Keep an eye on the skies – the young Scopoli’s Shearwaters (Ċiefa) are about to take their first flights!

During early summer nights, you may have been lucky enough to hear the beautifully haunting mating calls of the seabirds while exploring the darker parts of the local coast. Over the summer, breeding has taken place, with one even being spotted on Gozo's Fungus Rock. 

Now, over the coming weeks, these seabirds will start leaving their nests for the first time. While this is a natural and exciting stage of their lives, it also comes with serious risks. Light pollution can disorient the fledglings, causing them to become stranded on land. Once grounded, they face threats from predators, dehydration, and starvation if they are not helped in time.

Once collected, the BirdLife team will ensure the bird receives a health check from a vet, proper care at their rehabilitation centre, and a safe release back into its natural habitat when ready to continue its journey.

By staying vigilant and reporting stranded birds, everyone can play a part in protecting Malta’s marine wildlife, giving these young shearwaters the best chance to soar safely over our seas.

Have you ever heard the shearwater's call?