Black-winged stilts breed in Ghadira

Known as ‘Fras-servjent’ in Maltese, this elegant wader is a regular visitor in spring, summer and autumn: most commonly seen either as individuals – often in the company of the different but related wader species, the Avocet (Xifa) – but sometimes also in small flocks.

This is not the first time a pair of black-winged stilts has been observed attempting to breed in the past; but unlike a previous recorded attempt at Ghadira reserve in spring 2008, this year’s attempt is understood to have been successful.

Potential breeding sites for black-winged stilts also include the Salinasalt-pans and Simar nature reserve: both of which, like Ghadira, are characterized by shallow, brackish water.

Black-winged stilts are protected at law but poachers have been known to target this species, which is understood to adorn many an illegal collection of mounted (stuffed) birds.