A newly fledged Scopoli’s Shearwater was released early in the morning at Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs after being found in Mġarr, Gozo, and handed over to the police.
Birdlife is asking eagle-eyed members of the public to look out for newly fledged Scopoli’s Shearwaters that appear to be disorientated.
At this time of year they leave their colony for the first time to spend most of their lives at sea, but some get disorientated and fly inland instead.
At least eight young Scopoli’s Shearwaters have been recovered in the past week after mistakenly flying inland.
Light pollution at night from nearby homes is the most likely cause of disorientation, Birdlife said.
The two races of Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea have recently been recognised as two full species, Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea, which breeds in the Mediterranean, and Cory's Shearwater Calonectris borealis, which breeds in the East Atlantic islands.
Any spotted should be reported to Birdlife on 2134 7646 and the bird will be released in an appropriate place.