Birdlife Malta has confirmed the first breeding on record of the Little Grebe (Blongun Zghir - Tachybaptus ruficollis) in the Maltese Islands.

The nest was discovered yesterday at Simar Nature Reserve by council member Raymond Galea while he was carrying out observations.

The news comes as a natural consequence to the reserve warden and several birdwatchers who have been visiting the nature reserve over the past weeks.

The Grebes were often observed displaying courtship behaviour and carrying nesting material.

The nest was built with reeds in the dense reedbed at Simar Nature Reserve, making it difficult to observe. Two chicks were seen climbing onto the nest soon after it was discovered.

The Little Grebe is an annual wintering visitor to the Maltese Islands and frequents both nature reserves managed by BirdLife Malta - Ghadira and Simar.

It is a secretive and shy bird and rarely ventures out on open water, making it difficult to see. Little Grebes feed by diving underwater to pick aquatic vegetation.

BirdLife Malta started works on Simar in 1992 and since it started managing the site, the Little Bittern, Reed Warbler and Moorhen have bred in the area.

At Ghadira the Little Ringed Plover has also established itself as a regular breeding bird.

info@birdlifemalta.org www.birdlifemalta.org

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