Law enforcement officers and Birdlife Malta are keeping an eye on an adult flamingo at the Salina saltpans fearing its highly-prized bright pink breeding plumage may be too tempting to poachers.

The flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, can easily be seen from the Coast Road next to the saltpans as it feeds in the shallow water, and sleeps, tucking its head under one wing.

Salina, with its shallow salty lagoon and mud flats, is a magnet for flamingos visiting the island as they travel between their breeding and feeding grounds around the Mediterranean.

However, it is far from a haven. Last autumn, an adult greater flamingo and its three offspring reached Salina only for residents to report hearing gunshots in the middle of the night. The four birds were never seen again.

Residents are encouraged to help by keeping an eye on the latest flamingo arrival and report anything suspicious to the police.

“It would be a terrible shame to lose to poachers another of these stunning birds, which don’t come to Malta that often,” Birdlife said.