Observing their homecoming

Many of Europe's breeding birds migrate between Europe and Africa twice a year. Birds migrate in autumn to avoid the cold European winters, and then once again in spring to return to their European breeding grounds.

Some birds migrate thousands of kilometres between northern Europe and Africa, traversing difficult conditions like storms, hail, sandstorms, high winds and mist to mention but a few challenges long distance migration involves.

Many migratory bird species have a high mortality rate and few of the birds which leave Europe in autumn return to breed. The birds that do return to Europe are, therefore, the strongest and fittest, the survivors of the wild bird world. This is why it is important to effectively protect them during their vulnerable migration, so that they may reach their breeding grounds and sustain their populations.

How they know when and where to fly is one of nature's wonders but clearly they know which flyway to choose to return and where to meet their partner to reproduce and raise their chicks.

Birds following the eastern flyway migrate over the Bosphorus and Turkey. Those following the western flyway travel over Spain and Gibraltar, while those taking the central Mediterranean route fly mainly over Italy and the central Mediterranean islands. As Malta is situated on the central Mediterranean flyway our small archipelago is therefore an important resting spot for these travellers.

Ornithologists, birdwatchers and other enthusiasts gather at the migration hot spots all around Europe to witness this phenomenon and see the colours and songs of Africa arriving in Europe. In some cases, however the gathering is not as joyful as in other places.

Volunteers here in Malta are not only enjoying the arrival of these wild birds from Africa but also trying to protect them from other humans who create additional barriers on their journeys. The 52 volunteers working on Birdlife Malta's Spring Watch camp are some of these.

As part of the camp, these volunteers from over eight different countries collect information on migrating birds and act as a deterrent to illegal hunting and trapping by reporting these incidents to the police.

A strong storm welcomed the conservationists on the first day of the camp three weeks ago. Most birds will not risk their lives to migrate in such weather. However, a few persisted, and managed to cross the Mediterranean and into Malta. Visibly exhausted, many of the birds landed on the first bit of land they found, regaining their strength before moving inland to more favourable roosting spots.

In one heartbreaking incident a Purple Heron was observed flying low to the sea and losing height, desperately flapping its wings as it tried to make landfall struggling against the high winds.

Just a short distance away from the shore a sudden gust of wind lifted it up and blew it out of sight to sea.

This is one of the incidences that highlights Malta's importance to many migrating birds as migration is a seriously tiring business. These wild birds need resting spots to regain their strength before continuing their migration and Malta is one of the islands in the central Mediterranean where birds can do so.

Unfortunately, birds that make it often fall victim to poaching (illegal hunting) and trapping. Spring Watch teams have counted numerous illegal hunting incidents and recovered many shot protected birds.

There are other protectors of these travellers in the Maltese islands, such as the police's Administrative Law Enforcement unit. Although they are heavily under resourced, with the around 30 officers and only a handful of vehicles, this unit deals with illegal killing of birds, including illegal sea hunting, among other duties.

Incidents in certain locations soaked up the precious few officers and vehicles, while incidents reported elsewhere on the islands remained unattended. Following action from the Office of the Prime Minister to increase law enforcement in the countryside, safer passages at certain locations were created for our guests from Africa, yet others still fell victim to poachers.

Migratory birds know no boundaries and belong to no single country. It is up to all countries on the flyways they use to enforce the protection given to them by law. It is vital that enough resources are dedicated to ensuring their protection.

One of the most memorable events this Spring Watch was when a team deployed to an area close to where a flock of Harriers had roosted the night before. At 5 a.m., it was the coffee and the anticipation of watching these majestic birds rise that kept our volunteers going.

Nor where they disappointed - at dawn the Harriers started rising one by one, and before long all the birds were airborne. As soon as they had gained enough height, they headed straight out to sea. All of the birds which roosted the night before made it safely out to sea - and that is exactly what Spring Watch is about.

Mr Saliba is Birdlife Malta campaign coordinator.