A Blue Tit (‘Primavera’ in Maltese) was ringed for the first time in Malta at Buskett Gardens yesterday. This was a very fitting way for the end of the 50th anniversary of the BirdLife Malta Ringing Scheme.
“Such records are just the cherry on the cake since the ringing activity is much more rewarding when one keeps in mind that the scientific data collected helps us understand birds even more” commented ringer Nicholas Galea who ringed the rare bird. Nicholas is one of the 24 licenced ringers within BirdLife Malta and during this year it is estimated that over 10,000 birds would be ringed.
This data is logged and shared worldwide. Apart from trends in migration, breeding success, and population studies some outstanding facts occur every year.
This year Malta had a visit by a shorebird, Dunlin (‘Pispisella tad-Dabra’) with a ring from Ukraine. The journey’s distance in itself is incredible but the fact that it was ringed in Ukraine only four days before it was sighted in Malta makes it even more amazing.
Another interesting record for this year was the recapture of a European Storm-petrel (‘Kangu ta Filfla’ in Maltese) with a 26 year old ring.
The scientific knowledge from bird ringing helps BirdLife Malta in its mission to protect birds and their natural habitat.
