Local
Rare visitor resting at the Ghadira Nature Reserve
By MaltaMedia News
Mar 28, 2008 - 11:44:25 AM

A Eurasian Spoonbill has been sighted resting at the Ghadira Nature Reserve, BirdLife Malta has said in a statement.

This bird is a scarce and irregular species in the Maltese islands during migration, with no sightings whatsoever in some years. Moreover, less than 5,000 pairs can be found within the European Union (EU).

The Eurasian Spoonbill is a Species of Conservation Concern and is given extra protection under Annex 1 of the  EU Birds Directive. Its global population is concentrated in Europe, although the bird remains rare throughout the continent, and therefore throughout the world.

Serious international conservation efforts have however seen an increase in its population in recent years.

The Eurasian Spoonbill is still resting at the Ghadira Nature Reserve to date. Those wishing to try to catch a glimpse of this rare visitor can try their luck this weekend, although the bird may chose to move on to its European breeding grounds at any given moment.

The Ghadira Nature Reserve is open on the weekends between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and entrance is free of charge.



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