The abnormally high flood level that was threatening the ecosystem of the Ghadira Nature Reserve and the surrounding fields due to a blockage in the culvert started to recede today, Birdlife said.

It said in a statement that this was due to the efforts of workmen from the Rural Affairs Ministry.

BirdLife alerted Mr Pullicino about the flood waters last month when they reached abnormally high levels due to heavy rains and the blockage in the culvert.

“Not only had this flooded the islands in the reserve which are vital to Malta’s only breeding population of Little Ringed Plovers among other species, but the floods had also inundated the surrounding farmer’s fields, making the fields difficult to plant crops.” Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta conservation manager said.

Over the last week, the ministry's workmen cleared three truckloads of sand from the drainage culverts.

The blockage probably took place because the originally straight drainage culvert had to be diverted around a kiosk that was built on the beach, resulting in a bend which trapped the sand. An illegal development by the same kiosk, which had blocked access to a manhole used by reserve staff to get to the culvert, was now being dealt with by the Lands Department.

“Now that the water levels are dropping to their usual levels, the reserve ecosystem and surrounding fields can return to normal. This happened just in time as the breeding season for certain species is nearing. The reserve staff have already noted breeding pairs of Little Ringed Plovers returning to the islands, and the pairs are now courting,” Dr Raine said

Ghadira and Simar Nature Reserves are open to the public on weekends between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.