https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75324 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:07:18 GMT 2026-04-05T23:07:18Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75348 Title: Il-Merill : the ornithological journal of BirdLife Malta no. 34 Editors: Tribe, Alice Abstract: Il-Merill is the ornithological journal of BirdLife Malta. It serves as a medium for the publication of articles and short notes dealing with any aspect of ornithology having a bearing on the Maltese Islands and the Mediterranean. It also carries systematic lists of birds recorded in the Maltese Islands, rarities reports as well as bird ringing reports. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75348 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75347 Title: The first occurrence of Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (Severtzov, 1850) in Malta Abstract: Whilst monitoring the annual autumn raptor migration at Buskett at around 14.30 CET on 27 September 2016, the author spotted a sparrowhawk at moderate height coming over Buskett against the NE wind. The author immediately noted that the bird had features pointing towards Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes due to shape of the wings, which had pointed wing-tips rather than rounded as in Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. The bird also had a boldly streaked breast and dark wing-tips (fingers), and at this point called the attention of local birdwatcher Raymond Galea to observe it. Unfortunately the bird immediately stooped and alighted in the Verdala Palace grounds and therefore at this stage, due to only watching it for a few seconds and in unfavourable conditions (as bird was flying away), the identification of the bird was not confirmed. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75347 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75346 Title: Remembering Joe Sultana Abstract: On 11 September 2018 Joe Sultana passed away at the age of 78 on his home island of Gozo. Joe was continuously involved in the Malta Ornithological Society since its inception in 1962. He was the Society’s secretary for ten years and its president for a further 12 years. He was Malta’s first bird ringer and helped in the setting up of the Malta Bird Ringing Scheme in 1965. He was instrumental in the setting up of the two nature reserves Għadira (1980) and Is-Simar (1993); and for over 45 years he organised and led bird ringing visits to the island of Filfla, where he was also involved in the protection of the islet, which was being used as a bombing target by the British Forces up until 1970. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75346 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75344 Title: Remembering Martin Thake Abstract: Martin Thake’s name is synonymous with raptor migration. He was the go to person in the 1970s and 1980s when it came to anything related to raptors. During the months of September and October many of us, now old timers, remember Martin sitting on the roof of the Tal-Ispirtu Farmhouse smack in the middle of Buskett observing the raptors passing overhead. Martin was a scientist and he approached ornithology with a scientific frame of mind. His numerous publications on the migratory habits of the Honey Buzzard and other raptors are testimony to this. Later in the years, Martin shifted his ornithological interest towards pollen and nectar-feeding in passerine birds as well as many other topics. Martin contributed regularly to the bird sightings log and for a number of years he served on the Malta Ornithological Society (BirdLife Malta) rarities committee. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75344 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z