A further 250 pairs of the breed can be found at Majjistral Park.

Birdlife Malta is offering bird lovers a rare insight into the intimate behaviour of Malta’s Yelkouan Shearwaters, through the use of specially designed cameras to observe their behaviour up close.

Captured on trail cameras, the recordings give the public the rare chance to witness the secretive lives of these rarely-seen seabirds as well as giving an insight into their breeding period from their homes deep within coastal cliffs.

The project, which aims to help conserve this vulnerable and protected species, uses cameras with no white flash or sounds for minimum disturbance, to record the daily occurrences of two particular nesting sites within Yelkouan Shearwater colonies – one at l-Irdum tal-Madonna in Mellieħa and another at Majjistral Nature and History Park.

L-Irdum tal-Madonna is where the main colony of this elusive species can be found, with around 500 breeding pairs.

A further 250 breeding pairs can be found at Majjistral Park. With nesting sites situated in narrow crevices, the project team had to undertake daring abseiling activities to secure and maintain the equipment.

A chance to witness the secretive lives of these rarely-seen seabirds

This year’s recordings will be the first time that pairs of Yelkouan Shearwaters have been continuously observed for an entire season, from returning to the cliffs and mating, right through to egg laying, chick rearing and the chicks’ maiden flight.

The footage will also provide the project team with an invaluable understanding of this vulnerable seabird, necessary for supporting the project’s efforts to secure its long-term survival in Malta.

Watch the latest video update and the action from the cliffs by following #NestWatch on the project’s Facebook page.

Yelkouan Shearwaters

The Yelkouan Shearwater is a medium-sized seabird which flies with rapid wing beats.

During its breeding season, from February to July, individuals may be observed resting at sea alone or in small rafts.

Malta’s population is estimated to be around 1,600 to 1,800 pairs, which is approximately 10 per cent of the global population. The Maltese population has declined in recent years, mainly due to predators such as rats, loss of breeding habitat, illegal hunting, disturbance, and light and sound pollution. The IUCN classifies the Yelkouan Shearwater as ‘vulnerable.’

L-Irdum tal-Madonna, where 500 pairs of Yelkouan Shearwaters can be observed.