Il-Ballut ta’ Marsaxlokk and Its Ornithological Importance

An Interim Report June 2017 – June 2018

Part 3 is a continuation of Part 1 review published in TESSERÆ Issue 6 of Spring 2018 and Part 2 published in TESSERÆ Issue 9 of Autumn 2019 with the same titles. The first and the second articles focused on the ornithological importance of the wetland of Il-Ballut Ta’ Marsaxlokk located on the south-eastern coast of the Maltese Islands (coordinates 35.838868, 14.548871). Wetlands in Malta deserve more attention as this habitat is scarce on the Maltese archipelago and offers migrating birds a much-needed rest on their way to warmer climates or breeding grounds. Part 3 continues on the 2017-2018 records uncovering further the wide variety of species visiting this particular wetland with the added interest of first-time recorded species.

Position and avifauna of Il-Ballut ta’ Marsaxlokk wetland

The geographical position of Il-Ballut ta’ Marsaxlokk lures a different number of migratory birds during autumn and spring migration. As of 17 June 2018, around sixty-seven species were recorded on site and in the nearby area, five of which breed on the Maltese Islands

Summer Sightings 2017

In summer 2017, few migratory birds have been sighted. From 26 June until end of August, birds of sedentary nature had been recorded in the wetland.

Migratory birds were noted during the last week of August when an occurrence of three Barn Swallows and one Yellow Wagtail were recorded. Three additional Yellow Wagtails were also recorded by the end of summer. On 3 September, thirty-five European Bee-Eaters were sighted in the nearby areas of tas-Silġ. Five Bee-Eaters from the flock flew over the wetland, albeit at a high altitude, while a Barn Swallow was also recorded.

Swallows were recorded in the subsequent weeks during the month of September.1 They were also sighted during the first week of October. On 17 September, three Grey Herons flew in the direction of Tas-Silġ and Delimara.

In autumn, European Bee-Eaters reach the Maltese shores in late August and beginning of September