8,000 white wagtails make Valletta trees their home

The trees in two of Valletta's main squares are buzzing with activity as about 8,000 white wagtails nestle in their temporary home there.

The birds, which visit the islands every winter, have settled in the trees of Great Siege and St John squares, creating a unique display for passers-by. The white wagtails are easily recognised by their black and white feathers and constant wagging of their tail. During the night, they sleep in the trees surrounding the two squares which trees are large enough to provide them with protection, shelter and warmth. However, they spend their day travelling to other places to feed.

A survey carried out by BirdLife shows that the number of birds living in the trees increased to almost 8,000 from the 5,000 that visited last year.