Rare visitor at Ghadira bird sanctuary - BirdLife reacts to comments

A Eurasian Spoonbill has been spotted resting at the Ghadira Nature Reserve, a rarity for Malta, Birdlife said. Fewer than 5,000 pairs can be found within the European Union (EU) and in some years none was seen in Malta.

The Eurasian Spoonbill is a Species of Conservation Concern and is given extra protection under the law. Serious international conservation efforts have however seen an increase in its population in recent years.

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.

In a reaction to comments carried below, BirdLife issued the following statement:

"BirdLife Malta would like to clarify that it is very sad that the reaction to such a beautiful image and rare opportunity for lovers of nature is met with fear by members of the public rather than joy. The organization would like to state that just as the birding community is immediately alerted to the appearance of a species of particular interest on our islands, so too is the hunting community and it is certainly not through the release of this photo. We encourage the public to take this opportunity to witness this spectacle of nature this weekend, should the bird not have left for its European breeding grounds and still be at the Ghadira Nature Reserve."