What should the public do if they see a shearwater struggling on land?

In an appeal this morning, Birdlife said it should immediately to contacted so that one of its members could rush to the bird's assistance.

A Yelkouan fledging. Photo: Ben Metzger

It noted this was the time of the year when Yelkouan shearwaters started to leave their burrows in the cliffs to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, they were confused by bright and many ended up stranded on land.

Yelkouan shearwaters are the star of Birdlife’s LIFE Arċipelagu Garnija project, which aims at securing the Maltese Islands for the species. 

Birdlife also said it was now the fledgling season for sparrows.

These birds were currently learning to fly and often fell to the ground in the process. This, it said, was part of their natural development process and no intervention was necessary. If a fledgling could be in danger, it should be placed on a higher spot and left in their parents’ care.

Birdlife can be reached on 2134 7645/6 during office hours, and 7925 5697 on weekends and in the evenings.

Spanish sparrow chicks. Photo: Aron Tanti