Black-necked Grebes thrill Maltese birdwatchers

The wintering water bird Black-necked grebe known as Blongos in Maltese gave a live spectacle at the Ghadira reserve on Saturday. The bird which is protected was photographed by birdwatcher Ray Galea.  The birds were previously massacred and shot indiscriminately by Maltese hunters, but in  recent years more of these unique birds which live off fish have managed to spend winterin Malta.  Indeed a sister species, the little Grebe has managed to start breeding in a similar  reserve at Xemxija.  Both reserves are run by Birdlife Malta.  The reserves were set up in the early eighties and annually welcome hundreds of students from private and state schools.