https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/3414 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:33:08 GMT 2026-11-10T15:33:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150906 Title: Preliminary findings of bioacoustic monitoring of nocturnal bird migration in Malta Abstract: The nocturnal migration of birds in the Maltese Islands has not previously been studied. This article presents the preliminary findings of the first efforts to record nocturnal bird migration over Malta, through the passive recording of nocturnal flight calls (NFCs). Sampling was carried out in a non-standardised manner from eight stations across 11 migration seasons (spring 2020 – spring 2025). The NFCs of 78 species and 1 genus were recorded. Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis were by far the most frequently and abundantly recorded nocturnal migrants, while Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Common Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos and European Robin Erithacus rubecula were also prominently recorded. Notable occurrences included the regular overland migration of Garganeys Spatula querquedula and other water birds, indicating that nocturnal route choices may differ from known diurnal ones. Multiple species were detected more frequently and abundantly than expected from current knowledge based on diurnal observations, highlighting the importance of this technique as part of migration studies. In terms of the timing of migration, for most taxa the passage over Malta tended to peak later during the night in autumn than in spring. Passerine passage tended to peak later at night than wader and heron migration in both seasons. However, further dedicated and standardised efforts are required to improve understanding of seasonal and spatial differences in nocturnal migration phenology. Studying nocturnal migration over the Maltese Islands can help to inform conservation decisions in relation to light pollution, hunting and trapping. This study serves as a point of departure for further standardised and long-term NFC monitoring efforts in Malta. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150906 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150905 Title: A notable control of a colour-ringed Swedish Willow Warbler in Malta Abstract: The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus is a regular spring and autumn migrant to Malta. The species breeds across Eurasia and winters south of the Sahara (Sokolovskis, Caballero-Lopez et al., 2023; BirdLife International, 2024). The European breeding population mainly breeds in Northern and Central Europe (BirdLife International, 2024). In spring, on its northward migration, it usually occurs in Malta from mid-March to mid-May, with a peak in April (Bonavia, Borg et al., 2005; Bonavia, Borg et al., 2010). On its southward, post-breeding migration it is recorded from mid- August to the third week of October, peaking in September (Bonavia, Borg et al., 2005; Bonavia, Borg et al., 2010). Exceptional birds have occurred in early March, late June, July and November (Coleiro, 1991; Bonavia, Borg et al., 2010; Miceli, 2024). Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150905 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150904 Title: First confirmed breeding record of Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica (Temminck, 1835) in the Maltese Islands Abstract: The Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica has a large range across Eurasia, but in Europe it is restricted to the Mediterranean region (BirdLife International, 2024). It breeds in North Africa and southern Italy, including Sicily, where it is increasing (Surdo, Cusmano et al., 2024). In the Maltese Islands it is usually observed in small numbers on migration, being frequent from mid-March to early May and scarce from mid-September to end-October. . However, it has not been recorded breeding previously (Ecoserv Ltd, 2025). Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150904 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150903 Title: First confirmed record of Hume’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus humei (Brooks, 1878) in Malta Abstract: During a bird-ringing session in the small reedbed at Salina Nature Reserve (35°56’45.5”N 14°25’17.8”E) on 8 November 2020, a leaf warbler resembling a Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (YBW) was caught by the authors. Upon closer observation, the overall relatively dull greenish-grey plumage seemed atypical for YBW, which is a scarce but regular autumn visitor in Malta, and gave rise to the suspicion that this bird could actually be a Hume’s Leafwarbler Phylloscopus humei (HLW). Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150903 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z