Troubling News for Maltese Seabirds

There are growing concerns that a local developer plans to extend a hotel complex adjacent to the Ta' Ċenċ Special Protection Area (SPA) on the Mediterranean island of Malta. This area of coastal cliffs was designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its internationally important colonies of Yelkouan Shearwater (150-300 pairs), Scopoli's (Cory's) Shearwater (1000 pairs), and European (Mediterranean) Storm-petrels (more than 25 pairs).

Malta is especially important for Yelkouan Shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan) with a nesting population of around 1,500 pairs, equivalent to 10% of the world population. Coastal development, human disturbance and predators such as rat are significant threats. Click here to read more about the EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater Project which aims to build and protect the largest colony on the cliffs at Rdum tal-Madonna, situated on the northwestern tip of the island.

For news updates visit the Birdlife Malta web page. Photo of Yelkouan Shearwater copyright of Frank Dhermain/Yelkouan Shearwater Project/Birdlife Malta.