A quick-thinking beachgoer managed to catch a few snaps of a flamingo that flew past swimmers yesterday in Ramla Bay, later settling in the shallow waters for a paddle.

Those who spotted the bird initially weren’t sure whether it was a flamingo or not, given its white and grey colour, usually typical in juvenile flamingos. On noticing that it was indeed a flamingo, some excitement rose in the air as more tried to capture pictures, scaring off the bird completely.

BirdLife Malta later posted that the flamingo was rescued at sea off Comino by the Environmental Protection Unit and ERA officials and given a check-up and some TLC by vets.

Young flamingos occasionally separate from their parent flocks, being too weak to keep up on migration, and will land in coastal areas such as beaches for shelter. This has become a yearly phenomenon expected from now till early October as Greater Flamingos transit in between coastal lagoons around the Mediterranean. In fact, another flamingo was seen in Gozo just last June.

The organisation urges anyone who spots a flamingo to keep a respectful distance not to scare the bird away, as this might lead them to unsafe areas, compromising their safety. No food should be offered to the bird, and BirdLife Malta should be contacted on 79255697, for them to provide guardians until the bird is rescued.

Have you ever spotted a flamingo on the Maltese Islands?