Bird lovers across Malta had plenty to celebrate this January as the annual White Wagtail roost count took place on 17th January.
Volunteers from BirdLife Malta, members of the public, and even the Mayor of Valletta, Olaf McKay, came together to monitor the iconic urban birds that make the Maltese Islands their winter home.
The highlight was Valletta’s largest and longest-monitored roost, which BirdLife Malta has been counting every year since 1985.
This year, 13,686 White Wagtails were seen settling in the mature Ficus trees near St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Law Courts. Other popular roosts included Mosta with 923 birds and Bugibba with 1,712, bringing the national total to 16,326 White Wagtails.
Using strategic vantage points and established counting methods, volunteers tracked the birds as they arrived at sunset. Alice Tribe, BirdLife Malta’s Conservation Coordinator, called it “one of Malta’s longest-running citizen science initiatives,” highlighting how community involvement helps track long-term trends while emphasising the importance of protecting urban habitats.
Members of the public gathered at Hastings Gardens to witness the stunning spectacle as hundreds of birds descended into Valletta.
“Supporting initiatives like this helps raise awareness about caring for our trees and green spaces, for wildlife and for the community,” added Mayor Olaf McKay praised the roost as a shining example of nature thriving in an urban environment.
A thermal camera allowed onlookers to watch the birds settling into their roost without disturbing them, and a few days later, BirdLife Malta presented the Mayor with a certificate recognising the number of White Wagtails returning each evening and the importance of mature Ficus trees for urban wildlife.
White Wagtails migrate from northern Europe each autumn to enjoy Malta’s milder winters, gathering in communal roosts at dusk. BirdLife Malta urges the public to protect mature Ficus trees and avoid pruning between October and March, helping to safeguard these roosting sites not just in Valletta but across Malta and Gozo.
Thanks go out to all the volunteers, APS Bank, and the Valletta Local Council for their continued support in protecting this long-standing natural spectacle, ensuring future generations can enjoy the evening arrival of Malta’s wintering White Wagtails.
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