Antonia Micallef

Here’s my latest feature in The Malta Independent on Sunday. As long as these detrimental policy choices persist, no political party can credibly claim to support environmental conservation.

#nature #conservation

European Commission confirms that finch-trapping derogation is not in line with the European Court of Justice ruling | BirdLife Malta EU clarifies it has not endorsed Malta’s finch-trapping derogation, warning of possible legal action if EU Birds Directive rules are breached.

The @ec.europa.eu confirms it has not endorsed Malta’s so-called research derogation for finch trapping, reinforcing that the previous ruling still stands.

👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...

Malta’s 2025 Autumn Trapping Season – WBRU Registered Sites - Google My Maps 1,641 sites are authorised to trap Golden Plover and Song Thrush (Blue & White Dots), while 2,932 are authorised to 'research' finches (Red & White Dots)

Despite 2 ECJ rulings confirming finch trapping is illegal Malta again allows the capture of finches, Golden Plovers & Song Thrushes under the guise of “research”. We launched a tool showing authorised trapping sites. Use it to check locations & report illegal activity
www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...

The Maltese Government hates Maltese natural heritage and biodiversity - ADPD The Maltese Government hates Maltese natural heritage and biodiversity. Together with its plans  to weaken land use planning laws, it is also failing to protect biodiversity and continuously seeks new...

ADPD - The Green Party has raised concerns over recent legal changes that could undermine #Malta’s natural heritage and biodiversity.

The statement mentions amendments in bird ringing rules removing the link to the #EURING network, represented locally by BirdLife Malta.

adpd.mt/the-maltese-...

BirdLife Malta condemns PM Robert Abela for weakening #bird ringing laws to disguise illegal trapping as science - a disgrace to #conservation.

Bird migration is changing. What does this reveal about our planet? – visualised Bird migrations rank as one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Thanks to GPS tracking, scientists are uncovering extraordinary insights into ancient and mysterious journeys – and new threats that are re...

Across the world, #birds are changing their #migration paths to survive a warming planet.

In #Malta, we should be safeguarding their journeys, not making them harder.

True #conservation means #protection, not #politics.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Anyone's right to swing their fist ends where someone else's face begins - The Shift News Recent statistics about illegal hunting incidents tracked by voluntary conservation groups have brought the need for greater environmental protection and

theshiftnews.com/2025/10/11/a...

We’re proud that our #RestoreNature campaign won the 2025 SER Europe Communications Award, proof of what we can achieve together. But here in Malta, proposed planning Bills 143 & 144 risk undoing vital safeguards for nature & democracy. Let’s turn Europe’s Nature Restoration Law into action at home.

So proud to see May’s journey featured by our partner @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social! 🕊️🌍

This Turtle-dove was one of the lucky few to escape Malta’s open hunting season.

🔗 Check it out:
1st www.facebook.com/reel/5981258...
2nd www.facebook.com/reel/1537887...
3rd www.facebook.com/reel/9521867...

Why we should all mourn the slender-billed curlew A bird that hasn’t been photographed since 1995 has now been declared extinct. Its fate is cause for wider alarm

The slender-billed curlew, unseen since 1995, has now been declared #extinct - a powerful reminder that inaction costs us dearly. Let’s honour its loss by ensuring no other species vanishes on our watch. 🌍💔 observer.co.uk/news/science...

#HandsOffNature

This is real #conservation 💙 A true team effort! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

#HandsOffNature | BirdLife Malta #HandsOffNature: Speak up now to stop the EU from weakening vital environmental protections. Defend nature laws before 10 September!

While you're on holiday, the EU is dismantling environmental protections 🏖️➡️💔 #HandsOffNature
You have until 10 September to tell the Commission what you think. Your voice matters: birdlifemalta.org/handsoffnatu...

Don’t let the EU tear down nature protection ❌

The European Commission is quietly trying to dismantle the laws that safeguard what we cherish most: our nature.

They think we wouldn’t notice or care. But we do.

Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature 👉 birdlifemalta.org/handsoffnatu...

So proud to be part of this incredible team 💚

Yesterday we received the Environmental Stewardship Award for our Salina Wetland Restoration – a project that proves how nature can recover when given a chance. 🌿🐦

#ForNatureAndPeople #RestoreNature

#Science, not spin, should guide #conservation – the FKNK index is misleading and dangerous for our wild birds.

Malta’s Wild Birds Deserve More Than Political Games And Loopholes Il-kaċċa, the hunting of wild birds, is legal in Malta and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. But while laws exist on paper, enforcement is practically non-existent. The hunting lobby i...

Malta’s Wild Birds Deserve More Than Political Games And Loopholes

#malta #hunting #birds #enforcement #science #conservation

lovinmalta.com/opinion/malt...

Simar buffer zone restored to protect nature and people | BirdLife Malta Discover the new buffer zone at Simar Nature Reserve, restored with habitats, trees and pathways, opening free to the public this autumn.

BirdLife Malta, in partnership with Project Green, is transforming the 3,200 m² buffer zone at Simar Nature Reserve into a vibrant, public-facing habitat. The site will open free to the public this autumn. Read more and dive into the details ⬇ birdlifemalta.org/2025/08/sima...

Malta’s environment faces an unprecedented threat. We oppose the Government’s amnesty for development illegalities – even in ODZ & heritage areas – which will erase safeguards, silence the public & reward destruction. These proposals must be withdrawn. Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/08/ruin...

🦅 🦢🦉🕊️🦩🐦‍⬛

Salina Nature Reserve: A Maltese wetland brought back to life | BirdLife Malta BirdLife Malta restores Salina wetland, turning a degraded site into a thriving habitat for birds and biodiversity. Learn more about the project.

From waste to wildlife! BirdLife Malta has restored yet another wetland — this time at Salina Nature Reserve

Discover how we brought this precious site back to life for birds, nature & people

Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/07/sali...

#SalinaWetland #RestoreNature #BirdLifeMalta

Illegal developments in scenic Dwejra must not be sanctioned - NGOs Approval will reward illegality and undermine environmental protection

BirdLife Malta has joined nine other #NGOs in strongly opposing planning application PA/01439/25, which seeks to sanction illegal structures at #Dwejra – a #Natura2000 site and #DarkSkyHeritageArea. Read more ⬇️

timesofmalta.com/article/ille...

Exclusive | Microsoft Wants Your Poop to Lower Its Emissions The tech giant is investing in increasingly innovative methods of removing carbon from the atmosphere in an effort to offset the climate impact of its AI data centers.

Microsoft’s bury‑your‑poop strategy may be clever, but buying #carbon credits instead of cutting its core CO₂ leaks still smells like #greenwashing!

www.wsj.com/articles/mic...

A “protector” of people’s health and nature 🌱🛡️👥🌍

If the United Kingdom could take action to protect nature, people, and animals, then the European Union—including Malta—can do the same.

If you haven’t signed the petition yet, sign it now: banleadnow.com/get-involved/

1,750 scientists say: fund nature. In a new letter, they urge the EU to prioritise nature in the next budget.

📉81% of EU habitats in poor shape
💼500k jobs through restoration
💶LIFE = <1% of EU budget, but vital for nature

Failing nature means failing people.
🔗 Letter below.

Success takes vision, care & commitment.

Thanks to BirdLife Malta’s dedicated habitat management, birds like the Black-winged Stilt & the Little Ringed Plover continue to breed safely at our nature reserves!

Read more here 👉 birdlifemalta.org/2025/07/malt...

Photos by Aron Tanti.

#BirdLifeMalta

After crossing deserts, dodging storms, and flying thousands of kilometres, May the Turtle-dove made it back to her nesting grounds.

Watch her incredible journey unfold 👇🏻

Here's how Malta’s wetland reserves give birds a safe place to raise their young. If only Malta could add more habitats like these as part of #RestoreNature — our wildlife desperately needs space to thrive! 💚

BirdLife Malta’s latest PR addresses misleading claims by FKNK on Turtle-dove recovery. While FKNK cites limited data to suggest improvement EU experts continue to call for zero harvest along the Central-Eastern flyway which includes Malta. A 37% long-term decline in breeding pairs cannot be ignored

A new study (link.springer.com/article/10.1...) compares the diets of Scopoli’s and Yelkouan shearwaters.

Despite a wide diet, a few pelagic fish species stood out.

Protection of spawning areas and selective fishing are needed for shearwaters and fisheries to co-exist in the region.