
was recovered near Pisa, Italy in April 1994
Common from July to mid-November in and again in April 1995. Other birds ringed
autumn but scarce from March to June in in Malta have been recovered in Germany.
spring. Several pairs are now recorded On the other hand, birds ringed in Poland,
breeding annually in several localities. The Latvia and Austria have been recovered
Reed Warbler was first recorded breeding in Malta. A pair of Great Reed Warblers
in July 1997, when four young and an has bred for four consecutive years from
adult were observed at Salina (Cachia 2005 to 2008 at Kevin Mallia’s Bird Park in
Zammit and Testa 1978). It was recorded Burmarrad. A pair was present till the end
breeding again at Salina and is-Simar of June in 2009 but failed to breed probably
between 1995 and 1998 (Galea 1999c). because of works which were taking place
A young bird ringed in the nest at Salina in the area where they had bred in previous
in 1995 was re-trapped as a breeding years (Kevin Mallia pers. comm.).
adult in July 1998 at is-Simar. Around five
pairs now breed regularly at is-Simar. A
bird ringed as a young bird at is-Simar in
1999, was re-trapped at the same place Cisticolidae
on 1st May 2006, seven years later, and
was a breeding female. Adults were noted
feeding fledged young in three different Zitting Cisticola
areas at is-Simar on 28th July 2007. In 2008, Cisticola juncidis
over 12 birds, including a family party, were Bag˙al tal-Imrew˙a
noted at is-Simar on 3rd July, two late birds
2nd and 5th November at G˙adira and on Cappamosc 13, Çappamosk 17, Bag˙al ta’
26th December at Salina. In 2009, several l-imrew˙a 18, 19, Ûippu, Ûikku, Ûibbu, Ûiku,
breeding pairs between April and August at Ûiqqu, BuΩikku 20.
is-Simar, G˙ajn Ri˙ana, Salina, Burmarrad
and at least one pair at G˙ajn Ûejtuna on Formerly known as Fan-tailed Warbler.
30th May. In 2009 BirdLife reported that at It is widespread and common. It can be
least six pairs successfully bred at Simar heard calling Zip... Zip... Zip as it flies
Nature Reserve and at least one pair bred before diving into cover or as it perches on
at Salina Bird Sanctuary (Raine 2009). At overhead wires.
least another three pairs bred in Kevin Nests are built in rushes, grasses and low A Western Whip Snake taking young Zitting
Mallia’s Bird Park and another pair bred at shrubs. The male builds the outer skeleton, Cisticolas from the nest
G˙ajn Ri˙ana. incorporating strands or blades of grass in
This small warbler has established itself Tichodromadidae

since 1973, when the first nest was found
at is-Simar, today a nature reserve (Sultana
and Gauci 1974a). As its nests are built Wallcreeper
in vegetation within half a metre from the Tichodroma muraria
ground, many are taken by snakes. Sultana Daqquqa tal-Ìebel
and Gauci (1982) state that of 75 nests under
observation, 21 per cent were taken by the Dakkuka tal gebel , Daqquqa tal-Ìebel
15
Western Whip Snake (Coluber viridiflavus). .

17-19
Ringing recoveries show that these

warblers move within the islands and cross Vagrant. Single records in 1904, 1972 and
from Malta to Gozo. In his checklist compiled 1998. Despott (1917) gave the first record
in February 1893, Ardoino listed the Zitting after his friend Joseph Zammit shot a
Cisticola as appearing in early September, Wallcreeper at Wied Babu, Ûurrieq, on 5th
adding that it was scarce (Despott 1928). November 1904.
He used the scientific name Cisticola In five different publications, Despott gave
cursitans, which is one of the Latin names identical details of who had shot the bird
also found in Arrigoni degli Oddi (1929), and the locality but gave two different dates.
who however did not give a Maltese name In an article in the newspaper Malta in May
for it. The Maltese name given by Ardoino, 1913 and later in the journal Archivum
Cappamosc, was however similar to the Melitense, where he often wrote other
Italian one Beccamosc or Pappamuschettu, ornithological notes, as well as in his list
meaning ‘fly catcher’. The next record is in of birds of 1915 (1913b, 1913c and 1915),
June 1967 when four birds were noted at Despott said it was shot on 24th November
Salina by De Lucca (1967). Zitting Cisticola 1904, while in his works of 1917 and 1932,
Cisticola juncidis cisticola found in North- he gave the date as 5th November 1904.
west Africa, Egypt, Iberia including Balearic Essentially, whether the bird was shot on
Zitting Cisticola
Islands, western France and possibly some 5th or 24th November is immaterial. But is
offshore Italian islets. Cisticola juncidis it possible that the first date is the more
juncidis is found in Mediterranean France, accurate one as it was the first one that was
Corsica and Sardinia east through Italy to given and repeated three times?
Greece and westernmost Asia Minor; and The second record, a bird at Sannat on
Cisticola juncidis neuroticus is found in the 26th November 1972 was given by Sultana
southern coastlands of Turkey, Cyprus, and Gauci (1973b). The third record,
Levant, Iraq, and south-west Iran. given by Sultana (2001) is of a bird seen
The call of the Zitting Cisticola found in in September 1998 at Sliema. The most
Malta is different from that of the birds found recent known records is of 1 in April 2007
in Sicily (Baldacchino and Fenech 1981) from il-Munqar, Ûurrieq.
and closer to the call of the North African The Wallcreeper is a bird of the high
birds. As Baldacchino and Azzopardi mountains, breeding at elevations ranging
(2007) argued, this raises the possibility that between 1,000 and 3,000 m. It is mainly resi-
the race found locally could be Cisticola dent across its range, but is known to move
juncidis cisticola rather the nominate to lower elevations in winter, when it is occa-
race Cisticola juncidis juncidis. But more sionally found on buildings and in quarries.
research is needed to confirm the matter.
Troglodytidae
Bombycillidae
Zitting Cisticola
Winter Wren
Bohemian Waxwing Troglodytes troglodytes
of this bird is very extended. Three to six Bombycilla garrulus Bumistur
pure white eggs (sometimes tinted either Sultan l-Isponsuni
pale blue or green) and marked with dark Asfur tal-maltemp 10, Ghasfur tal maltemp
brown spots are laid. The female incubates Sultan li spunsuni 15, Sultan l-Isponsuni 19. 11, 13, 17
, Bumistur 18, 19.
for about 13 days. Males are polygamous
and can have up to five females with nests Vagrant. Three recorded in November Very rare between October and March,
within a radius of less than 150 metres. The 1903, two in January 1913 and singles and some of the birds winter as some
young fledge after 15 days and the female in January 1948, November 1965 and individual birds ringed were re-trapped
continues to feed them for a few more days. January 1971. In all these years, there were at the same site up to four months later.
A female may have up to three broods. large irruptions in Europe. It is very difficult to spot the bird in dense
vegetation that it likes to frequent and more Large flocks may be seen at the airport
often than not, one only hears its alarm call and at Comino and they often roost in
rather than seeing the bird. Taxidermists’ the same sites with Spanish Sparrows.
records listed 1 at Xlendi on 10th November Roosting sites keep being used year after
1973 and 2 at the same locality on 24th year. One such site at the President’s
November 1973. Palace, in Valletta, which existed since the
One was seen on 13th February 2001 1930’s (Ganado 1977), was lost recently
at Burmarrad. In 2007, singles on the 29th after the large ficus trees in the Palace
September at Buskett and on 21st October at courtyard were removed. Starlings can be
Lunzjata Valley, Gozo and Qawra respectively. often seen hawking for winged ants in flight
after rains in autumn.
Starlings started breeding on Comino
in 1992, after a local farmer, Salvu Vella,
Sturnidae known as il-Venew, released birds he had in
captivity when he realised they had nests.
The birds had already bred in captivity the
Common Starling year before but all the young had died and
Sturnus vulgaris when the same thing happened again in
Sturnell 1992, he opened the doors of the aviary
and freed the birds.
Stornel 4, Sturnell 8-19. Two pairs bred in the vicinity of his house
that same year, raising seven young. In
A very common autumn migrant and 1993 they bred again and 18 young fledged
winter visitor. Birds start arriving in mid- from different nests. A few pairs have been
September, occasionally even in mid- breeding annually since then on Comino,
August, and many stay until mid-March, and the number of young birds seen is
with some staying in April and May. always around 18 birds (Fenech 2005). Common Starling
Common Starlings
on 12th November; over 6,000 on 14th and

15th November and over 2,500 on 29th
November. Over 5,000 at Luqa Airport on
16th December. Significant numbers were
observed roosting together with Spanish
Sparrows in various localities in autumn
and winter 2008 and early 2009; over
10,000 were noted roosting in the trees
at the Junior College at Msida. Very large
numbers were present towards the end of
October 2008 when numbers feeding on
Comino swelled from around 1,500 on the
Common Starling 21st to over 5,000 on the 28th to between Common Starling - Juvenile
25,000 to 30,000 birds on the 31st October.
The Starlings feeding on Comino are noted
In May 1994, five birds, two adults and coming from Gozo, where they returned in The following are new records: a single on
three young were seen in Gozo, and two the evening. In 2009, singles and up to 4 21st April 1989 at BirΩebbu©a; 1 was shot
of the young birds were shot on 19th May birds in several sites in April and May. On at Ûurrieq on 22nd March 1998; and 1 at
(Mario Bosios pers. comm.). Another pair 10th May, 6 were seen at is-Simar. A pair il-Óotba, Marsaxlokk on 12th April 2005.
bred at Floriana, also in May 1994 (Galea was seen with a fledged juvenile on Comino The Spotless Starling, has a much more
1992-94). Other pairs are often seen in on 24th June; at least 6 at is-Simar on 25th restricted range than the Common Starling,
summer in different localities such as June; and an adult and a fledged young at and is resident in the Iberian Peninsula,
Burmarrad and G˙ammieri. Over 20 were Comino on 26th June. In August 2009, 3 at northwest Africa, Sicily, Sardinia and
nesting on Comino on 31st March 2006. is-Simar on the 2nd and 1 on the 3rd. Corsica.
In 2008, a pair probably bred at Vella Gaffiero states that a bird belonging
G˙ammieri Farm, Marsa as two adults to the subspecies Sturnus vulgaris tauricus
and 4 young birds were seen in the area was taken on 10th October 1967 at Safi. Rosy Starling
on various dates in June and July. Another Sammy Borg informed me that four birds Pastor roseus
pair bred at G˙ajn Ûejtuna, where adults of the race purpurascens were trapped Sturnell RoΩa
were seen carrying food on various dates with Common Starlings on 5th December
in July, but the nest was not located. On 1971. One was kept alive and changed into Malvitz rosa 10, Malvits rosa 11, Malviz rosa,
12th July, 9 seen at is-Simar were probably breeding plumage, practically losing the Sturnell hamrani12, Malvizz rosa13, Malvizz
another family party. whitish/buff v shaped marks it had instead roΩa14, Sturnell Rosa 15, Sturnell roΩa 17-19.
Some interesting sight records of of spots. These birds are preserved in
Starlings from 2006 include: 4 on 4th local collections, two of which are in the Formerly known as Rose-coloured Starling.
August at is-Simar; 1 at Ta’ Qali on 2nd collection of Sammy Borg. It was previously considered a vagrant in
September; 36 on 30th September at The nominate race Sturnus vulgaris the Maltese Islands, as there were only
Clapham Junction; over 65 at Clapham vulgaris occurs from Iceland to Britain and about 20 documented records in various
Junction on 1st October; some 1,000 France east to Volgograd, south to the months of the year, with more records
on 22nd October G˙adira; over 3,000 Pyrenees, north-east Spain, mainland Italy, being logged, its status can be revised to
on Comino on 26th October; over 5,000 western Greece, Bulgaria, central Rumania, very rare and irregular.
on the following day; over 7,000 on the and ukraine and European Russia. The Taxidermists records listed an adult in
28th, with flocks seen arriving in the early race tauricus is found in Thrace, Greece, spring 1960 in Gozo. Single birds were
morning; over 4,000 on 3rd November at European Turkey, eastern Bulgaria, eastern seen in September 1960 and on 6th October
Luqa Airport; over 6,000 at G˙adira on 6th Rumania, southern Moldavia and south- 1981 at G˙ajn Ûnuber.
November; 10,000 on 13th November at west ukraine. The race purpurascens Sammy Borg informed me of three other
Luqa Airport; over 5,000 at Luqa Airport is mainly found in eastern Turkey and records: 1 on 16th August 1977 at Wied
on 20th November; over 20,000 in three northern Iraq. Birds ringed in Malta have il-G˙ajn; 1 on 7th October 1981 at MiΩieb;
simultaneous flocks over Gozo on 8th been recovered in Italy and Tunisia while and 1 on 28th July 1982 at G˙axaq.
December; over 2000 in small to large birds ringed the Czech Republic, Bulgaria A first winter bird was seen at Birkirkara
flocks of up to over 300 coming from a and Tunisia have been recovered in Malta. on 26th December 2000. Six were seen
northerly direction over the sea from 15.30 alive for sale at the Valletta Sunday market
onwards on 9th December at G˙arg˙ur. on 21st November 2000. These had been
In 2007, 8 birds at is-Simar on 27th May Spotless Starling imported. Three skins were also imported
and two birds at G˙ajn Ûejtuna, in Mellie˙a Sturnus unicolor on 8th September 2002. One was shot at
throughout June and July. Around 12 Sturnell Iswed Burmarrad in October 2003, another at
birds were present on Comino in June. A Xrobb l-G˙a©in in the last week of April 2005
significant number of birds wintered mostly Sturnell10, 11, Sturnell isued13, Sturnell and 2 at Kalkara on 22nd October 2005.
at Luqa Airport. A large flock, estimated to iswed15, 17-19. This bird was first recorded by Schembri
hold 1,500 birds, was present feeding at (1843a) who saw one at Bin©emma in
the pig farm in Comino on 4th November. Vagrant, having been recorded four times, August 1835. It was not before five years
At Luqa airport, over 1,000 were noted three times in autumn and once in summer. had elapsed that he saw the second bird.
He then recorded another, which was Lanka, and Himalayan foothills, making
caught by nets in 1841 and kept in captivity. it very unlikely to be a migrant from that
He then recorded two birds in spring 1842. area, but the occurrence is being included
In Sicily there were 9 documented records to ensure the record is not lost and for the
between 1834 and 1958 (Iapichino and benefit of future ornithological studies.
Massa 1989), only 1 in Tunisia in 1908
(Isenmann et al. 2005), and 2 in Libya (Bundy
1976). Possibly breeds in Macedonia and
Montenegro areas in the Balkans. Cinclidae
The breeding range of this bird is from
easternmost Europe (possibly breeds
annually in Bulgaria) across temperate White-throated Dipper
southern Asia. It is a strong migrant, and Cinclus cinclus
winters in India and tropical Asia. In years G˙asfur tax-Xmajjar
when grasshoppers and other insects are
abundant, it will erupt well beyond its core Recorded once in September 1965 at
range, with significant numbers reaching Tal-Óandaq, Qormi. The bird is in Peter Siberian Thrush
Europe. It is often seen with flocks of Micallef’s collection at Ûebbu©.
Common Starlings. The race recorded was Cinclus cinclus
aquaticus, which is found in central and
southern Europe from Belgium, West
Superb Starling Germany and southern Poland to Greece,
Spreo superbus mainland Italy, Sicily, eastern France, and
Sturnell Afrikan eastern and southern Spain.
A single bird was shot at ix-Xerriek, limits of

Marsaxlokk on 3rd October 1975. The bird
was in a flock in the company of Common Turdinae
Starlings. It was examined and had no fat
deposits and its stomach content revealed
it had eaten some beetle and ant species. White’s Thrush
This bird inhabits East Africa and as it is Zoothera dauma
found in zoos and aviculture collections in Malvizzun Dehbi
Europe, it was assumed it had escaped
from captivity and migrated with Starlings Vagrant. There are five records of this spe-
(Vassallo 1980). Another bird was caught cies: 1 at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 10th October
at Floriana (Xuereb 1991), but no date was 2003 and another 2 at MiΩieb in November
given. The bird was caught by hand close 2003. These were thought to be the first
to Portes des Bombes, and was most records for Malta (Fenech 2004b). The bird
probably an escapee. shot at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq was seen and White’s Thrush
photographed.
The other two were handled by a taxider-
Pagoda Starling or Pagoda Myna mist who identified them both. Joe Vella The only documented record so far is of a
Temenuchus pagodarum Gaffiero informed me that he had a record bird taken at Ûurrieq in October 1912, but
Sturnell tal-Parrokka of a bird shot on 13th November 1984 limits two more are being given here for the first
of Si©©iewi, hence this is the first record. time.
One of three birds was shot at Dingli The fifth record is of a bird shot on 28th Oc- A male bird was noted recently in the
around 19th March 1965. The three birds tober 2008 at San Lawrenz, Gozo, and is collection of Sonny Xuereb at Rabat. (Photo
were travelling with Common Starlings, preserved in a local collection. The photo in above). The bird was shot at Tal-Virtù,
but were markedly different. The bird the previous page is of the stuffed bird seen Rabat in October in the 1970s. No precise
is in the collection of Sonny Xuereb, of by Joe Vella Gaffiero. The Maltese name is date was kept, but it was likely to be after
Rabat. The bird has been mounted a long given because of its golden coloured hues, 1976, as being a colleague of Joe Vella
time ago and bears no signs of plumage which had also inspired those giving the Gaffiero, the latter would have included it in
wear associated with being kept in names in Italian and French. the book Birds of the Maltese Archipelago
confinement. The true origin of the bird (Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero 1976) had
can never be known, and the possibility it been taken before the publication of the
of it being an escaped bird that migrated Siberian Thrush book.
with Common Starlings appears very Geokichla sibirica Xuereb informed me of another Siberian
plausible. The oddity is, however, that the Malvizz tas-Siberja Thrush that was shot in the early 1970s
bird was part of a party of three travelling and which had been given to Dr De Lucca,
together. The range of these birds is from Malvizz tal Lvant 15, Malvizz ta’ lvant 17
, who could not preserve it because he only
Eastern Afghanistan, Nepal, India, Sri Malvizz tas-Siberja 19. received it several days after it had been
shot.
and will not be seen in the open as it is

in parks or gardens abroad, but seeks
localities with dense cover. A significant
passage took place in autumn and winter
2007 with more records than usual on
several days. On 24th October, up to four
birds were recorded in various areas,
singles on 20th November at Dingli and
Wardija, 3 on 21st November at G˙adira.
In 2009, a male at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on
11th April was the only spring record.
There were several individual sightings in
October and November. Blackbirds return
to winter in the same areas if unmolested.
One ringed at Wied Ûnuber in October
1973 was shot close to where it was ringed
the following year. A Blackbird ringed at
Lunzjata in Gozo on 25th October 1991 was
shot at Lampedusa later that same month.
Eyebrowed Thrush
Common Blackbird Turdus obscurus
Malvizz tan-Nord
Tickell’s Thrush Scarce autumn migrant and winter
Turdus unicolor visitor, appearing mostly singly from mid- Vagrant. Two records: one on 26th October
Malvizz Irmiedi September to mid-January. It is sometimes 1966 and another on 1st October 1975.
also recorded in March and April. Twos and unpublished records include: The third
Vagrant: a single bird, a male, the first record threes have also been recorded together. record for Malta is a bird shot at Mellie˙a on
for Malta, was noted recently in a private Both the nominate race Turdus torquatus 31st October 1990. This bird was recently
collection at BirΩebbu©a. The bird was shot torquatus and the race Turdus torquatus donated to the Natural History Museum
on 31st October 1990 at Tal-AΩΩard, between alpestris occur. The latter is however the of Mdina. 1 in November 1990 at Ba˙rija,
BirΩebbu©a and G˙axaq. The bird has been more common. The nominate race torquatus another at Mellie˙a on 29th October 1995.
preserved quite by chance, as it was badly is found in Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland and The sixth record is of a bird shot at G˙axaq
mutilated by shot. It had the top part of its Brittany while the race alpestris occurs in the on 4th November 2005.
head including its upper mandible, blown mountains of central and southern Europe.
off and one of the flanks was also heavily Taxidermists’ records included: 1 on 7th
damaged. The hunter picked it up and was April and another on 9th April 1980; 1 on Naumann’s Thrush
on his way to give it to someone to feed it to 5th October 1983, 1 on 13th and another Turdus naumanni
a live Short-eared Owl he had. On his way to on 30th November 1985 and a bird on 3rd Malvizz Qastni
this man, he met the present owner who, on December 1985 at Buskett. Sammy Borg
noting its strange colour, asked for it and he informed me of 1 on 3rd November and 2 There is only one record of this species
eventually mounted it as best as he could, on 21st November in 2003, both at Bulebel, (Xuereb 1991), but the record has been
replacing the crown and upper mandible Ûejtun. In 2005, 1 was seen on Comino on ignored by previous ornithological literature.
with parts from a Fieldfare. This bird is the 20th October and another noted at Buskett Formerly Sonny Xuereb informed me that the
2nd record for the Western Palearctic. The on 29th October. bird was netted at Buskett on 24th December
only other record is of an adult male caught 1956. He had identified the bird, which was
in Heligoland, Germany on 15th October caught alive by his neighbour. The bird was
1932. Common Blackbird kept in a cage and when it died it was not
Turdus merula preserved as its plumage was badly soiled.
Malvizz Iswed In view of the fact that this bird has been
Ring Ouzel recorded in a number of countries all over
Turdus torquatus Malvits esued, Malvits tal-troffa 8, 10, Malvitz Europe, among them former Yugoslavia
Malvizz tas-Sidra Bajda isued 9-11, Malviz isued 12, Malvitzz isued, and Italy, as well as the Middle East and
Malvitzz tat-troffa 13, Malvizz iswed 14-19, Cyprus, it is not inconceivable that it could
Malvits ta sidra baida 8, Malvitz tas-sidra Malvizzun, Malvizz mis-Suwed, Laqluq 20. occur in Malta. This record should stand on
baida 9, Malvitz tal sidra baida 10, Malvits the authority of Xuereb, who at the time was
tas-sidra baida 11, Malviz sidirtu baida 12, Fairly common autumn migrant and winter a hunter and a taxidermist with a relative
Malvizz tas-sidra baida 13, Malvizz tas- visitor seen from October to March. Singles knowledge of birds. he also had examined
sidra bajda 14-19, Malvizz tas’ sidra rar 15, are sometimes recorded in September and and identified the live bird, and had the
Malvizz tas-sidra rar, Malvizz tas-sidra 17, April, and once recorded in May and July. opportunity of seeing it in over a period of
Malvezzun tal-Óannieqa 20. The Blackbird is a very secretive thrush time when it was in captivity.
Song Thrush
Fieldfare and heard calling at Buskett on 5th August

Turdus pilaris 2005. Strong passages can be recorded
Malvizzun tal-Qtajja’ with birds starting to appear suddenly. For
instance a passage was noted late in the
Malvizzoni4, Malvitsun8, Malvitzun9, 10, afternoon on 14th October 2006 with over
Malvitsun rar prim , Malvitzun rar prim12,
11
80, mostly single birds and small flocks of
Malvizzun13-17, , Malvizz ta’ Troppa, Malvizz 2 to 5 birds appearing with a peak between
mis-Sbie˙, Ga˙ga˙, Malvizzun tal-Qtajja18, 19. 16.00 and 17.00 at Nadur (Malta).
Song Thrushes are avidly sought
Scarce autumn and winter visitor, seen by hunters, especially in October and
from October to mid-March. Small groups November, when large numbers are shot.
of up to a dozen birds are usually seen, Large passages involving thousands of
but singles or twos occur more frequently. birds may occur on individual days. Old
Larger flocks have been recorded too. time hunters used to lure thrushes with a
Fieldfares are known to live up to 18 years call that made use of a leather (and later
in the wild (Rydzewsky 1978). plastic) bellows to make the sound. The
bellows are struck against the chest, and
the call was thus given the name tal-mea
Song Thrush culpa, as it recalled the gesture made in
Turdus philomelos the act of contrition.
Malvizz Some hunters also used live thrushes
as decoys, but this practice is no longer
Malvizzi 4, Malvizz 5, Malvits 8, Malvitz 9, common. The late Peter Mifsud, an
Malvits kambi 10, 11, Malviz kambi 12, Malvizz ingenious hunter from Ûebbu©, Malta, had
kambi13, Malvizzun kambi 14, Malvizz 15-19, devised a cage incorporating two thrush-
Merwizz, Melvezz, Merwezz 20. calls with a finger from a rubber glove to act
as bellows at either end of the cage, and
A very common autumn migrant and
winter visitor. It occurs mostly in October Peter Micallef shows a cage which had two
to March, but it is sometimes recorded in thrush calls on the bottom. These calls
September and April. A bird was present were activated by the bird in the cage as
in spring of 2006 until 15th May at Ramla, it hopped from the perch to the side of the
cage. Before the advent of electronic callers,
Gozo. Very occasionally it can appear in
thrushes were also lured with hand-operated
August and May. A recent late record is of
calls, some of which were made locally, as
a Song Thrush at Mistra Valley on 30th May
well as clockwork ones or live decoys in
2009 while an early record was of one seen cages
Mistle Thrush Spotted Flycatcher
with a metal plate overlying the bellows. Mistle Thrush (Sultana and Gauci 1973a), but it had
A live Corn Bunting or Song Thrush was Turdus viscivorus bred before as in Temi Conti’s collection
placed in the cage, and each time the bird Malvizzun Prim at BirΩebbu©a, there were two clutches
flew down from its perch to the sides of the of eggs labelled 7th April 1961 and 19th
cage, it stepped on the metal plate and Malvizzoni4, Malvitzun9, 10, Malvitsun July 1963 respectively, both from Buskett.
activated the thrush call. Mouth-blown calls kambi11, kambi12, Malvizzun13, 16, 17, The first nests to be located in the 1970’s
for thrushes were also available, as were Malvizzun imperial14, Malvizzun rar15, were in a box that used to serve as an
clockwork operated ones, but the latter Malvizzun imperjali18, Malvizzun Prim19, illuminated sign, but other nests were also
were not very popular locally. Melwezz mill-Kbar, Malvizzun ta’ located on lateral branches or in the fork of
Cumbersome battery operated ones Truppa20. tree trunks. At Buskett, a shallow platform
appeared in the late 1960s and early 70s, of pine needles lined with lichens on the
and electronic bird callers, with small Very scarce from mid-October to early outside is used as a nest, and eggs are
magnetic tapes and later with a memory March and once recorded in April. In pale greenish with orange-brown blotches.
chip, took the market by storm from the 2005, a bird was seen at Mellie˙a on 10th Over these years, three to eight pairs
1980s onwards. The use of any electronic October and 1 on 22nd October at Buskett. bred at Buskett each year, while one or two
bird callers is now illegal. In 2007, singles in several localities on pairs were noted breeding every now and
Song Thrushes ringed in Malta have been 19th October and on 24th October. In 2008, then at the Addolorata Cemetery, Paola, at
recovered in several parts of Italy such as 2 at Fawwara on 21st December. In 2009, Howard Gardens, Rabat and a pair bred at
Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Matera, and in singles in several localities on 30th and 31st San Anton Gardens and Ta’ Qali National
Greece. A Song Thrush ringed in Denmark October. Park, in Attard (Galea 2002a).
lived for 17 years 5 months before being The Mistle Thrush is known to live over A pair bred at Buskett and another par
killed by a car (Staav 1998). 12 years in the wild (Staav 2001). at the Addolorata Cemetery in 2005. up
to seven pairs have bred at Buskett in
summer of 2006, with some pair rearing
Redwing more than one brood.
Turdus iliacus Muscicapinae In 2006, there was a large influx on 5th
Malvizz A˙mar or ÛerΩur May, when hundreds of exhausted birds
were noted in several localities in both
Zarzur 1, Malvitz9, Malvits rar10, 11, Malviz Spotted Flycatcher Malta and Gozo. Over 500 birds noted at
rar12, Malvizz rar 13, Malvizz ahmar 15, Malvizz Muscicapa striata id-Dahar in Mellie˙a on 5th May and several
16
, Malvizz a˙mar 17-19, ÛerΩur 19, Melwezz ÛanΩarell tat-Tikki birds were still there on 10th May.
tal-Imwa˙˙ar, Melwezz tal-Grigal20. In 2007, a nest with 3 young was noted
Zanzarel 9, Zanzarell 10-13, Zanzarell griz on 4th August at Buskett.
Scarce autumn and winter visitor from , ÛanΩarell 16, 17, ÛanΩarell tat-tikki 18, 19,
15
There were several breeding records in
late October to late March, with most G˙asfur il-Gamiem, Pinn ir-Ri˙, Ta’ Ferg˙a 2008. A pair bred at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a, where
seen on very cold days around February. Wa˙da, Tan-Nemus 20. an adult was seen bringing food to the
A hunters’ saying states that this kind of nest on 1 June. At least six pairs bred at
thrush appears between the two feasts Common from mid-April to early June in Buskett: 2 pairs and 8 young in 2 nests
of St Paul, the Feast of the Conversion on spring and frequent but less common from were seen at Buskett on 16th June. A total of
25th January and the Shipwreck, on 10th mid-August to mid-November in autumn. It 20 birds, consisting of 6 family parties were
February. Redwings can be rather long may be scarce in some years during the seen on 12th July. A pair bred at Ta’ Braxia
lived. A bird ringed in Finland lived for 17 autumn migration. The Spotted Flycatcher Cemetery, where adults were seen feeding
years 4 months (Staav 2001). has been recorded breeding since 1971 three young on 15th July, while another pair
Formerly known as Rufous Bush Chat or a return passage is noted in April and May.
Rufous Scrub Robin. Very scarce visitor In places such as Buskett, a few remain
between April and May in spring and a even in summer. A pair bred in 1997 in
very rare autumn visitor. A bird of the race Villa Rundle, Gozo. Another pair bred at
galactotes was seen at Marsascala on 24th Delimara in June 2005, raising three young.
April 1993; 1 on 3rd May 1998 at Pembroke.. An adult bird was seen feeding two of the
One was ringed on Comino on 24th April fledged young on two occasions on 9th and
2005, another was seen at Salina on 22nd 10th June. In August 2005, there were three
April 2006. In 2007, one was seen on 14th records of Robins: 1 at G˙adira on the 8th
May at Dwejra, and another on 24th October and 2 at Buskett on the 14th.
at Comino. In 2009, 1 (galactotes) on 17th A notable return passage in April and
April at Mta˙leb and another (galactotes) May 2006, with several bleached birds
at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 29th May. occurring, indicating they had come from
The nominate (western) race Cercotrichas the sub-Sahel zone in Africa.
galactotes galactotes occurs in south- The following are some records from 2006:
west Europe, North Africa, Sinai, Israel, singles at Dwejra, Malta on 1st April; on 25th
Jordan, and southern Syria. The eastern April at Buskett; on 26th April at Salina; 2 on
Young Spotted Flycatcher race syriacus, to which most specimens 29th April at G˙adira; 5 (3 together bathing
handled for ringing belonged, occurs in in a pool of water) on 1st May at Buskett; 1 at
bred at Portomaso, rearing two young, south-east Europe, west and central Turkey Salina and another at Bidnija, 2 at G˙adira
in August. A family party of 4 was seen and in the Levant south to Lebanon. on 4th May; 2 at Rabat and 8 birds at Buskett
at Bin©emma on 20th August. Two pairs on 7th May; 1 at G˙adira on 9th May; 2 on 10th
bred at the Addolorata Cemetery, where and 15th May at Buskett; 5, also at Buskett,
adults were seen feeding 3 and 4 young European Robin on 28th May. A few birds were also recorded
respectively on various dates between Erithacus rubecula in June 2006: 1 was noted at Chadwick
mid-June and mid-July. A pair bred at St Pitirross Lakes and another at Buskett on the 13th;
Agatha’s College, Rabat raising 2 young in and at least 4 birds at Buskett on 18th.
mid-July. Pettorros4, Pettiross8-12, 14, Pittiross13, Other records in 2006 were 1 at G˙adira
In 2009, several sightings of up to 30 Pitirross15, 17-19, Pittirross 16, Pajter, Ta’ Sidru on 1st July; 3 on 9th July and on 8th August at
birds on several dates in several areas in A˙mar 20. Buskett; 1 at Dwejra (Malta) on 20th August;
April and May, but over 35 at Salina on 1 at G˙adira on 22nd August; 2 at Buskett on
8th May. An influx occurred between 9th Very common autumn migrant and winter 23rd August; 1 at Bin©emma on 25th August;
and 13th May, with over 100 at Xag˙ra, visitor, arriving at the end of September and 5 at Wied il-Luq, Buskett on 31st August; over
Gozo and at id-Dahar, over 75 at Dwejra may be seen up to March and sometimes 50 at Buskett on 30th September heralded
(Malta), over 40 at Bidnija, over 40 at Mount
St Joseph on the 9th; over 75 on the 10th
and over 150 on the 11th, both sightings at
Dwejra (Malta); over 50 at Dwejra (Malta)
on the 13th. Spotted Flycatchers bred in
various localities in 2009.
Apart from at least eight pairs at Buskett,
at least five pairs bred at the Addolorata
Cemetery, two pairs bred at Howard
Gardens, Rabat, a pair raised two broods
in the courtyard of the Natural History
Museum at Mdina, having built its nest on
the base one of the hanging wrought iron
lamps, a pair bred at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a, two
pairs bred at Fawwara, and a pair bred at
Kevin’s Bird Park at Burmarrad.
Birds ringed in Malta have been
recovered in Austria, Finland and Congo. A
bird ringed in Sweden has been recovered
in Malta.
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

Cercotrichas galactotes
RoΩinjol tax-Xag˙ri
Rosinjol ta Barbarija15, RoΩinjol ta’

European Robin
Barbarija17, 18, RoΩinjol tax-Xag˙ri 19.
the first rush of autumn migrants. In October 13 years and 3 months after it was ringed Common between mid-March and mid-
2006 more than 15 were noted on the 6th at (Staav 1998) May in spring and from mid-August to mid-
G˙adira, where over 100 were recorded on The British race melophilus is very October in autumn. Some birds are seen
the 18th. Over 600 were noted on Comino on tame and has a close affinity to humans, up to mid-May and more seldom in June.
27th October. The birds were noted to start but the paler continental race rubecula is On average, birds spend close to 3 days in
arriving in late morning and continued all wilder and more skulking, this behaviour spring and close to 5 days in autumn.
day. Again over 400 birds at Comino, with persisting on migration and in winter A pair attempted to breed in 1995 at Wied
migration noted from early morning on the quarters. il-Luq, Buskett, but the nest was probably
28th October. attacked by rats (Galea 1999b).
For the past few years, several birds A bird ringed at Salina on 31st March
are being noted in a number of localities Thrush Nightingale 1979 was recovered in the Czech Republic
throughout summer. Localities include Luscinia luscinia on 5th May 1979. Another Malta ringed bird
Buskett, is-Simar, G˙adira, San Anton RoΩinjol Skur was recovered in Italy.
Gardens, Naxxar and Girgenti. But no
breeding could be confirmed. Baal tal Rossignol 10, Baghal tar-Rosinjol 11,
Ringing recoveries indicate that in winter Rosignol rar 13, Roniol mutu 14, Rosinjol Prim Siberian Ruby Throat
birds cross from Malta to Gozo and vice 15
, RoΩinjol Prim 17-19. Luscinia calliope
versa as well as move within the Islands. Vagrant. Only six records mostly in Sep- RoΩinjol tas-Siberja
One ringed on 31st October 1981 at G˙adira tember, but once in August. The last time it
was found dead on 22nd November, 22 was recorded was on 8th September 1981 One was trapped and ringed at Rabat
days later, in Tunisia. Other Robins ringed at Dwejra, Gozo. The 5th record was of a on 25th January 2004 by Mark Gauci and
in Malta have been recovered in Poland, bird trapped and ringed on 30th September Manwel Mallia. This was the first record
Bulgaria, Hungary, uSSR, ukraine, the 1979 at G˙adira, where it remained until 7th for Malta and the first occurrence so far
Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, San October 1979. It was reported that on 22nd south.
Marino, Italy, Sicily, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria June 1985, a Thrush Nightingale was heard
and Greece. singing at Buskett (Il-Merill 25, 1988). It is
Robins ringed in the uSSR, Finland, the pertinent to note that the song and calls Bluethroat
Czech Republic, Sweden and Italy, have of this bird resemble closely those of the Luscinia svecica
been found in Malta. Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhyn- Kudirross Blu
The nominate race Erithacus rubecula chos), and are only distinguishable to the
rubecula is the race that occurs regularly. practised ear (Cramp 1977). Qudiross sidirtu kahla10, Kudiross sidirtu
This race occurs in the Azores, Madeira, The Thrush Nightingale is a migratory kahla11, Cudiross sidirtu kahla 12, Cudiross
westernmost Canary Islands, Morocco, bird and winters entirely in Africa largely tas-sidira ca˙la 13, Cudiross sidirtu ca˙la
and continental Europe east to the urals south of the Equator. It leaves the nesting 14
, Cudiross sidutu cahla, Cudiross sidutu
and south to Spain, Italy, and Greece. De grounds by early August and enters Africa cahla u safra (the latter for the white
Lucca (1969) included the race Erithacus east of longitude 250E. Given the time of spotted form) 15, Kudirross sidirtu bajda u
rubecula melophilus on the strength of year that the bird was recorded, the pos- ka˙la, Kudirross sidirtu ka˙la u ˙amra (the
one specimen taken in November 1935 sible confusion of the song with that of the latter for the red spotted form) 17, Kudirross
(De Lucca and De Lucca 1959). Although Common Nightingale, the migratory pat- tas-sidira ka˙la 18, Kudirross Blu 19.
the specimen found its way to the British terns of the Thrush Nightingale, and the
Museum, identification was never proven lack of familiarity of local observers with the Scarce in both spring and autumn,
conclusively (Bannerman and Vella Thrush Nightingale’s calls and song, the sometimes it winters too. Most are seen
Gaffiero 1976). Sultana and Gauci (1982) June record should treated with some cau- from March to early May and from early
argue, however, that Bannerman and tion, especially since the Common Night- September to early November. Both
Vella Gaffiero did not sufficiently justify ingale has occasionally been recorded in the red-spotted nominate race Luscinia
the reasons for rejecting the record, and June. svecica svecica from the north, and the
imply that some birds handled for ringing In former ornithological literature white-spotted southern race, Luscinia
resemble melophilus. the bird’s name in Maltese is given as svecica cyanecula occur. The latter
The race melophilus is found in Britain RoΩinjol Prim, but in view of the fact that it occurs in spring. The nominate race
and Ireland, and is largely sedentary is actually darker than a Nightingale, it is occurs in autumn. This is the race found
but some birds migrate SSW as far as felt that the name RoΩinjol Skur, meaning in Scandinavia to northern Siberia and
southern Iberia. In spite of the fact that ‘dark’ Nightingale, is a more accurate western Alaska and in European Russia.
many Robins are trapped for ringing name. There are also some isolated populations
each year, no study has yet been in the central European mountains. The
undertaken to establish whether the race race cyanecula is found in central Europe
melophilus occurs and the frequency of Common Nightingale from Spain, eastern and northern France
its occurrence, if any. Luscinia megarhynchos and The Netherlands east to Carpathian
Contrary to popular perception, Robins RoΩinjol basin, north-west ukraine and Leningrad.
can be quite long lived. A Robin ringed in Both races of the Bluethroat winter
Poland is known to have lived at least 17 Rusignoi 4, Rozignol 5, Rosignol 4, 9, 13
, outside the breeding range, occupying
years and three months in the wild while Rossignol10, Rosinjol 11, 15, Rosiniol 12
, an extensive wintering area extending
anotherr ringed in Germany was still alive Rossinjol14, RoΩinjol 16-19, UΩinjol 20. from the Mediterranean basin south to the
Black Redstart - Male Black Redstart - Female
northern Afrotropics. Observations and at G˙adira on the 8th, an adult male white The race Phoenicurus ochruros
ringing recoveries have shown that the spotted form on 22nd February, a female on gibraltariensis, which occurs in western
race svecica leaves in a SSW direction 9th October and a male of the white-spotted and central Europe, east to Latvia and
in autumn and returns from a SE route in form on 11th October, all at is-Simar. A first Crimea, south to northern Spain, Sicily
spring, passing through Eastern Europe. winter male on 20th October 2009 at is- and Greece and north-west Africa, is the
Birds of the southern race cyanecula Simar, anotherr on 19t November . one that occurs in Malta. The Maltese
take an orientation between west and A bird ringed at Xemxija in November Islands seem to be situated just outside
south when they leave Europe in autumn, 1991 was re-trapped at Postrekov, in the the bird’s breeding range, with Sicily being
with return spring migration taking place Czech Republic in May 1992. the southern limit of its breeding range.
further east with the main route passing Sultana (2001) stated that the semirufus
through Austria, southern Germany and race “occurred once”, but gave no other
Switzerland. Black Redstart details. This is the race that occurs in the
These migration patterns explain the Phoenicurus ochruros Levant. Birds ringed in Poland have been
timing of occurrences in Malta. Only the Kudirross Iswed recovered in Malta.
binomen is given for 131 Bluethroats ringed
by the Valletta Ringing Group between Qudiross Esued 8, Kudiross, Ta dembu
1965 and 1993 (Il-Merill 28), and there 9
, Qudiross isued 10, Kudiross isued 11, Common Redstart
does not seem to have been any attempt to Bugrisa, Cudirross sidirtu seuda 12, Bugriza Phoenicurus phoenicurus
identify the races involved. 13
, Cudiross iswed 14, Fiamma Sewda 15, Kudirross
The race Luscinia svecica volgae Fjamma 16, Kudirross iswed, Ta’ denbu
from European Russia and ukraine has a˙mar iswed 17, Kudirross iswed 18, 19, Qudiross, Ta dembu 8, Kudiross isued 9,
never been recorded in Malta. This race Bekkafit mis-Suwed, Bekkafit Torki, Torki, Qudiros, Beqqafiq ta dembu10, Fiamma 11,
winters in the eastern Mediterranean. This Lhudi 20. 15
, Bekkafik ahmar, Kudiross 11, Cudiross
subspecies intergrades with cyanecula ta dembu 12, Beccafic ta dembu a˙mar
in the west and with svecica in the north Common between October and March, 13
, Cudiross ta denbu 14, Fjamma 16, 17,
of the range. It is not inconceivable that occasionally seen also in April. The bird Kudirross 16, 18, 19, Kudirross, Ta’ Denbu
this race should reach Malta. Although can often be seen even in inhabited areas. A˙mar 17, Ta’ Dembu A˙mar, Fjamma,
identification of summer males should not Black Redstarts are usually seen singly but Bekkafit 20.
pose a problem, such birds do not occur individual birds can be seen close to each
in Malta, and closer scrutiny of birds other within the same area. A small influx Common in spring from mid-March to
observed or ringed is recommended in was noted on 7th November 2005 at St mid-May and in autumn from the end of
view of intergradation problems. Elmo Point, when over 30 were seen within August to early November. Occasionally
An adult male of the white-spotted form the space of a few minutes. The first birds it is recorded also in June and in late
was present at is-Simar between 7th and of the season in 2006 were seen at Rabat November. Both Despott (1916) and Gibb
29th March 2005 while a bird was seen at and Naxxar on 23rd October. (1950) recorded it in December.
Ramla Valley, Gozo on 6th October 2005. In An adult male, an immature male and Birds ringed in Malta have been
2006, 1 was seen at G˙adira on 25th March two females were repeatedly seen eating recovered in Algeria and Tunisia. A bird
and 1 on 10th October at Ramla Valley, olives that had fallen off the trees planted in ringed in France was still alive 9 years 5
Gozo. a large traffic Island at Naxxar in November months later (Staav 1998). The nominate
In 2007, a female was noted at is-Simar and December 2007. The birds picked up race phoenicurus occurs in Europe,
on 6th April. Singles on 4th, 6th, 8th, 17th and the olives and swallowed them whole. Such northern Asia and north-west Africa,
18th October at G˙adira and is-Simar, and kind of feeding behaviour has not been east to Lake Baikal, south to northern
1 at is-Simar on 26th November. In 2008, 1 recorded from anywhere else. Balkan countries and ukraine. The race
samamisicus, occurs in the southern had a bird in his collection, which was San Raflu, Gozo, on 15th May 1976, a male
Balkan countries east to Crimea, Caucasus, taken on 3rd December 1933 at Kalafrana, at MiΩieb on 2nd November 1976, a female
eastern and southern Turkey, and Levant, and David Bannerman. at Wied ix-Xoqqa, limits of BirΩebbu©a. on
through Iran to Turkmenistan, uzbekistan This was actually the first record of this 3rd April 1977, 3 males at Dwejra, Gozo on
and Tadzhikistan. The males of the latter species in Malta and David Bannerman 7th April 1982, a male, locality unknown, on
race often have a white wing panel, but had seen the bird in Conti’s collection. 27th November 1992, a male at Marsaxlokk
intergrading with birds of the nominate Conti believed Bannerman had passed on in November 1998, 4 males at Dwejra,
race, can make identification challenging. the information about the record without his Gozo on 9th April 2000, a male at Dwejra,
A female of the race Phoenicurus permission and wrote him a very strongly Gozo on 15th March 2005, a female trapped
phoenicurus samamisicus, was taken at worded letter. at Ûurrieq on 19th March 2005, a first year
Marsa on 10th September 1968 near the Bannerman clarified the issue with male trapped at Mta˙leb in October 2005,
Addolorata Cemetery and is preserved in Hollom in 1975, and set the record straight an adult male from 30th November 2008 to
a collection at Tarxien. in 1976 (Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero February 2009 at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra.
1976). Hollom wrote to Bannerman on 26th The name being given for this bird is the
September 1975 concerning the record, one had been coined by Bannerman and
Moussier’s Redstart and the letter is now in the British Museum Vella Gaffiero (1976). Sultana et al. (1975)
Phoenicurus moussieri Library in Tring. Hollom told Bannerman he had given this bird the name Kudirross tat-
Kudirross A˙mar too was aware of the existence of the earlier TuneΩija, which freely translated means
record of Conti’s bird, but his information Tunisian Redstart.
Kudirross a˙mar18, Kudirross tat-TuneΩija19. was confidential. The name has been changed because
Conti was very secretive about records the sole association with Tunisia is incorrect
Very rare, having been recorded some nine as he had intended to publish them himself. as the Moussier’s Redstart is also found in
times, both in spring and in autumn, but A very close friend of his, who was also a Libya, Algeria and Morocco. Giving it a
several new records are being given here, collector, recently informed me that he only name describing it as ‘reddish’, as Gaffiero
including two females. The bird is resident got to know about the Moussier’s Redstart did, which is used in other bird names
in North Africa but some dispersal occurs. years after Conti had shot it and that he with similar rust coloured feathers, is more
In Tunisia, birds disperse south and to the kept the bird hidden from public view. appropriate.
coast after the breeding season (Isenmann Previous to this publication there have
et al. 2005). The bird was first recorded by been 9 records on different dates, some
Peterson et al. (1961) following a sight record of which involve more than one bird. But Whinchat
of a male on 14th April 1958 at Madliena. It the records of two males in March 1974 Saxicola rubetra
was seen by Col W.M. Congreve, who was are very suspect. They were recorded by Buçaqq tas-Silla
familiar with this species in Algeria, when George Faure (the same man who had
nests and eggs had been found. recorded the Tristram’s Warbler), and Bucak tal qudi 8, 10, Buciak tal Kudi 9,
The appearance of this record in print, the fact he had given different dates for Bucaq 11, Buçak talcudi 12, Buciac tal cudi
albeit without a date in Phil Hollom’s Field the capture of these birds makes these 13
, Buçakk tal cudi 14, Buciak 15, Buçaqq,
guide to the birds of Europe, had created records questionable. But as others were G˙asfur tas-Silla 17, Buçaqçaq tas-silla 18,
friction between Themistocles Conti, who shot before and after them during the same Buçaqq tas-Silla 19.
month, it could well be that the records
were genuine.
Sammy Borg provided the following five
new records: 1 at Ta’ Ûuta on 18th March
1974; 1 at MiΩieb on 2nd November 1976; 1,
locality unknown, on 27th November 1992;
and 1 in November 1998 at Marsaxlokk.
Sultana and Gauci (1982) say all records
involve males. A female was recently
noted in a collection: it was shot on 3rd
April 1977 at l-A˙rieq in Wied ix-Xoqqa,
limits of BirΩebbu©a. Another female was
trapped at Ûurrieq on 19th March 2005 and
a first year male was trapped at Mta˙leb
in October 2005. A male first seen on 30th
November 2008 ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra was still
in the same area in February 2009.
The records of Moussier’s Redstart
should be as follows: 1st record, a male in
the limits of Kalafrana 3rd December 1933,
a sight record of a male 14th April 1958, 3
males at Delimara on 5th March 1974, 1 at
Moussier’s Redstart
Si©©iewi on the 18th March 1974, a male
Whinchat - Female
at Ta’ Ûuta on 18th March 1974, a male at
Whinchat - Male Common Stonechat - Female
Common from the end of March to late May Common Stonechat therefore the taxon maurus is still treated
in spring and frequent, but less common, Saxicola torquatus as a race of S. torquatus in the AERC TAC
from late August to mid-October in autumn. Buçaqq tax-Xitwa Checklist.
Sometimes it is recorded in November,
February and in December. Occasionally, Bucak 8, 10, Bucakcak 8, Buciak 9, Bucaq11,
there are exceptionally large passages of Buçak 12, Buçakçak 12, 14, Buciac 13, Buçakk
this bird in the Maltese Islands. One such 14
, Buzafzaf 15, BuΩafΩaf 16, Buçaqq 16, 17,
fall took place in September of 1969 when Buçaqçaq, Buzafzaf 17, Buçaqçaq tax-
more than 700 birds were recorded from xitwa 18, Buçaqq tax-Xitwa 19, Buçaqçaq,
just two localities. On 25th April 1970 there Buçeqçeq, Ûinçaq20.
was another exceptionally large passage
of Whinchat in Malta when more than 1,000 Common autumn migrant that appears from
birds were seen in just four localities. late September. Some winter and stay up to
Another notable influx took place on March. The race Saxicola torquatus rubicola
5th May 2006, particularly at id-Dahar in is the one that occurs. This race is found
Mellie˙a when over 250 birds, mostly in north-west Africa, southern and central
females, were seen in the area by the Europe, east to Turkey and Transcaucasia.
author. Over 40 were seen at Dwejra on Stonechats are faithful to their wintering
9th May. A single bird on 27th August 2007 sites, with ringing records showing that
was rather early. In 2009, highest numbers birds can return to the same site even after
of over 30 on 10th April at G˙ajn Ri˙ana, two winters.
over 50 at Comino on 26th April, over 30 at Birds ringed at G˙adira have been
Comino on 29th April and over 40 at Comino recovered in Algeria and Yugoslavia.
on 2nd May. Occurrence of the race Saxicola torquatus
The race spatzi mentioned by Bannerman maurus in Malta was documented for the
(Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero 1976) is no first time in 2004.
longer recognised. The race was thought Some taxonomists treat the race as a
to occur in southern Dalmatia and a good species (Sibley 1996; Sangster et
specimen collected in Malta by Payn and al. 1998; Wink et al. 2002) and name it
now in the British Museum, was ascribed Saxicola maurus. up to 2003, AERC had
to this race. not reached agreement on the split and Common Stonechat - Male
Siberian Stonechat or Eastern Stonechat at Salina on 13th April 1969 and which was
Saxicola maurus in the private collection of Sammy Borg.
Buçaqq tal-Lvant However, it is obvious that this species had
been occurring regularly before but was
A male was taken on 23rd March 1980 overlooked or misidentified. Two birds noted
at Manikata, but the record was never in a collection in BirΩebbu©a recently, were
published. The bird is now preserved in the taken on 2nd and 5th April 1976. Both were
private collection of Sammy Borg. A female taken at Ix-Xerriek, limits of BirΩebbu©a.
discovered at Bidnija by John Azzopardi Sammy Borg informed me of the following
was present between 28th February and records: 2 on 12th March 1977 at Wied il-
2nd March 2004. The bird was also seen G˙ajn; 2 on 21st March 1977 at Óal Far; 1
by Michael Sammut. Another bird, also a at Mta˙leb on 18th March 1977; 1 at Sta.
female, was seen on 8th and 9th January Luçija on 28th March 1977; 1 on 7th April
2005 at Mosta by John Azzopardi and 1977 at Óal Far; and 1 on 31st March 1981
Michael Sammut. Another female was seen at MiΩieb.
on 5th March 2006 at Salina. Other sightings are: 1 at Marsaxlokk on
These are the first records of this 19th February 1982; 1 at l-A˙rax on 3rd May
species for Malta. Although this species 1984; 1 at San Raflu, Gozo on 27th March
is known as Siberian Stonechat, some are 1987; 1 at G˙allis on 29th March 1987; 1 at
recommending the use of the name Eastern Pembroke on 6th October 1990; 1 at Dwejra Northern Wheatear
Stonechat because the name Siberian is on 23rd March 1991. Two were recorded in
somewhat misleading. 1994, 1 at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo on 24th February possibly explains the increased regularity
and another at Dwejra on 21st and 22nd and frequency of observations in Malta,
March. One was ringed on Comino on Sicily, and Tunisia. It winters in the Sahel
Isabelline Wheatear 28th April 1996; 1 seen at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo region of Africa.
Oenanthe isabellina on 11th April 1998; 1 at Buskett on 19th
Kuda IΩabellina September 1999; 1 at Qawra on 26th March
2000; a female at Qawra on 24th and 25th Northern Wheatear
Very scarce but regular spring migrant, from March 2001; and another bird on 5th April Oenanthe oenanthe
mid-March to mid-April, and rare in August 2001, also at Qawra. Kuda
to late September in autumn. Most birds There were several records in 2002: A
are seen in March. The bird was recorded male and female at Çirkewwa on 6th March; Code bianche 4, Quda bianqa 8, Kuda
for the first time in Malta by Mark Beaman, 1 at the same locality on 9th March; a male bianca 9, Quda bianca 10, Kuda bianca
who observed a bird at Ras il-Pellegrin and female at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a on 9th March; 2 11
, Cuda bianca 12-14, Cuda 15, Kuda 16-19,
on 25th March 1970. Beaman later also females at the same locality on 16th March; Kudabjanka 17, Katabjanka 20.
identified another bird that had been shot and another female at Salina on 29th March.
One at Qawra on 29th August 2003. In 2004, Very common from March to May and from
there were four records involving single August to November. It is occasionally
birds: 1 at Çirkewwa on 2nd and 16th March; recorded in winter and in June. Return
a female at Salina on 29th March; a female migrants start appearing as early as mid-
at Qawra on 20th September; 1 at St Elmo February. A bird ringed in Malta was
Point on 19th September; 1 was seen at trapped at Matmata, in southern Tunisia six
Çirkewwa on 10th April 2005, and another years later.
at Comino on 8th May 2005. In 2006, 1 on No proper study has been made to
1st April at iç-Çumnija and another at San determine the races that occur, despite
Pawl tat-Tar©a on 5th April. In 2007, 1 at id- the fact that between 1965 and 1993,
Dahar on 10th March, 1 on 18th March and 1 more than 180 Wheatears were trapped
on 25th March both at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a; 1 on and ringed. The nominate race oenanthe
6th and 14th September respectively, also breeds in northern Eurasia east from the
at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a. In 2008, single birds at Faroes, Ireland, and France, north of the
id-Dahar and at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 11th and race libanotica.
18th March respectively, at Nadur (Malta) The latter race breeds in southern Europe
on 31st August and at Bingemma on 4th from Iberia east through Greece, Turkey to
September. Transcaucasia, north to the Pyrénées and
The Isabelline Wheatear breeds in Asia Alps, west and south to Balkans, and east
Minor and Transcaucasia east to Mongolia. to Transcaspia and Manchuria. Both these
It is essentially an Asian bird of the steppe races winter in Africa. Passage occurs on
and steppe-desert regions. Since 1960 it a broad front in the Mediterranean with
has spread its range westwards and also large numbers passing through Malta,
started breeding in Bulgaria, Rumania, Sicily and Tunisia, particularly in spring. In
and Greece, arguably in response to such a scenario, it is puzzling that the race
Isabelline Wheatear
drier summers. This expansion in range libanotica has not been identified in Malta.
The race leucorhoa from the sub-Arctic There are two distinct races of the
winters in the west of Africa and migration Black-eared Wheatear, the western race
tends to follow the Atlantic seaboard. (Oenanthe oenanthe hispanica) and
However, birds of this race have been the eastern race (Oenanthe oenanthe
recorded in western European countries. melanoleuca). Although local ornithological
A bird of this race was seen on 13th April literature lists both species as occurring
2002 at Salina by Michael Sammut. in the Maltese Islands, Azzopardi (2006)
Another was seen and photographed reviewed the status and concluded that
on 2nd September 2006 by Juan Ellul the eastern race occurs and it is highly
Pirotta and Michael Sammut at Clapham improbable that the hispanica occurs,
Junction. Dr E. N. Panov, author of the because their range and the direction of
monograph Wheatears of the Palearctic their migration pattern makes it unlikely that
had confirmed the identification. There they occur in Malta, a fact supported by
are also a few confirmed records from the fieldwork. In response, Attard Montalto et
neighbouring islands of Pantelleria, Linosa, al. (2008) argued that both races occurred
and Marettimo in April, May and August because ringing records showed that out
(Iapichino and Massa 1989). of six birds trapped between 2006 and
2007, one was a hispanica. But if anything,
the fact that out of all birds trapped and
Pied Wheatear ringed in a period of 35 years (1970-2005),
Oenanthe pleschanka totalling more than 250, only one was a
Kuda tal-Lvant hispanica shows that the occurrence of
this race is accidental and highly irregular,
Dumnikan 10, 11, Kuda tal-lvant 18, 19. and that most birds that occur belong to
the melanoleuca race. Black-eared Wheatear (Eastern form)
Vagrant, with two documented records so An adult male white-throated form,
far: 1 on 31st March 1968 at Marsalforn, belonging to the melanoleuca race, was
Gozo, and 1 on 21st April 1973 at Wied il- seen at Qrejten Point on 8th September 2005. Desert Wheatear
Kbir, limits of St Julian’s. The record of a In 2006, there were the following records: Oenanthe deserti
bird shot at Marsascala on 28th February four birds comprising of two females, a Kuda tad-DeΩert
1974 (Vella Gaffiero 1977c) has been male black-throated melanoleuca and a
reviewed and rejected and the bird re- male white-throated melanoleuca were Vagrant with seven records between
identified from preserved skin as a Black- seen at San Pawl tat-Tar©a on 5th April and October and early April so far. The first
eared Wheatear. There are records of the a male (black-throated form melanoleuca) record was given in the MOS Gozo branch
Pied Wheatear from Tunisia and Libya on 23rd April at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo, all seen first bi-annual report in 1963, which stated
(Isenmann et al. 2005). by John Azzopardi and Michael Sammut. that Anton Xuereb, a trapper from Victoria,
Three birds (race not mentioned) on 26th Gozo, had trapped a bird on 30th October
April, and 2 (also race not mentioned) on 1958 at M©arr ix-Xini, Gozo. As he had
Black-eared Wheatear the following day at Comino. In 2007, 1 on never seen a similar bird before, he took
Oenanthe hispanica the 29th August at Dwejra, Gozo was the it to a taxidermist and somehow the bird
Kuda Dumnikana first ‘autumn’ record. In 2009, a male black- then ended in the collection of Victor Vella
throated form melanoleuca at G˙arg˙ur Muskat, who was in charge of the MOS
Dumniquan 8, Quda bianca 8, 10, Dumnikan on 27th March, 7 (6 males of which 4 Gozo Branch at the time. Single birds
9, 11, 14, 16
, Dumnican, Cuda bianca bastarda black-throated form, and a female) at were recorded at San Lawrenz, Gozo on
12
, Dumnicana, Kuda tal ˙annieka seuda, G˙arg˙ur on 29th March, a black-throated 27 October 1967, at BirΩebbu©a on 5th
Kuda bianca bastarda 13, Cuda bianca, melanoleuca at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra on 30th November 1970, at Marsascala in January
Soru 15, Dumnikana 17, Kuda dumnikana 17- March 1 at l-Ahrax on 2nd April, a male 1971, at Delimara on 19th March 1972, in
19
, Soru, Kuda tal-Maskra 20. melanoleuca at G˙ajn Tuffieha on 4th April. mid-March 1975 at Marsaxlokk, and on
On 7th April, 6 (3 melanoleuca) at l-A˙rax, 24 November 1977. Alfred Vassallo, a
Scarce spring and autumn migrant. It a male melanoleuca at Anchor Bay on 9th taxidermist from Ûejtun, knew of another
appears from mid-March to mid-May, April, a male and female at Dwejra (Malta) specimen in a collection taken before 1979,
occasionally in June. In autumn, it appears on 10th April, 3 (a male black-throated form but the precise date was not known. Sammy
in smaller numbers from August to mid- melanoleuca and 2 females) at Rinella on Borg has two other records: one on 26th
October. 15th April, a female at Nadur (Malta) on 15th November 1977 at Si©©iewi and another on
The only breeding record of Black-eared April, 2 at Mta˙leb on 17th April, a single 1st October 1978 at Óal Far. A male noted
Wheatear was in July 1982. The male was black-throated second year male at Comino in a collection in BirΩebbu©a recently was
noted feeding three fledged young while on 25th April and a male, black-throated form shot on 18th April 1978 at ix-Xerriek, limits of
the female was found dead. The corpse at iç-Çumnija on 30th May. In autumn, the BirΩebbu©a. One was seen at Jerma Point,
was at least five days old when found. On first record was a male (melanolueca white- Marsascala on 2nd April 2000. A female was
further examination, the bird was found to throated form) at Clapham Junction on 29th seen on 13th December 2001 at San Luçjan
have been shot (Sultana and Gauci 1981- August and another female melanolueca at while 2 birds were seen at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a
3a). the same locality on 20th September. on 11th December 2005, but only one, a
Formerly known as Rock Thrush. It is a

scarce spring migrant from mid-March to
mid-May and irregular in autumn from late
August to early October. Records in 2006
include: 1 at Mellie˙a on 9th April; 1 at
Comino on 15th April; 1 at Ûebbug (Malta)
on 26th April; and a female at Pembroke
on 11th October. In 2008, a male at G˙ajn
Tuffie˙a on 25th March and 1 on 8th and 9th
April at Ìebel Ciantar. In 2009, a female
at Dwejra on 5th April, 3 at Nadur on 9th
April, 1 on 10th April at Dwejra, a male at
G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 11th April, a female at id-
Dahar on 14th April, a male on Comino on
17th April, a female at Xag˙ra, Gozo on 19th
April and 1 at Comino on 8th May.
This bird used to be much more common
in spring up to the early 1970s (De Lucca
1969a), but it has declined considerably. On
27th March 1916, Despott noted 288 Rock
Thrushes at the market, but though there
were other days when Despott recorded
several Rock Thrushes at the market, there
must have been a notable fall on the 26th
March 1916 because on the following day,
there were also large numbers of other birds
Desert Wheatear at the market, including 126 Hoopoes, 79
Wrynecks, 75 Quails as well as 12 Song
male was still there on 29th December, after recorded by Wright (1874) who identified Thrushes (Despott 1916f). Hunters say that
which date it was not seen anymore. it and stated it was a new bird for Europe. pairs of Rock Thrushes were often noted
The bird at Mi©ra l-Fer˙a was a first A second record is being given here: together (Roberts 1954).
winter male and very photogenic, allowing an adult male seen on 4th April 1998 at
observers to approach it closely. The bird Fawwara.
seemed to have established a territory and Blue Rock Thrush
was often observed chasing other birds Monticola solitarius
away, including Black Restart (Phoenicurus Black Wheatear Merill
ochruros), Common Stonechat (Saxicola Oenanthe leucura
torquatus), and White Wagtail (Motacilla Kuda Sewda Merille 1, Meril 1, 8, 9, 11, 12, Merel 1, Merilla 4, 5,
alba). It is possible that the second Desert Merella 5, Meryll, Meryllae 7, Ciccu di Diu
Wheatear, which was in its company on the Vagrant, with only three previous 8, 9, 12
, Cikku di Diu 10, Merel 10, Merill 13-19,
first day, was chased away from the territory, documented records. In November 1964 at Ciccudidiu13, Ciccu-di-Diu 14, Marell, Çikku
as it was not seen again. Similar behaviour San Raflu, Gozo; in August 1969 at Dingli; diddiju 17.
was observed by Panov (2005), but during the and in December 1969 at Marsaxlokk.
nesting season. However other authors state There are another five new unpublished
that during autumn and winter territories are records: 1 seen by Sammy Borg on 1st
occupied for short periods of between 4 and October 1980 at Ba˙rija; 1 shot at Dingli on
6 weeks.In 2007, a juvenile male at id-Dahar 22nd May 1985; a male at Wied is-Sewda
was noted regularly from 25th November to on 6th April 1988; 1 seen by Sammy Borg
from 31st December, 1 at Pembroke on 22nd on 19th September 1989 at Ba˙rija; and a
November 2008, and a male and female at female seen at Salina, on 24th April 2004 by
Ta’ Çenç on 9th October 2009. John Azzopardi and Michael Sammut.
White-crowned Wheatear Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush

Oenanthe leucopyga Monticola saxatilis
Kuda Rasha Bajda Ìanbublu
Cuda rara, Soru 13, Cuda rasha bajda 15, Gianbubo 4, Gan-bublu 8, Gianbublu 9, 10,
Kuda rasha bajda 17-19. Asfur ahmar 10, Ganbublu 11, 14, Ghasfur
ahmar 11, Giambublu 12, 13, G˙asfur a˙mar 13,
Vagrant. A single occurrence of a bird Ìanbublu15-19, Ìambomblu 18, Ìambumblu,
taken at Cottonera on 18th April 1872, Çirlinbù, Çirlinbubu 20.
The Blue Rock Thrush, is the national bird

of Malta. It can be seen and is often heard
singing in rocky cliffs such as Dingli and
Ta’ Çenç, Gozo. It is a resident breeding
bird. Its image appeared on the Lm1 coin
until the end of 2007 and it used to be the
emblem of the Malta Ornithological Society
before the organisation changed its name
to BirdLife Malta but in spring 1995 the
emblem was suddenly abandoned and
changed to a tern, which is part of the
corporate logo of BirdLife International.
Blue Rock Thrushes breed in crags in cliff
faces, inland valleys, stone walls and old
disused buildings. Nests are built of fine
grasses and small twigs. The same sites
may be used year after year and some
pairs have been noted to have two sites
that they use alternately year in year out.
Two to six pale bluish eggs with fine reddish
spots are laid from late March. The female Blue Rock Thrush
incubates the eggs for 15 days and both
adults feed the young with large insects especially nest robbing and disturbance. highest number of birds recorded together
(mostly grasshoppers) and reptiles (mostly The practice of nest robbing has now was 3, a male and two females (or immature
lizards). The young fledge after about a decreased considerably. Those who stole birds), seen on 31st October at Buskett by
fortnight but are still fed by the adults for Blue Rock Thrush nests used to be very Michael Sammut, John Azzopardi, and
some more days. up to two broods are knowledgeable about the birds and were Juan Ellul Pirotta. In 2006, a single bird at
raised in a season. The Blue Rock Thrush is very good at estimating the young birds’ G˙adira between 27th and 30th September,
not systematically persecuted by hunters, age by watching the size of food that adults then singles at Buskett on 3rd, 4th, 10th and
although some still shoot a specimen or a took to the nest. 22nd October and a single bird at is-Simar
pair for their collection. During the police The population of Blue Rock Thrush on 25th October. In 2007, 1 on 23rd October
raid at a taxidermist in Kirkop in May appears to be increasing. The bird can at Comino and 29th October, singles on 4th
1994, ten Blue Rock Thrushes were found now even be met with inland where there and 17th November at G˙adira. In 2008,
amongst the 2,000 birds discovered in the is a suitable habitat. In Naxxar, since 2005, singles on 5th and on the 13th October, both
freezers. This type of shooting depletes the a male has been noted perched on TV at G˙adira, while BirdLife reported another
population as hunters are usually after birds antennas while singing and displaying over bird on 11th October.
in breeding plumage for their collection. built up areas during the breeding season.
Most often collectors target only males
in their bright plumage but some tend to
prefer to have a pair in their collection and Red-breasted Flycatcher
try to shoot a female as well. A number Ficedula parva
of Blue Rock Thrushes, mainly first year ÛanΩarell ta’ Sidru A˙mar
birds that wander inland, are mistakenly
shot during the thrush-shooting season in ÛanΩarell second 17
, ÛanΩarell ta’ sidru
autumn. a˙mar 18, 19.
Schembri (1843a) had noted that Blue
Rock Thrushes were kept in captivity and Scarce autumn migrant from September
people used to place a piece of lava on to mid-November and very rare in spring.
which the birds cleaned their feet and bill, There are only six spring records. First
which rendered them immune “to a lethal record in spring was a single bird observed
disease that would otherwise afflict them”. on 1st May 1990 at Wied l-Isperanza, Mosta,
Although the Blue Rock Thrush is not by Michael Sammut. Other birds were sub-
trapped, the young are sometimes taken sequently recorded in spring: two on Com-
from the nest or caught as soon as they ino on 26th and 28th April 1994 respectively
fledge to be reared in captivity. Galea and and 1 at G˙adira on 27th April 1994. Another
Caruana (1988) noted that such predation was recorded in spring on 1st April 2003 at
took place even on Comino, which is Dingli and 1 at Buskett on 29th May 2010.
practically uninhabited, besides being a In 2005, 1 was seen on 15th September
bird sanctuary. Sultana (1989) states that at G˙adira; 1 at Buskett on 1st October
the Blue Rock Thrush had decreased and 2 at is-Simar on 5th and 6th October
drastically during the preceding 25 respectively; 1 on 7th October at is-Simar Red-breasted Flycatcher
years mainly due to human interference and 1 on 15th October at Buskett. The
In September 2009, singles on 22nd at and possibly overfly the Mediterranean Common from the end of March to mid-
is-Simar, on 24th at Buskett and on 26th at completely, explaining the paucity of May in spring but scarce from mid-August
Clapham Junction. In October, 1 on the 2nd autumn records. In spring, it is likely that to late October, occasionally till mid-
and 2 on the 3rd at Buskett. Single birds at birds make landfall in the Mediterranean November, in autumn. Sometimes it is
Bidnija on the 15th and at is-Simar on 26th after crossing the Sahara before continuing seen from mid-March to late May, but most
November were the latest records so far. on to their breeding grounds. appear from mid-April to early May. One at
The Red-breasted Flycatcher breeds Buskett on 5th August 2005 and a male at
in Eastern Europe and across central Buskett on 18th June 2006 were unusually
Asia and is a regular passage migrant in Collared Flycatcher late or early visitors. In 2009, up to 10
Western Europe. Ficedula albicollis birds in several localities in April and May
ÛanΩarell tal-Kullar but over 10 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 10th April,
over 25 at Dwejra (Malta) on 16th April. At
Semi-collared Flycatcher Zanzarel 9, Busueida 10, 13, Zanzarell 11-13, Comino, over 10 on 25th April, over 40 on
Ficedula semitorquata 15
, ÛanΩarell 16, 17, ÛanΩarell tal-kullar 18, 29th April, 15 on 30th April and over 20 on
ÛanΩarell tal-Lvant 19
, ÛanΩarell tal-Óannieqa, Kuda Bjanka, 2nd May. In autumn, the first record was on
Katabjanka 20. 24th September at Buskett
A very rare bird that has been recorded Birds ringed in Malta have been
mostly in spring and twice in autumn. Common spring migrant from March to recovered in Spain. Birds ringed in the
First record was of a male trapped and early June, with most appearing in April uSSR, Finland and Germany have been
ringed by Sammy Borg and Frank Smith and May, but very scarce from the end of recovered in Malta. A bird ringed in Finland
at Salina on 25th March 1976. Another August to October in autumn. was still alive 10 years 11 months later
bird was shot at il-Qaws, on 27th March Over 30 were noted on Comino on 28th (Staav 2001).
1976 and was identified by Sammy Borg. April 2005. A female, seen at Chadwick
Other single birds were recorded on 30th Lakes on 19th June 2005 and a male at the
March, 24th April and 25th September all same locality on the following day were
in 1976 at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo, Xemxija unusually late. The male was subsequently Prunellidae
and G˙adira respectively. One at Lunzjata found dead on the 21st June. A bird was
Valley on 16th September 1982. The two seen on 12th and 13th September 2005 at
September records are the only ones in Buskett. In 2006, over 10 on 25th April at Dunnock
autumn so far. Buskett; 1 at Salina and 4 at Comino on Prunella modularis
A male was seen at Rabat on 28th April 26th April; 5 on 27th April and 6 on 28th April Ûiemel
1985; 2 were ringed at G˙adira on 25th April 2006 at Comino; 1 on 6th May at Salina; 2 at
1988; singles at Lunzjata Valley on 2nd May Buskett on 7th May; 2 at G˙adira on 8th May; Qanal Salvag8, 10, Kanal salvag11, Canar
1990, Qbajjar, Gozo on 31st March 1991 1 at Rabat on 7th May. salva©12, Canal salvagg 13, 14, Zerzur 14,
and Tal-G˙attuq on 12th April 1992; one at In 2007, 4 at is-Simar on 13th April, and ÛerΩur 17, 18, Ûiemel 19, Ûiemel ta’ l-Apparelli,
Buskett on 3rd May 1993 and another on over 10 on Comino on 28th April 2007. In Apparell ta’ Sqallija 20.
Comino on 1st May 1995. 2009, a male at Nadur on 9th April; a female
New records are: 1 on 12th April 2001 on 12th April at Mosta; males at id-Dahar on Formerly known as Hedge Sparrow.
at Salina; 1 on 23rd April 2002 at Wied il- 15th April, on 17th April at is-Simar, on 17th Common spring and autumn migrant
Miela˙, Gozo; 1 on 3rd April 2002 Salina; 1 April at l-Iklin; 2 at Rabat and 3 at is-Simar and winter visitor in the Maltese Islands.
on 25th April 2002 at Lunzjata; 1 on 14th April on 19th April; 2 at Bin©emma; 2 at Wied Dunnocks have been recorded from the
2004 at Comino; a female at Bidnija on 17th Qirda and 3 at is-Simar on 23rd April; singles end of September until mid-April, but most
April 2004; a male seen on 19th March 2005 at Dwejra and at is-Simar on 24th April; and 3 may be seen from the middle of October
at G˙ajn Ri˙ana by John Azzopardi, Michael females at Marsa on 30th April; singles on 4th to late March. A Dunnock ringed in Britain
Sammut and Joseph Grech, stayed there May at is-Simar, at Comino on 8th May and was still alive 11 years 10 months after
until 21st March. Another male was ringed again at is-Simar on 9th and 12th May. being ringed (Staav 2001).
at G˙adira on 24th March while another one A bird ringed in Sweden has been A bird ringed at Buskett was recovered
was seen at the same locality on 29th April recovered in Malta. The Collared Flycatcher in Yugoslavia.
2005. Another single bird was seen on 4th breeds in southeast Europe and southwest
May 2005 at is-Simar. In 2006, one was seen Asia and is migratory, wintering in sub
at Mosta on 30th March; another at G˙adira Sahara Africa. Alpine Accentor
on 13th April and 1 at Rabat on 21st April. Prunella collaris
In 2007, 1 on 14th April at G˙ajn Ri˙ana. In Ûiemel tal-Alpi
2009, an adult male at Dwejra (Malta) on 5th Pied Flycatcher
and 7th April. In March 2010, 15 records of Ficedula hypoleuca Canar salva© prim12, Zerzur prim15, ÛerΩur
single birds between 21st and 26th March in Ûanzarell Iswed prim17, ÛerΩur ta’ l-Alpi18, Ûiemel ta’ l-Alpi19.
various places in Malta and Gozo, but 2 at
Dwejra, Malta on the 22nd. This flycatcher Zanzarel 8, 9, Busueida 11, 13, Zanzarell 11, Very rare and irregular, appearing
breeds in the Balkans, Asia Minor and 12
, Zanzarell iswed 15, ÛanΩarell, Buswejda mostly in October and November. It is
Transcaucasia, and winters south of the 16
, ÛanΩarell Iswed 17-19, Kuda Bjanka, usually recorded on high rocky ground,
Sahara. In autumn birds departing from Katabjanka, Bidibjanka, Buçaqqa, Ta’ such as Ta’ Çenç, Qammieg˙ and G˙ar
breeding grounds essentially head south Rasu Sewda 20. Óasan.
One seen in November 1999 at Ta’ Çenç

was the first record in 14 years. It was first
recorded by Despott in 1913 and there
have been 25 sightings since then, 19 of
them in 1966.
One seen in a collection at BirΩebbu©a
was shot at Óal-Kirkop on 13th January
1977. A bird was trapped on 10th November
2004 near G˙ar Óasan.
Passeridae
Spanish Sparrow
Passer hispaniolensis
G˙asfur tal-Bejt or G˙ammiel tal-Bejt

Ghasfur tal-bejt 5,7, Gasfur tal beit 8,
Ghasfur-tal-beit 9, Asfur tal beit issued 10,
Ghasfur tal beit 11-13, 15, G˙asfur tal bejt
iswed 14, Ghasfur tal bejt 17, G˙asfur tal-bejt
18, 19
, G˙ammiel tal-Bejt 19, Daqni 20.
The Spanish Sparrow is the most common

bird and can be seen everywhere. In late
winter, males start to change into rather
attractive spring plumage, which develops
into a pronounced black bib, which they
start donning as early as February, when
they also start building their nests.
Spanish Sparrows build their nests in Dunnock
ventilators of houses and other cracks and
crevices as well as in caves and trees, on between windows and glass panes or about 14 days and the parents continue
poles. Pylons and television aerials, ledges behind louvers or wrought iron security to feed them for some time. Young birds
and any other place that the birds might grills in both used and disused buildings, are fed on grubs, insects and spiders.
deem suitable. particularly farm houses. In August 2006, female sparrows were
These sparrows can breed individually as Nest building usually starts in February, repeatedly observed picking Sea Slaters
well as communally, either in bulky clusters but Despott (1916f) recorded them (Ligia italica) from the splash zone at Exiles,
that can contain six or more nests, or as a breeding as early as 26th January. Sliema and flying away with their beaks full
colony, by building individual nests in trees Observations at Naxxar showed that some of such invertebrates.
such as acacia and Norfolk Pine (Araucaria males start adding grass and material Spanish Sparrows can rear from two to
heterophylla) that can contain around 150 to the nests as early as November. Birds three broods, occasionally four. Despott
nests on their branches. It seems ironic of both sexes construct the rather untidy (1916b) once noted a nest with five young
that while males defend small territories looking nest that is often built from a mixture in the last week of October 1915. Michael
immediately around the nest, they live of hay, straw, wool, feathers, paper, plastic Sammut informed me that he saw a nest
together in harmony in communal nesting and rags. On the inside, the nest is lined with young at Birkirkara in November 2004
sites.At Ta’ Qali National Park, Spanish with feathers or down taken from plants. A while two young fledged from a nest at
Sparrows nest communally in bulky balls of round hole, usually at the side, provides Luqa in November 2005 (M. Sammut pers.
straw and grass that can contain from two the entrance and exit and it is not unusual comm.). A bird that had recently fledged
to five nests. Most contained four nests. for birds to keep adding nesting material was seen at Chadwick Lakes on 27th
The nests were built on ledges and are after eggs have been laid. December 2006.
protected from the back and three sides. The clutch consists of 4 to 6 eggs that As sparrows tend to breed in small
In surveys carried out from 2005 to 2009, are dotted with varying shades of dark colonies, hybrids between Eurasian Tree
practically every available ledge was used, brown or greyish blotches or speckles. The Sparrow and Spanish Sparrow sometimes
and only those ledges that were close to base colour varies from white to greyish or occur, especially where Tree Sparrows and
stairs and open to human disturbance were from bluish to greenish-white. The female Spanish Sparrows share the same nesting
unused. In all there were between 56 and incubates the eggs but the male replaces sites. Spanish Sparrows in the Mediterranean
62 clusters providing a home for at least her while she forages for food. Incubation are mainly sedentary but some populations in
298 pairs. Similar clusters are sometimes lasts from 10 to 14 days and the young are Morocco are known to be migratory. In Malta,
built around high-tension cables or fed by both adults. The young fledge after there is no evidence to suggest that birds
Spanish Sparrow
from the local population migrate at present, been observed coming in from the sea which seemed to be migrating in a north
but country folk believe they do, or at least, at various places around the coast as easterly direction. On 23rd October 2006,
they used to. Sicilians refer to sparrows as well as flying inland in both spring and over 185 birds migrating in flocks of over
il ladro Maltese (the Maltese thief), as they autumn, particularly in early April and 150, over 20 and over 15 birds were
believe that Maltese sparrows raid their crops from mid October to early November. observed from G˙adira between 09.05 and
in summer. In summer, Spanish Sparrows Trappers who used to spend long hours 10.20, moving low in undulating flight in
congregate into large flocks that can be seen in the field, say migrating sparrows are southerly direction and calling excitedly. In
in the countryside and a Gozitan proverb usually observed within the same week, 2007 several flocks of up to 60 birds in the
stated explicitly that the birds left for Sicily in and then their migration stops as suddenly first week of April at id-Dahar, 6 flocks of
the morning and returned in the evening. as it started. But the tendency for most over 100 were seen from various sites on
Ardoino, whose work of 1893 was local birdwatchers was to ignore such 13th October.
posthumously published by Despott birds and dismiss them as ‘wandering In 2008, migrant flocks were seen on
(1928) said it “breeds and stays here till local birds’, which made little sense, several dates: over 40 at G˙adira on 12th
September”; Despott (1916b) too said the considering that their flight pattern and October; a flock of over 30 migrating
majority of birds migrated in September behaviour is completely different and that SSE at G˙adira on 13th October; over
and returned in March. It used to be such ‘wandering’ only takes place in very 350 (two migrating flocks of over 200 and
observed that large numbers of Spanish specific times in spring and autumn. It is over 150) on 19th October at Qawra; over
Sparrows congregated in the south-east only now that ornithologists are accepting 300 in several big flocks on 26th October
of Malta in autumn and then disappeared the notion that sparrows may be migrating at Comino; some five large flocks, the
(Bannerman and Vella Gaffiero 1976). (Sultana 2007, 2009). largest of which estimated to contain over
As no detailed study of Spanish Sparrows A flock of over 20 birds was heard calling 200 birds, at G˙adira on 2nd November;
has ever been conducted, one cannot be and flying south on 22nd October 2005 at over 20 large flocks of between 50 and
certain whether these birds really migrated Qawra, evidently on migration. Another 100 sparrows were seen on 3rd and 4th
or not 100 years ago. A Spanish Sparrow flock of over 50 birds was observed flying in November at Dingli. In 2009, over 150
adult male ringed at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo from the sea from a north-easterly direction birds at id-Dahar on 27th October, over 50
in January 1990 was re-trapped at G˙adira at Qawra on 29th October 2005, and at Marfa and over 170 (in flocks of between
in March 1991, a journey of 14 km, while heading south-west. Charles Gauci, the 25 and 50 birds) at Dingli on 28th October.
a female ringed at Ramla Valley, Gozo in former warden at G˙adira Bird Reserve saw Spanish Sparrows congregate in roosts
August 1991 was re-trapped at Manoel two flocks of over 150 Spanish Sparrows in many towns and villages. Thousands of
Island (Malta) in May 1992, a journey of at G˙adira on 31st October 2005 and Spanish Sparrows gather to sleep in trees
almost 29 km. These recoveries show that observed that the birds’ call was somewhat at it-Tokk and in the trees at the playing field
at least there is some wandering between unusual, between that of Spanish and Tree in Victoria, Gozo as well as in trees in the
Malta and Gozo. Sparrows, and the birds were flying with an main square in Mosta, Naxxar, Mellie˙a,
Although ringing recoveries have not undulating agitated flight. Such behaviour l-Istazzjon in Birkirkara, St Dominic Square
shed much light on the issue of migration, is not normally associated with resident in Rabat. There are other large roosts
observations indicate that Spanish Spanish Sparrows. Raymond Vella, who elsewhere too. Such roosts are also used
Sparrows sometimes migrate. Since the was close to the Red Tower, in Mellie˙a, by Common Starlings, White Wagtails and
late 1980s flocks of sparrows have often noted a flock of 25 birds on 3rd April 2006, finches.
Spanish Sparrow - Female Spanish Sparrow - Male
It is interesting to note that though some would not go to drink from it but would go take a long time before they returned to try
pairs breeding in urban areas occupy their to another waterhole manned by another to drink. This is also why trappers usually
breeding sites all year round, in the evening trapper close by. Sometimes trappers trapped birds on waterholes only once a
in winter they still go to the communal even urinated in each other’s water holes. week. Sparrows were killed by bashing
roost and return to the breeding site in the As Spanish Sparrows are very wary birds, them against the ground. They were then
morning. most trappers trapped them only once a either plucked or skinned. Some used to be
Like all other birds that could be caught, week, so that the birds would be given a put in warm water to make plucking easier.
Spanish Sparrows provided a welcome chance to settle down and gather again The birds were then either roasted or fried
addition to kitchen tables in days gone by at the waterhole. Catching some 30 to 40 and eaten whole or else morsels of breast
and hundreds were trapped and ended up birds in one morning was considered to be meat were taken and added to pie fillings.
in sparrow pies. Most such trapping took ample for a pie. Considerable numbers of Spanish
place soon after young birds had fledged. In a letter to Jourdain dated 20th November Sparrows could be caught over water holes,
One can say that this custom has practically 1916, Despott confirms that large numbers and the bigger the number of sparrows that
disappeared. In Despott’s times, one could of sparrows were taken, particularly on could be attracted to the water holes, the
find sparrows for sale for consumption, Sundays. He wrote that sparrows had greater was the rate of success in trapping
alongside other birds at the market. In greatly diminished owing to continuous them. Hence nesting was encouraged
Despott’s entry related to what he saw persecution, “so much in fact that even to increase the sparrow population.
at the market on 4th February 1916, one sportsmen grumble at not finding sparrows Considering that Spanish Sparrows have
finds there were “several dozen sparrows to shoot on Sundays. I remember when at least two broods a year with an average
and small birds taken with bat nets and country lads used to take as many as 10, 20 of four birds each, just ten nesting sites
brought to the market” (Despott 1916f). In or even 30 dozen sparrows in a few hours produced a potential 80 birds that could
a later work, he speaks of “several sparrow but now they sometimes spend a whole day be trapped. When one considers that some
nestlings” at the market on 15th April 1917 without being able to take half a dozen.” trappers provided in excess of 100 nesting
and “many sparrow nestlings” on 18th June Because sparrows soon quench their sites, the amount of sparrows that were
1917 (Despott 1917b). thirst when dipping their beaks in the water available to be trapped was considerably
Trapping of Spanish Sparrows used to drink quickly, old-time trappers recount larger than it would otherwise be.
to take place mostly in summer, using a how they would keep a few small stones In a number of old farms and buildings,
small single clap net over man-made water handy and if a single bird went down to one can see stones that have been hollowed
holes. The net was usually hidden in a drink, they would flick a stone to scare it off out so that Spanish Sparrows could use
small clearing immediately adjacent to the and prevent it from drinking. But since only them as nesting sites, thus augmenting
water hole. Dry leaves were often placed a very small stone was used, the thirsty the population. One finds various shapes
over the net to hide it and the sparrows sparrow used to sit on a perch close to the and sizes of such stones and some were
were trapped when they came to drink. The watering hole and wait until he perceived hollowed in a way that enabled multiple
water holes were topped up every day and the place to be safe again. It was only when nests to be built in them. Such stones can
the shrewd trapper used to dip his finger a few more sparrows went to drink that the be found either on the very top course of
in it and taste it as competition or rivalry trapper would pull the net over them. roof perimeter walls or sometimes forming
sometimes resulted in salt being thrown Trappers did this as they knew that if other part of the exterior walls, between two to six
in the water hole so that the sparrows sparrows saw the net being pulled, it would courses below the roof level.
This shows that sparrow nesting sites

were a planned part of the building and
were placed there for a purpose, and not
as an afterthought. It is interesting to note
that in such cases, people had no access to
the nests, neither from inside the house nor
from the outside, as the hole on the outside
was too small for a person’s hand to pass
through and there were no openings on the
inside. Hence the only possible purpose
was to provide a nesting place so that the
young could be netted once they fledge.
This practice dates back a long time as
a tower-like structure in Msida, erected
between 1550 and 1650 has a number
of nesting stones for sparrows. Another
farmhouse also at Msida, dating back to
between 1700 and 1750, also has a number
of hollowed stones in which sparrows
could breed. A shallow depression dug in
the rock, that served as a water hole over
which the sparrows used to be trapped, is
still visible in the yard of the farm. Stones
in which sparrows could nest have been
seen in a number of buildings in Birkirkara,
Msida, M©arr, Mosta, Naxxar, Mrie˙el,
Si©©iewi, San Ìwann, Qormi, Ûebbu© and
Ûurrieq.
Earthenware gin bottles, with the bottom
broken off, or sections of earthenware
drainpipes with one side blocked off,
used to be hung so that birds could nest
in them. In 1911, C. B. Ticehurst, who
had stopped in Malta while on a voyage
to Alexandria, commented: “in Floriana
long earthenware bottles, with the bottoms
knocked out, are put up under the eaves
for these birds to nest in.” Such a custom
of providing nesting places was popular on
the continent from the 15th century onwards
for Common Starlings. In a way, this
principle was similar to dovecotes, which
also existed locally even in the times of the
Knights of St John.
Spanish Sparrows were also shot in
summer, and hunters used to wait for
them in the evening along the flight paths
leading to their roosts and shot them on
the wing. In places where they roosted in
reeds or Carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua),
hunters often waited for them to gather and
then fired two shots in quick succession,
aiming at the top foliage where the birds Sparrows were encouraged to breed
had perched, and then picked up the dead as their young were trapped for food.
and wounded that they could find. A sparrow cote, a structure similar
to dovecotes, but made for sparrows
By shooting and trapping sparrows, men
at Si©©iewi. In addition to hollowed
literally killed two birds with one stone: for
stones, sections of drain pipes and
them it was an enjoyable pastime, a way to
gin bottles were also used. A trap
while away the time. But the sparrows also box used for releasing sparrows for
provided them with something for the pot. shooting purposes, a practice made
In the letter to Jourdain cited previously, illegal and legalised several times
Despott wrote that sparrows had decreased over the years. A male sparrow with
brownish tinges on the bib. The
variation in sparrow plumage suggests
a mix of races exists in Malta
in number and because of this they were Eurasian Tree Sparrow of the Tree Sparrow in Malta one cannot
afforded protection during the breeding Passer montanus expect bigger series of skins…”
season. “In towns it is almost impossible Ìa˙©a˙ This incident, so soon after the criticism
to see a single one of these birds – now that was levelled at Bannerman and Vella
since such a lamentable decrease has Asfur tal beit kastni 10, Ghasfur tal beit Gaffiero for a book that was seen as
taken place – the numbers of caterpillars abiad11, G˙asfur tal beit skalli, Sbirr 13, promoting the identification of species and
has increased considerably and this has G˙asfur tal bejt iswed 14, Ghasfur tal bejt races from shot birds, and at De Lucca
also been observed by several farmers second 15, G˙ammiel tas-Si©ar, Bxiebex, following the taking of Zitting Cisticola
who always looked on the sparrow as one Ûubbajbli20. specimens, is very illuminating.
of their greatest enemies”. A Tree Sparrow ringed in France was still
Spanish Sparrows gained and lost legal A breeding bird and irregular migrant, alive 13 years 1 month after being ringed
protection several times over the years, with parties or flocks being seen in spring (Staav 1998).
until they finally became protected in 1980. as well as in October and November.
up to the 1970s, Spanish Sparrows were The naturalist Anthony Valletta found the
often sold to shooting clubs for use in trap- first nests of the Tree Sparrow in Maltese Chestnut-shouldered Sparrow
shooting competitions. Those selling them Islands in 1959, but did not publish the Petronia xanthocollis
often reserved the right to take the dead discovery. However, Sultana (1969) G˙asfur tal-bejt Sidirtu Safra
birds (for food) after the competition. This published a paper in which he recorded
practice is now illegal. the discovery of nests in Gozo in 1967, in Formerly known as Yellow-throated
Spanish Sparrows can often be seen flying which no mention was made of Valletta’s Sparrow, it is a species of sparrow-like bird
up to catch winged ants in flight after rains earlier discoveries. found in Asia and parts of southern Europe,
in autumn. In November and December Arguably, Valletta’s discovery did not from Iran westwards to Turkey.
2007, both males and females were on come to light until after the publication Despott recorded a single bird that was
more than one occasion seen pecking at of the paper, but in Sultana and Gauci captured at Qrendi in 1912. He said the bird
ripe and decaying olives fallen from olive (1970b) a note “Valletta in litt.” appeared to was given to him alive by Joseph Zammit,
trees at Naxxar. A gynandromorphic bird, this effect. In subsequent publications by who had caught the bird himself. It had lived
that is half male, and half female, was Sultana and Sultana and Gauci, although in captivity for two years at Despott’s house,
observed at id-Dahar in July 2009. This is a the fact was mentioned that the Tree and because it was in an excellent state of
very rare phenomenon. Sparrow had been nesting in other parts of plumage, he felt it could not have escaped
The Taxonomic Advisory Committee the islands since 1959, the discovery was from captivity and had no hesitation in
of the Association of European Rarities never attributed to Valletta. including it in the list of birds of Malta.
Committees has placed the Malta sparrows It is pertinent to note that De Lucca Another specimen was trapped at Ta’
under House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (1950) recorded a pair of Tree Sparrows Qali on 31st March 1967. This bird is in the
as a separate race maltae. According to that were taken at Ìnejna in autumn of collection of Sammy Borg at Birkirkara.
the AERC TAC Checklist (2003), Passer 1947. Of interest is the fact that Schembri De Lucca (1969a) was the first author to
domesticus maltae is found in Malta and (1843a) had included the Tree Sparrow as remove it from the list of the birds of Malta.
Sicily and the latter’s offshore islands. a breeding species but later doubted his Sultana and Gauci omitted it from their list
own statements and asked Wright (1864) too, arguing this bird could have escaped
to correct the “error he fell into.” from captivity, but Bannerman and Vella
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow breeds in small Gaffiero included it on the strength of its
numbers in various localities. It is much less excellent state of plumage.
widespread than the ubiquitous and slightly In Europe, this bird is found in just a few
larger Spanish Sparrow. Tree Sparrows also parts of south-east Turkey. It breeds in
arrive, sometimes in considerable numbers, larger numbers Iran, Pakistan and India. It
in autumn. Small flocks have also been has occurred in Israel and Oman. Today,
noted migrating in spring. Over 95 birds almost 100 years after the first record, we
in two separate flocks (over 80 and over are far more ill-equipped to decide on
15) were observed coming in from the sea the occurrence than Despott was when
at Salina by John Azzopardi and Michael presented with the live bird.
Sammut on 27th March 2005. In view of Despott’s assertions, the record
Today, taxonomists recognise three must rest on our faith in his capabilities as
main races: montanus from Europe the foremost ornithologist of his time.
and North Africa, transcaucasius
from Transcaucasia, and dilutus from
Transcaspia east to China. Keve (1976) Rock Sparrow
was of the view that the race occurring Pretronia petronia
in Malta belonged to the race hispaniae, G˙ammiel tal-Blat
which is not a recognised race. To arrive
at this conclusion he was sent a specimen Asfur tal beit salvagg 10, Ghasfur tal beit
from Malta: “Mr J Sultana was so kind to salvag11, G˙asfur tal beit salvagg 13,
send me a skin which I compared with Ghasfur tal bejt salvagg 15, G˙asfur tal-bejt
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Spanish ones... because of the scarcity tas-selva©© 17, 18, G˙ammiel tal-Blat 19.
Very rare, recorded some ten times

mostly between October and February.
These birds are sometimes imported.
It breeds on barren rocky hills from the
Iberian Peninsula and western North
Africa across southern Europe and
through central Asia. It is largely resident
in the west of its range, but Asian birds
migrate to more southerly areas, or move
down the mountains.
White-winged Snowfinch
Montifringilla nivalis
G˙ammiel tas-Sil©
Vagrant. One was seen in October 1970,

a single bird was seen on 18th and 19th
November 2001 at Xag˙ra, Gozo and a
few were seen and trapped in December
2001. One was also trapped in December Yellow Wagtail
2002.
It is a resident breeding species on bare
mountains, typically above 1,500m, across Thousands of birds occur in some days, In Malta, the following races have been
southern Europe and through central especially in spring, but also in autumn, recorded, the first two being the most
Asia to western China. There are four and hundreds of birds congregate to common: Black-headed Yellow Wagtail
subspecies. The darkest, Montifringilla roost in places with Giant Reeds (Arundo (M. flava feldegg), Ashy-headed Yellow
nivali henrici of Tibet and western China donax). About 2,000 birds were estimated Wagtail (M. flava cinereocapilla), Blue-
has earth-brown upperparts and crown, to be roosting at Girgenti in mid- headed Yellow Wagtail (M. flava flava),
and greyer underparts. It is sometimes September 2008. Birds also congregate Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail (M. flava
called Tibetan Snowfinch, Montifringilla to feed in fields, especially where manure thunbergi), British Yellow Wagtail (M. flava
henrici. However, the name Tibetan has been spread or is stockpiled. In flavissima) and Iberian Yellow Wagtail (M.
Snowfinch, is more often used for the 2009, several sightings up to 100 birds flava iberiae).
Black-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla in April, but over 150 on 13th April at is- The Dombrowski’s Yellow Wagtail, listed
adamsi, which had been described by Simar, over 175 at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 14th in some local literature, is not recognised
Andrew Leith Adams. April. Two at G˙ajn Ri˙ana on 7th June as a species or subspecies by taxonomists
were rather late. but only as an intergrade, a cross between
In the early 1900s, Yellow Wagtails used feldegg and flava. It occurs in Malta
to be trapped for food in large numbers. and several have been seen in local
Motacillidae They were still trapped in considerable collections.Sammy Borg has records of the
numbers until recently, and such trapping Syke’s Yellow Wagtail (M. flava beema), with
was mainly practised for fun, as the birds one record of a male and one of a female
Yellow Wagtail are very easily lured. up to the 1970s, it taken at Óal Far on 29th April 1994 and 25th
Motacilla flava was quite a common practice for people May 1994 respectively.
Isfar to keep a Yellow Wagtail with clipped Two adult males belonging to the
wings in their backyard, where it fed on races M. flava xanthophyrs and M. flava
Kappamosk 8-11, Garnell 8, 9, 11, 14, Obrosc 8, flies. This practice has now practically tschutchensis, both taken locally, have
10
, Giarnell 10, 12, Isfar 10, 11, 15-19, Obrosk 11, disappeared. been identified by the author in March
Cappaosk 12, Obrox 12, 13-15, 17, 18, Giaruell 13, Various races as well as intergrades, 2005 in the collection of Lorry Attard of Sta.
Isfar rar 13, Cappamosc 13, Cappakmosk 14, i.e. hybrids between subspecies of this Venera. Attard’s collection also contains a
Ìarnell 14, Cacciamosk 15, Obrox rasu safra wagtail, occur. Yellow Wagtails have in the specimen of a Syke’s Yellow Wagtail taken
15, 17
, Pappamosk 17, Pappamosk isfar 17, past been divided into seven species and locally. Attard did not keep the date of
Tad-Dubbien, Ìurunell, Tan-Nag˙a©, Ta’ as many as 22 forms, but recent literature capture of any of the specimens. A bird of
Ûaqq in-Nag˙a©, Ta’ Saqajn in-Nag˙a© 20. (Alström and Mild 2003) has reduced these the race superciliaris was seen on 3rd April
to 13 subspecies. A confusing factor with 2009 at is-Simar by Ray Galea. This race
Very common spring and autumn migrant, Yellow Wagtails is that most neighbouring is considered to be an intergrade between
which can be seen from March to May and subspecies are known to interbreed and feldegg and flava/beema.
from early August to November. It has also to compound matters further, while some M. flava feldegg is found in southern
been recorded in June, July, December, offspring have a puzzling appearance, and eastern former Yugoslavia (north to
January, and February. The most recent others are rather constant in plumage that southern Dalmatia and Serbia), Bulgaria,
unusual record was a single bird at Ta’ Qali they had been given sub-specific or even southern ukraine, Crimea, western
on 17th December 2006. specific status. shores of Caspian Sea, Iran, and
Yellow Wagtail Grey Wagtail
Afghanistan, south to Greece, Turkey, Birds ringed in Malta have been recovered World (Issue No. 270, Volume 22
Levant and Iraq. M. flava cinereocapilla in Italy. Yellow Wagtails ringed in Finland, Number 6 p.236), a month and a half
occurs in Italy including Sicily and Sardinia, Lithuania, The Czech Republic, Hungary, before BirdLife Malta issued a press
and Istra (north-west former Yugoslavia), Italy, Crete, Nigeria and the Central African release about the matter (BirdLife Malta
intergrading with iberiae on Corsica, and in Republic, have been recovered in Malta. 2009). Birds ringed in Malta have been
Mediterranean France. Some of the birds ringed in Nigeria have recovered in Tunisia and Sicily.
M. flava flava occurs in Europe from been recovered in Malta less than a month
western France east to foothills of urals and after they were ringed.
Lower Volga, north to southern Sweden, A Yellow Wagtail ringed in Sweden lived White Wagtail
parts of European Russia (intergrading for 8 years 10 months (Staav 1998). Motacilla alba
with thunbergi in broad zone from central Zakak Abjad
Sweden and southern Finland east to
Vologda, Kirov and areas of European Grey Wagtail Zachach 4, Zakack 7, Zic-zaq 8, Zaqaq 8,
uSSR and with beema in steppes along Motacilla cinerea , Zic-zak 9, Zakak 9, 16-18, Zacac 12, 13-15,
10, 11
Lower Volga and ural rivers), south to Zakak tad-Dell Ziczac 14, Zizka 17, Zakak Abjad 19, Zakak
central France, the Alps, northern former tal-Óannieqa 20.
Yugoslavia, central Rumania, and northern Zaqaq ta dell 8, Zakak ta del 9, Zaqaq tal
ukraine (intergrading with iberiae just dell10, Zaqaq tad-dell 11, Zacac tad-dell 12, Very common from late September to April,
north of Pyrenees, with cinereocapilla 13
, Zakak tad-dell 15-19. with most being seen form October to
in southern Austria, northern Dalmatia, February. Occasionally single birds can be
Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia, and with Common autumn and winter visitor. In seen in May, August and early September.
feldegg in inland Montenegro, Serbia, his works Despott (1916b) says that the In winter, White Wagtails gather in
southern Rumania, and southern ukraine). birds wintered and some remained to communal roosts. Around 5,000 are usually
M. flava beema occurs in the lower Volga breed between March and May, when it counted roosting annually in Valletta,
east to Sayan Mountains (near Lake Baikal), appeared that two broods were reared. where most birds roost in trees in front of
north in south-west Siberia to c. 60˚N, south He described the nest of the species and St John’s Co-Cathedral and in trees around
to northern Kazakhstan and to northern says the clutch size varied from four to six the corner, in front of the Law Courts. They
foothills of Altai (apparently also Ladakh), eggs. Both Schembri (1843a) and Wright also used to roost in large numbers in trees
partly overlapping with M. flava lutea. (1864a) say it was a breeding species, with in the yard at the President’s Palace, but
M. f. thunbergi occurs in Norway east to Wright saying it bred in April. There have the large trees have been replaced by
northern Siberia, north of (nominate) flava been no breeding records since that time, smaller orange trees which are unsuitable
and beema, intergrading with both. M. flava until 2009. as roosts.
flavissima occurs in Britain and locally also A pair bred in 2009 as a family party The maximum number counted from
on continental coast of north-west Europe. M. of 4, 2 adults and 2 juveniles, were the Valletta bastions during an organised
flava iberiae is found in south-west France, repeatedly seen in the areas of Msida roost count was 7,448 on 10th January
Iberia, and north-west Africa. M. flava mela- and Blata l-Bajda from the middle to the 2009.
nogrisea occurs from the Volga delta and end of June. The nest is reported to have Around 5,400 were counted on 12th
eastern shores of Caspian Sea east to Tar- been situated next to a water overflow January 2008, which was basically the
bagatay and Ili basin, grading into feldegg in pipe. same as the count made in January 2005,
Turkmeniya and uzbekistan; mainly south of A record of breeding Grey Wagtails when 5,300 were counted. In January
beema but partly overlapping lutea. appeared in the June issue of Birding 2007, a total of 4,352 were counted on 13th
White Wagtail Tawny Pipit
January. In Gozo, White Wagtails roost in Republic. Birds ringed in Sweden, the at Óal Far on 30th October 1980; 1 on
the trees near the playing field in Victoria. Czech Republic and Hungary have been 31st October 1981 and 1 on 11th October
Some also roost in stands of Giant Reed recovered in Malta. This experience is 1984, both at G˙adira. In 2005, 1 was shot
(Arundo donax) in places such as Girgenti congruent with that of Tunisia where at Selmun on 5th April and another was
in Malta and Lunzjata Valley in Gozo, ringing recoveries have shown that birds trapped at Mta˙leb in October, but the
where around 700 were noted roosting of the nominate race originate from former exact date is not known.
in December 2006. Over 600 roosted at Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary In 2008, singles at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra on
Lunzjata Valley on 13th February 2007. (Zink 1985). The oldest White Wagtail 6th January 2008 and on 3rd November at
A juvenile was seen at G˙adira on 7th known to be alive was a female ringed in Qawra. In 2009, 1 at il-Kunçizzjoni on 1st
June 2009. The nominate race Motacilla England, which was still alive 12 years 3 November and an adult on 4th November
alba alba (White Wagtail) and Motacilla months later (Staav 2001). 2009 at G˙arb, Gozo.
alba yarrellii (Pied Wagtail) have been
recorded. Despott (1915) had included
the Pied Wagtail in his list and stated it Richard’s Pipit Tawny Pipit
was a rare autumn visitor and in a later Anthus richardi Anthus campestris
work he stated that he had seen about Bilblun Prim Bilblun
half a dozen birds until that time, all taken
in autumn. On 5th April 1916 he found a Bilblun Salvag8, 11, Bilblun selvag9, Bilbloun Bilblun8, 9, 11-19, Bilbloun10.
specimen at a bird dealer in Valletta, but salvagg10, Bilblun Selvagg12, Bilblun
as it lacked parts of its tail feathers and its salvagg13,15, Bilblun salva©© 16-18, Bilblun Common spring and autumn migrant,
primaries, he did not preserve it, as there Prim 19, Bilblun tal-Barr 20. from mid-March to mid-May and from late
was a better specimen in the museum August to late October. Some appear as
collection (Despott 1917). Despott gave Very rare but in the past used to be an early as mid-February and as late as mid-
it the Maltese name Zacac iswed after annual visitor in both spring and autumn. November. Despott recorded it even in
hearing it from the bird dealer. Most records are from late September to January. Small flocks sometimes occur,
The nominate race is found in continental late February, but there are years when it but individual birds or twos and threes are
Europe, Iceland, Faroes, Asia Minor, and is not recorded. mostly seen.
Levant. The race yarrellii, which is found in The race that occurs used to be known Two pairs bred at Dingli in July 1993
Britain, Ireland and on the coast of western as Anthus novaeseelandiae richardi, be- (Galea and Coleiro 1992). In 2005, 3 birds
continental Europe, winters as far south as cause the Richard’s Pipit (Anthus novae- were noted at Ta’ Çenç, Gozo on 27th May,
Morocco. seelandiae) was treated as a polytypic and another was seen at Manikata on 14th
The experience in Tunisia would indicate species. Following taxonomic reviews by and 15th June. Two were noted at Manikata
that birds of the yarrellii race recorded in Stresemann and Stresemann in 1968, the on 7th June 2006 by Raymond Galea who
Malta would have arrived via North Africa. race richardi was given the status of good saw the male singing and displaying in
A bird of this race ringed in Morocco in species. The species breeds in Central Si- flight, possibly over its breeding territory,
November 1974 was recovered in Tunisia beria and Central Asia eastwards. It winters but breeding could not be confirmed.
in February 1975 (Isenmann et al. 2005), regularly in very small numbers in southern In April 2009, several singles in various
clearly a movement to the east that took Israel and southern Spain (Beaman and places, but 7 on 16th and 25th April at
place during the same winter. Madge 1998). Comino. In May, singles at Comino on the
Birds ringed in Malta have been unpublished records include: 1 near 2nd, at Mta˙leb on the 24th and 1 in song
recovered in Denmark and the Czech BirΩebbu©a on 6th October 1979 and 1 flight at Clapham Junction on the 30th.
Birds can appear singly or in flocks, shooting larks attracted to the alwettiera
and can be heard uttering their call in also shot pipits when they came over the
flight. In the past, some trappers used lure. Pipits were also shot as they flew over
to trap Tree Pipits in large numbers, particular areas to their roosts. Shooting of
mainly for food, especially in spring, pipits decreased, but some are still killed
as they are very easily decoyed. This when hunters take pot shots at them. Pip-
practice has diminished greatly, but until its are considered to be frail birds and the
about 25 years ago, some still trapped Maltese expression qisek pespus, or im-
them, and kept them for their song or pespes is said for a thin, frail person. The
consumed them, even though the birds soft whispering call of birds is referred to
are protected. as tpespis. Meadow Pipits ringed in Malta
Tree Pipits ringed in Malta have been have been recovered in Italy. A Meadow
recovered in Finland while birds ringed in Pipit ringed in Denmark lived for 7 years 8
Hungary have been recovered in Malta. months (Staav 1998).
Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Red-throated Pipit

Anthus pratensis Anthus cervinus
Olive-backed Pipit Pespus DiΩΩ A˙mar
Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis
DiΩΩ tal-Lvant Psiepes 4, Pespus 5, Pespus, Pespusae, Tis ahmar 10-12, Tiss ahmar 13, 14, Pespus
Psypes7, Pespus tal Gargir 8, 9, 11, Tis8, 10, a˙mar 15, 16, 18, TiΩΩ a˙mar 17, DiΩΩ A˙mar 19.
Very rare, with single records in 1977, Pespus tal giargir12, Tiss 13, 14, Pespus 15-19,
1983, 1984, 1997, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Pespus, Pespus tal-©ar©ir 17, Seksuk 20. Frequent in spring from late March to mid-
The first record was of a bird trapped May but occurs in smaller numbers in
and ringed at G˙adira in October 1977 Very common autumn migrant and winter autumn from mid-October to November. It
(Cilia 1977). unpublished records include visitor, from mid-October to late March. has also been recorded in December and
singles on 29th October 2002 and on 22nd Some can be recorded as early as January. It can be common in some years
November 2003 at is-Salib tal-G˙olja. One September and stay up to April and early and rather scarce in others.
was recorded on 30th November 2003 at May. Some interesting records in 2006 In 2005, 1 was noted on 29th October at
Buskett. In 2005, 1 was ringed at Buskett on include: over 200 at Luqa Airport on 7th Comino and another on 31st October at
12th December 2005. A bird was present at December, over 300 on 13th November and G˙ajn Ri˙ana. In 2006, 1 on 22nd April at
Rabat from 18th to 25th February 2007 and 1 over 150 at Luqa Airport on 19th November. Salina; 1 on 23rd April and 2 on 27th April at
on 8th November 2008 at Girgenti. Wintering birds are usually seen singly but Comino, c.10 on 29th April 2006 at Kercem,
The race that occurs in the Western they congregate to roost. Gozo, 1 at Luqa Airport on 19th November
Palearctic is yunnanensis; the nominate The birds are faithful to their wintering ar- and 1 on Comino on 26th October.
race hodgsoni breeds from the Himalayas eas and they return to the same location Few Red-throated Pipits are recorded
east to Japan. if left unmolested. Hunters used to shoot because of lack of systematic birdwatching,
most birds for the pot in the past, and the as they are commoner than sight records
Meadow Pipit was no exception. Hunters make them out to be.
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis
DiΩΩ
Pespus tal Gargir 8, Tis 8, 9, 11, 12, Pespus tal

giargir 10, 12, 13, Pespus tal ©ar©ir14, Tizz15,
Tiss16, TiΩΩ 17, Dizz 18, DiΩΩ 19, DiΩΩu 20.
Common from March to late May in spring,

when heavy passages often occur, and
in smaller numbers from late August to
November in autumn.
A large passage involving thousands
of birds in flocks of over 50 birds each
occurred in various parts of Gozo on 20th
April 2006. In 2008, a heavy passage
occurred in the morning on 13th April with
over 8,000 counted at id-Dahar, in Mellie˙a.
Another strong passage took place on 9th
April 2009 when over 6,000 birds were
counted from the same locality between
0700 and 1300 hours. Meadow Pipit
Common Chaffinch
Rock Pipit Fringillidae party of 6 birds was seen at Mellie˙a on

Anthus petrosus 14th June 2006. A female was seen carrying
DiΩΩ tal-Blat nest material on 18th May at G˙ajn Ûejtuna.
Common Chaffinch At least one other pair bred at Buskett.
Tis salvagg rar 10, Tis salvag rar 11, Tis Fringilla coelebs In autumn, a flock of over 35 was on 24th
salvag 12, Tis seudieni rar 13, Tizz rar 15, TiΩΩ Sponsun October at Dwejra.
rar 17, Dizz ta’ l-ilma 18, DiΩΩ tal-Blat 18. In 2009, several records of singles,
Spunsuni 4, Spunsun 8, 9, 12-14, Sponsoun 10
, mostly males, in several localities between
Very rare and irregular visitor. It has not Sponsun 11, Sponsun 15-19. April and June.
been recorded for a long time. A family party, consisting of a male, female
The most recent records are: a bird Common autumn migrant and winter visitor and at least 3 fully grown juveniles, was seen
trapped on 2nd November 2005 in the south and seen in smaller numbers in spring. at G˙ajn Ûejtuna on 30th May, another family
of Malta, a single bird seen by Michael Chaffinches are mostly seen from early party with two adults and 3 juveniles at Gir-
Sammut at Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 12th October to early April. A few may be seen genti on 2nd June, 4 juveniles and a female
February 2006, and 1 on the first week of in September and May. It breeds annually at Dwejra, Gozo on 7th June, a pair and three
November 2006 at Marsaxlokk. in small numbers, especially at Buskett, juveniles at San Anton Gardens on 12th June
where a pair or two may be found nesting. and a family party of four birds, two adults
The nominate race, as well as the race and two young birds, at Buskett on several
Water Pipit Fringilla coelebs spodiogenys have been dates after the 8th July. A Chaffinch ringed
Anthus spinoletta recorded. A single bird of the race africana in Malta was recovered in Tunisia, while
DiΩΩ tal-Ilma was recently seen in a collection at Marsax- Chaffinches ringed in Italy, Hungary, and Po-
lokk. Though the bird was taken locally, no land have been recovered in Malta. A Com-
Tis salvag 8, 10-13, Tizz salvagg , TiΩΩ
15
date of capture was available. Trappers from mon Chaffinch ringed in The Netherlands
selva©© 17, Dizz ta’ l-ilma 18, 19. the South said they occasionally recalled lived for at least 14 years (Staav 1998).
trapping such “grey” Chaffinches.
Very scarce and irregular autumn The nominate race occurs from
and winter visitor from mid-October to Scandinavia, Netherlands, and France east Brambling
December. It has also been recorded in to central Siberia, south to the Pyrenees, in Fringilla montifringilla
February, March and April. Places such as mainland Italy, Balkan countries, Greece, Sponsun Selva©©
Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq are ideal habitats where Crete, Turkey, ukraine and European
this pipit can be seen, but it can also be Russia. The race spodiogenys occurs Spunsun Salvag 8, Spunsun selvag 9
,
seen inland. in parts of Tunisia and north-west Libya, Sponsoun selvag 10, Sponsun salvag 11
,
One at G˙allis on 27th November, 1 at whereas the race africana occurs from Spunsun salva© 12, Spunsun salvagg 13
,
Ba˙ar iç-Çag˙aq on 8th December, and two Morocco to northwest Tunisia. Bannerman Sponsun salva©© 14-19.
at Mta˙leb on 11th December, all in 1993; 1 and Vella Gaffiero (1976) recorded the
at Mta˙leb on 20th November 1994; 1 on race hortensis from Central Europe, which Very scarce but annual autumn and winter
18th February 1996 and 1 on 31st October is not yet recognised as a subspecies. visitor from mid-October to late December.
1999, both at Ta’ Qali. A pair was present from 10th April until 9th Observers see only a very few birds but
One was seen at G˙adira on 6th November May 2006 at Ramla, Gozo, but no breeding more used to be caught each year by bird
2005. In 2008, 1 at G˙adira on 5th January could be confirmed. Three were at Buskett trappers. When trapping and bird selling
and an adult at Pembroke on 10th March on 7th May and 2 were still there on 15th May was still allowed, individual birds were
2008. while 1 was seen on 13th June. A family sometimes offered for sale at the Sunday
European Greenfinch
market at Valletta. The most recent sight for the winter. Two pairs of Serin bred at Sultana 1999). In 2009, a pair bred at Wied
record was 1 on 6th December 2009 at Buskett in 1982 and one raised three young il-Miela˙ in Gozo, as a family party of 4, 2
G˙adira. (Sultana and Gauci 1981-3c). A male was adults and 2 fledged young, was seen by
The Brambling is widespread throughout noted singing on a bush on 22nd April at Michael Sammut at the end of June 2009.
the forests of northern Europe and Asia. It Rabat while 2 were at Buskett on 7th May Despott (1917) stated that the nominate
is migratory, wintering in southern Europe, 2006. In 2009, a family party of 4 was seen race Carduelis chloris chloris occurred
North Africa, Northern Pakistan, north India, at Fawwara on 20th June. commonly while Carduelis chloris
China and Japan. It regularly strays into Serins ringed in the Czech Republic, aurantiiventris has been recorded less
Alaska during migration and may continue Hungary and Yugoslavia have been commonly. De Lucca (1969a) states that
as far south as the western united States. recovered in Malta. the latter was most common.
A bird ringed in The Netherlands was The nominate race chloris occurs
recovered in Malta. in northern Europe from Belgium, The
European Greenfinch Netherlands, and Scandinavia east to
Carduelis chloris urals, south through Rhine Valley to the
European Serin Verdun northern slope of the Alps, Hungary,
Serinus serinus ukraine and European Russia. The race
Apparell Virduni 4, Verdun 8-10, 12, 15-19, Virdun 11, 13, 17. aurantiiventris is found in to the south of
the Loire Valley in France, Spain, Balearic
Laparelli 4,6, Apparell Apparell ,
8, 9, 13, 14, 16-19
Common autumn migrant and winter Islands, northern Tunisia, Sicily, mainland
Apparel 10-12. visitor. Appears in smaller numbers in Italy, coastal former Yugoslavia, Albania,
spring. Greenfinches are seen from early and western Greece. The race voousi
Common autumn migrant and winter visitor, October to mid-April and have been breeds in Tunisia.
appearing from mid-October to early April. recorded breeding a number of times. Birds ringed in Hungary, the Czech
Smaller numbers appear in spring and a Despott recorded a nest in May 1910, two Republic, Yugoslavia, Italy and Germany
few pairs have bred irregularly. Despott pairs nested at Rundle Gardens, Gozo in have been recovered in Malta. A Greenfinch
described it as an accidental breeder, and June 1965 while a pair with fledged young ringed in Germany was still alive 11 years
said that were it not for the persecution was seen near Fort Chambray, Gozo in 7 months later (Staav 1998) while another
this bird received, it would have bred July 1977. In August 1985, a pair with ringed in England lived for at least 13 years
more commonly. undoubtedly a statement three young was seen at Victoria, Gozo. (Staav 2001).
that could still be repeated today, even A few birds, probably family parties,
though the number of Serins seen these were observed at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo
days is much lower than the numbers seen in August 1983; at G˙adira in summer European Goldfinch
in Despott’s times. Despott says he had of 1984, 1989 and 1991; at Óas-Saptan Carduelis carduelis
found a nest in 1910 and another in 1914. and other suitable breeding areas, also Gardell
Serins breed across southern and central in 1991. A pair bred at the Addolorata
Europe and North Africa. The northern Cemetery, raising three young in 1995 Gardilli 4, Gkardill 5, Gardil 8, 9
, Gardell 10, 14,
breeders migrate further south in Europe (The Malta Independent 1995, Galea and 17-19
, Gardill 11-16.
European Goldfinch European Siskin
Appears from mid-October to mid-April. European Siskin October 1985 was trapped at San Raflu,
On 25th June 2009, 1 was seen at is-Simar. Carduelis spinus Gozo, in the same month. Birds ringed in
Schembri (1843a) said that Goldfinches Ekru Croatia, Switzerland, The Netherlands,
arrived in April and May and that they bred. Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic, uSSR,
Despott (1917) says that a nest or two were Ecore 4, 6, Ecora , Ekora
8-10, 12-15 11, 16, 17
, Latvia, Italy and Germany, have been
found practically every year. He himself Ekra17, 18, Ekru 19. recovered in Malta. A Siskin ringed in
had found one in 1913. A pair nested in Russia was still alive 13 years 6 months
Fort Chambray, Gozo in 1966. A frequent migrant that appears from mid- later (Staav 1998).
The European Goldfinch breeds across October to late December. Some winter
Europe, North Africa, and western and and may spend up to March, when a few
central Asia. It is resident in the milder fresh arrivals may also be seen. In some Common Linnet
west of its range, but migrates from colder years it is rather common while it is scarce Carduelis cannabina
regions. in others. Ìojjin
It will also make local movements, even The year 1990 was an exceptional
in the west, to escape bad weather. A bird year for Siskins, with many occurring in Gioini 4,6, Gioin, Gioin tal warda 8, 9, Gioin
ringed in Suffolk, England in May 1985 was October. Very large numbers occurred tal-warda bianca 9, Goyin, Goyin tal uarda,
recovered in Mosta during the same year. again in autumn 2005. A pair was noted Goyin tal erba bianca 10, Giojin 11, 12, Giojin
Birds ringed in Yugoslavia and Tunisia, at G˙adira on 23rd June 2006. In 2007, tal warda 11, 12, Giojin tal erba bianca 11,
were also recovered in Malta. A Goldfinch a notable passage on 8th October with Giojin ta l’erba bianca 12, Ìiojin tal warda
ringed in Germany was still alive 11 years 9 several singles and small flocks of up 13
, Ìojjin tal warda 14, Giojjin 15, Ìojjin 16-19.
months later (Staav 1998). to 5 birds, a flock of 12 on 19th October
Birds of the nominate race carduelis at Faqqanija, flocks of 8 and 12 at San Common spring and autumn migrant, but
and the race tschusii have occurred. The Anard on 20th October and flocks of up to a few birds can be seen all year round.
nominate race breeds in much of central 14 birds in various places on 19th and 20th In winter, Linnets congregate at roosts
Europe from the west to the east, whereas November. In 2009, flocks of between 5 in public gardens such as San Anton
the race tschusii breeds in Sardinia, and 15 birds in various localities between Gardens, gardens around Valletta and
Corsica, Sicily and the Tuscan isles. 26th and 29th October. Floriana, Ta’ Braxia Cemetery at Msida and
The race parva breeds in the Atlantic On 3rd July 1976, a pair and fledged the Addolorata Cemetery in Paola.
islands and in the western Mediterranean young were seen together at Buskett. This Autumn 2007 was a very good year for
basin including the whole of the Maghreb was the only time that Siskins are thaught Linnets and strong passages occurred on
and Libya. to have breed in Malta (Sultana and Gauci the 19th October, with several small flocks
Five birds belonging to the Afghan 1982). in various areas, a moderate passage with
race Carduelis carduelis paropanisi were The Siskin breeds across northern flocks of over 12 birds on 23rd October and
trapped at Óal Far in March 2005, one temperate Europe and Russia. It is partially a strong passage with several parties and
of which is preserved in a collection at resident, but the northern breeders migrate flocks of between 5 and 40 birds on the 24th
Marsaxlokk. Two other individual birds further south in Europe in the winter. A October. Other notable passages occurred
were trapped later the same month. Siskin ringed in Kaliningrad, Russia, on 11th on 13th, 19th and 20th November.
Very rare with only five documented

records up to 1982, all of which were
between October and December.
Taxidermists’ records listed one at Ba˙rija
on 15th December 1985.
The nominate race Carduelis flammea
flammea and the race cabaret have both
been recorded. The first record is of the
occurrence of the race cabaret on 20th
October 1909 (Despott 1917). The other
records relate to birds of the nominate
race.
The nominate race occurs from
Norway and Baltic countries east to
Kamchatka and in northern North
America from Alaska east to Labrador
and Newfoundland.
The race cabaret occurs in the British
Isles, France, Denmark, southern Sweden,
Poland, and possibly the Balkans.
Common Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Kruçjat
Common Linnet Ortulan geddumu imsallab 10-13, Ghasfur

ta geddumu imsallab, 12, Mkass15, Mqass,
In 2009, a family party of 5 at Fawwara ukraine and northern Kazakhstan. The race Kruçju16, Imqass, Kruçier 17, Kruçjat 18, 19,
on 1st June and a family party of 4 at Ramla bella occurs in Crimea, Turkey, east through Krosbil 20.
Dam, Gozo on 3rd June. 3 were seen the Caucasus area and northern Iraq to
at Wied il-G˙asri on 28th July and 12 at Iran and central Asia from Afghanistan Rare but frequent in some years when
Clapham Junction on 29th August. to south-west Altai Mountains. The race irruptions take place, but can be practically
A few pairs have been recorded breeding mediterranea occurs in Iberia, the Balearic absent in others. Crossbills occur mostly
regularly, mostly in Gozo. Four to six eggs Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, southern between July and October. Fairly large
are laid in mid-March, but occasionally nests Italy, coastal and southern Balkans, numbers involving over 200 birds may
were found as early as January. Linnets Albania, Bulgaria and Greece. The race that be seen when irruptions occur and these
seem to prefer Carobs (Ceratonia siliqua), breeds in the Maghreb countries has not yet congregate where there are mature pine
Olive (Olea europea), Almond (Amygdalus been named. These birds do not appear trees in places such as Buskett, and the
communis) and citrus trees to breed in to belong to the race mediterranea. They Addolorata Cemetery.
(Sultana and Gauci 1982). In March 1990 a have dark plumage, short wings and heavy One observed on 12th September 1979
pair raised five young in Gozo. beaks (Isenmann et al. 2005). at Buskett. An irruption took place in 1990,
Schembri (1843a) said Linnets were kept A bird of the race bella was trapped at with the first records on 24th June but over
in cages, and that they bred in captivity. Ûurrieq on 7th December 1979. Trappers 35 on 4th July and up to 53 on 5th July. Only
Despott (1917) stated that a few birds bred say that a particular race of Linnet, which 3 were noted by 11th July as most were
between March and May. they call tal-erba bianca occurs only in trapped and shot. Several other sightings
Like all other finches, Linnets are very autumn and is a better songster than the involving singles or small parties of up to
much sought by trappers and many commoner Linnet. 8 birds were recorded: 8 at G˙adira on 2nd
are caught with clap nets to be kept as Birds ringed in Lithuania, the Czech August and 7 at Bin©emma on 15th August,
songbirds. Some are crossed with domestic Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, between 1 and 2 birds on several dates
canaries to produce better songsters. Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria between 17th October and 21st November
The nominate race Carduelis cannabina and Italy have been recovered in Malta. and 7 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 14th November.
cannabina, the eastern race Carduelis A Linnet ringed in France was still alive 9 In 1991, singles at Rabat on 28th January
cannabina bella and the race Carduelis years 5 months later (Staav 1998). and 1st August while in 1992, 1 was seen at
cannabina mediterranea have all been G˙adira on 15th June.
recorded. A small irruption took place in 2002, when
The latter race is the one that breeds Common Redpoll 6 (2 males and 4 females) were seen at Bus-
in the Maltese Islands. The nominate Carduelis flammea kett on 24th August, 9 on the 25th August, then
race cannabina occurs in Europe and Bag˙al ta’ Ìojjin several other records in September: 8 on 1st
western Siberia, west to Ireland, Wales, September, 1 on the 8th, 6 on the 18th, 4 on
and England, south to Pyrenees, northern Giojjin salvagg 15, Ìojjin selva©©, Bag˙al ta’ the 19th, 3 on the 29th and 7 on 5th October.
Italy, northern former Yugoslavia, Rumania, Ìojjin 17, 19, Ìojjin selva©© 18. A few others were recorded in 2004: a male
was seen at Buskett on 1st September, 19

at the same place on 21st September and a
male and an immature male at Tar©a Gap on
13th and 14th October respectively. In 2005,
8 were seen on 23rd September near Luqa
Airport, and 21 were noted at the same place
on 26th September. In 2009, a party of around
12 at Buskett from 28th July to 4th August.
Common Crossbills are found in Europe
as well as Asia.
Trumpeter Finch
Bucanetes githaginea
Trumbettier
Very scarce but appears almost annually and

has been recorded in all months of the year.
It appears singly or in small parties of up to
six birds. In 1977, there were two unusual
influxes involving over 30 birds in late June
and early July. One was seen on 6th March
2002 at Dingli, and another on 21st June
2005 at Bellieg˙a, Gozo. A male in winter
plumage was seen by Michael Sammut and
John Azzopardi at Rinella on 11th December
2005. In 2008, singles at l-A˙rax on 5th Hawfinch
January and on 13th May at G˙arb, Gozo. A
male at Mnajdra on 12th March 2010. on 4th September; at G˙adira on 14th Sep- Hawfinch
Trappers operating in the area of Ûurrieq tember; at Rabat on 27th September and at Coccothraustes coccothraustes
say the bird was formerly commoner and Lunzjata Valley, Gozo on 18th October. A G˙asfur taΩ-Ûebbu©
some recall catching up to 7 birds each juvenile was ringed at is-Simar on 16th Oc-
season. They said its distinctive call could tober 2002. A female was trapped at Deli- G˙asfur ta Zebbug 8, Ghasfur-ta-Zebbug 9,
be heard well before the bird could be mara in October 2005 and 1 was noted at asfur tal Zebbug 10, Ghasfur taz-zebbug 11,
seen and that it decoyed easily. Buskett on 2nd October 2007. 12
, G˙asfur taΩ-Ωebbu© 13-19, TaΩ-Ωebbu© 17.
The race Bucanetes githaginea zedlitzi, The Common Rosefinch is widespread
which occurs in North Africa from Mauritania in Europe. It has spread westward from Frequent spring and autumn migrant with
through the Maghreb and Libya to western Asia and breeds from Sweden and Siberia a few attempting to winter. Hawfinches
and northern Egypt and southern Spain, oc- to the Bering Sea; the Caucasus, northern appear from late September to late
curs in Malta. The Trumpeter Finch breeds Iran and Afghanistan, Pakistan and the February and some birds appear in March
in the Canary Islands, across North Africa, western Himalayas, Tibet and China; to and April. The Hawfinch tends to be scarce
and in the Middle East and into central Asia. Japan. In winter it is found from southern in some years and commoner in others.
There is a small European population in Iran to south-east China, India, Burma, and Very large numbers occurred in autumn
southern Spain. Many birds are largely resi- Indochina. 2005. Other abundant passages were
dent, but post-breeding dispersal occurs. recorded in 1907 and 1909 (Despott 1917).
The call of the Hawfinch is quite similar
Eurasian Bullfinch to that of the Song Thrush, albeit being
Common Rosefinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula somewhat more faint. The Hawfinch is the
Carpodacus erythrinus Bu©eddum most prized bird for trappers and fetches
Bumunqar the highest singular price of all finches,
Durrajsa ˙amra 10-13, Durrajsa ˙amra 14
, selling for about 100 euros.
Insurier , Bumunkar , Bumunqar
13 15
.
18, 19
Bugheddum prim 15, Bugeddum 17-19. Hawfinches used to be caught both by
clap nets and by cage-traps in which a
Vagrant, recorded mostly between Sep- Vagrant, a few records, almost always live Hawfinch were placed as a decoy.
tember and November. up to November in November, but it was also recorded in Trapping sites for Hawfinches were usually
1980, it had been recorded 13 times, but February and March. The most recent situated among trees while traps for them
there have been a few records more re- records are: 1 at Dwejra, on 7th October were often placed on platforms in yards
cently. One at Bu©ibba on 10th June 1984; 1999 and a male seen at Qawra on 23rd or roofs overlooking the countryside.
1 at Rabat on 27th March 1991; 1 at is-Simar September 2000. The Eurasian Bullfinch Old trappers say birds often settled on
on 27th September 1991; an adult male at breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. branches that are fixed to the platform
Lunzjata Valley, Gozo on 15th August 1993. It is mainly resident, but many northern where the traps are set, and very often
Several records in 1998: a male at Mdina birds migrate further south in the winter. slept if undisturbed.
Such traps were usually left unattended, south in northern temperate areas, typically October and once at Ba˙rija on 5th
but when trappers are attending them, on either sandy coasts, and more rarely on November (Testa et al. 1981-1983).
it was not unusual for them to recite the farmland stubble. Five new records are being given here
rosary and pray for the birds to enter their for the first time: a male seen recently in
traps! The Hawfinch breeds across Europe a collection at Ûejtun was shot in October
and temperate Asia. It is mainly resident Lapland Bunting in the late 1960s is actually the first
in Europe, but birds from Scandinavia Calcarius lapponicus record; a female on 23rd November 1980
and eastern Europe migrate south and Durrajsa tan-Nord and a male on 14th January 1981, both
west. They usually concentrate around the at BirΩebbu©a; a female on 1st November
Mediterranean. Many Asian birds migrate A single record from Lunzjata Valley, Gozo. 1984 at il-Ballut, Marsaslokk; and a
further south in the winter. A Hawfinch A bird was caught and ringed by John Grech male was bought alive from the market
ringed in Germany was still alive 12 years 7 and Joe Sultana on 2nd November 1975 in Valletta in October 1997 and died in
months later (Staav 1998). (Sultana and Gauci 1976). It breeds across confinement six months later. Another
Arctic Europe and Asia and in Canada was trapped on 11th November 2001 at
and the northernmost uSA. In America, G˙ajnsielem, Gozo.
it is known as the Lapland Longspur. The The Pine Bunting breeds across much of
Emberizidae bird is migratory. In Europe it winters in the temperate Asia, migrating south to central
Russian steppes, Northern Scandinavian Asia, north India and southern China in
arctic areas and coastal Southern Sweden, winter. It is a rare vagrant to Western
Snow Bunting Denmark and Great Britain. Europe, but often winters in Italy.
Plectrophenax nivalis
Durrajsa Bajda
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Yellowhammer
Durraisa baida 10, 12
, Durraisa seuda 11, Pheucticus ludovicianus Emberiza citrinella
Durrajsa bajda 13, 14, 18, 19
, Durrajsa tal- Bumunqar Amerikan Durrajsa Safra
maltemp 15, 17.
Tusurier 8, 10, 11, Bumunqar, Insurier 17
, Very rare. up to 1982 there were about
Vagrant, having been recorded some Bumunqar Amerikan 19. 13 records, all between October and
17 times, mostly in November. Three December.
new records are being provided here: Vagrant, with three records, once in April The following are all new records:
taxidermists’ records included 1 in and twice in October. The most recent singles in October 1964 in Gozo, a male
December 1960 in Gozo while a male record was of an immature trapped at on 17th January 1972 at L-A˙rieq, limits of
was trapped at Ûonqor Point in November Delimara on 31st October 1979 (Vassallo BirΩebbu©a; at Delimara on 3rd November
1996. A sub-adult female was shot on 25th 1979). The Rose-breasted Grosbeak breeds 1982 and another at the same locality on
June 1972 at BirΩebbu©a. The most recent in open deciduous woods across most of 30th September 1988. A male was trapped
published record of this species was of a Canada and the eastern united States. in August 1996 at Mellie˙a. The trapper who
single bird in November 1977 at Marsascala. Northern birds migrate to southern Mexico had it said he had trapped another some
The Snow Bunting is found in the Arctic south through Central America to Peru and six to seven years before from Marsa, also
throughout the northern hemisphere. It is Venezuela in winter. The species occurs as in August, while he was catching sparrows
migratory, wintering a short distance further a very rare vagrant to Western Europe. over a water hole.
The most recent record is of a single
bird trapped at Xrobb l-G˙agin on 8th
White-throated Sparrow November 2006. Sammy Borg provided
Zonotrichia albicollis the following two records: 1 on 9th October
Durrajsa Amerikana 1976 and another on 6th November 1973
both at Dingli. In Europe and Asia most
Vagrant. A single record of a bird close to Yellowhammers are resident, but some far
Marsaxlokk in October 1995. The record is northern birds migrate south in winter.
given in Sultana (2001) without any details.
This bunting has been recorded as vagrant
on the Atlantic seaboard of Europe and in Cirl Bunting
the North Sea. The occurrence of the bird Emberizia cirlus
in Malta is very unusual. These birds are Ortolan Iswed
often imported as cage birds.
Ortulan issued 10, Ortulan isued 11-13, Ortulan
iswed 14, 15, 17-19, Zikku 17.
Pine Bunting
Emberiza leucocephalos A vagrant bird that has been recorded
Durrajsa Rasha Bajda 9 times up to 1982, almost always in
November and December. Sammy Borg
Vagrant, with two published records in informed me of the following three new
Lapland Bunting
autumn 1982, once at MiΩieb on 31st records: 1 on 23rd September 1977 at
Rabat; an escaped male at Buskett in

August 1993; and another bird was seen
for sale alongside finches at the Sunday
Market in Valletta on 24th October 1999;
and 1 on 23rd October 2003 at Comino.
The Cirl Bunting breeds across southern
Europe, on some Mediterranean islands
and in North Africa. It is a resident in such
warmer areas and does not migrate in
winter.
Rock Bunting
Emberiza cia
Ortolan tal-Blat
Ortolan Bunting
Quanal Salvag 8, Qanal Salvag 9, Ortulan
salvagg 10, 13, 15, Ortulan salvag 11, Ortulan
salva© 11, Carmec 13, Kanal salva©© 16, Recent sightings include: 1 at Salina on One was trapped and ringed by Charles
Ortolan selva©©, Qarmeç 17, Ortolan tax- 8th April and 1 at G˙ajn Tuffie˙a on 17th Gauci at G˙adira on 26th August 1989.
Xag˙ri 18, Ortolan tal-Blat 19, Çina 20. April, both in 1994; two males and a female Although this bird is classified as vagrant,
at Birkirkara on 28th April 1998; a male at conversations with trappers show that the bird
Vagrant, recorded seven times, six of which Comino on 14th April 2001; another also may occur more often than one would think.
were in winter and once in spring. Other at Comino, on 31st March 2002; and 2 at When questioned about Ortolan Buntings,
records are being given here: Sammy Borg Salina on 15th August 2005. In 2006, a male a number of trappers say they recalled
informed me of a bird at Marsascala on 23rd at Comino on 23rd April. In 2007, a male instances where they caught or saw “a
November 1968. A male seen in a collection on 27th April at id-Dahar, Mellie˙a. The grey headed Ortolan Bunting”. Such a
recently was shot on 5th November 1971 Ortolan Bunting is found in most European description could only fit the adult male
at Wied Ûembaq, limits of BirΩebbu©a. countries and western Asia. It migrates to Cretzschmar’s Bunting.
Another bird was trapped at Nadur, Gozo tropical Africa in autumn, returning at the Many trappers also say the call differs
on 6th November 2003 while another single end of April or beginning of May. from that of the Ortolan Bunting, confirms
bird was trapped at Ûabbar in October they are referring to a different species. If
2007. The Rock Bunting breeds in northwest the Cretzschmar’s Bunting occurs more
Africa, southern Europe east to central Asia, Cretzschmar’s Bunting frequently than is thought, it would be difficult
and the Himalayas. It is partially migratory, Emberiza caesia to gauge the correct status, especially
with northern populations wintering further Ortolan Rasu Blu because birds taken would not always be
south, mainly within the breeding range of obvious adult males. Immature birds are
the resident southern populations. It is a Vagrant. Though the first published record more difficult for the untrained to identify and
rare visitor to Western Europe. of this species is 1976, a bird seen in a trappers would therefore not realise what
collection at BirΩebbu©a recently, is the they had caught until the birds moult into
first record of this bird in Malta. The bird, adult plumage, if they survived that long.
Ortolan Bunting a male, was trapped at l-A˙rieq, limits of Cretzschmar’s Buntings breed in
Emberiza hortulana BirΩebbu©a, on 11th July 1969. Another Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the coastal
Ortolan early record was provided by Sammy Borg, countries along the eastern edge of the
of a single bird on 19th March 1976. This Mediterranean. It is migratory, wintering
Ortolani 4, Ortulan 8-16, Ortolan 17-19. record precedes that of another 2 buntings in the Sudan and is a very rare vagrant to
of this species that were trapped together Western Europe.
Scarce spring and autumn migrant with Ortolan Buntings between 28th March
occurring between March and May, with and mid-April 1976. Another Cretzschmar’s
most appearing in April, but also seen in Bunting was trapped at the end of March Rustic Bunting
late August, September and October. 1976 at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo. Emberiza rustica
A small number of trappers were very The occurrence of these buntings has Durrajsa Qastnija
fond of Ortolan Buntings and specialised in been put down to unusual meteorological
their trapping. Some were trapped in April, conditions that were prevalent between Durrajsa salvaggia 15, Durrajsa selva©©a 17,
while trappers were trapping Turtle Doves. mid-March and mid-April 1976, and that Durrajsa Qastnija 18, 19.
A single decoy bird was kept in a cage caused an influx of rare birds of east
close to one of the nets, which usually had European origin, not just of these buntings. Very rare and irregular, recorded mostly
a mesh which is smaller than that used for Joe Vella Gaffiero informed me of another in October and November. One seen in a
Turtle Doves. As Ortolan Buntings tend to record of a bird taken on 21st April 1980 collection at BirΩebbu©a recently was shot
hop when trapped, their head goes though from G˙ar Lapsi. A single bird, also a on 24th October 1968 at l-A˙rieq, limits of
the mesh and they get entangled, and male, was trapped in April 1989 at il-Bur, BirΩebbu©a. Sammy Borg informed me
hence are unable to escape. G˙arg˙ur. of another bird on 18th February 1982 at
Marsascala. Singles were seen at Lunzjata

Valley, Gozo on 6th November 1988, 16th
October 1990 and 9th November 1991.
In 1992, a male was recorded on 21st
October at Rabat. The were a number
of records from Lunzjata Valley, Gozo; 2
on 25th September and 1 on 30th October
1993; 1 on 4th November 1997; and 1 on 3rd
November 1998. The most recent record is
1 in October 2005, locality unknown.
The Rustic Bunting breeds across northern
Europe and Asia. It is migratory, wintering in
south East Asia, Japan, and eastern China.
A few wander to Western Europe.
Little Bunting
Emberiza pusilla
Durrajsa Qerqnija
Durraisa zghira 11, Durraisa zgheira,

Durraisa tal baffi 12, Durraisa Ωghira tal
baffi13, Durrajsa kerknija15, Durrajsa tal-
baffi, Durrajsa qerqnija17-19.
Previously considered as a vagrant, having

been recorded 17 times up to 1982, its status
can be revised to very scarce and irregular as
more records have come to light. It appears
mostly in November and December. A bird
noted in a collection recently was shot at
ix-Xerriek, BirΩebbu©a, on 22nd April 1979.
Single birds were recorded at G˙adira on
18th November 1981 and at Lunzjata Valley,
Gozo on 24th October 1982, on 29th and 30th
October 1983. Single birds were noted at
Lunzjata Valley on 8th November 1987 and
at G˙adira on 16th October 1988. A bird was
present at Lunzjata Valley on 5th October
1990; 1 on 8th October 1991 and 1 on 21st
October 1991 both at G˙adira; 1 on 10th
October 1992, also at G˙adira.
Single birds were recorded at Lunzjata
Valley, Gozo on 16th October 1994; on 14th
October 1995; and on 2nd November 1998
and at G˙adira on 29th October 2009.
The Little Bunting breeds across the
taiga of the far northeast of Europe and
northern Asia. It is migratory, wintering in
the subtropics in northern India, southern
China and the northern parts of Southeast
Asia. It is a rare vagrant to Western Europe.
Chestnut Bunting
Emberiza rutila
Durrajsa tal-Lvant
Vagrant: the first record was of a bird

trapped and ringed by John Grech and
Joe Sultana at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo on 12th
Common Reed Bunting
November 1983 (Sultana and Gauci 1984).
Sonny Xuereb informed me that another ber. From one to six birds were present at is- significant. De Lucca (1969) mentions the
bird was trapped at il-Qaws, limits of Dingli Simar from the 3rd to 21st December. In 2007, occurrence of one bird of the intermedia
on 1st October 1987. Xuereb acquired the 10 at is-Simar on 19th November, 4 at Salina race at Salina in March 1943, also a
bird from the trapper who caught it. on 20th November, and over 10 at G˙adira on thick-billed subspecies occurring in Italy,
It breeds in Siberia, northern Mongolia and 21st November. Most records in 2008 were Corsica and the north Adriatic.
north-eastern China. It is a long-distance from is-Simar, where 3 were recorded on 6th Vella-Gaffiero (Bannerman and Vella-Gaf-
migrant, wintering in southern China, South- January; 1 on 26th February; 3 on 9th March; 1 fiero 1976) examined three skins including
east Asia and north-east India. There are a on 28th October; over 10 on 15th November; 8 the one recorded by De Lucca, and found
number of records from Europe, but some on 19th November; and 1 on 14th December. them to have different plumage shades,
of these are considered to be escapes from In 2009, singles at Salina on 8th January and longer wings, and thicker bills than the nom-
captivity rather than genuine vagrants. at is-Simar on 6th May. inate race. He also mentions that two other
The Reed Bunting complex is a very specimens of the intermedia race were tak-
complicated one, with about 30 subspecies en in spring, without giving further details.
Yellow-breasted Bunting described, although many are split on As in the case of many other birds where the
Emberiza aureola rather thin grounds (Byers et al.1995). determination of subspecies is important,
Ortolan tal-Lvant As a rule northern birds are the smallest critical examination has not been undertak-
and have finer bills, and southern forms en when birds were trapped for ringing and
Karmec 10, Durrajsa hamra 15, 17, Ortolan tal- are larger with thicker bills. In southern much data has therefore been lost.
lvant 18, 19. Europe thin-billed and thick-billed forms A bird ringed in The Netherlands lived for
are largely separated by mountain ranges, 13 years and 3 months (Staav 1998)
Vagrant, with five records involving single and have been reported to breed side
birds in January, June, September and by side without mixing. The thick-billed
November and another undated specimen forms are distributed from about north- Black-headed Bunting
in a local collection. eastern Spain, eastwards south of the Emberiza melanocephala
It was first recorded by Despott in Alps and Carpathians. In both thick-billed Durrajsa Rasha Sewda
January 1913, The last record was of and thin-billed forms there is a colour
an immature ringed at Rabat on 30th cline going from dark in the west to very Durraisa rasa seuda 10, 11, 13, Durraisa ta
September 1978. pale in eastern and central Asia. Reed rasa seuda 12, Durrajsa rasha sewda 14, 17-19.
It is migratory, wintering in Southeast Bunting populations have been divided
Asia, India, and southern China. It is a rare into four main groups: Northern, Eastern, Very rare, being recorded nine times up
but regular wanderer to Western Europe. It Intermediate and Southern. It is not clear to 1982, five of which in autumn. A male
breeds in north-eastern Europe and across which group or race the birds that occur in was seen at Lunzjata Valley, Gozo on
northern Asia. Malta belong to. 13th July 1988. This species was often
up to 1999, the Valletta Bird Ringing imported together with finches and several
Group run by BirdLife Malta trapped and specimens were repeatedly seen in a pet
Common Reed Bunting ringed 288 Reed Buntings, but no data is shop in Óamrun between 1985 and 1988
Emberiza schoeniclus available regarding the races involved, and (Stanley Gatt pers. comm.). It breeds
Durrajsa tal-Qasab all birds are recorded under the binomial in southeast Europe east to Iran. It is
name. In 1871, Wright had considered migratory, wintering in India. It is a rare but
Ortulan tal sidra 10, Ortulan tas-sidra 11-14, including a thick-billed specimen he had regular wanderer to Western Europe.
Durrajsa seconda 15, Durrajsa sekonda, in his collection under Emberiza palustris.
Ortolan tas-sidra 17, Durrajsa tal-qasab 18, 19, The form palustris today forms part of the
Siku20. race Emberiza schoeniclus incognita in Red-headed Bunting
the Intermediate group, and is found from Emberiza bruniceps
Very scarce winter visitor, occurring in small southeastern European Russia to northern Durrajsa Rasha Óamra
numbers annually, mostly in November Kazakhstan.
and December. Some can be observed However, several races around the Durrajsa rasha sewda 15, Durrajsa Rasha
from the first week of April but a female was Mediterranean have thick bills, including Óamra 19.
recorded at is-Simar on 10th July 2002. As witherybyi from Spain, intermedia from
its name implies, it is usually seen in places Italy, Corsica and Adriatic Croatia, tschusii Vagrant: Two records, being published here
with lots of reeds, such as Lunzjata and from Bulgaria and Romania, reiseri from for the first time. A male was trapped in autumn
Ramla Valleys in Gozo, G˙adira, is-Simar Albania, Greece and Turkey. 1999 or 2000 and died in captivity in 2002.
and Salina in Malta. Most southern populations are sedentary The skin is preserved in a local collection.
In 2005, 2 were noted on 1st November, or dispersive. On the other hand, the Another was trapped at Marsascala on 12th
another on 13th November, all at is-Simar; 1 northern populations (including palustris/ October 2004. As the bird was an immature it
at G˙adira on 18th November; 1 on 25th No- incognita from Russia) are migratory, was initially thought to be a female Chestnut
vember at is-Simar; 1 was present at G˙adira moving south to areas ranging from western or Black-headed Bunting by the trapper who
from 29th November until the end of Decem- continental Europe and the Mediterranean caught it, but it turned out to be a male Red-
ber. In 2006, a single bird was noted at is-Si- to the Middle East and India. In the headed Bunting after it moulted in his aviary.
mar on 1st, 13th and 14th March respectively; 1 absence of more detail or the specimen The Red-headed Bunting breeds in central
at is-Simar on 6th November; 2 at is-Simar on itself, it is difficult to reach a decision about Asia. It is migratory, wintering in India. It is a
20th November; 2 at is-Simar on 6th Decem- Wright’s record, but its occurrence is very vagrant in Western Europe.
Corn Bunting
Corn Bunting young to be stolen from the nests and of 24 at Dwejra in the afternoon. Flocks of
Emberiza calandra reared by hand, but such a practice has migrants ranging in size from fewer than 10
Durrajsa decreased dramatically over the past birds to over 30 are observed in autumn.
years. The number of breeding birds has up to the 1970s, these flocks used to be
Dorrais4, Dodraisa5, Dyrrajs, Dyrrajsa, decreased so much that at Ta’ Çenç, much larger and some hunters would go
Dyrrajsyt7, Durraisa8, 10-13, Duraisa9, Gozo, only 3 singing males were observed out and wait for such flocks and shoot them
Durrajsa14-19. in 2005 while ten years before 7 had been for the pot in the same way as they shot
noted. In 2006, 4 birds were observed and at sparrows flying towards their roosting
A breeding resident and passage migrant, a single nest with 4 chicks was found on sites. One needs to look into why the local
whose numbers have dwindled over the 23rd April. A flock of 6 was noted moving breeding population of Corn Buntings
past years. Males are polygamous and south at G˙adira on 18th October 2006. In has dwindled so much over the past 25
a male can have up to three females at 2007, a passage on 14th March 2007, with years. It is easy to point fingers at habitat
the same time. Formerly a very common over 300 birds in several flocks of 15 to 45 degradation, disturbance, effects of
breeding visitor, it was popular for their birds in the morning at id-Dahar and a flock pesticides and herbicides, nest robbing
and predation by snakes.
Most probably there is not only one factor
to blame. When one considers that the
decline has not only happened on Malta
and Gozo, where human pressure and all
the above mentioned factors can come into
play, but also on Comino, where the island
remains relatively undisturbed, agriculture
is not at all intensive and nest robbing and
disturbance by humans is virtually non
existent, changes in agricultural practices
do not seem have played a major role.
Vassalli (1796), who wrote one of the
earliest known dictionaries of Maltese,
Latin and Italian, was the first to state
that Corn Buntings were breeding
birds, saying they used to breed also in
cultivated land.
A Corn Bunting ringed in Spain was still
alive 9 years 10 months later (Staav 1998).
APPENDIX I
Birds in Proverbs
Proverbs related to migration call for Quail. Some old country folk Nhar il-Lunzjata ti©i l-Bilbla u tmur
used to call the Wryneck Bukag˙war. l-Alwetta
F’Jannar jidhru l-borok * Wrynecks used to be common at the On the feast of the Annunciation (25th
Ducks appear in January. same time Quails migrated. Some March), the Short-toed Lark arrives
previous authors have mistakenly and the Skylark departs.
F’Marzu jidher is-sarsrell * translated Bukag˙war to Scarab
Garganeys appear in March. Beetle, which does not call and has Il-Bilbel ji©i u l-Alwetta tmur *
nothing to do with Quails. The Short-toed Lark arrives and the
Fl-a˙˙ar ©img˙a ta’ Marzu jitfaçça Skylark leaves.
l-Ortulan * Fejn hemm il-Bulebbiet g˙id li hemm
The Ortolan Bunting appears in the last is-Summien Il-Gamiem ji©i meta jkun tempu
week of March. Where there is the Wryneck, there are Turtle Doves come with the right weather.
Quails.
F’Marzu, l-g˙asafar, meta jkun ri˙ fuq Passa fil-bikri bir-ri˙ fuq, tistenniex
idumu ma jg˙addu * Nhar San ÌuΩepp jidher il-Buqrajq aktar Gamiem (fir-rebbieg˙a)
With northerly winds in March, finches On St Joseph’s day (19th March) the When there is an early migration with
do not migrate early during the day. Nightjar appears. northerly winds, do not expect more
Turtle Doves in spring.
F’Marzu, l-g˙asafar, meta jkun ri˙ isfel, Kull fejn hemm il-qniepen hemm ukoll
jg˙addu qabel nofsinhar * il-Bliebel L-aqwa ri˙ g˙all-Gamiem, il-Grigal biç-
With southerly winds in March, finches Where there is the Honeywort çirç *
migrate before noon. (Cerinthe major) there are Short- The best wind for Turtle Doves is North-
toed Larks. Larks appear and breed easterly with a drizzle.
Il-˙awwief, dari ji©i f’Marzu, ibid f’April in late spring, and summer, when
u Mejju, u la jittajjar f’Awwissu, jmur * the Honeywort plant is common. In Ir-ri˙ isfel kollu tajjeb g˙all-Gamiem *
In the past, House Martins arrived in the past, some have interpreted the All southerly winds are good for Turtle
March, bred in April and May, and reference to bells (qniepen) in this Doves.
when they fledged in August, they proverb to the ringing of bells in the
left. feasts in summer. Meta jkun hawn il-Bqaraq, sinjal tal-
kaçça (kmieni filg˙odu f’nofs April) *
Meta tisma’ l-Bukag˙war jg˙ajjat saffar Il-Bilbla tkeççi ’l Pespus (f’Marzu) When Nightjars are seen (early in the
lis-Summiena The Short-toed Lark drives away the morning in mid-April), it’s a sign that
When you hear the Wryneck calling, Meadow Pipit (in March). game (Turtle Doves) will appear.
Meta tara l-Bqaraq filg˙odu, stenna On the day of Our Lady of Sorrows Santa Katerina fora Gallina
l-Gamiem * (15th September), the Short-toed On St Catherine’s day (25th November)
When Nightjars are seen early in the Lark leaves and the Skylark returns. the Woodcock goes away.
morning (in mid-April), expect Turtle
Doves. L-G˙ammelin imorru kuljum Sqallija: Santa Katerina passi g˙aliha l-Gallina
immoru filg˙odu w jer©g˙u ji©u fil On the feast of St Catherine, you’d
F’Mejju l-Gamiem ikun irid ir-ri˙ fuq g˙axija * have to walk to find a Woodcock (as
(Majjistral u Tramuntana) * Spanish Sparrows go to Sicily every the season would be over)
In May, Turtle Doves need northerly day: they leave in the morning and Var: Santa Katerina tvara Gallina or
winds to migrate (North-westerly and return in the evening. Santa Katerina passa Gallina
Northerly). These variations look as though they
F’Ottubru ti©i l-Alwetta u jmur il-Bilbel mean the exact opposite, as one
Wara nofs Mejju, l-Gamiem, ‘k ikun In October, the Skylark arrives and the says that the feast of St Catherine’s
ragel, jibda jbarqam mill-ewwel fuq Short-toed Lark leaves. launches the Woodcock season
in-niexef * and the other that the Woodcock
After the middle of May, Turtle Doves, Tigi l-Alwetta u jmur il-Bilbel * migrates. The use of the word
if they are males, settle on dry upper The Skylark arrives and the Short-toed launches in the first proverb could
branches of Carob trees and start Lark leaves. also mean sends away as the word
crooning. tvara is said for launching boats
Il-Pespus ikeççi l-Bilbla (f’Ottubru) or ships into the water, effectively
Meta tara l-Qird in-Na˙al (f’nofs Mejju), The Meadow Pipit sends away the sending them away. But it could
g˙id il-Gamiem spiçça * Short-toed Lark (in October). also be a corruption of the original
When Bee-eaters appear (in mid-May), proverb when fora could be heard
one can say that the migration of Il-passa tal-g˙asafar tibda fl- as tvora, a slang version of the verb
Turtle Doves is over. 20 t’Ottubru u tispiçça fil-15 ta’ ‘to launch’.
Novembru *
Meta jidher il-Qird in-Na˙al, il-kaçça Migration of finches starts on L-g˙asafar bir-ri˙ fuq jaqbdu Ras il-
tkun spiççat * 20th October and ends on 25th Qala, ji©bdu g˙al Ta’ Çenç u jo˙orgu
When Bee-eaters appear, the hunting November. mix-Xlendi *
seasons would be over.
Meta jidher iç-Çiççard f’Mejju, g˙id li

l-kaçça spiççat *
When Honey Buzzards appear in May,
one can say that the hunting season
would be over.
Passa Alwett passa Lampuki

When Skylarks migrate Dolphin fish
migrate too.
Is-Summien ji©i bir-ri˙ isfel (mill-Lbiç

sax-Xlokk) *
Quails arrive with southerly winds (from
South-west to South-east).
Nhar San Mikiel l-Alwetta tidher xi

mkien
On St Michael’s Day (29th September)
the Skylark appears somewhere.
Fid-Duluri tmur il-Bilbla w ti©i l-Alwetta

BIRDS IN PROVERBS 397
With northerly winds, finches start at Ir-ri˙ isfel kollu tajjeb g˙all-Gamiem * Meta tara l-˙uttaf tkun ©ejja x-xita
Ras il-Qala, fly towards Ta’ Çenç Southerly winds are good for Turtle Doves. When you see Swallows, rain is
and leave from Xlendi (meaning that approaching.
birds always fly on the leeward side F’Mejju l-Gamiem ikun irid ir-ri˙ fuq
to shelter from the wind). (Majjistral u Tramuntana) * Il-Malvizz izekzek bil-lejl, ri˙ nofsinhar
In May, Turtle Doves need northerly When the Song Thrush calls during the
L-g˙asafar bir-ri˙ isfel jaqbdu Ras il- winds to migrate (North-westerly and night, expect a southerly wind.
Qala, ji©bdu g˙ar-Ramla u jo˙orgu Northerly). Var: Il-Malvizz izekzek ri˙ nofsinhar
minn San Lawrenz * When Song Thrush calls, the wind
With southerly winds, finches start at Alwett bil-gziez, xita bla qies blows from the south.
Ras il-Qala, fly towards Ramla and When Skylarks appear in large
leave from San Lawrenz (meaning numbers, expect rain. Ja g˙asfur tba˙ba˙ u nfela, waslet
that birds always fly on the leeward g˙alik ir-rebbieg˙a la darba x-xg˙ir
side to shelter from the wind). Meta l-gawwi jog˙la flimkien, ikun ©ej mela
ir-ri˙ O bird preen yourself, spring is here as
Fil-bidu tal-passa, l-Ekra tismag˙ha Var: Meta l-gawwi jkun jog˙la flimkien, the barley wheat is now in crop. This
g˙addeja filg˙odu kmieni, ikun ikun ©ej ir-ri˙ is a saying that refers to the Spanish
g˙adu d-dlam * When gulls fly high up together, expect Sparrow.
At the start of the migration period, one a strong wind.
hears the Siskin calling very early in Ix-xita ˙diet, kull tajra mxiet
the morning, when it is still dark. Meta fl-art jidhol il-gawwi, stenna ri˙ When the rain stops, every bird passes
qawwi (as on migration, birds usually
When gulls fly inland, expect a strong appear as soon as the rain stops).
wind.
Birds and weather Is-Summien ji©i mas-s˙ana
Iç-Çief ji©i bl-irtuba bir-rjie˙ mill-Punent Quails come when it is warm, because
Meta jidher ir-Rundun l-Iswed ikun ©ej sax-Xlokk u jmur bir-ri˙ fuq * they come with warm southerly
ri˙ fuq Cory’s Shearwaters come with a high winds.
When Swifts appear, the wind will turn humidity with winds from the West
northerly. to the South East and leave with
Var: Rundun jittajjar fl-g˙oli jkun ©ej ri˙ northerly winds (North and North-
fuq west). Metaphorical proverbs
Swifts flying high mean northerly winds
are coming. Meta l-Gru jg˙addi fl-g˙oli jkun ©ej il- Kull g˙asfur imur mar-ri˙, iΩda l-Bies
maltemp imur kontrih
Meta jidher ir-Rundun l-Abjad, ikun ©ej When cranes fly high, expect bad Every bird flies with the wind, but the
ri˙ isfel weather. Peregrine Falcon flies against it.
When the Alpine Swiift appears, the
wind will turn southerly. Meta jigu l-Pluvieri, ji©i l-maltemp Min jibΩa’ mill-G˙arnuq ma jiΩrax ful
Var: Rundun jittajjar fil-baxx, ikun ©ej When Golden Plovers arrive, so does He who is afraid of Cranes should not
ri˙ isfel bad weather. sow beans.
Swifts flying low mean southerly winds Var: Il-Pluvieri jigu bil-maltemp
are coming. Plovers arrive with bad weather. Çawl u G˙orob, af illi jiekol, ma jitmax
Jackdaws and Ravens want to eat but
Is-Summien ji©i bir-ri˙ isfel (mill-Lbiç L-G˙arienaq il-maltemp iqanqlilhom il- do not feed (their young).
sax-Xlokk) * ©wiena˙
Quails arrive with southerly winds (from Bad weather moves the wings of the G˙orb G˙orab u Çawl ma j©ibu l-ebda
South-west to South-east). Crane. risq
L-aqwa ri˙ g˙all-Gamiem, il-grigal biç- Mog˙dija tal-g˙asafar kbar sinjal tal- Var: G˙orab u Çawl ma j©ibu ebda risq
çirç * maltemp Ravens and Jackdaws do not bring
The best wind for Turtle Doves is North- Big birds flying over are signs of bad any luck.
easterly with a drizzle. weather.
L-G˙orab iswed, immela ˙ajr ma fihx F’Marzu kull g˙asfur ifittex ’il martu! Min ja˙dem jiekol sardina, min ma
Ravens are black and uninviting. In March, every bird looks for its mate. ja˙dimx jiekol Gallina
Who works eats a sardine and
Il-G˙orab bi ˙sieb l-o˙rajn swied F’Marzu kull tajr ibid who doesn’t eat Woodcock (or a
The Raven became black by worrying In March every fowl lays its eggs. chicken).
about others.
Kull g˙asfur g˙andu l-bejta tieg˙u Ahjar g˙asfur f’idek milli mija fl-ajru
Il-G˙orab ma jaqlax g˙ajn lil sie˙bu Every bird has its nest. A bird in the hand is worth two in a
The Raven does not fight his comrade. bush.
I©©orr, i©©orr, sa l-bajda ttorr
Jekk int Çawla, tippruvax tag˙milha ta’ Carry and carry straws until the nest is Karta f’idejn pastaΩ, g˙asfur f’idejn tifel
seqer built. A bird in a boy’s hand is like a piece of
If you are a Jackdaw, don’t pretend to paper in the hands of a fool.
be a hawk. Mg˙akksa dik it-tajra li titwieled f’©ebel
˙aΩin Xortiha ˙aΩina l-makkuwwa; jew tinΩel
In-naspla saret u ç-Çawla taret Var: Imsejkna dik it-tajra li tfaqqas ‘l isfel u tikolha Ω-Ωabrija jew titla ‘l fuq
When the medlar fruit is ripe, the f’bejta ˙azina u ta˙tafha l-Gawwija
Jackdaw leaves the nest. unfortunate is that bird which hatches The little fish is ill fated — if it dives
in the wrong nest. down it is eaten by bigger fish, if it
Qasba m©en©la tajba biss g˙al surfaces it is eaten by gulls.
ΩaqΩiqa biex tnaffar iç-Çawl Tal-ba˙ar u tal-ajru, iddum biex issajru
Var: Qasba mgengla tajba biss g˙aç- Fish and birds are not easy to cook Il-˙amiem li jafda s-seqer itemmu
çekçika biex tnaffar iç-Çawl. (because they are difficult to catch). Var: ˙amiema bla ˙jiena (˙aΩen) is-
A cracked reed is only good to scare seqer itemmha
Jackdaws. Bufula kiel nemusa, farfar rixu w telaq The foolish pigeon is killed by the
jg˙anni falcon.
Çawla bajda qatt ma dehret. The warbler ate a grub and flapped its
There never appeared a white wings and began to sing. Fejn tara ç-Çiefa u l-Gawwija g˙id:
Jackdaw. hemm il-hut
Bufula qalet “skont m’ahna qantarna” Where you see the Cory’s Shearwater
Kull tajr jifra˙ b’rixu “According to our station is our and gulls it means that there are fish.
Var: Kull g˙asfur jifra˙ b’rixu burden,” a warbler said.
Every bird is proud of its own feathers.
Il-kokka ‘l uliedha tara sbie˙
Rixiet sbie˙ jag˙mlu g˙asafar sbie˙ The owl percieves its young as Saints and birds
Fine feathers make fine birds. beautiful.
Meta l-g˙asfur itir, imbag˙ad kollu Iz-zakak jaqbeΩ u jitfarfar iΩda l-˙amiem It-Tre Re it-tielet passa tal-Pluvieri
g˙alxejn iΩoqq u jgargar The third migration of Golden Plovers
When the bird has flown away, it’s all The wagtail hops and flaps but the occurs on feast of the Three Kings,
in vain. dove feeds and coos. (6th January).
Ga©©a miftu˙a sinjal li l-g˙asfur mejjet Il-bniedem jixba˙ lit-tajra Bejn il-Pawlijiet g˙al Malvizz A˙mar
Var: Qafas miftuh, g˙asfur mejjet jew Var: il-bniedem jitwieled biex ja˙dem u Var: Bejn San Pawlijiet g˙al Malvizz
g˙asfur tar l-g˙asfur biex itir A˙mar
A cage with an open door means that Man is born to work and birds are born Redwings appear between the
the bird died (or escaped). to fly. feasts of St Paul (25th January, his
Il-˙bar hi li l-g˙asfur tar u l-g˙oxx baqa’ Meta tid˙ol il-qorti int tiekol sardina u conversion and 10th February, his
battal l-avukat jiekol Gallina shipwreck in Malta).
The news is that the bird has flown When you go to court, you eat a sardine
away and the nest is empty. while the lawyer eats a Woodcock Iç-Çief ji©i nhar Santa Mattija u f’Santa
(or a chicken). Katerina jmur
Cory’s Shearwaters arrive on the feast

of St Matthias (15th August) and
leave on the feast of St Catherine
(25th November).
F’Santa Mattija jekk ma ssibhiex

filg˙odu ssibha filg˙axija
On the feast of St Matthias, if you do
not find it (the Quail) in the morning,
you’d find it in the evening.
F’Santa Mattija jintfu l-Gamiem g˙at-

tahrik
Var: F’Santa Mattija jkittfu l-Gamiem
g˙at-ta˙rik
On the feast of St Matthias, (24th
February), they pluck Turtle Doves
to be used as decoys. Although
the proverb speaks of plucking the
birds, only the flight and tail feathers
were plucked so that they would
grow them in time for the trapping
season in April and May.
Nhar San ÌuΩepp jidher il-Buqrajq Nhar San Filep it-tielet passa tal- proverb refers to the “blue Cuckoo”,
On St Joseph’s day (19th March) the Gamiem which is the male, and the brown
Nightjar appears. The third migration of Turtle Doves phase, which is the female, which
takes place on the feast of St Philip is similar to the Kestrel in colour and
Nhar San Girgor g˙as-Summien (of Argirò, 12th May). which many hunters believed it to be
Quail shooting starts on the feast of St another species.
Gregory (12th March). Il-Gamiem sa ta’ Pompei
Turtle doves appear until the feast of Il-passa tal-Kuççard g˙al Santa Marija
Nhar San Ìor© l-ewwel passa tal- Our Lady of Pompei (8th May). Honey Buzzard migration starts on the
Gamiem feast of St Mary (15th August).
On the feast of St George (23rd April) Sa l-Imnarja tista tara l-Gamiem
occurs the first migration of Turtle Doves. Turtle Doves can be seen until the feast Il-Vitorja l-aqwa passa tas-Summien
of St Peter and St Paul (29th June). The best migration of Quail appears on
San Ìor© imsa˙˙ab kullimkien bil- the feast of Our Lady of Victories (8th
Gamiem u s-Summien Fl-Imnarja tibda l-kaçça tal-fenek September).
On the feats of St George, the skies are On the feast of St Peter and St Paul
clouded with Turtle Doves. (29th June), the rabbit hunting season F’tal-Vitorja jidher il-Gamiem u
starts. s-Summien *
Nhar il-Lunzjata ti©i l-Bilbla u tmur On the feast of Our Lady of Victories
l-Alwetta F’tal-Karmnu tara d-Daqquqa Ka˙la (8th September), Turtle Doves and
On the feast of the Annunciation (25th On the feast of Our Lady of Mount Quail appear.
March), the Short-toed Lark arrives Carmel (16th July), the Cuckoo
and the Skylark leaves. appears. Fil-Vitorja tibda l-passa tal-Gamiem
Il-festa tas-Salib it-tieni passa tal- On the feast of Our Lady of Victory (8th
Gamiem F’Santa Marija tidher id-Daqquqa September), Turtle Dove migration
The feast of the Holy Cross (3rd May) Ka˙la u d-Daqquqa Seqrija starts.
marks the second migration of Turtle On the feast of St Mary (15th August), Var: Il-©img˙a tal-Vitorja l-aqwa tal-
Doves. the Cuckoo appears (the Maltese Gamiem *
The week of Our Lady of Victories Il-Qaddisin Kollha jift˙u l-Imlievez Il-Milied tmiem il-kaçça tal-fenek
(8th September), is the best time for All Saints’ day (1st November) marks Christmas spells the end of the rabbit
Turtle Doves. the Song Thrush migration. hunting season.
Is-Summien tal-˙arifa mal- Iç-Çief imur fil-Qaddisin kollha

kwattrutempri Cory’s Shearwaters leave on All Sants
Autumn Quail appears with the feast of Day (1st November). Hunters’ sayings
kwattru tempri (formerly celebrated Var: Iç-Çief kollu jmur fil-Qaddisin
after 14th September). Kollha * L-Alwett fotti tiri
Shearwaters depart on All Saints’ Day Skylarks makes you waste cartridges.
Fid-Duluri tmur il-Bilbla w ti©i l-Alwetta (1st November).
On the day of Our lady of Sorrows (15th Ottubru ottubrett, ifrex ix-xbiek w o˙rog
September), the Short-toed Lark Madonna tad-Dawl, passa minuri tal- bis-senter g˙all-Alwett
leaves and the Skylark returns. Pluvieri In October lay you nets and go with
Our Lady of Light (6th November), a your gun to hunt Skylarks.
Nhar San Mikiel l-Alwetta tidher xi small of Golden Plover.
mkien Meta l-g˙ansar jisbie˙, il-Gamiem
On St Michael’s day (29th September) Santa Katerina l-ewwel passa tal- istennieh
the Skylark appears somewhere. Pluvieri When the Sea-squill blossoms, expect
The first migration of Golden Plovers Turtle Doves.
F’San Fran©isk ti©i l-Alwetta u l-Malvizz occurs on the feast of St Catherine
On the feast of St Francis (4th on 25th November. Suffara tal-Pluvieri tintiret mhux
October), the Skylark and Song tinxtara
Thrush arrive. F’San Anard, l-Isponsun ma jmiddx A Plover call is inherited, not bought.
saqaj˙ mal-art
F’San Fran©isk ti©i l-Gallina u l-Malvizz On St Leonard’s day (6th November), G˙as-Summien, mill-g˙oxrin (ta’ April)
On the feast of St Francis (4th October), the Chaffinch does not rest its feet on sal-g˙oxrin (ta’ Mejju)
the Woodcock and Song Thrush the ground. Between the 20th (April) to the 20th
arrive. (May) is good for Quail.
(L-aqwa tal-Pluvieri) il-kwinta ta’
F’Santa TereΩa jibda l-insib Novembru G˙as-Summien, kelb ta’ mit lira u
On the feast of St Theresa (15th The best time for Golden Plovers is the senter ta’ sold
October), trapping starts. full moon in November. For shooting Quail one needs an
expensive dog and a cheap gun.
Il-kewkba ta’ Santa TereΩa ©©ib Santa Katerina fora Gallina
mag˙ha l-Alwetta, l-Ekri u l-g˙asafar Var: Santa Katerina tvara Gallina Meta l-Gamiem ibarqam ©os-sigar
l-o˙ra tal-g˙ana On St Catherine’s day (25th November) tkun waslet tmiem il-passa
The start of St Theresa brings with it the Woodcock goes away. When Turtle Doves croon while resting
the Skylark, Siskins and other song in trees, the end of the migration
birds. Santa Katerina passi g˙aliha l-Gallina season is near.
On the feast of St Catherine, you’d
Ix-xahar tar-RuΩarju kollu tajjeb g˙all- have to walk to find a Woodcock (as Meta jispiçça l-Kokk (tas-sigar), jibdew
Alwett the season would be over). l-Imlievez
The month of the Rosary (October) is Il-Kuncizzjoni it-tieni passa tal-Pluvieri When you see no more Scops Owls,
good for Skylarks. The second migration of Golden Song Thrushes start appearing.
Nhar San Xmun mur g˙all-Alwett Plovers occurs on the feast of Meta jisparaw il-Lunzjata, nistennew
On St Simon’s day (28th October) go the Immaculate Conception (8th il-Gamiem (il-Lunzjata fil-Wied tax-
for Skylarks. December). Xlendi) *
When they shoot at il-Lunzjata (a
Fil-Qaddisin Kollha jitfaçça l-Gardell Qabel in-novieni, tistenniex Pluvieri locality in Xlendi Valley), we expect
On All Saints Day, (1st November) the Do not expect Golden Plovers before Turtle Doves.
Goldfinch appears. the 16th December.
Il-Gallina jekk ma ttajarhiex minn Wied Il-kaçça g˙all-gabillot Meta tiekol it-tamra, g˙all-kaçça tibda
Filep, ma ttajjarha mkien aktar * Hunting is for the farmer (because he n-namra
unless one flushes a Woodcock from wakes up early). When you begin to eat dates, the
Wied Filep (a valley in the limits passion for hunting starts.
of Mosta), one does not flush a Dakinhar li ti©i l-kaçça jkun tempha!
Woodcock from anywhere else. The day game appears would be the April bl-ixkubetta w bl-azzarin
ideal weather! April carries a gun and rifle (because
game abounds).
Kaççatur bla kelb, kaççatur pastur
Hunters and hunting A hunter without a dog is like a crib L-a˙jar toqtol Ωew© g˙asafar bi
figurine. skartoçç wie˙ed
(Fil-passa) kisser il-pinnur w o˙rog It pays to kill two birds with one shot.
kulljum Tlestix it-toqlija g˙al ta’ l-ajru (g˙ax il-
(During migration) ignore the weather qbid mhux garantit) L-ajru akbar mit-tajra
vane and go out every day. Do not prepare your frying pan as Var: L-ajru kbir u l-mira zg˙ira
it is not guaranteed you will catch The sky is bigger than the fowl,
Bin-nofs kaççatur anything. meaning it is easier to miss than to
If you kill half of what you shoot at, you hit.
are a good shooter. Is-senter int trid tidrah mhux hu jidra
lilek Min ibakkar u jwahhar jiehu l-Pluvieri
It-tajjeb imur ˙aΩin darba, il-˙aΩin imur You have to get used to your gun, not ming˙ajr ma jsaffar
tajjeb darba your gun gets used to you. He who goes out early and stays out
The good shooter goes wrong once; late, takes Golden Plover without
the bad one gets it right once. Il-kaççaturi u n-nassaba giddibin calling.
Hunters and trappers are liars. Var: Min ibakkar jaqbad il-Pluvieri
Iç-çomb dieçi tutta kaçça ming˙ajr ma jnaffar
Size 10 pellets are good for all kind of Óadlek l-g˙afsa He who goes out early, catches Golden
game. This is an expression used when a Plover without scaring any away.
hunter shoots at a perched bird
Ta’ l-ajru daqs tlieta which flies the moment it is shot at. Rfig˙ ir-ri˙, kaçça fil-qieg˙
A flying bird presents a target three When the wind becomes strong,
times a sitting one. Kaççatur ra©el is-sena kollha ˙lief the chances of shooting birds
waqt Ωmien il-passa diminishes.
Spara fit-tir, ˙alli ma toqtolx A hunter is a gentleman all year round
Shoot within range, even if you fail to kill. except in the hunting season. Mill-Kunçizzjoni sal-Milied, erfa’
l-mo˙riet minn ˙alq il-wied u qieg˙ed
Bi skartoçç wie˙ed jixkatta senter Meta d-dawl ibatti w jonqos is-smig˙, l-ixkubetta fuq l-utied
A gun ruptures with just one cartridge. warrab is-senter, m’g˙andekx From the day of the feast of the
x’tambih Immaculate Conception (8th
Li xkubetta jikkargaha l-kaççatur u When your eyesight dims and you December) until Christmas, take the
jisparaha x-xitan become hard of hearing, put your plough from the mouth of the valley
The hunter loads the muzzleloader but gun away as you won’t need it and put the fowling piece on the peg.
the devil fires it. anymore.
Senter vojt joqtlu bniedem Óadd ma qabad dik l-arma bla ma La ji©i l-Milied, erfa’ xkubettietek fuq il-
An empty gun kills a man. This is ˙ara biha farxa tal-bieb
said because accidents sometimes No one used that gun without making When Christmas comes, put your
happen when someone thinks the big mistakes with it. fowling piece away.
gun is empty while it’s loaded.
Il-fenek tas-sajf issibu ta˙t ˙atba F’Jannar u Frar, l-ixkubetta ˙alliha
Min jispara ˙afna, fl-a˙˙ar jolqot Summer rabbits can be found under d-dar
He who shoots plenty of shots will bushes (as they are not cunning). In January and February, leave your
finally hit. fowling piece at home.
Var: F’Jannar u Frar, is-senter tih iΩ- G˙asfur li we˙el fix-xibka g˙andu qawi Meta tisma l-Qerd in-Na˙al, erfa’
Ωejt, ˙allih id-dar sa ma johrog x-xbiek mur lejn ir-ra˙al
In January and February, oil your gun Var. G˙asfur li da˙al fix-xibka g˙andu When you hear the Bee-eater (in May),
and leave it at home. qawi sa ma jibqa pack your nets and go home. (This
A bird that gets caught in the net won’t proverb is related to trapping of
F’Jannar u Frar il-kaççatur id-dar easily get out of it. Turtle Doves in Spring).
In January and February, the hunter
stays at home. L-g˙asafar bir-ri˙ fuq jaqbdu Ras il- Il-passa tal-g˙asafar tibda fl-
Qala, ji©bdu g˙al Ta’ Çenç u jo˙orgu 20 t’Ottubru u tispiçça fil-15 ta’
F’Awwissu, is-senter m’hemmx g˙alfejn mix-Xlendi * Novembru *
tmissu With northerly winds, finches start at Migration of finches starts on 20th
There is no need to touch your shotgun Ras il-Qala, fly towards Ta’ Çenç October and ends on 25th November.
in August (as there is no game). and leave from Xlendi (Meaning that
birds always fly on the leeward side F’San Anard, l-Isponsun ma jmiddx
Fil-kwinta ta’ Novembru mur g˙all- to shelter from the wind). saqajh mal-art
Pluvieri On St Leonard’s day (6th November),
In the full moon of November, go for L-g˙asafar bir-ri˙ isfel jaqbdu Ras il- the Chaffinch does not rest its feet on
plover. Qala, ji©bdu g˙ar-Ramla u jo˙orgu the ground.
minn San Lawrenz *
Il-mara tal-kaççatur hi b˙al mara tal- With southerly winds, finches start at Nhar San Anard tmiem l-insib
furnar bi drieg˙ wie˙ed Ras il-Qala, fly towards Ramla and St Leonard (6th November) marks the
The hunter’s wife is like a baker’s wife, leave from San Lawrenz. (This means end of the trapping season.
with one arm. that birds always fly on the leeward
side to shelter from the wind). Santa Katerina itfa’ l-gabjetti ©ol-
kantina
Fil-bidu tal-passa, l-Ekra tismag˙ha On St Catherine’s day (25th November)
Bird trapping g˙addeja fil-g˙odu kmieni, ikun put the nets (cages) in the cellar.
g˙adu d-dlam *
Ix-xbiek bin il-bnazzi At the start of the migration period, one F’San Martin jitfg˙u l-ixbiek fuq in-
To trap birds one needs good weather. hears the Siskin calling very early in newl
the morning, when it is still dark. On St Martin’s day (11th November) the
L-g˙asafar trid l-g˙asafar nets are put aside on the loom, as
Birds seek the company of birds, Fl-a˙˙ar ©img˙a ta’ Marzu jitfaçça the Quail trapping season ends.
meaning you need to have birds to l-Ortulan *
trap birds. The Ortolan Bunting appears in the last Is-summien istadu bil-kappell (tat-
week of March. tiben, g˙ax tkun is-s˙ana)
G˙asfur li j©erri je˙el fix-xibka Wear a hat when trapping Quails, as
Var. G˙asfur ©errej fix-xibka je˙el F’Marzu, l-g˙asafar, meta jkun ri˙ fuq it is hot.
b˙allixejn idumu ma jg˙addu *
G˙asfur li j˙obb ji©©erra, jew g˙ad With northerly winds in March, finches L-g˙asafar passa jew passjoni
jag˙li jew jisferra do not migrate early during the day. When one goes trapping, one either
G˙asfur li j˙obb ji©©erra, dur dur has fun and sees and traps a lot of
jinqabad F’Marzu, l-g˙asafar, meta jkun ri˙ isfel, birds or traps nothing at all.
A bird that moves about gets entangled jg˙addu qabel nofsinhar *
in the net. This is a very old proverb With southerly winds in March, finches
that shows that vertical nets used to migrate before noon.
be used.
* Sayings given by Victor J. Galea of Gozo

APPENDIX II
Birds in Surnames
Surnames with birds on their Shields of Arms Flying Eagle looking back: Penun
Bird in dog’s mouth: Manduca Flying Eagle: Refalo
Bird trap: Nassa Flying goose: Fontana
Bird with open wings: Manduca Goldfinch: Cardillo
Cage: Digrazia Goose looking back: Fournier
Double-headed eagle with spread wings: Goose: Biancardi, Busuttil, Rosselli, Montezin
Assenza, Caprone, Clerici, Grasso, Lascaris,
Marchesi, Minganti, Paleologo, Scagniglia, Nest: Cohen
Testa, Trevisan, Vassallo
Peacock: Afflitto, Allegritto, Paulillo, Pulis
Dove about to take flight: Casha
Pelican feeding young: Fiot, Pellicano
Eagle taking flight: Casha, Surdo
Pheasant: Pellerano, Tartaglia
Eagles back to back about to fly: Ravelles
Sitting bird: Attard, Biasini, Bonamico, Caro,
Eaglet: Aquilina Chetcuti, Coleiro, Dandria, De Domenico,
Farrugia, Sapienza
Flying bird: Magri
Sitting Blackbird looking back: Merlo,
Flying dove with its head turned back: Bezzina,
Genuis, Gourgion, Piscopo Sitting crow: Buhagiar
Flying dove: Ardoino, Bartolo, Bisogna, Brudet, Sitting dove: Alaimo, Allegritto, Anastasi,
Cagliola, Cervolo, De Caelis, Dr Franetris, Andrè, Araico, Attard, Azzarello, Bava,
Degiorgio, dello Rè, Magri, Nuzzo, Pace, Bezzina, Biancardi, Bonvicino, Bres, Bugdano,
Riccardi, Righettini, Rossignaud, Xara Buhagiar, Busuttil, Cadamasto, Cagnana, Caro,
Chircop, Chetcuti, Ciappara, Cicciano, Cilino,
Colombin, Colossina, Coragier, Correo, Creni, Giovè, Grasso, Grimaldi, Maempel, Mangani,
De Franchis, Digrazia, Dimech, Fabri, Falcolini, Maranuzio, Marchesan, mamiona, Monbron,
Falcottina, Famucelli, Faraci, Farrugia, Fiaccari, Muget, Palermo, Paretti, Passalaqua, pellegrini,
Fiot, Formosa, Fournier, Galdes, Galizia, Ramsay, Randon, Reuschumond, Rizzo, Sant,
Gambin, Garzin, Giamperi, Gianperto, Gioioso, Scarinici, Scifo, Spinelli, Stevens, Struzzini,
Gravagna, Imbert, La Rocca, Lucano, Machnuk, Trigona, Valle Vial, Vieri, Vizzani
Magri, Manganaro, Mangani, Marmarà, Maurin,
Mercieca, Merlo, Michiloa, Mifsud, Mirabella, Standing eagle with spread wings: Vial
Morana, Nassa, Pace, Paglkia, Parisotti,
Passalacgna, Paura, Pellerano, Peralta, Standing eagle with wings spread out: Cassar,
Perdicomati, Periolo, Perlita, Portughes, Poverel, Felice, Piot, Seychell
Prevost, Pulis, Rapinett, Roncali, Ross, Rosselli,
Rossignaud, Sammut, Santa-Colomba, Scolaro, Standing eagle: Amico, Belan, Brignone, Musù,
Scordato, Scorfa, Seychell, Tanti, Tortell, utrana, Rossetti, Sevasta
Vargas, Wizzini, Xiriha
Standing falcon: Falcone, Pellegrini
Sparrow: Dandria
Standing gull: Scolaro
Standing dove looking back: Chetcuti, Formosa,
Pace, Solano Standing Hawk: Chircop, Gravagna, Ruitter
Standing duck: Garzin, Martin, Natalco Standing Jackdaw: Busuttil
Standing eagle looking back: Sinerco, Mirasole Standing owl: Slythe
Standing eagle with spread wings: Alaimo, Standing swan: Garzin, Jenison, Machnuk,
Alliata, Aquilina, Aragona, Ardoino, Bartolo, Moore, Mazzelli, Verzin
Busuttil, Calleja, Carbone, Caretto, Caro,
Casolani, Castagna, Catanika, Cesal, Chalmers Standing, double-headed eagle: Assenza,
McKean, Cicala, Clary, Conti, Corogna, Seicher
Degiorgio, dello Rè, Di Lotto, d’Onofrio, Ferro,
Francesco, Gaetano, Ghigo, Giammalva, Swan about to fly or landing: Surdo
407
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Index
Accentor Alpine 374 richardi 383 Bittern Little 25, 147, 195, 219, 220
Accipiter brevipes 245 spinoletta 385 Blackbird Common 2, 3, 30, 73, 74, 84, 158, 282,
nisus 2, 245 Apus affinis 324 362, 403
Acrocephalus agricola 356 apus 322 Blackcap 49, 350
arundinaceus 357 caffer 324 Blasius, Dr Rudolf 103, 105-108
dumetorum 356 melba 324 Bluethroat 366, 367
paludicola 356 pallidus 323 Bobwhite Northern 160, 207
palustris 356 Aquila chrysaetos 249 Bombycilla garrulus 358
schoenobaenus 356 clanga 248 Bonaparte Charles 84, 92, 108
scirpaceus 357 pennata 249 Bonhote, Lewis 112
Actitis hypoleucos 285 pomarina 248 Borg, Sammy 21, 23, 113, 199, 200, 205, 206, 213,
Adams, Andrew L. 90, 96, 98, 100, 101, 347, 355, Ardea cinerea 225 217, 222, 228, 236, 238, 242, 246, 248, 249, 254,
381 purpurea 226 257, 258, 259, 267, 269, 271, 277, 278, 279, 280,
Alaemon alaudipes 343 Ardeola ralloides 221 283, 286, 294, 314, 316, 319, 322, 324, 332, 334,
Alauda arvensis 340 Ardoino, Matteo Nicola 84-86, 358 336, 337, 338, 340, 342, 343, 347, 348, 351, 353,
Alca torda 303 Arenaria interpes 286 356, 360, 362, 368, 370, 371, 372, 374, 380, 381,
Alcedo atthis 324 Arrigoni degli Oddi, E. 92, 108, 222, 235, 252, 343, 390, 391
Alectoris chukar 207 358 Botaurus stellaris 219
Alle alle 303 Asio flammeus 319, 320 Bourne, W.R.P 112
Allen, Stafford 75, 95 otus 318 Brambling 189, 385, 386
Alopochen aegyptiaca 200 Athene noctua 318 Branta leucopsis 199
Amandava amandava 2 Attard, Joe M. 125, 126, 128, 190 ruficollis 199
Ammomanes cinctura 342, 343 Auk Little 303 Bree, Dr Charles R. 91
Anas acuta 202 Avadavat Red 2 Brewster, William 112
clypeata 203 Avocet Pied 16, 268, 269 Bubo bubo 317
crecca 201 Aythya fuligula 205 Bubulcus ibis 222
falcata 201 marila 205 Bucanetes githaginea 389
ferina 204 nyroca 205 Bucephala clangula 206
formosa 201 Azzopardi, John 117, 263, 293, 305, 318, 329, 351, Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc de 83
penelope 201 353, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 380, 389 Bullfinch Eurasian 389
platyrhynchos 2, 202 Bunting Black-headed 393
querquedula 202 Chestnut 392-3
strepera 201 Baden-Powell, R. 80 Cirl 92, 390, 391
Anser albifrons 198, 199 Baldacchino, Alfred E. 114, 116, 117 Common Reed 392, 393
anser 199 Bannerman, David A. 23, 113-116, 138, 366, 368 Corn 101, 104, 107, 109, 339, 364, 394
brachyrhynchus 198 Barclay Smith, Phyllis 114-5 Cretzschmar’s 391
fabalis 198 Bartramia longicauda 284 Lapland 390
indicus 199 Beaman, Mark 113, 115, 116, 370 Little 392
Anthropoides virgo 266 Bee-eater Blue-cheeked 325 Ortolan 48, 56, 73-4, 84, 121, 163, 189, 308, 338,
Anthus campestris 383 European 14, 25, 48, 60, 75, 79, 97, 100, 102, 391, 395, 402
cervinus 384 107, 108, 118, 142, 145, 155, 163, 295, 325- Pine 390
hodgsoni yunnanensis 384 328, 396, 402, Red-headed 393
petrosus 385 Belmas Christian 194 Rock 91, 391
pratensis 384 Bittern Great 4, 5, 25, 56, 219 Rustic 391, 392
Snow 104, 390 Chukar 207, 208 De Lucca, Vincenzo 110, 111, 257
Yellow-breasted 393 Ciconia ciconia 228 Delichon urbicum 345
Burhinus oedicnemus 269 nigra 227 Despott, Giuseppe 3, 70, 72, 84-86, 88, 103, 108-9,
Bustard Great 2, 73, 80, 94, 104, 267 Cinclus cinclus 361 110, 122, 123, 166, 267, 297, 302-3, 305, 316-7,
Houbara 108, 267 Circaetus gallicus 238, 247 320, 322, 330, 332, 334, 336, 339, 343, 347, 350-
Little 2, 74, 94, 266 Circus aeruginosus 239, 242 4, 358, 375, 378-380, 383, 386, 393
Buteo buteo 246 cyaneus 242 Dipper White-throated 361
buteo vulpinus 246 macrourus 242 Diver Red-throated 210
lagopus 246, 247 pygargus 243 Dotterel Eurasian 48, 49, 51, 73, 75, 84, 107, 163,
rufinus 246 Cisticola juncidis 357, 358 272, 273
Buttigieg, Dr Anton 35, 40, 137 Zitting 47, 85, 111, 112, 152, 357, 358, 380 Dove Barbary 314
Buzzard Common 246 Coccothraustes coccothraustes 389 European Turtle 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 25, 31, 39, 40,
European Honey 6, 10, 15, 16, 19, 25, 39, 41, 42, Coccyzus americanus 315 41, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58,
48, 59, 77, 79, 107, 118, 148, 149, 155, 160, Colinus virginianus 207 59, 60, 61, 62, 65, 69, 70, 73, 74, 75, 81, 82,
175, 176, 232, 233, 234, 243, 247, 249, 250, Collared Dove Eurasian 304, 305, 306, 314 83, 84, 97, 102, 107, 109, 111, 120, 133, 138,
396, 399 Columba livia 305 139, 140, 141, 145, 147, 148, 155, 157, 158,
Long-legged 246 melitensis 2 159, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 175, 177, 180,
Rough-legged 15, 75, 246-7, 249, oenas 305 189, 191, 192, 195, 306, 307, 307, 308, 309,
palumbus 305 312, 313, 320, 323, 325, 337, 391, 395, 396,
Conder, Peter 114-5 397, 399, 400, 402
Calandrella brachydactyla 337, 338, 343 Cooke, John H. 121 Laughing 313, 314
rufescens 338, 339 Coot Eurasian 3, 31, 74, 157, 158, 195, 264, 265 Maltese 1, 2
lapponicus 390 Red-knobbed 264, 265 Rock 2, 74, 104, 304, 305
Calì, Giuseppe 86 Coracias garrulus 328 Stock 73, 74, 84, 305
Calidris alba 278 Cormorant Great 46, 48, 51, 71, 218, 288 Dresser, Henry Eeles 91, 92, 95, 98, 99, 261, 284,
alpina 280 Pygmy 219 342, 343, 354
canutus 278 Corvus corax 334 Duck Brahminy 200
ferruginea 279 cornix 334 Castaneous 102
maritima 279 corone 334 Ferruginous 102, 202, 205
melanotos 279 frugilegus 334 Marbled 204
minuta 278 monedula 333, 334 Tufted 205, 206
temmincki 278 Coturnix coturnix 208, 209 White-headed 88, 207
Calonectris diomedea 2, 111, 210 Courser Cream-coloured 270 Dunlin 280
Camilleri, David 24 Crake Baillon’s 94, 262 Dunnock 99, 163, 189, 374, 375
Campbell, Bruce 112 Corn 262
Caprimulgus aegyptius 322 Little 94, 195, 262
europaeus 320, 321 Spotted 261, 262 Eagle Bonelli’s 1, 2, 128-9, 250
ruficollis 322 Striped 262 Booted 248, 249
Carduelis cannabina 387, 388 Cramp, Stanley 112 Golden 1, 2, 105, 249
carduelis 386, 387 Crane Common 1, 2, 8, 9, 23, 31, 49-51, 53, 61, 73, Greater Spotted 248
chloris 386 84, 107, 125, 265, 266 Lesser Spotted 248, 249
flammea 388 Demoiselle 80, 103, 266 Short-toed 10, 15, 19, 77, 125, 128-9, 155, 238-9,
spinus 387 Giant Maltese 1, 2, 4, 15, 17 247, 250
Carpodacus erythrinus 389 Sarus 2 White-tailed 237
Casmerodius albus 224 Crex crex 262 Egret Cattle 108, 222, 223
Cassar Torregiani, Carmelo 21 Crossbill Common 49, 74, 90, 189, 388, 389 Great 224, 225
Cecropis daurica 346 Crow Carrion 2, 3, 334 Little 14, 17, 99, 195, 221, 222-4
Cercotrichas galactotes 365 Hooded 334 Western Reef 222, 223
Cettia cetti 347 Cuckoo Common 314, 315 Egretta garzetta 223, 224
Chaffinch Common 16, 48, 56, 59, 107, 121, 153, Great Spotted 247, 314 gularis 222
155, 165, 166, 189, 349, 385, 400, 402 Yellow-billed 315 Elanoides forficatus 235
Chapman, Franck 112 Cuculus canorus 314, 315 Elanus caeruleus 235
Charadrius alexandrinus 271 Curlew Eurasian 4, 16, 21, 31, 48, 49, 73,74, 75, 82, Emberiza aureola 393
asiaticus 271 83, 91, 107, 273, 284 bruniceps 393
dubius 270 Slender-billed 74, 91, 92, 95, 283, 284 caesia 391
hiaticula 270, 271 Stone 5, 42, 44, 48, 49, 51, 52, 74, 75, 82, 83, 84, calandra 394
leschenaultii 271 97, 104, 107, 110, 119, 269, 270, 273 cia 391
morinellus 272 Cursorius cursor 270 citrinella 390
duponti 343 Cutajar, Dominic 35, 116, 125-6, 129 hortulana 391
Chiffchaff Common 49, 89, 97-8, 112, 153, 348, 349 Cyanistes caeruleus 335 leucocephalos 390
Iberian 349 teneriffae 336 melanocephala 393
Chlamydotis undulata 267 Cygnus equitum 2 pusilla 392
Chlidonias hybrida 299 olor 198 rustica 391
leucopterus 300 rutila 392
niger 299 schoeniclus 393
Chough Red-billed 333 Dandria, Anthony 21, 22, 125, 126, 128 cirlus 390
Chroicocephalus genei 289 Darwin, Charles 99 Eremophila alpestris 342
ridibundus 289 De Lucca, Dr Carmelo 109-112, 126, 128, 219, 236, bilopha 342
Chrysolphus pictus 210 246, 247, 257 Erithacus rubecula 365, 366
INDEX 421
Falco biarmicus 257 59, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 82, 84, 87, 97, 104, 107, pallida 355
cherrug 258 121, 165, 198, 386, 387, 400, 403 polyglotta 356
columbarius 254, 255 Gonzi, Archbishop Michael 22, 25, 125 Hirundapus caudacutus 322
concolor 257 Goodwin, Derek 109, 110 Hirundo rustica 344
eleonorae 255 Goosander 206, 207 Hobby Eurasian 8, 90, 95, 150, 155, 255
naumanni 251 Goose Bar-headed 199 Hollom, P.A.D. 79, 112, 368
pelegrinoides 261 Barnacle 2, 199 Hoopoe Eurasian 3, 23, 25, 26, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53,
peregrinus 258, 259, 261 Bean 2, 158, 198 74, 79, 83, 84, 97, 100, 102, 107, 108, 109, 142,
sparverius 253 Brent 1, 2, 200 155, 163, 328, 329, 372
subbuteo 255 Egyptian 200 Hornaday, William 112
tinnunculus 252 Greater White-fronted 198, 199 Houbara Bustard 267
vespertinus 253 Greylag 2, 198, 199 Hydrobates pelagicus 216, 217
Falcon Barbary 261 Pink-footed 90, 198 Hydrocoloeus minutus 290
Eleonora’s 255, 256 Red-breasted 199, 200 Hydroprogne caspia 298
Lanner 50, 65, 66, 67, 95, 257, 258 Gould, John 98, 99, 100
Peregrine 25-6, 48, 50-1, 58, 65-6, 68, 73-5, 83-4, Grebe Black-necked 92, 232
116, 149, 188, 193, 252, 255, 258-261, 397 Great Crested 231, 232 Ibis Glossy 31, 51, 74, 77, 99, 100, 228, 229
Red-footed 8, 90, 99, 101, 109, 155, 161, 253-4 Little 95, 230, 231 Ìuzè Ellul Mercer 38
Saker 65, 66, 73, 258 Red-necked 232 Ixobrychus minutus 219
Sooty 113, 257 Greenfinch European 1, 2, 48, 49, 56, 70, 72, 73,
Falzon Sant Manduca, Alfred 129, 131, 317 74, 95, 107, 121, 153, 155, 165, 189, 190, 386
Falzon Sant Manduca, Albert 131 Greenshank Common 48, 73, 74, 83, 93, 285 Jackdaw Western 1, 2, 37, 39, 41, 48, 49, 50, 51,
Ficedula albicollis 374 Grosbeak Rose-breasted 390 53, 53, 61, 73, 74, 77, 84, 85, 92, 94, 101, 104,
hypoleuca 374 Grouse Willow 2 107, 120, 188, 193, 333, 334, 397, 398, 404
parva 373 Grus antigone 2 Jardine, Sir William 90-1, 98-9, 100, 351, 355
semitorquata 374 grus 265 Jay Eurasian 10, 16, 95, 333
Fielden, H.W. 99, 354 Guillemot Common 303 Jynx torquilla 329
Fieldfare 362, 363 Gulia, Gavino 75, 96
Finch Trumpeter 389 Gulia, Giovanni 76, 89, 90, 106, 108, 205, 235, 247,
Firecrest 335 261, 336 Kestrel American 253
Fitter, R.S.R 112 Gull Audouin’s 292, 293 Common 6, 25, 42-4, 48, 59, 77, 79, 93, 95, 101,
Flamingo Greater 23, 91, 92, 229, 230 Black-headed 103, 150, 151, 289, 290, 291, 293 104, 107, 148, 150, 155, 193, 252-3, 339, 399
Flycatcher Collared 295, 374 Caspian 296 Lesser 25, 101, 155, 251, 252
Pied 374 Common 294 Kingfisher Common 25, 26, 88, 95, 97, 100, 147,
Red-breasted 373, 374 Glaucous 109, 297 148, 153, 324, 325,
Semi-collared 374 Greater Black-backed 296, 297 Kite American Swallow-tailed 108, 235
Spotted 49, 89, 155, 195, 314, 364, 365 Herring 77, 104, 123, 294, 295, 296 Black 50, 51, 73, 74, 84, 235, 236
Fratercula arctica 303 Laughing 291 Black-shouldered 95, 235
Fringilla coelebs 385 Lesser Black-backed 291, 294, 295 Brahminy 236
montifringilla 385 Little 89, 290-1 Red 73-4, 84, 185, 236, 237
Fulica atra 264 Mediterranean 89, 150, 151, 291, 292 Kittiwake Black-legged 288, 289
cristata 265 Pallas’s 293 Knot Red 278
Sabine’s 288 Koks, Ben J. 105
Slender-billed 289, 290
Gadwall 158, 201 Yellow-legged 295, 296
Galerida cristata 339 Gyps fulvus 238 Lagopus lagopus 2
Gallinago gallinago 281 Lanfranco, Guido 21, 22, 45, 125, 126, 127, 128,
media 281 Lanius collurio 331
Gallinula chloropus 262 Haematopus ostralegus 267 excubitor 332
Gallinule Allen’s 263, 264 Haliaeetus albicilla 237 isabellinus 330, 331
Purple 109, 263, 264 Haliastur Indus 236 meridionalis 332
Gannet Northern 217, 218 Harrier Hen 242, 249 minor 331
Garganey 202, 203 Montagu’s 95, 105, 107, 127, 149, 150, 155, 161, nubicus 333
Garrulus glandarius 333 243, 244, 245 senator 332
Gauci, Albert 173, 175 Pallid 94, 101, 107, 242, 243 Lapwing Northern 3, 21, 25, 39, 48, 51, 52, 73, 74,
Gauci, Charles 113, 117, 212, 230, 261, 319, 343, Western Marsh 1, 2, 10, 14, 16, 17, 25, 50, 51, 52, 84, 88, 93, 103, 107, 126, 145, 155, 157, 158,
344, 347, 348, 356, 377, 391 77, 101, 149, 155, 239, 240, 241, 242, 249, 163, 175, 273, 277, 278
Gavia stellata 210 Hawfinch 389, 390 Sociable 277
Gelochelidon nilotica 298 Hayek, Gustave von 105, 107 White-tailed 277
Geokichla sibirica 361 Heron Black-crowned Night 47, 51, 103, 107, 151, Lark Bar-tailed 342, 343
Gibb, John 109, 110 220, 221 Bimaculated 336-7
Giglioli, Dr Enrico H. 99, 105, 106, 123 Buff-backed 222 Black 337
Glareola pratinicola 270 Grey 23, 107, 151, 225 Calandra 40, 48, 51-2, 56, 73-4, 84, 107, 121, 336
Godwin, Rev. George Nelson 76 Purple 10, 16, 103, 107, 110, 151, 226, 227 Crested 74, 76, 99, 339
Godwit Bar-tailed 283 Squacco 221, 222 Dupont’s 343
Black-tailed 15, 283 Hieraaetus fasciata 250 Greater Hoopoe 343
Goldcrest 335 Himantopus himantopus 268 Greater Short-toed 5, 6, 44, 48, 59, 60, 69, 73,
Goldeneye 206 Hippolais icterina 356 76, 83, 88, 93, 94, 98, 100, 104, 107, 109, 121,
Goldfinch European 10, 12, 14, 25, 48, 51, 52, 56, opaca 355 122, 155, 163, 189, 195, 337, 338, 339
Horned 342 Muscicapa striata 364 Phalaropus fulicarius 286

Lesser Short-toed 98, 123, 338, 339 Myna Pagoda 361 lobatus 286
Temminck’s 342 Phasianus colchicus 209
Thick-billed 344 Pheasant Common 209, 210
White-winged 88, 108, 337 Necrosyrtes monachus 238 Golden 210
Wood 340 Needletail White-throated 322 Pheucticus ludovicianus 390
Larus argentatus 295 Neophron percnopterus 237 Philomachus pugnax 280
atricilla 291 Netta rufina 204 Phoenicopterus roseus 229
audouinii 292 Newton, Professor Alfred 99, 112 Phoenicurus moussieri 368
cachinnans 296 Nightingale Common 366 ochruros 367, 372
canus 294 Nightjar Egyptian 322 phoenicurus 367, 368
fuscus 294 European 320, 321, 322 Phylloscopus bonelli 348
hyperboreus 297 Red-necked 99, 322 borealis 347
ichthyaetus 293 Numenius arquata 284 collybita 349
marinus 297 phaeopus 283 fuscatus 348
melanocephalus 291 tenuirostris 283 ibericus 349
michahellis 295 Nycticorax nycticorax 220 inornatus 347
Limicola falcinellus 280 orientalis 348
Limosa lapponica 283 proregulus 347
limosa 283 Oceanodroma leucorhoa 217 schwarzi 348
Linnet Common 37, 44, 48, 56, 70, 73, 74, 75, 84, Oenanthe deserti 371 sibilatrix 348
87, 94, 97, 107, 121, 125, 153, 155, 165, 169, hispanica 371 trochiloides 347
177, 189, 387, 388 isabellina 370 trochilus 349
Locustella fluviatilis 355 leucopyga 372 Picus viridis 329
luscinioides 355 leucura 372 Pintail Northern 202, 203
melanopogon 355 oenanthe 370, 371 Pipit Meadow 6, 35, 45, 47-9, 60, 74, 93, 102, 107,
naevia 355 pleschanka 371 148, 337, 384, 395-6
Loxia curvirostra 388 Ogilvie-Grant, William R. 100 Olive-backed 384
Lullula arborea 340 Oriole Eurasian Golden 25, 48, 73, 74, 79, 83, 84, Red-throated 384
Luscinia calliope 366 94, 99, 100, 107, 108, 148, 155, 156, 163, 330 Richard’s 383
luscinia 366 Oriolus oriolus 330 Rock 385
megarhynchos 366 Osprey 23, 32, 34, 51, 95, 100, 107, 142, 144, 148, Tawny 15, 74, 163, 383
svecica 366, 367 155, 250-1 Tree 295, 384
Lymnocryptes minimus 281 Otus scops 316 Water 385
Ouzel Ring 362 Platalea leucorodia 229
Owl Barn 2, 25, 26, 40, 42, 51, 100, 104, 126, 188, Plectrophenax nivalis 390
Mallard 2, 8, 10, 21, 32, 48-9, 73-4, 77, 84, 102, 192, 193, 315, 316 Plegadis falcinellus 228
107, 158, 185, 202, 225 Eurasian Eagle 317, 318 Plover Caspian 271
Marmaronetta angustirostris 204 European Scops 1, 2, 6, 60, 62, 75, 87, 89, 97- Common Ringed 270, 271
Martin Common House 25, 74, 122, 339, 345, 346, 100, 107, 109, 121-2, 155, 316-9, 342, 400 European Golden 6, 21, 23, 40, 48, 58, 59, 60,
395 Little 74, 95, 318 61, 75, 82, 83, 93, 94, 107, 120, 155, 158, 163,
Eurasian Crag 344 Long-eared 91, 318, 319 175, 192, 195, 196, 272, 273, 274, 275, 277,
Sand 263, 344 Maltese Tawny 1, 2, 15 397, 398, 400, 401
Mead, Chris 112 Short-eared 2, 3, 6, 25, 48, 77, 87, 95, 97, 100, Greater Sand 271
Melanitta nigra 205 109, 122, 319, 320, 342, 362 Grey 48, 78, 87, 157, 158, 275, 277
Melanocorypha bimaculata 336 Tawny 2 Kentish 271
calandra 336 Oxyura leucocephala 207 Little Ringed 270
leucoptera 337 Oystercatcher Eurasian 267, 268 Pacific Golden 272
leucoptera 88, 337 Spur-winged 88, 277
yeltoniensis 337 Pluvialis apricaria 272
Merganser Red-breasted 107, 158, 206, 207 Pandion haliaetus 250 fulva 272
Mergus merganser 206, 207 Parus major 336 squatarola 275
serrator 206 Passer hispaniolensis 375 Pochard Common 2, 158, 204, 205
Merlin 74, 77, 92, 95, 254 montanus 380 Red-crested 204
Merops apiaster 325 Pastor roseus 90, 360 Podiceps cristatus 231, 232
persicus 325 Payn, Major W.H. 109, 229, 369 grisegena 232
Micallef, Andrew 23-6, 32, 34, 341 Pelecanus onocrotalus 219 nigricollis 232
Micallef, Giuseppe 85-6, 108, 248, 337, 339, 343 Pelican Great White 219 Ponsonby, General Sir Frederick 79, 80, 266
Micallef, Peter 128, 235, 237, 317, 361, 363 Pernis apivorus 232 Porphyrio alleni 263
Milvus milvus 236 Peterson, Roger Tory 79 martinica 263
Monticola saxatilis 372 Petrel European Storm 216 porphyrio 264
solitarius 372 Leach’s Storm 217 Porzana marginalis 262
Montifringilla nivalis 381 Petronia xanthocollis 380 parva 262
Moorhen Common 262, 263 Phalacrocoracidae 218 porzana 261
Morus bassanus 217 Phalacrocorax aristotelis 218, 219 pusilla 262
Motacilla alba 372, 382, 383 carbo 218 Pratincole Collared 74, 102, 270
cinerea 382 pygmaeus 219 Pretronia petronia 380
flava 381 Phalarope Red 286, 287 Prunella collaris 374
Mountford, Guy 79 Red-necked 286, 287 modularis 374
INDEX 423
Psaila, Dun Karm 35, 43, 44 Curlew 279, 280 359, 360, 377, 379,
Pterocles alchata 304 Green 285 Pagoda 361
orientalis 304 Marsh 286 Rose-coloured 90, 95, 360
senegallus 304 Pectoral 279 Rosy see Rose-coloured Starling
Ptyonoprogne rupestris 344 Purple 279 Spotless 360
Puffin Atlantic 303 Terek 284 Superb 361
Puffinus gravis 111, 213 upland 284 Stercorarius longicaudus 288
griseus 213, 214 Wood 77, 82, 286, 339 parasiticus 287
kuhli 122 Saxicola maurus 369, 370 pomarinus 287
mauretanicus 214 rubetra 368 skua 288
puffinus 214 torquatus 369, 372 Sterna bengalensis emigrata 302
yelkouan 2, 214 Scaup Greater 205 dougallii 302
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 333 Schembri, Antonio 75, 77, 81, 84, 85, 216, 235, 317, hirundo 302
Pyrrhula pyrrhula 389 319, 333, 342 maxima albididorsalis 301
Scolopax ghardalamensis 2 paradisaea 302
rusticola 281 sandvicensis 300
Quail Common 1-3, 6, 21, 31, 38-9, 40, 42-5, 48-50, Scoter Common 205, 206 Sternula albifrons 298
53, 56, 59, 60-2, 68, 69, 73-5, 79-85, 90, 93-5, 97, Scott Hopkins, Captain 123, 334 Stilt Black-winged 73, 74, 77, 268
98, 100, 102, 104, 107, 109, 120, 138, 139, 149, Scott, Peter 112 Stint Little 278, 279
141, 151, 157, 158, 159, 160, 163, 164, 165, 170, Seddall, Rev. Henry 76-7 Temminck’s 99, 278, 279
175, 177, 182, 183, 191, 192, 194, 194, 207, 209, Serin European 40, 48, 56, 70, 74, 93, 107, 121, Stonechat Common 47, 107, 369, 372
273, 275, 208, 372, 395, 396, 397, 399, 400, 402 153, 165, 166, 189, 386 Eastern 370
Serinus serinus 386 Siberian 370
Shag European 218, 219 Stork Black 31, 99, 117, 227, 228
Rail Water 147, 148,158, 261 Sharpe, Richard Bowdler 91, 96, 99 White 227, 228
Rallus aquaticus 261 Shearwater Balearic 214 Streptopelia decaocto 305
Raven Common 334 Cory’s 1, 2, 25-6, 58-9, 61, 104, 108, 111, 155, risoria 314
Razorbill 91, 303 210, 211-5, 287-8, 315, 397-400 senegalensis 313
Recurvirostra avosetta 268 Great 213 turtur 306, 313
Redpoll Common 388 Manx 99, 104, 214, 215 Strix aluco 2
Redshank Common 285, 286 Sooty 213, 214 melitensis 2
Spotted 285 Yelkouan 214, 215 Sturnus unicolor 360
Redstart Black 93, 104, 107, 121, 367 Shelduck Common 200 vulgaris 359, 360
Common 367 Ruddy 200 Sultana, Joe 21, 113-7, 126-8, 211, 214, 216, 332,
Moussier’s 368 Shoveler Northern 158, 203 335, 343, 345, 246, 250, 345, 352, 380, 390, 392
Redwing 364 Shrike Daurian 330, 331 Swallow Barn 2, 25, 30, 34, 39, 48, 49, 50, 53, 61,
Regulus ignicapillus 335 Great Grey 332 74, 89, 91, 100, 104, 107, 110, 121, 122, 145,
regulus 335 Lesser Grey 331 153, 155, 160, 175, 344, 345, 346
Remiz pendulinus 335 Masked 333 Red-rumped 89, 345, 346, 347
Rhamphocoris clotbey 344 Red-backed 95, 331 Swamphen Purple 264
Riparia riparia 344 Southern Grey 332 Swan Bewick’s 2
Rissa tridactyla 288 Woodchat 25-6, 47, 79, 94, 107, 332 Dwarf Maltese 2
Riville, Godeheu de 20, 73, 82, 83, 281, 328 Siskin European 48, 59, 70, 73, 74, 75, 107, 121, Mute 2, 91, 104, 198
Roberts, Langley E. 21, 22, 109, 110, 128 153, 163, 165, 189, 387, 397, 400, 402 Whooper 2, 85, 91,
Robin European 16, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 42, 46, 48, Skua Arctic 110, 287 Swift Alpine 122, 323, 324
78, 92, 93, 102, 107, 121, 126, 145, 153, 165, Great 91, 288 Common 322, 323
166, 167, 168, 171, 192, 365, 366 Long-tailed 288 Little 324
Rufous-tailed Scrub 365 Pomarine 91, 287 Pallid 323
Roller European 48, 49, 53, 82, 83, 87, 97, 100, 107, Skylark Eurasian 36, 40, 44, 48, 49, 56, 59, 60-2, 74, White-rumped 324
108, 109, 185, 328 76, 81, 82, 93, 107, 130, 145, 157, 158, 169, 175, Sylvia atricapilla 350
Rook 2, 31, 214, 333, 334 275, 337, 340-2, 395-7, 399, 400 borin 350
Rosefinch Common 389 Snipe Common 6, 21, 48, 73, 74, 75, 81, 82, 83, 84, cantillans 353
Ruby Throat Siberian 366 89, 90, 108, 157, 158, 175, 191, 273, 281 communis 351
Ruff 48-9, 62, 73-4, 83, 145, 158, 280, 281 Great 108, 281 conspicillata 352
Jack 49, 82, 108, 147, 157, 281 crassirostris 351
Snowfinch White-winged 381 curruca 351
Sammut, Michael 117, 217, 219, 227, 228, 229, Sparrow Chestnut-shouldered 380 deserti 351
231, 234, 242, 249, 250, 253, 259, 263, 269, 271, Eurasian Tree 375, 380 deserticola 352
286, 287, 290, 291, 292, 293, 295, 297, 302, 304, Rock 380 melanocephala 354
313, 318, 323, 327, 340, 343, 344, 345, 351, 353, Spanish 25, 56, 91, 100, 104, 107, 153-4, 163, nana 351
370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 380, 385, 386, 389 295, 315, 323, 338, 359, 360, 375-380, 396-7 nisoria 350
Sanderling 278 White-throated 390 rueppelli 353
Sandgrouse Black-bellied 304 Sparrowhawk Eurasian 1, 2, 48, 50, 58, 73, 74, 84, sarda 353
Pin-tailed 247, 304 90, 94, 97, 245 undata 352
Spotted 304 Levant 245, 246
Sandpiper Bartram’s 88, 284 Spoonbill Eurasian 14, 17, 34, 77, 229
Broad-billed 280 Spreo superbus 361 Tachybaptus ruficollis 230, 231
Buff-breasted 280 Starling Common 2, 40-3, 48, 56, 73-4, 84, 90, 107, Tadorna ferruginea 200
Common 48, 74, 82, 84, 148, 284, 285 121-2, 145, 153, 157-8, 163-5, 192, 263, 295, tadorna 200
Talbot Kelley, Chloë E. 114 Turnstone Ruddy 286 Radde’s 348

Tallack, William 75, 120, 247 Tyto alba 315 River 355
Teal Baikal 201 Rüppell’s 110, 353
Common 82, 90, 102, 158, 201, 202 Sardinian 25, 26, 98, 99, 109, 110, 122, 154, 155,
Falcated 201 Upupa epops 328 314, 352, 354
Marbled 2, 204 Upupidae 328 Savi’s 355
Temenuchus pagodarum 361 Uria aalge 303 Sedge 356
Tern Arctic 302 Spectacled 25, 77, 93, 101, 104, 109, 110, 122,
Black 104, 111, 299, 300 155, 352, 354
Caspian 78, 88, 150, 151, 298, 299 Valletta, Anthony 112, 380 Subalpine 15, 104, 121, 353
Common 302 Vanellus gregarius 277 Tristram’s 113, 352, 368
Gull-billed 99, 298 leucurus 277 Western Olivaceous 355
Lesser Crested 301, 302 spinosus 277 Willow 98, 112, 349
Little 97, 298 vanellus 277 Wood 121, 122, 348
Roseate 302 Vella Gaffiero, Joe 113-5, 116, 138, 200, 213, 219, Yellow-browed 347
Royal 301 238, 263, 264, 271, 279, 284, 290, 293, 305, 322, Watson, Donald 114
Sandwich 300 324, 325, 333, 336-7, 339, 352, 361, 391 Waxwing Bohemian 358
Whiskered 299 Victor Vella Muskat 113, 115, 335, 371 Wheatear Black 372
White-winged 300 Vireo Olivaceus 330 Black-eared 48, 371
Tetrax tetrax 266 Vireo Red-eyed 330 Desert 371, 372
Thrush Tickell’s 362 Vulture Egyptian 15, 19, 74, 100, 102, 155, 237, 238 Isabelline 370
Blue Rock 1, 25, 26, 32, 34, 41, 47-53, 55, 77, 99, Eurasian Griffon 238 Northern 370
101, 104, 107, 372, 373 Hooded 82, 83, 238 Pied 371
Eyebrowed 362 White-crowned 372
Mistle 48, 95, 158, 364 White-crowned Black 372
Naumann’s 362 Wagtail Grey 97, 104, 382 Whimbrel 74, 91, 95, 283, 284
Nightingale 366 White 94, 95, 97, 107, 163, 372, 377, 382, 383, Whinchat 88, 368, 369
Rufous-tailed Rock 372 Yellow 5, 6, 15, 49, 69, 74, 92, 97, 100, 101, 107, Whitethroat Common 351
Siberian 361 163, 165, 190, 195, 339, 381, 382 Lesser 351
Song 2, 51, 56, 59, 60-2, 66, 88, 90, 107, 158-9, Wallcreeper 358 Wigeon Eurasian 201
163, 363-4, 372, 389, 397, 400 Warbler African Desert 351 Woodcock Eurasian 1, 2, 6, 21, 23, 25, 40, 44, 48,
White’s 361 Aquatic 356 51, 59, 60, 73, 74, 75, 80, 82, 84, 88, 93, 107,
Tichodroma muraria 358 Arctic 347 155, 157, 158, 160, 171, 175, 191, 281, 282, 283,
Tit African Blue 336 Balkan 348 396, 398, 400, 401
Blue 95, 335, 336 Barred 350 Maltese 1, 2
Eurasian Penduline 335 Blyth’s Reed 356 Woodpecker Green 95, 329
Great 336 Bonelli’s 90, 98, 112, 348 Woodpigeon Common 1, 48, 73, 158, 305
Tringa erythropus 285 Cetti’s 155-6, 314, 347, 349 Wren Winter 358
glareola 286 Common Grasshopper 355 Wright, Charles A. 19, 37, 75-80, 85-106, 108, 110,
nebularia 285 Dartford 352 166, 198, 204, 255, 299, 319
ochropus 285 Dusky 348 Wryneck Eurasian 329
stagnatilis 286 Eastern Olivaceous 355
totanus 286 Eastern Orphean 351
Tristram, Rev. Henry Baker 51, 90, 82, 99 European Reed 356, 357 Xema sabini 288
Troglodytes troglodytes 358 Fan-tailed see Cisticola Zitting Xenus cinereus 284
Tryngites subruficollis 280 Garden 48, 73, 74, 5, 82-84, 93, 99, 102, 182, 350 Xuereb Sonny 200, 235, 253, 361, 362, 393
Turdus iliacus 364 Great Reed 357
merula 362 Greenish 347
naumanni 362 Icterine 15, 19, 92, 98, 356 Yellowhammer 95, 111, 390
obscurus 362 Marmora’s 353
philomelos 363 Marsh 356
pilaris 363 Melodious 92, 356 Zonotrichia albicollis 390
torquatus 362 Moustached 98, 355 Zoothera dauma 361
unicolor 362 Paddyfield 356
viscivorus 364 Pallas’s Leaf 347

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A Complete Guide to the

Copyright © Literary Natalino Fenech, 2010

All other photos Natalino Fenech.

No part of this publication may be reproduced,

First published in 2010

Produced by Mizzi Design and Graphic Services Ltd.

This book is dedicated to a number

THE BIRDS OF MALTA .................................... 197

Appendix I Birds in proverbs

Keith L. Bildstein, Ph. D.

New birds for Malta

Bird names in this book

Bird ringing – a tool for conservation and education

Man and Birds

Birds in history deposits, some of which date back to around

Table 1: Fossil birds from various sites in Malta

Ûebbu© cave fissure

Other cave deposits

of a sheep” also found at the Tarxien Temples, is

Two birds resembling Cranes

and another vaguely resembles a Bittern. A statue

A number of bones found in various archaeological

The earliest and only known falconry scene from

A hunter aims at a flying bird with a crossbow. A

Birds feeding or drinking from a vase or chalice

Two dogs, possibly engaged in a dogfight. Both

A bas-relief carving from St Agatha’s Church

Two birds perched on a tree

A dog on a stag’s back suggests a stag hunt

of Renaissance sensibility in them and the designs

Birds feature on five of

it was nuns who usually did the needlework, using

Details from an inlaid 17th century chest of drawers at the

by Charles Brocktorff, painted around the 1830s.

Alien or very rare species

A detail from a large painting

Two oil on canvas 18th

A detail from a large painting

The extinct Maltese Owl,

Opposite page: A Honey

The supposed new species

Left: One of the earliest

A drawing of extinct Maltese

A door knocker with a bird

An old key plate with a

An owl made of different

The stylised head of an owl

plates, which also remind one of birds on coats of

Above: Line drawings from

Line drawings by Guido

ix-Xerriek, limits of Ûejtun, made a number miniature

Freddie Fenech held an exhibition consisting of 42

exhibition of 40 paintings at the Natural History

The first stamp depicting a bird

A set of stamps showing four

Stamps featuring the Little Ringed

Stamps depicting Barn Owl,

Birds in heraldry fight in the Middle Ages, it became convention to

Birds in Maltese literature

When discussing birds in Maltese literature, one

making a point about hunting and politics and Eu

three young escape but the female gets caught

With the exception of