Birdlife Malta volunteers were recently given a lift on an AFM helicopter to Filfa to monitor the population of the Yellow-legged Gull, Larus Michahellis.

The top of the tiny island is difficult to access except by helicopter, and the AFM has been giving such assistance since 1982.

Licensed bird ringers are transported  to Filfla to ring young birds before they fledge.

Very few level areas exist on the island and its plateau shape means that surface air conditions can be very turbulent at times.

Filfla is a nature reserve. There are no restrictions on over-flying aircraft, but AFM aircrew try to give the island a wide berth so as not to disturb the large amount of birds that breed there.

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