BirdLife Malta has condemned the destruction of a national important bird area in Valletta.

Addressing a news conference in front of St John's CoCathedral, the organisation condemned the pruning of the trees in Great Siege Square saying that the roost site for thousands of wintering white wagtails had been destroyed.

It called on Mepa to take immediate action against those responsible and hold them accountable for damaging a site of national importance.

"This latest pruning follows on from an incident in May this year, when the Environment Landscape Consortium pruned the same trees leaving just a few small branches with foliage, without a permit from Mepa.

"At the time, the ELC were asked to stop by the police, but they ignored the police action and completed the pruning, severly damaging the roost site," BirdLife said.

It said that in June, Mepa confirmed that the ELC was being investigated for its actions, but the authority had since refused to disclose any details about the case.

Last Wednesday, BirdLife researcher Denis Cachia noted that new growth on the trees in the square had been removed.

BirdLife said that the trees in Great Siege Square were the main roost site for the wagtails and were regularly used by these birds for over 40 years.

Due to its importance, the site is listed asa national important bird area by BirdLife.

Last January, at least 7,600 wagtails were recorded roosting in the trees.

"The destruction of their roost has left these birds without anywhere to rest at night, impacting on their chances for survival.

Since the pruning, the birds have been observed trying to land on the little remaining foliage and flying around in an attempt to find an alternative roost site.