Collared doves breed again in Malta

Collared doves have once again bred in Malta, the second confirmed breeding record after a pair was recorded breeding last year.

Collared doves, locally known as gamiema tal-kullar, were previously considered vagrants with single birds recorded every now and then, but in recent years they have become more common, with several birds being recorded on migration every spring.

As the birds resemble turtle doves, the most popular game bird, many of the collared doves that reach Malta in the hunting season do not survive to tell the tale. But some of those that migrate after May 22, when the hunting season closes, stay and breed.

Pairs have again bred at Mellieha and another pair has bred in Xewkija. Other pairs have been seen at Girgenti and a pair has been regularly sighted resting on cables close to Mizieb.

Last year a pair had bred in the private garden of a villa in Mellieha.

One of the young that fletched from Gozo met its fate at the hand of an airgun wielding boy, sources in Gozo said.

The collared dove is a common species in Eastern Europe. It has been gradually extending its range both westwards and southwards in the past 50 years. Collared doves have also started breeding in Sicily rather recently and colonised several areas and is a very common bird there.

A pair of woodchat shrikes has also bred this year and adults with three fledged young have been spotted earlier this month.

Little ringed plovers have again bred at the Ghadira nature reserve.