New breeding sites of Yellow-legged Gull around the Maltese Islands

Abstract

The Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis has been recorded as a breeding species in Malta since 1843, breeding exclusively at mainland sites before colonising Filfla in the 1930s. The largest colony, approximately 202±24 apparently occupied nests (5-year mean, apparently occupied nest defined as well-constructed nests capable of holding at least one egg), is now located on Filfla. Sultana et al. (2011) describe three smaller colonies present on high cliff ledges along the west coasts of Malta and Gozo, namely Dingli, Ta’ Ċenċ and Wardija. There are indications that these mainland sites underwent a decline during the 1990s. However, recent data show that colonies at Ta’ Ċenċ, Dingli and Wardija may have expanded. The monitoring of these established colonies on Gozo and Malta is beyond the scope of this short note.