On Sunday, BirdLife Malta is giving the public a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of young black-winged stilts as they take their early steps in the wild at Għadira Nature Reserve.
Since the first confirmed breeding record of these birds, known as fras-servjenti in Maltese, on local shores in 2011, the species has bred almost annually at the nature reserve.
The young are nidifugous, which means they leave the nest and start feeding within a few hours after hatching. They grow quickly feeding on insects and Mediterranean killifish, and usually fledge early to mid-July.
Both adults and juveniles migrate south by late July to mid-August.
The Għadira Nature Reserve is usually closed in June to avoid disturbing breeding birds like this species and the little ringed plover, while carrying out essential maintenance works.
But it will be open on Sunday, June 29 from 8 to 11am specifically to let the public admire the above-mentioned spectacle. Entrance is free. Follow the event on Facebook.
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In this first of my regular columns, I will be sifting through all that is happening in the wine world, picking the bits of news I find intriguing and bringing them to you! All of this, and a drop or two more.
