Some food sources of the Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) in Malta

The Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque, 1810) is a small insectivorous bird which started breeding in Malta some 40 years ago and is now one of the most diffused species of warblers in the Maltese Islands (Fenech, 2010). The species was listed in the check-list compiled by Nicola Ardoino in February 1893, who said it was scarce and appeared in early September (Despott, 1928). The first nest was found at is-Simar in 1973 (Sultana & Gauci, 1974) but De Lucca had published records of four birds at Salina in June 1967 (De Lucca, 1967)peer-reviewe

Bird shooting and trapping in the Maltese Islands : some socio economic, cultural, political, demographic and environmental aspects.

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DX210880 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

The importance of spring hunting in Malta on European Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur and Common Quail Coturnix coturnix populations

The European Commission’s 1979 Wild Birds Directive bans member states from hunting wild birds during spring, the period during which they are breeding or migrating, as hunting wild birds before they have reproduced is perceived to have a greater effect on bird populations than it would in autumn or winter. Malta is the only European Union member state to allow recreational wild bird hunting in spring, when birds migrate over the country to their European breeding grounds. Malta’s derogation of the European Commission’s ban can only be legally permissible if no alternative solutions to spring hunting exist. Using figures provided by hunters, we show that greater numbers of European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur and Common Quail Coturnix coturnix – the two species for which spring hunting is allowed – are hunted in autumn than in spring. We show that statistics on the number of birds hunted in spring, which hunters are legally obliged to provide to authorities, are under-reported: they are not correlated, at times negatively correlated, with data on the daily influxes of birds, and they spike in the final week of the season, consistent with the hypothesis that hunters under-report to avoid reaching quotas which would result in an early season closure. Finally, while there are wide error margins around the numbers, independent annual estimates of turtle-doves hunted in Malta imply spring hunting is a conservation concern beyond the country itself. Each spring, hunters in Malta kill the equivalent of between 2.4% and 4.4% of Europe’s turtle-dove population and 0.4% and 0.5% of its quail population.Peer Reviewe

Valleys : discovering Malta & Gozo's watercourses their value to society

Contents : 1/ Introduction -- 2/ LANFRANCO, S. & BELLIA, A. F. - Hotspot of vegetation diversity in the Maltese Islands -- 3/ FENECH, N. - The importance of Malta's valleys for birds -- 4/ BUHAGIAR, K. - Transformation of the cultural landscape in the valleys of northern Malta -- 5/ FELIX, I & PORTELLI, E. - Mapping valleys for sustainable planning and management -- 6/ DEIDUN, A., SCIBBERRAS, A. & SCIBERRAS, J. - The challenge of non-indigenous species -- 7/ GAMBIN, B. & PATISSIER, R. - Influence of environmental conditions on the Great Reed invasion -- 8/ CALLEJA, E., SAPIANO, M. & CUTAJAR, A. - Strengthening the climate resilience of Wied il-Fiddien through ecological restoration -- 9/ VELLA, S. - Rehabilitation and regeneration of Wied Għajn Żejtuna -- 10/ GlossaryAn interconnected labyrinth of valleys, referred to locally as ‘widien’, meander their way through the Maltese Islands. They vary from broad, gently sloping formations, born out of tectonic movements, to narrow, deep, and steep-sided ravines that largely result from erosion. The widien are essentially seasonal watercourses, fed by runoff during the wet season and lying dry for most of the summer. There are a few exceptions, such as Wied il-Baħrija, where spring-flow supports a trickle of freshwater all year round. These valleys provide a home for different species of fauna and communities of vegetation that are found only within watercourses and their immediate vicinity. These plant communities are known as riparian flora. There are two major types of riparian flora: hydrophytes, which are species that need to be fully or partially submerged in water, and non-submerged littoral flora, which grow mainly on the banks of the watercourses. Maltese valleys also host a number of other specialist plant species, such as those that thrive in rocky environments. Throughout history, water in valley beds has attracted human settlement and agricultural activity. Malta’s valleys have long been used as a source of irrigation and drinking water, as well as convenient waste disposal sites. Other common uses include transport routes, grazing and recreation. The publication of this book, co-financed through the LIFE IP Project Optimising the Implementation of the 2nd RBMP in the Malta River Basin District (LIFE 16 IPE MT 008)1, is intended to guide the reader to discover the Maltese islands’ watercourses and their value and contribution to society. The information provided is not only to create awareness of the rich diversity of flora and fauna but also on their vulnerability, and will hopefully raise awareness to reverse negative trends. Only through education and awareness to the greater public in hand with the authorities could such gems be preserved for future generations to enjoy.peer-reviewe